Northampton Saints 59-26 Newcastle Red Bulls - Gallagher PREM result as Tommy Freeman and James Pater score hat-tricks in Saints win

PREM / Regular

Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens / 25.09.2026

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Newcastle Red Bulls

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Highlights

22:39

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights: Northampton thump Newcastle to begin title defence in style

Video credit: TNT Sports

22:32

SAINTS BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE WITH CONVINCING WIN

Northampton Saints began their PREM title defence in style with a 59-26 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls at Franklin’s Gardens.

The champions made a blistering start and secured their bonus point before half-time with Tommy Freeman completing a hat-trick in an impressive attacking display.

Freeman completes hat-trick in scintillating Saints display

Video credit: TNT Sports

James Pater also crossed three times as Northampton repeatedly found ways through a Newcastle defence who struggled to contain their pace and movement.

Newcastle responded after the break and showed plenty of character with Christian Wade among those crossing for the visitors.

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Red Bulls continued to compete and eventually secured a losing bonus point through Werner Kok, but Northampton remained in control for much of the contest.

Fin Smith also played a key role for Saints, while the hosts continued to threaten as the second half progressed.

Ultimately, Northampton’s attacking quality proved decisive as they opened their title defence with a convincing victory.

FULL TIME! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 59-26 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

79'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 59-26 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS (KOK)

Newcastle secure bonus point.

Werner Kok is awarded the try after Newcastle’s persistence pays off, securing a hard-fought bonus point.

76'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (PATER) 59-21 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

James Pater goes over for his third try after Alex Mitchell breaks down the left and Wade makes a try-saving effort.

Pater collects the offload near the posts before Jules Belleau converts.

72'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (SLEIGHTHOLME) 52-21 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Sleightholme scores with first touch

Ollie Sleightholme goes over with his first touch for Northampton with Jules Belleau adding the conversion.

61'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (FREEMAN) 45-21 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Freeman completes his hat-trick!

Tommy Freeman grabs his third try of the night in the right corner as Northampton make the most of an advantage.

Fin Smith adds the conversion.

57'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 38-21 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS (HENRY)

Newcastle hit back!

Cam Jordan marks his PREM debut with a close-range score after a powerful burst from Hoskins Sotutu.

48'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (FREEMAN) 38-14 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Freeman strikes again.

Northampton make the extra man count as Tommy Freeman finishes in the right corner after a simple passing move.

Fin Smith converts to make it 38-14 before Hoskins Sotutu comes on for his Newcastle debut.

46'

NEWCASTLE HOLD FIRM

Newcastle produce some superb scrambling defence to hold Northampton up over the line once again.

43'

NEWCASTLE DEBUT FOR MOLINA

Franco Molina comes on to make his Newcastle Red Bulls debut.

42'

NEWCASTLE DOWN TO 14 AGAIN

Pouri Rakete-Stones is shown a yellow card for a head-on-head tackle close to his own line, leaving Newcastle with 14 players.

KICK-OFF! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 31-14 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

The second half is underway!

We’re back underway at Franklin’s Gardens with Northampton holding a 31-14 lead over Newcastle.

The Red Bulls have work to do, but there’s plenty of time for a second-half fightback.

HALF-TIME! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 31-14 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Northampton take a 17-point lead into the break after an entertaining first half.

The Saints have secured the bonus point thanks to four tries, while Newcastle have hit back twice through Christian Wade.

39'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (COLES) 31-14 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Saints hit back immediately!

Northampton respond straight from the restart as Alex Coles takes an offload and powers over between the posts.

Fin Smith adds the conversion to extend the Saints’ lead.

36'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 24-14 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS (WADE)

Wade strikes again

Newcastle make the most of another advantage as they draw in the Saints defence before moving the ball wide to Christian Wade, who finishes in the right corner.

Zack Henry adds the extras.

28'

NEWCASTLE DENIED AT THE LINE

Zack Henry comes on for his PREM debut for Newcastle, replacing Brett Connon after the fly-half takes a head knock.

The Red Bulls then come close to their second try, but Northampton hold them up over the line following a series of powerful carries with Jack Hicks again heavily involved.

24;

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (FREEMAN) 24-7 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Saints secure bonus point.

Northampton make their numerical advantage count once again as Tommy Freeman finishes a slick passing move in the left corner to secure the bonus point.

Fin Smith misses the conversion.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

23'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (HENDY) 19-7 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Saints extend their lead!

Northampton score again as George Hendy breaks through after a clever strike move from a lineout near halfway.

Fin Smith adds the conversion.

14'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON SAINTS (PATER) 12-7 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS

Northampton make their numerical advantage count straight away as James Pater crosses in the right corner following a simple overlap.

Fin Smith’s conversion strikes the post.