Northampton Saints vs Harlequins LIVE - fifth and sixth place battle to make it into the top four at Franklin's Gardens

Northampton Saints battled to a gritty 36-33 win against Harlequins at Franklin’s Gardens with a result that saw both sides move into the top four.

It was five tries apiece in the East Midlands to give both teams a try bonus point for round seven. Quins had an early lead through Cadan Murley, who scored just four and a half minutes into his first Premiership appearance of the season. Further tries followed from Jack Walker, George Hammond, Will Evans, and Nathan Jibulu.

Northampton sealed the all-important victory with a bookending brace from Ollie Sleightholme and additional scores from Lewis Ludlam, Alex Mitchell, and Alex Cole. Fly-half George Furbank four out of five conversions for Saints, while England’s Marcus Smith provided eight points from the tee for England.

Quins scored their fifth try in the 79th minute and the quickly taken conversion from Smith gave the visitors a last-minute chance to secure a win. Saints dug deep and fought to hold on to their win, their third in three games at Franklin’s Gardens. The home side move up into fourth with 21 points while Quins remain just above them in third thanks to their two bonus points, and have the same amount of points at the end of round seven.

Injury woes just before half time for Saints saw them lose captain Ludlam and James Ramm, with the forward seen with his foot in a boot for the remainder of the match. Northampton next face Saracens in round eight at the Stone X, while Harlequins will host last season’s finalists Sale Sharks.

Full report here:

Saints' Furbank stepped the fly-half role and had an impressive match in both attack and defence.

He spoke to TNT Sports' Martin Bayfield after the match:

A defiant performance from Saints despite having so much against them, and they take the win in the 10-try game at Franklin's Garden. It was close at the end, and Quins leave Northampton with two losing bonus points.

The score moves Northampton back into the top four from starting the weekend in sixth, and leave round seven with 21 points.

With the two points secured, Quins also move into the top four, just ahead of Saints, and they go into third. They move from 19 points to 21, the same as Saints.

Saints hold on to the win!

Jibulu stays low and drives over the line to score Quins' fifth! Smith gets the conversion quickly to re-start the game.

Hammond steals a pass from Mitchell!

The tables turn quickly and Saints win the penalty this time! They'll have the scrum on five metres.

Lawes with an important tackle on a speedy Beard, but Cox goes back for a previous penalty. Saints are warned for their penalty count in the red zone.

Saints go from coast to coast and brilliant passes from Furbank to Hendy, and Hendy to Sleightholme to allow the winger to get his second try over the evening! A fantastic finish, and some superb accuracy in the build up.

Conversion missed, but Saints have the ten-point lead with eight minutes left.

A sizzling run from Litchfield who darts through the midfield with a fantastic break after an impressive run from Coles. Quins gain the ball back to stop the Saints momentum for now.

And Quins get their try bonus point! Evans gets over after another tap and go form Dombrandt before Cunningham-South carries well. Evans sends the dummy pass before he sneaks over the line to score Quins' fourth.

Smith gets the conversion.

Dombrandt takes the tap and go penalty, and it takes three Saints men to bring him down. Saints give away another penalty, this time for offside.

Jibulu with a great throw in the lineout to Lamb and Quins are within metres of scoring in the aftermath.

Coles gets the bonus point for Saints! Furbank runs through the middle to draw in three defenders before passing to Coles. He is close to losing it forwards but manages to gather it and crashes over the line in front of the posts despite having Murley and Joseph on his back.

An easy conversion for Furbank to take Saints further ahead.

A seatbelt tackle from Care on Sleightholme gives Northampton the penalty. Scott-Young gathers the lineout.

Lawes snaffles the lineout in the air from Herbst to give Saints the possession before Quins win it back.

Northampton go in search of a try bonus point with a strong carry from Pearson and quick attacking play. Dombrandt wins an important turnover for Quins to get rid of the danger for now.

A worry to see Ludlam in the stands with a boot on, Saints will be hoping for a swift recovery for their captain.

Walker tackles Pearson on his knees and the Saints man flips over the top of him. It's a penalty to Saints for the dangerous tackle.

Davison gives away the penalty for collapsing the scrum and Harlequins throw to the front of the lineout to go quickly.