Northampton Saints 32-26 Leicester Tigers result - Hosts hold firm to secure win in thrilling Gallagher PREM East Midlands derby

PREM / Regular

Cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens / 11.10.2025

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17:08

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS HOLD OFF LEICESTER TIGERS IN THRILLING GALLAGHER PREM DERBY

Northampton Saints edged out Leicester Tigers 32-26 in a pulsating Gallagher PREM derby at Franklin’s Gardens.

Tommy Freeman marked his 100th appearance for Saints, while the home side overcame early injury concerns to seize the momentum in a tightly contested first half.

'Lions in Saints jerseys!' - Magical Mitchell tees up Smith for walk-in

Video credit: TNT Sports

Saints’ attack clicked at key moments, with Callum Chick powering through midfield and smart distribution from Fin Smith and Rory Hutchinson creating space for Edoardo Todaro and Tom Pearson to score.

Anthony Belleau also produced a moment of magic, following up his own chip to claim a try and secure the lead.

Watch: Belleau brilliance leaves Leicester defence grasping at thin air

Video credit: TNT Sports

Leicester remained resilient throughout, with Adam Radwan and Solomone Kata causing problems with their pace and physicality.

James O’Connor and Orlando Bailey came off the bench to inject energy, while Billy Searle’s accurate kicking kept Tigers within touching distance and set up a tense final phase.

'It's kicking off now!' - Heated scuffle ensues after Dingwall try

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In the closing minutes, Northampton held firm despite pressure on the scrum and cramp for Chick.

A late turnover and Fin Smith’s clearance sealed the win, giving Saints a hard-fought victory and a home triumph in this East Midlands showdown.

Image credit: Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

Image credit: Getty Images

FULL-TIME! NORTHAMPTON 32-26 LEICESTER

Leicester head north with a losing bonus point.

And that is the moment. The ball is sent back to Fin Smith, who launches it into the stand - Saints hold on.

With just 30 seconds remaining, Chick is down with cramp and Northampton need to survive one final scrum to secure the win.

Watch: Belleau brilliance leaves Leicester defence grasping at thin air

Video credit: TNT Sports

77'

NORTHAMPTON 32-26 LEICESTER

Leicester’s maul earns them a penalty and Bailey opts to go for touch, setting up a line-out just inside the Saints’ 22.

Coles puts pressure on the throw, the ball is trapped and Northampton win a scrum turnover.

75'

NORTHAMPTON 32-26 LEICESTER

Both benches have been emptied, with Ale Loman, the Sweden international making his Premiership debut for Leicester.

Northampton go wide but concede a penalty at the breakdown, giving Leicester a line-out just beyond halfway.

70'

PENALTY! NORTHAMPTON 32-26 LEICESTER (O'CONNOR)

Penalty to Leicester! James O’Connor splits the posts, narrowing the gap and turning it back into a one-score game.

Shortly after, Coles fails to gather the restart, allowing Leicester to retain possession and earn another penalty.

67'

PENALTY! NORTHAMPTON (SMITH) 32-23 LEICESTER

Fin Smith slots an easy kick, extending the lead and putting the Saints firmly out of reach for Leicester.

67'

NORTHAMPTON 29-23 LEICESTER

Henry Pollock and Ollie Chessum clash during an extended Leicester attack, but a few phases later Pollock manages to snatch a penalty just outside his own 22.

Earlier, Wright had driven in to secure a crucial turnover for Northampton, helping them maintain control in this tense phase of the game.

65'

NORTHAMPTON 29-23 LEICESTER

Leicester make changes as James O’Connor and Orlando Bailey come on for Searle and Kata.

The intensity doesn’t drop, with Radwan sending a kick ahead and nearly regathering it himself.

Belleau races across to stop a potential try, and Leicester are awarded a line-out just seven metres from the Saints’ try-line.

64'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON (BELLEAU) 29-23 LEICESTER

Anthony Belleau finishes in style to put the Saints.

After Leicester clear through Hassell-Collins, Belleau collects near the touchline and follows up his own chip, the ball bouncing perfectly past Whiteley for a brilliant score.

60'

NO TRY! NORTHAMPTON 22-23 LEICESTER

Saints bring on Henry Pollock to steady the ship. Northampton mount a series of strong carries from Litchfield, Wright, and Pearson, but the Tigers repel them before Dingwall manages to wriggle over.

Tempers flare briefly as Chessum shows his frustration at Pearson, while a knock-on from Litchfield forces play back for a scrum.

Earlier, Todaro had broken clear off Smith’s shoulder, but Liebenberg was caught offside as Saints shifted back to the left, sending Northampton to the corner.

55'

PENALTY! NORTHAMPTON 22-23 LEICESTER

Will Wand ignites a move for Leicester with a wide-running arc, and Trevor Davison is penalised in midfield for not rolling away.

Searle delivers a slightly off-target kick-pass to Hassell-Collins, then opts for the tee after the advantage play comes to an end.

Jack van Poortvliet is replaced by Tom Whiteley.

Meanwhile, Searle secures a few extra points.

50'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON (BELLEAU) 22-20 LEICESTER

It’s a brilliant sequence from Saints. Leicester overthrow a line-out, and Northampton break wide from their own 22, with Dingwall offloading to Hutchinson.

Hutchinson delivers a long pass to Belleau, keeping the move alive.

Tigers scramble, but Mitchell weaves along the short side to free Belleau, allowing the hosts to cross for a bonus-point try, though Smith just misses the conversion from the left touchline.

Soon after, Leicester apply pressure, with Searle kicking behind Mitchell, who is forced to concede a close-range line-out.

Belleau remains at full-back while Fin Smith, still at 10, sends a deep kick into touch, and Olly Cracknell makes a powerful impact with a bruising carry on for Ilione.

49'

NORTHAMPTON 17-20 LEICESTER TIGERS

Belleau appears to be covering full-back, while Fin Smith, still at 10, sends a deep kick into touch after a single bounce.

Olly Cracknell comes on for Ilione and immediately makes an impact with a powerful carry.

47'

TRY! NORTHAMPTON 17-20 LEICESTER (WELLS)

Strong close-range work from Leicester.

Wells picks and goes around the fringe before his teammates drive him over the line.

Searle adds the conversion, putting Leicester back in front.

45'

NORTHAMPTON 17-13 LEICESTER

Saints halt the maul, but it’s offside and Leicester are back in the corner.

Anthony Belleau is coming on for Freeman, leaving questions over how Saints will adjust their backline.

Saints are warned after another infringement.

43'

NORTHAMPTON 17-13 LEICESTER

Freeman looks restricted in the backfield. He just missed a tackle on Ollie Hassell-Collins and shakes his head toward the bench.

Meanwhile, Leicester have a penalty advantage.

41'

KICK-OFF! NORTHAMPTON 17-13 LEICESTER

Liebenberg rises to steal a Saints line-out, he’s proving to be a real handful in the air.

VIDEO: ALEX MITCHELL

'Lions in Saints jerseys!' - Magical Mitchell tees up Smith for walk-in

Video credit: TNT Sports

HALF-TIME! NORTHAMPTON 17-13 LEICESTER

Northampton Saints have scored three tries in the first half.

Saints finally clicked with a slick backline move finished by Tom Pearson, while Tommy Freeman marked his 100th appearance despite some injury concerns.

Leicester have stayed competitive through strong carries from Adam Radwan and Solomone Kata and accurate kicking from Billy Searle.

The second half promises more high-paced action and physicality as both teams fight for derby supremacy.

'I can't carry on' - Rare scenes as Northampton v Leicester clash sees ref change

Video credit: TNT Sports

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