The back door to the Champions Cup remains open for Northampton who squeezed home thanks to 16 points from the impressive Harry Mallinder but, as has been the story of their season, Saints did not do it the easy way.
A try with barely a minute on the clock from Mallinder ought to have settled any Northampton nerves but instead a depleted Connacht side with greater composure with ball in hand ensured a tense finish for the home side. They are becoming increasingly used to those at Franklin’s Gardens and they may have another when Stade Français arrive on Friday to determine who takes the final Champions Cup place next season.
It was significant that Dylan Hartley, captain for the day, stayed on the pitch until full-time. He ensured Northampton kept their heads and while the Scarlets head coach, Wayne Pivac, expressed confidence on Friday that Ken Owens would be fit to travel with the British & Irish Lions, the England captain demonstrated that he is ready and willing if not. Courtney Lawes, already part of Warren Gatland’s squad, can also take credit for a tireless shift and the crucial turnover at the end.
“Dylan has physically improved throughout the season. He came back from being out of the game, he’s worked hard, he’s getting fitter and fitter and he enjoyed playing 80 minutes today,” said Northampton’s head coach, Jim Mallinder. “We’re going to have to be better next week but it’s a really exciting way to end the season.” Of Harry Mallinder he said: “I’m not sure No10 is his preferred position but when your two senior 10s are out he’s willing to step in and he had a decent game.”
Despite the absence of some key men, Connacht had come to play. Northampton took a three-point lead into the interval but their opponents were the more eye-catching in attack. Saints, however, were ahead with Mallinder making amends for a rank pass to Ben Foden by finishing off a neat move in the right-hand corner. Foden had rescued the pass and found Ahsee Tuala outside him – the full-back deftly offloading back inside to Mallinder.
He duly converted but in a snapshot of Northampton’s season, Connacht were back on level terms within minutes – Craig Ronaldson’s perfectly weighted grubber kick allowing Niyi Adeolokun to collect and after he was not held in the initial tackle wriggle his way to the line. Ronaldson adding the extras.
Two penalties from Mallinder, among the shining lights of a season with plenty of dark moments, stretched Northampton’s lead but Ronaldson knocked over one of his own for 13-10 at the break.
The referee, Mathieu Raynal, who in December incorrectly allowed Connacht to kick to touch for a lineout with the clock red against Wasps – did not emerge for the second half after taking a flying boot from Alex Waller. He was replaced by Pascal Gaüzère, who was more willing to blow his whistle, but both sides might have scored tries soon after half-time – Quinn Roux knocking on when Connacht had numbers on the left and George North also failing to gather as Northampton worked the ball wide.
The Northampton scrum-half, Nic Groom, then sniped over after Tuala had barged his way a couple of metres short but Connacht kicked to the corner after a break from Ronaldson and a strong carry from John Muldoon had earned a penalty.
From the resulting lineout David Heffernan was shoved over at the back of a driving maul and Connacht were back to within three.
Another Mallinder penalty followed but Connacht continued to press for the converted try they needed for victory. Their cause was aided when Jamie Gibson received a yellow card but a trademark hit from Lawes forced the turnover ensuring Pat Lam’s Connacht career ends at the club where he won the Heineken Cup in 2000.
Lam, who takes over at Bristol in the summer having guided Connacht to the Pro12 title last season, said: “When we arrived Connacht was the fourth province with the lowest budget. None of that has changed but a lot has changed. It was a difficult decision to leave but at Bristol we have a squad that is strong enough for the Championship. If we do the job there we can start building for the Premiership.”
