";s:4:"text";s:5551:" Shane Jennings joined the Leinster back row, while Dom Waldouck's absence in the Northampton back-line saw North pair up with Luther Burrell in the centre for the first time.Northampton had the first glimpse of the whitewash, springing teenage winger Tom Collins free from a solid scrum and Rob Kearney cynically bringing him down as they chased a kick.Leinster were forced on the defensive again as Wood wielded influence at the breakdown, before Brian O'Driscoll (above) was invited forward by a short Jack McGrath pass.RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Broadcaster. But dropped balls and misjudged kicks made for a sloppy start from the hosts. Northampton gained sweet revenge for last week's hammering by Leinster as they denied their hosts even a losing bonus point with an 18-9 win at the Aviva Stadium. Saints continued to force the issue though, with North intercepting a Fitzgerald pass and a dogged drive from the forwards almost led to a pushover try for busy scrum half Dickson – Mike Ross did well to hold up him.
Leinster laid siege to their opponents’ line in injury-time but a mistake by captain Jamie Heaslip resulted in a breakaway try for the visitors.Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder had said his side were “embarrassed” by last week’s hammering and they certainly started like a team with something to prove.Leinster had the opportunity to move 10 points clear at the top of Pool One, drawing a 47,370-strong crowd to the Aviva, but Northampton landed an early blow with George North's sixth-minute try and should have been further in front than 7-3 at the break.An Ian Madigan penalty in the 11th minute put four points between the sides, with the visitors' scrum-half Lee Dickson held up over the try-line and his half-back partner Stephen Myler missing a late shot at the posts.Leinster resumed on the front foot with Madigan reducing the arrears to a single point.Both sides were forced into late switches with a dead leg ruling out former European Player of the Year Sean O'Brien.
Saints went for the lineout option and after second row Courtney Lawes was held up, Dickson and Burrell combined to release North for a close range try converted by Myler. An important tackle by Jennings on Manoa forced a relieving knock on.
Northampton displayed their resilience again when replacement scrum half Fotuali’i clipped home his drop goal, making up for a wayward 52-metre penalty from Myler just moments earlier. Shane Jennings joined the Leinster back row, while Dom Waldouck’s absence in the Northampton back-line saw North pair up with Luther Burrell in the centre for the first time. Leinster were forced on the defensive again as Wood wielded influence at the breakdown, before Brian O’Driscoll was invited forward by a short Jack McGrath pass. Luke Fitzgerald wriggled into space to set up field position for Leinster, with Madigan getting them off the mark in the 11th minute. A weaving run from the electric Fitzgerald soon brought Leinster downfield and as play continued to break up, North’s deft hands released Ken Pisi for a raid into the 22 and Elliott was just unable to collect the final pass. Highlights: Leinster v Northampton. Leinster surrendered their unbeaten record in this season’s Heineken Cup as Northampton Saints won a low-scoring but absorbing contest at the Aviva Stadium…Matt O’Connor post-match reaction… Tries from George North and Jamie Elliott bookended this round 4 clash, as Jim Mallinder's men recovered from last week's 40-point hammering from Leinster.
174. Both sides were forced into late switches with a dead leg ruling out former European Player of the Year Sean O’Brien. Leinster piled forward in the dying minutes, their forwards scrambling to make the try-line. Three points from the boot of Myler was a decent reward for Saints’ unrelenting endeavour. An Ian Madigan penalty in the 11th minute put four points between the sides, with the visitors’ scrum half Lee Dickson held up over the try-line and his half-back partner Stephen Myler missing a late shot at the posts. Rob Kearney, who was particularly busy in defence, tried to lift the men in blue with two terrific touch-finding kicks – but the Northampton lineout was well-oiled with Christian Day in stellar form. Saints went in search of a second try, winning consecutive penalties inside the 22 as they continued to back their lineout. Last updated on 25 May 2013 25 May 2013. Leinster resumed on the front foot with Madigan reducing the arrears to a single point. From the section Rugby Union. The province’s hard graft earned a central penalty which Madigan dispatched through the posts with eight nerve-jangling minutes left. But Northampton – bottling the hurt caused by their collapse at Franklin’s Gardens – landed an early blow with North’s sixth-minute try and led 7-3 at the break. Leinster recorded a 60-13 win over the Saints at Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening in front of over 38,000 supporters to secure top spot in Pool 4 heading into the final two rounds of matches against Montpellier and Castres next month. Myler misjudged a last-minute kick from the left hand side, failing to reward an advancing scrum, and Saints had to weather a Leinster storm in the opening minutes of the second half.