Northampton put their domestic troubles behind them to record a second successive Heineken Cup victory and remain firmly on course for the quarter-finals.

Northampton put their dismal Zurich Premiership form behind them to get their Heineken Cup campaign off to a winning start in horrendous conditions at Hughenden.

London Irish 15 Northampton 36

England internationals Matt Dawson and Ben Cohen have given Northampton a huge Heineken Cup boost by being passed fit for Saturday’s crucial home clash against Biarritz.

Cardiff 0 Northampton 31