Dawson and Pountney guide Saints into final

London Irish 9

Northampton gained emphatic revenge for their comprehensive defeat in last season’s Twickenham showpiece when they lost 38-7 to London Irish, by thrashing the Exiles in a one-sided semi-final at Oxford United’s Kassam Stadium.

Saints triumphed 38-9, scoring five converted tries from Pountney, his fellow flanker Darren Fox, lock Steve Williams, number eight Mark Connors and substitute centre Peter Jorgensen.