Diggin bags four tries as Saints storm into last eight

Northampton 37 Edinburgh 0

It was a far from vintage performance from the Saints but it was convincing enough against a dogged but poor Edinburgh side, who never looked like threatening Saints’ unbeaten European record.

The game was a very uninspiring affair up until the last eight minutes when Saints scored three tries all from excellent wing, Paul Diggin, who finished with a total of four.

Jim Mallinder’s side now have 21 points to their name with a game remaining; that alone may be enough to secure a home quarter-final, while victory over Castres next week could see them through as top seeds.

Scorers for Northampton: Diggin 4 tries; Mujati try; Myler 2 cons, 2 pens; Ford con.

Cardiff Blues 14 Castres 9

CARDIFF BLUES kept alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the Amlin Challenge Cup as they claimed a deserved Heineken Cup Pool One win over Castres at Cardiff City Stadium.

The Blues already had no hope of reaching the last eight in the top-tier competition, but this win keeps them in the hunt for a runners-up spot which would put them in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

But they may be left to rue the losing bonus point the French visitors picked up to keep themselves in second place by a single point.

Leigh Halfpenny collected Casey Laulala’s kick ahead and beat the Castres, cover for the only try of the game with Dan Parks kicking the remainder of the Blues’ points.

Seremaia Bai had an off-night with the boot for Castres but landed two penalties, while replacement Pierre Bernard then kicked a long-range penalty to secure the vital bonus point.

Scorers for Cardiff Blues: Halfpenny try; Parks 3 pens.

Scorers for Castres: Bai 2 pens, Bernard pen.