The Northampton Saints return to the Heineken Cup final 11 years after winning in 2000, with an outright victory against the USA in Perpignan, 23-7 . The great work of the last years of Jim Mallinder, joined the meeting of a great generation of brilliant English players (Foden, Lawes, Ashton, Hartley, Wood, Myler, Dowson or Day) that allows to use huge resources, it begins to produce results serious with this final and the almost certain inclusion in the Premiership play offs. French rule ended, at least for this year after a 2010 in Paris faced precisely Toulouse and Biarritz, and standing in the way the 4 teams that had gotten into the quarterfinals, 50% of the total.
The Saints' victory was not as overwhelming as that achieved in Franklin Gradens little more than a year in the group stage in the same Heineken, but was wide and clear. In fact, Perpignan repeated his dreadful first half to Toulon in Montuic, with low concentration and an almost irritating inability to make several passes in a row, but this time his opponent took the opportunity to show differences as insurmountable. The English were the only who proposed from the outset to go for the match, with the fast pace that you print the electric steering Lee Dickson. Was a direct attack and resolute style typical Mallinder has given to his team, and during the first part of the phases accumulated one after another, spreading with continued speed and momentum. Saints were in no hurry to impose its rule, and their two brilliant essays from Foden (after a great change direcdción of Diggin in the output of a ruck) and Jon Clarke (masterful play of the second center) points meant the translation of this domain almost absolute. The intensity and inspiration of the Saints did not allow the USAP or even the opportunity to advance in the field rival (his only attempt to score until 39 minutes was a timid attempt to Laharrague drop, almost from midfield). The local star showed his great categories: the 'train' Foden could perform any of its deadly slaloms between the French defense, fighting a duel Hartley interesting Guirado (which brilliantly foiled an essay that appeared safe with a tackle right in the corner of the goal line), the second Lawes and Day were impressive throughout the match, and captain Dowson showed that besides being a very complete flanker defense also known rival to break the line when needed. Perhaps Ashton was just below their possibilities, more concerned lately with rivals chop (this time with a provocateur David Mele, and for weeks it took them into the Premiership with Bobo). The game would have been sentenced and in the descent if the USAP has not been found almost by accident with an essay that still gave them a chance. And while in the second half they were forced to try to take the lead of the game, knew Northampton stop all attacks and even expand their income with a new effective penalty converted by Myler. Very poor overall performance of the 'Catalan', who were denied their dream of repeating the Heineken final, after his failed experience of almost a decade ago with Toulouse. Leinster, Northampton promises to be an amazing final, with two of the best attacks on the continent.
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