Summary

  • Northampton Saints thrash Bulls to reach Champions Cup semi-finals

  • Brilliant Saints score nine tries in dazzling victory at Franklin's Gardens

  • Northampton will travel to Dublin's Croke Park to face Leinster in May

  • Leinster crushed defending champions La Rochelle 40-13 to reach last four

  • Harlequins edged out Bordeaux-Begles 42-41 to make semi-finals for first time

  • They will face Toulouse or Exeter who play on Sunday

Live Reporting

Tim Oscroft

  1. Good night

    FT: Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    That's been quite a day in the Champions Cup, and there's more to come tomorrow when Toulouse host Exeter Chiefs at 15:00 BST.

    Join us for live text coverage from 14:30.

  2. FT: Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    There's some history with Leinster in this tournament - Saints lost 33-22 to the Irish side in the 2011 final, the last time Saints got as far as the last four. Current director of rugby Phil Dowson scored one of Saints' three tries that day.

  3. Tom Varndell
    Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That's the best performance I've seen all season. Northampton were so impressive.

    Leinster were equally impressive and that is going to be some semi-final in Dublin.

    It's going to be a different challenge but but Northampton play with no fear and they can do it.

    Oille SleightholmeGetty Images

  4. FT: Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    The tries were spread around - Ramm (2), Lawes, Sleightholme, Mitchell (2), Coles, Dingwall, Augustus - and Fin Smith landed seven conversions as well as displaying some nice sleight of hand with the ball.

  5. FT: Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    The Saints were ruthless, aside for a 15 minute-or-so spell at the end of the first half.

    Now, they take on Leinster at Croke Park in Dublin in early May.

  6. Full-time

    Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    That's it, the Saints are into the semi-finals for the first time since 2011.

  7. Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    The Bulls are pluckily camping out in the Saints' half for the dying embers of the match. But then they give the ball away and the hosts kick it clear and we go into the final minute.

  8. Tom Varndell
    Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Northampton have given the Bulls nothing in this half. They came out absolutely flying and have been ruthless.

  9. try

    Try - Northampton 59-22 Bulls

    Juarno Augustus

    Saints grab try number nine when their South African number eight Juarno Augustus plunges for the line, and with a lot of help from Alex Moon he gets there.

  10. 'Sniping Mitchell special'

    Tom Varndell
    Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That was a Mitchell special - sniping at the breakdown. The defence didn't know what to do with all the options Northampton have out wide and he took advantage. Clever thinking.

  11. converted try

    Converted try - Northampton 54-22 Bulls

    Alex Mitchell (con F Smith)

    After a bit of a lull in thge scoring, Saints grab their eighth try when Alex Mitchell scoots low from close range for his second.

    Alex MitchellGetty Images

  12. Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    Ollie Sleightholme collects a charged down kick from de Klerk and goes over by the flag, but he was in front of James Ramm and the winger won't be adding to his earlier effort.

  13. Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    Juarno Augustus makes a one-handed pick up then offloads from the back of his hand - deft stuff.

  14. Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    The Bulls are still not totally out of this, they have shown that they can turn it on quickly but they'll need get going soon.

  15. Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    Cameron Hanekom is back on so the Bulls are back up to a full 15.

  16. Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    Akker van der Merwe is shunted into touch near the Saints corner flag, but then the hosts win the race into the opposition's 22. That man advantage is still showing for Saints.

  17. 'Incredible Fin Smith'

    Tom Varndell
    Former England and Leicester wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Fin Smith is incredible this half. He looks like he's got so much time. Those little offloads are superb.

  18. converted try

    Converted try - Northampton 47-22 Bulls

    Fraser Dingwall (con: F Smith)

    Bulls are a man down ands it shows, as a ball flicks off the top of a lineout before it reaches Fin Smith. His little shovel pass to Fraser Dingwall gives the centre a simple chance for his first try, which Smith converts.

    Fraser DingwallGetty Images

  19. No try

    Northampton 40-22 Bulls

    Cameron Hanekom lifted a Saints player up in the tackle, and is sent to the sin bin while the try is chalked off.

  20. try

    Try - Northampton 40-27 Bulls

    Sebastian de Klerk

    The Bulls hit back, but they are reviewing for foul play back earlier in the move.