Coach Steve Tandy hails Ospreys 'spirit and fight' in Northampton win

Dan Evans was named man of the match after scoring two tries for Ospreys against Saints

Ospreys coach Steve Tandy hailed the "fight and spirit" of his side after a remarkable 43-32 win over Northampton Saints in the European Champions Cup.

It was the Swansea-based side's first win in this season's tournament and keeps alive their hopes of making the knock-out stages.

It also came against the backdrop of just three victories in 14 matches.

"It got a bit crazy, but for the first hour I thought we were pretty spot-on," Tandy told BBC Wales Sport.

"It was our first win in 10 years on the road in Europe and we've done it with a bonus point and it shows what desire and fight these boys have got."

The Welsh region scored six tries and at one stage led 43-8 before a flurry of four Saints tries threatened to spoil their day.

Ospreys also saw wing Hanno Dirksen sent-off for a dangerous tackle late on and finished the game with 13 players on the park.

But Tandy - under pressure after a string of poor performances which have left Ospreys bottom of Conference A in the Pro14 - was delighted with the win.

He also rubbished reports of a split in the Ospreys camp and praised the impact of experienced players returning after the autumn internationals.

"It's huge for the group," he said.

"Even though people on the outside question the group suggest maybe we're split, that changing room is really tight.

"Even though they were bitterly disappointing with recent performances the group stayed tight and you get some senior people back - Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Lydiate - and Bradley Davies has been outstanding throughout the working week.

"It's a pretty happy dressing room."

The teams meet again on 17 December in Swansea when Tandy hopes to have Wales internationals Justin Tipuric and Ashley Beck available again.