A huge roar from the stands as Northampton win a penalty at a scrum on halfway. Fin Smith whacks a kick into the 22 and the Saints can build again.

Castres needed that penalty. Not just for the points, it has stemmed the relentless wave of attacks from the hosts.

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

Northampton were guilty of starting a bit slowly last week but they have been at their fluent best in the opening eight minutes of the quarter-final.

Fin Smith is ripping the ball left and right and his runners outside are causing panic in the Castres defence.

George Furbank was metres short of marking his comeback with a try but his terrific offload handed Tommy Freeman a run-in for his fourth in two games.

Castres get a penalty a long way out and scrum-half Fernandez muscles it over. Excellent kick!

Smith, Freeman, Furbank - all involved in that score and all could be involved in the summer down under. Scintillating back play.

This has been an utterly dominant start from Northampton - with no points to show for it. Flanker Josh Kemeny gets the ball wide left and looks set to run in but he's eventually wrapped up by a fine tackle and Castres win a penalty on the floor.

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

George Hendy's injury means namesake George Furbank makes his long-awaited return sooner than expected.

He slots in at full-back with James Ramm moving to the wing.

The officials are now reviewing the tackle by Castres centre Vilimoni Botitu - but they decide there is no case to answer. Play on!

George Furbank is on a lot earlier than he would have expected - wing George Hendy limps off after being caught by a high tackle.

A first glimpse of Henry Pollock as he takes a high ball and steps on the gas to beat two men and start another attack. A brilliant opening from the hosts.

Heavy, sustained pressure from Northampton as they batter away at the Castres line. Eventually Tommy Freeman is penalised and the ball is turned over.

George Hendy bursts down the Saints' left and is pulled down, they work it back inside through the forwards and are closing in...

An excellent box kick from Jeremy Fernandez but Northampton can look to attack from deep, already they look dynamic.

Fin Smith hoists the ball into the spring skyline and we are off!

The players are out, the crowd is up - let's do this!

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

Before the last 16 win over Clermont Auvergne, the loudest cheer by the Saints faithful was reserved for emerging star Henry Pollock as the teams were read out.

Fast forward six days and George Furbank's return to the squad for the first time since December is met by the greatest surge in decibels.

It's a welcome boost for the hosts as the England full-back has finally recovered from a fractured arm to take his place on the bench.

Image source, Rex Features

Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson to Premier Sports: "We performed well last weekend and it's important we find the same level again.

"Tempo is key, when to manage the game and when to go, we know sides are trying to slow us down."

Mantej Mann
BBC Sport at Franklin's Gardens

The stands are filling nicely as we approach kick-off. It's a warm April's day with relatively clear skies in the east Midlands, so let's hope for plenty of running rugby.

Just as a side note, I wonder how many fleet-footed Northampton Town fans will make the short walk along Edgar Mobbs Way to catch this one after their side's goalless draw with Reading.