Stade Francais 45-35 Northampton: Saints reach last 16 despite defeat in thriller

Despite a thrilling match with 12 tries scored, Northampton Saints secured their place in the Champions Cup knockout stages. Although the home side, Stade Francais, rallied to win the game, the Saints' qualification was assured regardless.

The game opened with Henry Pollock again demonstrating his big-game mentality, scoring two tries in as many minutes, giving the reigning Premiership champions, Northampton, a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The home side, playing in a noisy Jean Bouin stadium, responded well, with three tries reducing the deficit to 21-19 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Henry Walker scored a fourth try for the Saints, securing their place in the last 16 with a game to spare. However, a penalty try changed the momentum of the game, with England scrum-half Alex Mitchell sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for an infringement.

Stade Francais then added three further tries, along with a yellow card for Saints captain, Josh Kemeny, to complete a remarkable comeback. Although Curtis Langdon scored a late try for the visitors, Stade Francais players celebrated a hard-fought victory that revived their own qualification hopes.

Pollock's multiple outstanding performances this season have drawn attention, with calls for England coach Steve Borthwick to include the dynamic 19-year-old in his Six Nations squad. His first try showcased his physicality, shrugging off an attempted tackle before powering over the try line before a second player could hit him. His second try was pure instinct, stealing the ball from a Stade Francais player before sprinting from 50 meters out to score and give a cheeky salute to the crowd.

After stealing a lineout, lock Tom Lockett opened the scoring, with Tommy Freeman and Trevor Davison both going close to scoring. The visitors had secured bonus points in their first two pool games, but were forced into a late reshuffle before the match, with Fin Smith pulling out due to illness. Rory Hutchinson was moved to fly-half and Charlie Savala came in at inside center.

The reshuffle didn't seem to disrupt the Saints' fluid attack, but their defense failed to stop Stade Francais' fierce fightback. Peniasi Dakuwaqa finished brilliantly in the corner for a try that gave the home side hope. South African giant lock JJ van der Mescht charged through Hutchinson's kick to run 40 meters to score under the posts, and number eight Yoann Tanga forced his way over in the final play of a frantic half to cut the deficit to just two points.

The second half continued at a high tempo, with hooker Walker scoring a fourth try bonus point for the Saints. Stade Francais immediately responded with a penalty try after Mitchell illegally attempted to stop a maul, resulting in the England star being sent to the sin bin. The home side took the lead for the first time in the 52nd minute, with replacement scrum-half Brad Weber breaking through the line, with the Saints defense all at sea, Samuel Ezeala running over the try line on the right with options.

The home side, who have been struggling in the French Top 14, now had confidence and momentum as they chased their first win in the pool stages. The Saints failed to stop a powerful second try from Tanga, extending Stade Francais' lead to 10 points. After a clash that saw almost every player join the melee, the referee was required to calm tempers. Kemeny was then sent to the sin bin for a no-arms tackle on Tom Seabrook, while opposite captain Paul Gabrillagues responded with a try of his own to all but extinguish any hopes of a Saints comeback.

Langdon crashed over from a maul for Northampton's fifth try, but the Saints ran out of time to chase a losing bonus point. The Saints will look to secure top spot and a home tie in the knockout stages when they play Munster next Saturday, while Stade Francais travel to South Africa to face the Bulls.