George Furbank gives Saints farewell gift to seal thrilling playoff win against Leicester

• Northampton 45-31 Leicester

• Saints await winners of Bath v Exeter in final

In recent years the semi-finals of the English Prem have been a reliable home banker.

Not since Harlequins famously overturned a 28-0 deficit to beat Bristol after extra time in 2021 has any away side prospered, and that trend continues.

Northampton are into next week’s final after a ripper of an East Midlands derby that reflected well on all involved.

A first half-hat-trick by the Saints centre Tom Litchfield ultimately gave the hosts the edge in a frequently see-sawing encounter.

It was a breathless game from start to finish, reflecting a campaign in which attack has frequently held sway, and it was only when their young scrum-half Archie McParland touched down his side’s sixth try with 15 minutes remaining that the balance of power appeared to have shifted decisively.