Northampton Saints reach Champions Cup quarters after Freeman hat-trick

Tommy Freeman's hat-trick propelled Northampton Saints to a decisive 46-24 victory over Clermont Auvergne, securing their place in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-finals. Freeman has now scored nine tries in his last seven games, bolstering his candidacy for the British and Irish Lions squad. Despite a challenging start, Northampton showcased their attacking prowess, with Juarno Augustus also contributing two tries and key performances from England players Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith. The victory was overshadowed by serious injuries to Clermont's Fritz Lee and Bautista Delguy. Northampton will host either Castres or Benetton in the quarter-finals, aiming to advance further despite struggling in the domestic league. Director of rugby Phil Dowson expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, especially after recent setbacks in the Premiership.