Northampton Saints upset Leinster 37-34 in Champions Cup semi-final

Northampton Saints stunned Leinster in Dublin, knocking the Irish side out of the Investec Champions Cup semi-final with a dramatic 37-34 victory, highlighted by Tommy Freeman's first-half hat-trick. Despite being written off before the match and having three players sent to the sin-bin, Northampton displayed exceptional grit and attacking flair, scoring five tries against a Leinster team that had not conceded in their previous two knockout rounds. Leinster, aiming for their fourth successive final appearance after three consecutive final losses, fought back with tries from Tommy O'Brien, Josh van der Flier (2), Caelan Doris, and James Lowe, but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses and Northampton's resilience in the tense closing minutes. The Saints' win was marked by key contributions from Fin Smith and Henry Pollock, as well as remarkable defensive stands, especially during a frantic finale where Leinster's late efforts fell short. This upset secures Northampton a place in the final at the Principality Stadium, where they will face either Toulouse or Bordeaux Bègles, and marks one of the most remarkable results in Champions Cup history. The outcome also holds significance for British & Irish Lions squad selections, with standout performances from both sides likely influencing the upcoming announcement.