Northampton Saints Upset Leinster 37-34, Reach Champions Cup Final

Northampton Saints delivered a stunning upset over tournament favorites Leinster, winning 37-34 in the Champions Cup semi-final and advancing to their first European final since 1998. Tommy Freeman was instrumental, scoring a first-half hat-trick that set up a commanding 27-15 halftime lead. Despite a spirited comeback attempt from Leinster, including tries from Josh van der Flier and others, Northampton held firm, even while briefly reduced to 13 men due to two late yellow cards. The Saints' defensive resilience in the closing moments secured their historic victory, ending Leinster's hopes for a fifth title and a fourth successive final appearance. Northampton will now face either Toulouse or Bordeaux in the final, buoyed by a performance that defied expectations and invigorated their pursuit of European glory. The win also highlighted several Northampton players as potential selections for the upcoming British and Irish Lions squad.