Challenge Cup glory for Northampton

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Steve Myler, the England Saxons fly-half, laid the foundations for Saints' triumph with five penalties in a fiery contest containing numerous flashpoints.

Brawls erupted throughout the evening, the worst of which was when substitute Thomas Genevois landed a cheap shot on Courtney Lawes who was then attacked by a posse of Bourgoin players. Genevois was sent off for the punch with five minutes to go while Neil Best and Morgan Parra were shown yellow cards earlier as referee George Clancy was subjected to a difficult night.

Victory brought with it only Saints' second piece of major silverware and their first since winning the Heineken Cup in 2000, making them the third English club to complete the European double.

More importantly they have now qualified for next season's Heineken Cup, in the process ending Wasps' hopes of claiming a spot in the tournament through the back door.

Instead Bourgoin's French rivals Brive, who include England internationals Andy Goode, Steve Thompson, Riki Flutey and Jamie Noon in their ranks, will take the last remaining spot in Europe's premier club competition.

Bourgoin, battle hardened by Top 14 action over the last two weekends, clearly intended to soften up their opponents who had not played since beating Saracens in the semi-finals on May 1.

But Saints took everything thrown at them and kept the scoreboard ticking over through Myler, keeping their own discipline intact in the process.