Saints stun Biarritz

Bookmakers gave struggling Northampton a 20-point start in the quarter-final tie against last season's runners-up in San Sebastien, but they got it all wrong in a scrappy game that had nothing for the purists, but plenty for Saints fans.

There was no score after 39 minutes of poor rugby and it was left to the boot of Dimitri Yachvili to edge his side in front, only for Robbie Kydd to stun home fans with a match-winning 60-metre intercept try.

France international Yachvili was given a chance on the stroke of half time to open the scoring and made no mistake to give the home side a 3-0 lead.

A break from Mark Robinson should have resulted in a Saints lead, but the move broke down in midfield and the game limped into the final quarter.

Northampton began leaking penalties and Yachvili finally converted one to double his side's lead.

But just as the French club pushed for a third score, Saints centre Kydd intercepted a Yachvili pass and ran 60 metres to turn the match on its head.

Spencer's conversion gave Saints a shock lead and Biarritz fans were stunned into silence.

Biarritz had the chance to steal it in the dying minutes, but backrow Imanol Harinordoquy spilled a Yachvili cross-kick with plenty of support on hand and the try-line begging to be crossed.

A desperate drop-goal attempt was charged down by a wall of Saints defenders and Biarritz's final two attacks both saw the ball knocked on.