This was Northampton’s first home win of the calendar year, which tells its own tale. A nervy defence allowed Topsy Ojo to give London Irish the best of starts but the fact that Northampton could score three tries when one phase of their game, the lineout, failed to function, says much for their work ethic.

The Irish worked two neat tries for Seilala Mapusua and gave Justin Bishop, who has been a wonderful servant, the last kick of the match before he leaves. But, by then, Northampton had established a continuity that has proved so elusive all season and worked Sean Lamont over before Mark Robinson, all bustling strength, stole the try that made victory safe.

John Brooks, the Northampton tight-head prop, had to go off just after the interval. In his absence, a makeshift front row, with Matias Cortese outstanding, gave the team a platform for a final hurrah.

Scorers: Northampton: Tries: Reihana (16min), Lamont (45), Robinson (63). Conversions: Reihana 3. Penalty goals: Reihana 2 (20, 50). London Irish: Tries: Ojo (5), Mapusua 2 (23, 80). Conversions: Mordt, Bishop. Penalty goal: Mordt (56). Scoring sequence (Northampton first): 0-7, 7-7, 10-7, 10-12 (half-time), 17-12, 20-12, 20-15, 27-15, 27-22.

Northampton: B Reihana; S Lamont, J Clarke (rep: P Diggin, 73), R Kydd, B Cohen; C Spencer, M Robinson (rep: J Howard, 76); T Smith (rep: D Richmond, 58), M Cortese, J Brooks (rep: C Budgen, 42), Damien Browne (rep: D Gerard, 72), C Short, P Tupai, B Lewitt, C Labit.

London Irish: T Ojo (rep: D Armitage, 64); J Bishop, S Mapusua, N Mordt, S Tagicakibau; R Flutey, P Hodgson (rep: R Rees, 73); N Hatley (rep: Paice, 73), D Paice (rep: D Coetzee, 50), T Lea’aetoa (rep: M Collins, 41), N Kennedy (rep: J Hudson, 64), R Casey, K Roche (rep: O Magne, 50), D Danaher, P Murphy (rep: G Johnson, 73).
Referee: C White. Attendance: 13,538.