Aussie trio star in epic Leinster takedown, Barrett benching torched
As most of Australia slept, three of its own went to work in Dublin to help land a knockout blow for Northampton Saints that the Wallabies couldn’t land against Ireland six months ago. As England stars Alex Mitchell and Tommy Freeman said in the post script, “We punched them in the face.”
Indeed, Leinster – the Irish powerhouse, who didn’t concede a point in their demolitions over Glasgow and Harlequins – have fallen, losing 37-34 in a dramatic finish. The recriminations are only just beginning, with former captain Leo Cullen in the firing line.
After all, the Leinster great chose to keep Test stars Andrew Porter, Jack Conan and Jordie Barrett on the bench.
Meanwhile, Cian Healy – the retiring Irish great – was given the opportunity to start in front of his adoring home fans. It would be a decision they would rue, as the Saints rediscovered the form that saw them take out the premiership almost a year ago.
Freeman – the English winger, who is favoured to start for the Lions against the Wallabies – scored a hat-trick in the five tries to four win, with Henry Pollock – the thundering, fresh-faced back-row – scoring a stunning five-pointer along with Australia’s own James Ramm.
Australian James Ramm scored a crucial second-half try in Northampton’s takedown of Leinster at Aviva Stadium on May 03, 2025. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
The match turned in the 29th minute when flanker Pollock hit a brilliant line against the grain and then whizzed past Sam Prendergast to silence the Aviva crowd.
More pain was to come, as Freeman completed his first-half-hat-trick by scoring twice inside three minutes to give the visitors a 27-15 half-time lead.
While Leinster responded after half-time scoring through their Test back-rowers Caelan Dorris and Josh van der Flier, Ramm’s well taken try in the 63rd minute stopped the home side’s momentum.
They would have to dig deep into their reserves when Josh Kemeny was shown a yellow card for a high shot on veteran French prop Rabah Slimani.
James Lowe’s try in the 70th minute and Prendergast’s cool conversion from out wide then narrowed the margin to just three points.
Jordie Barrett was one of Leinster’s best but the decision to keep the star All Black on the bench raised eyebrows. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Leinster thought they had scored the match winner when Ross Byrne stretched out to put his hands on the ball that lay on the ground inside the Saints’ goal-line. But referee Pierre Brousset overturned the try after Byrne played the ball whilst he was on the ground.
Nonetheless, the home side had one last shot of stealing the game when lock Alex Coles was given an early finish and shown a yellow card with just seconds left.
But the Saints would repel Leinster one last time, before boosting the ball into the stands to cap an incredible win.
Australians James Ramm (L) and Angus Scott-Young celebrate after helping Northampton Saints to a memorable Champions Cup semi-final win over Leinster at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Saints halfback and England star Mitchell, who was brilliant alongside his Test halves partner Fin Smith, said his side arrived in the Irish capital with a point to prove after being written off.
“A couple of pundits were saying they’re going to win by 20-30 points and that Saints won’t score a point,” Mitchell told RTE.
“We showed up today and were a bit more fearless this time around. Last year, we were waiting to see what Leinster were going to do.
“We showed up today and the first 20 minutes, we punched them in the face. They weren’t really expecting that. Credit to the boys, we got the result.”
The decision to keep Barrett on the bench was torched by many, with the famed All Black making an immediate impact on the pitch.
The result was one to saviour for Australians Ramm, Kemeny and Angus Scott-Young, who came off the bench to help ensure the Saints got across the line.