Ospreys made it back-to-back wins over Northampton as they beat them 32-15 at the Liberty Stadium to move above Saracens in the pool.
A try inside two minutes from Dmitri Arhip gave Ospreys a half-time lead, and further efforts from Rhys Webb (2) and Justin Tipuric saw the hosts ease to victory.
Before kick-off, both sides occupied the bottom two spots in Pool 2. And the game marked a new era for Saints, who saw Jim Mallinder’s 10-year reign as director of rugby come to an end in the week, following a disappointing run in recent months.
But Mallinder’s departure didn’t inject a new lease of life into his former side – they conceded the first try inside just three minutes. Following an opening that saw Ospreys peg the visitors back, they eased through when Arhip rolled his way through in the corner. Sam Davies missed the subsequent conversion, and Saints started to grow back into the game from then. They did concede the next points however, as Davies’ penalty helped the lead on to eight after 25 minutes.
Saints offered little in attack and they fell further behind courtesy of a second kick from Davies. They did go close in the final minutes of the half, but saw possession turned over just metres from the line, allowing the Welsh side to take an 11-0 lead into the break.
Northampton’s second-half start was a polar opposite of the first, and they recorded their first points six minutes in with a try. The TMO gave the thumbs up after Harry Mallinder made the most of a misjudged Ospreys line-out. There was a tinge of irony behind the try, with Mallinder’s points the first since his dad departed. It got his side right back into the game though, with the lead reduced to just six after Piers Francis missed the kick.
He made up for that with a well struck penalty however, Saints reigniting the tie and potentially their Champions Cup form. It didn’t lead to anything though, as Ospreys recorded their second try. It came from patient build up as the forwards flooded towards the line, and replacement Webb stretched over before Davies created the 18-8 gap.
The match was won when Dan Evans broke through the centre, offloading left to Owen Watkin who fed Tipuric. It was poor from Saints who allowed Evans through without a challenge made, and the two points swiftly followed for 25-8.
The hosts sensed the bonus point was coming, and Webb added the fourth just two minutes after Tipuric found the line. The Ospreys flanker almost got his second before being held up, but Webb retrieved the ball and leant over the top of bodies to place down for the extra point. The game was well beyond Saints by the time Davies kicked the conversion, before a last minute consolation try from Jamie Gibson made the final score 32-15.
The scorers:
For Ospreys:
Tries: Arhip, Webb 2, Tipuric
Cons: Davies 3
Pens: Davies 2
For Northampton:
Tries: Mallinder, Gibson
Con: Mallinder
Pen: Francis
Yellow Cards:
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Ben John, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Jeff Hassler, 10 Sam Davies, 9 Thomas Habberfield, 8 Olly Cracknell, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Scott Otten, 17 Paul James, 18 Ma'afu Fia, 19 Adam Beard, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Ashley Beck
Northampton: 15 Harry Mallinder, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Stephenson, 11 Ben Foden, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 2 Mikey Haywood, 1 Francois van Wyk
Replacements: 16 Reece Marshall, 17 Campese Ma'afu, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Luther Burrell, 23 Ken Pisi
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Ita)
Assistant referees: Manuel Bottino (Ita), Matteo Liperini (Ita)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Ita)
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