First, Alasdair Strokosch, who played in the final Test against Canada having been overlooked for the first two matches despite a fine RBS 6 Nations campaign, plunged over for the Cherry and Whites.

The former Edinburgh powerhouse was fed by Olly Barkley and he could not be stopped by the retreating Saints defence.

Strokosch then sent Luke Narraway to cross and put Dean Ryan's table-topping side well in control of the match.

It was Scott Gray – the Zimbabwe-born flanker who returned to the Scotland fold after a long absence in November – who replied for Northampton.

Scotland prop Euan Murray, tipped for a Lions Test place, also played in the match but he and Gray could not prevent their side slipping to a 33-10 defeat.