Firstly, George Pisi’s perfectly weighted grubber kick popped up into Foden's arms before England flyer Chris Ashton made the break then handed his teammate the simplest of finishes for his second.

Martin Roberts and James Downey also crossed for the hosts while Ryan Lamb notched two penalties and two conversions and ex-England Saxons fly-half Stephen Myler one conversion to cement Northampton’s place in third spot.

Elsewhere, another England full-back Mike Brown helped Harlequins back to the top of the Premiership with a hard-fought 14-6 victory over Bath at the Stoop.

Brown was in fine form for the west Londoners as Maurie Fa’asavalu crashed over for the only try of the game while Kiwi Nick Evans notched three penalties to Tom Heathcote’s two.

And in the Saturday’s other game 17 points from England hopeful Freddie Burns, including a contender for try of the season, was not enough to complete a stirring comeback for Gloucester against Exeter.

Exeter romped into a commanding 15-3 lead at half-time with tries from Craig Mitchell and Matt Jess as well as five points from five points from Ignacio Mieres’ boot.

Burns led the fightback as he, ex-England international James Simpson-Daniel and Nick Runciman put the Cherry and Whites in front but Aly Muldowney’s last-minute try – converted by Gareth Steenson at the death – sealed a famous 28-27 win at Kingsholm.