Saints wing Chris Ashton grabbed two tries but it was his side’s pack that dominated and the penalty try they forced on the hour established an advantage that proved telling.

The teams exchanged penalties in the first half to go to half-time at 3-3 before the hosts took the lead for the first time shortly after Force flanker Matt Hodgson had been sin-binned.

Ashton then ran in his two scores to seal a comfortable victory for Northampton who face Cardiff Blues and Benetton Treviso in friendlies before their Premiership opener against Worcester.