Tommy Freeman hat-trick helps Northampton upset Leinster in Champions Cup

Tommy Freeman scored a first-half hat-trick as Northampton stunned tournament favourites Leinster 37-34 in Dublin to reach the Investec Champions Cup final.

Freeman, who touched down in all of England’s Six Nations games this season, led the way during a magnificent Saints performance.

Henry Pollock also served notice of his British and Irish Lions selection credentials with a virtuoso score while full-back James Ramm crossed in the 63rd minute and Fin Smith kicked three conversions and two penalties.

Four-time winners Leinster matched their opponents try for try – Josh van der Flier (2), Tommy O’Brien, Caelan Doris and James Lowe crossing – with Sam Prendergast landing three conversions and a penalty.

But their hopes of reaching a fourth successive final were ultimately dashed after an epic encounter, with Northampton booking a Principality Stadium appointment with Bordeaux-Begles or Toulouse on May 24.

Saints even had to overcome late yellow cards for flanker Josh Kemeny and lock Alex Coles that saw them briefly reduced to 13 players, yet an astonishing defensive effort kept Leinster out during the closing minutes.

Northampton rocked their hosts with a spectacular try after just eight minutes that owed everything to Smith’s running angle.

Ramm broke from deep before Smith took his pass at pace and surged clear of Leinster’s defence, putting a kick through that Freeman gathered for a memorable score and Smith’s conversion made it 7-0.

Saints became the first team to register points against Leinster in this season’s Champions Cup knockout phase, with last-16 opponents Harlequins being demolished 62-0 before Glasgow were beaten 52-0 at the quarter-final stage.

It did not take Leinster long to regroup, though, and after he