Northampton back on track

Northampton continued their Aviva Premiership resurgence with a 39-3 bonus-point thrashing of Wasps at Franklin's Gardens.

The Saints, who have now won two in a row after losing six straight in the league, dominated the contest throughout as Wasps were completely overawed.

Dylan Hartley, Ben Foden and Chris Ashton all shone on their return from England duty, with the latter two grabbing a try each.

Brian Mujati and Stuart Commins also crossed during the victory, which sees Northampton rise back up to fourth place in the table.

The home crowd came alive early as Foden and Ashton both received early touches and the Saints took the lead inside five minutes when Stephen Myler slotted over a simple penalty.

Wasps were on the front foot from the restart and looked to be in for the opening try as Dave Walder broke free before playing in Steve Kefu, but Paul Diggin got back to make a crucial tackle.

Level

The scores were levelled shortly after, however, as Walder put a penalty through the posts following an infringement at the scrum.

Northampton regrouped and another spell of pressure was rewarded with a try as Hartley sent front-row colleague Mujati in at the corner with a fine pass.

Myler added the extras to make it 10-3, with the hosts continuing to pressure the Wasps try-line as Ashton twice went close on the right.

The lead was extended in the 27th minute as a scrum that was heading towards the line was disrupted and referee Dean Richards signalled a penalty try.

The visitors looked to have weathered the storm somewhat, but a turnover allowed Ashton to kick ahead for Foden, who showed a magnificent turn of pace to beat the Wasps defence to the ball and touch down on the stroke of half-time.

Myler struck the upright with his conversion, but the Saints still headed into the break with a commanding 22-3 advantage.

Lead

The lead was extended just over 10 minutes into the second half as Myler notched another three points after Wasps had been penalised for offside.

The Saints were looking for the fourth try that would give them a bonus point but passed up a good opportunity as a promising move broke down after Lee Dickson had taken a quick tap penalty.

The extra point was secured when Hartley handed off for Ashton to cross in the corner and replacement fly-half Shane Geraghty added the extras.

Wasps wing Josh Lewsey made his return from retirement off the bench late on but the former England international could do nothing to help his side.

Northampton seemed to have passed up another try after Calum Clark knocked-on at the end of a fine move, but a powerful scrum against the head allowed Commins to touch down, with Geraghty's conversion completing the rout at 39-3.