Northampton 30-25 Wasps: Blackett blasts ref for Biggar ‘escape’

DAN Biggar faces an anxious wait to see if he will be available for the Lions in their South Africa tour warm-up clash with Japan.

The Wales fly-half escaped punishment for a dangerous hit to the head of Jacob Umaga at the end of his side's victory over Wasps.

However, the Saints star could still be cited over the incident which was shown several times on TV but apparently missed by referee Adam Leal and the TMO.

Biggar enjoyed an inspirational performance for Saints, running the show and kicking 13 points until he made a rash decision to clear Umaga out from a ruck smashing the Wasps man in the head – an offence which can carry a three to six-week ban.

Wasps head coach Lee Blackett was amazed Biggar got away with his actions. He insisted: “I just don't think the TMO wanted to look at it for some reason! He chose during the game when he wanted to come in and when he didn't want to come in. You've got young officials out there on the field, that's where you need the experience!”

Saints director of rugby Chris Boyd was only concerned with his side's display and heaped praise on his Lions duo Courtney Lawes and Biggar, back from his May 8 head clash, after they inspired Saints to victory in the Franklin's Gardens sunshine. Both players showed Warren Gatland they are ready for action in South Africa this summer by shining in front of a 4,000 crowd grateful to be back.

Lawes, 32, showed no rustiness, as he returned from a five-month injury absence, to his scrapping, competing and carrying best, while Bigger kicked outstandingly from hand and turf to leave his rivals facing defeat.

Boyd enthused: “Courtney is a world-class player. He makes a big difference. We asked him how he was feeling after 70 minutes and he came back with a bundle of expletives to suggest he'd done his shift. He was aching and puffing a bit but he was outstanding.

“Dan trained well this week and he was also orchestrating things out there again. He will be all the better for that run out and played a major role again.”

Harlequins' win over Bath earlier in the day ended Saints' lingering play-off hopes but the hosts still guaranteed themselves Champions Cup rugby next season.

Prop Alex Waller celebrated his 300th game for the club, and it took just two minutes for his forwards to find a way across the visitors' line.

A simple lineout drive pushed Wasps back over their own line, and hooker Sam Matavesi rose to take the slaps on the back from his teammates.

Biggar added the extras but Wasps responded with an outstanding piece of opportunism from Thomas Young. The flanker demonstrated a commendable turn of pace to burst through the middle of the Saints defence before off-loading one-handed to the supporting Dan Robson to run over unchallenged.

Jacob Umaga converted but the fly-half was soon leaving the field after being shown a yellow card for deliberately kicking the ball away near his own line from an offside position.

Wasps shrugged off the setback to drive over the Saints line from a lineout with captain Brad Shields claiming the try and Charlie Atkinson converting.

Biggar and Umaga exchanged penalty blows as the sides were all square at the break.

Biggar kicked his side back ahead with two penalties and flanker Tom Wood forced his way over for a try to put the game beyond the visitors in the second half.

No.8 Tom Willis crashed over for a late consolation try for Wasps.

Northampton ..30pts 

Tries: Matavesi 2, Penalty 24, Wood 70

Conversions: Biggar 3, 71

Penalties: Biggar 31, 46, 62

NORTHAMPTON: Freeman 7; Sleightholme 6, Proctor 7, Dingwall 6 (Francis 30, 6), Naiyaravoro 7; Biggar 8 (Grayson 72, 6), James 7; Waller (c) 7 (Iyogun 73, 6), Matavesi 7 (Haywood 58, 6), Hill 7 (Painter 58, 6); Ribbans 7, Ratuniyarawa 6 (Moon 58, 6); Lawes 7 (Coles 66, 6), Ludlam (c) 7, Wood 7

Not used: Tupai

Wasps …………….25pts

Tries: Robson 20, Shields 28, Willis 79

Conversions: Umaga 21, Atkinson 29

Penalties: Umaga 39, 63