First it was Ulster, then it was Munster, now it is Leinster. They fought tooth and nail for this victory which ends North-ampton's chances of making the knock-out stages of this season's European Cup. The holders were still on their feet in a pounding finish when Gary Halpin and Shane Horgan were sin-binned in stoppage time as Northampton threw everything at the Irishmen in a desperate effort to save the game.

First it was Ulster, then it was Munster, now it is Leinster. They fought tooth and nail for this victory which ends North-ampton's chances of making the knock-out stages of this season's European Cup. The holders were still on their feet in a pounding finish when Gary Halpin and Shane Horgan were sin-binned in stoppage time as Northampton threw everything at the Irishmen in a desperate effort to save the game.

As Halpin was trudging off, Northampton were awarded a penalty five metres out from the Leinster posts. Instead of opting for a scrummage and pushing a six-man Leinster pack across for the try which would, if converted, have won Saints the match, Matt Dawson decided on a tap penalty, which says almost everything about the quality of thinking that Northampton brought to their game.

Northampton know all about "must-win" matches. The European Cup holders packed more of them into the second half of last season than most players would reasonably expect to face in a career. This Pool One match at Franklin's Gardens had "survival" stamped through it like the lettering in seaside rock, because by losing Saints will experience the fate of Ulster, who were champions in 1999 and then failed dismally to make the knock-out stages of the tournament the year after. Frankly, they deserve no better after this lame performance

Northampton will put their indifferent performances this season down to a long injury list, though the summer departures of Don Mackinnon, Federico Mendez and Richard Metcalfe hardly strengthened the side. However, with Nick Beal, Allan Bateman, Jon Sleightholme, Paul Grayson and Tim Rodber all in various states of disrepair, while Pat Lam is still nursing a right shoulder problem which requires surgery, the title-holders are in a bit of a mess.

There were mistakes aplenty from both sides in a game which was as disjointed as it was disappointing until its thunderous finish. Where Saints were vibrant and resourceful last season, now they are one-paced and predictable. They have nobody capable of running a game any more than they have someone who can break a game; even one as mundane as this Pool One encounter.

There was precious little in it at half-time, when Leinster were 8-5 ahead thanks to a sweeping movement initiated by Brian O'Driscoll, who sent Denis Hickie in for a sumptuous try. Girvan Dempsey added a penalty goal, while for North-ampton the only moment when they looked capable of scoring was finished by Simon Webster, who touched down in the seventh minute.

After the break, Dawson slotted a penalty for Saints after Brian O'Meara had dropped a goal, and Eddie Hekenui kicked a penalty to atone for two earlier failures. It was enough to make Ireland's day.

Northampton: I Vass; S Webster, L Martin, M Allen, B Cohen; A Hepher, M Dawson; G Pagel, S Thompson (S Brotherstone, 66), M Stewart, J Phillips, O Brouzet, R Hunter, B Pountney, P Lam (capt; G Seely 48).

Leinster: G Dempsey; D Hickie,B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; E Hekenui, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne (P Smyth, 66), E Byrne (G Halpin, 51), B Casey (L Cullen, ht), M O'Kelly, T Brennan (E Miller, 54), L Toland (capt), V Costello.

Referee: C Thomas (Wales).