7 Most Dramatic Finishes In Rugby Union History
2. The Saints Go Marching In
The Northampton Saints came agonisingly close to silverware three seasons running at the start of the 2010s.
They led 22-6 against Leinster at the Millenium Stadium in the European Final, only to fall to an incredible Irish comeback, 33-22. They missed out on a Premiership Final spot in the closing minutes of the Semi Final against Harlequins the following year, 25-23. Finally, Dylan Hartley was sent off at the end of the first half in the Aviva Premiership Final in 2013, leaving Saints without their Captain and a man down for the rest of the game, losing to Leicester, 37-17.
Jim Mallinder's team finished 2nd in the following season's Aviva Premiership campaign, reaching the playoffs with a home Semi Final against the Tigers. It looked as though Northampton would just fall short again, until Tom Wood crossed over with three minutes to go, securing a 21-20 victory and a place in the 2014 Final against table toppers, Saracens.
The Final at Twickenham was an evenly contest one, with just one point in it at half time and scores tied at 14-a-piece after 80 minutes to take the game to extra time.
Fly Halves, Stephen Myler and Charlie Hodgson, exchanged penalties before the latter gave Saracens the lead with 8 minutes of Extra Time remaining.
With the scores at 20-17, Northampton would only need a penalty or a drop goal to tie the game and win the title, as they had the tie breaker of scoring the most tries in the game. However, the Saints opted to march on, picking and driving at the Londoner's line.
Then, in the final minute, Prop, Alex Waller squeezed through Saracen bodies under the post, just about touching the ball on the line.
The try had to be verified though. Referee, JP Doyle going to the TMO. Four minutes of checks and replays followed, which must of felt like an eternity of the Northampton players, coaches and fans.
Eventually, the TMO confirmed that Waller had indeed scored and the Saints fortunes had finally turned in their favour, winning their first ever English Premiership title.