Diggin at the double as Saints march on at the top

Northampton 35 London Irish 23

Northampton extended their lead at the top of the Premiership with a comfortable victory over second-placed London Irish in front of a capacity crowd at Franklin's Gardens last night.

The game was virtually over as a contest by half-time as the impressive Saints blew away the Exiles with a 24-point burst in the 17 minutes prior to the interval.

On a memorable night for the Saints the only negative were injuries. Props Soane Tonga'uiha and Brian Mujati limped off and wing Paul Diggin – who grabbed two tries – was carried off on a stretcher late on, which disrupted Saints' play and allowed the Exiles a flattering final scoreline.

Wing Jamie Elliott sent the Saints on their way with a try after Ryan Lamb had landed two drop goals for the Irish. Diggin and Jon Clarke added further tries as the Saints carved out a 27-9 half-time lead. Diggin claimed his second early in the second half.

Scorers: Northampton: Tries Elliott, Diggin 2, Clarke; Conversions Myler 3; Penalties Myler 2, Geraghty. London Irish: Tries Hala'ufia, Ojo; Conversions Lamb 2; Penalty Lamb; Drop goals Lamb 2.

Northampton: G Tonks, J Elliott, J Clarke, P Downey, P Diggin, S Myler, R Powell, S Tonga'uiha, J Sharman, B Mujati, M Sorenson, C Day, P Dowson (capt), N Wood, R Wilson.

London Irish: D Armitage, T Ojo, E Seveali'i, D Bowden, J Joseph, R Lamb, P Hodgson, C Dermody (capt), J Buckland, P Ion, N Kennedy, B Casey, K Roche, S Armitage, C Hala'ufia.

Referee: T Wrigglesworth (RFU).