Rugby: Saints close to glory finale

Northampton boss Jim Mallinder is determined to ensure the Saints are remembered as winners this season.

Mallinder watched his team book their first Heineken Cup final appearance for 11 years with a 23-7 victory over sole French survivors Perpignan in Milton Keynes yesterday.

Northampton still also have Aviva Premiership title ambitions, with a home victory over relegation favourites Leeds Carnegie next Saturday guaranteeing them a title play-off place.

And if they reach the Premiership final at Twickenham on May 28, it will be just seven days after they contest European title glory against Irish heavyweights Leinster in Cardiff.

"This is a fantastic achievement," said Mallinder. "I think we've been criticised a bit in the past for being one one-dimensional with our forward power, but I was delighted to see our all-round game."