English jubilation dominated Saturday’s European cup semi-finals as Northampton Saints engineered a sensational upset while Bath continued their treble quest.

In the Investec Champions Cup, Tommy Freeman’s hat-trick powered Northampton to a 37-34 victory over four-time champions Leinster at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, with South African No 8 Juarno Augustus playing a pivotal role for the visitors. 

Despite late yellow cards threatening their advantage, the Saints held firm to secure their Cardiff final berth.

Meanwhile, Johann van Graan’s remarkable season with Bath gained further momentum through a 39-24 win over Edinburgh in the EPCR Challenge Cup. 

Tom Dunn’s double and nine points from the boot of Finn Russell kept the Somerset club’s treble dreams alive, with Springbok prop Thomas du Toit also contributing to their triumph at Hive Stadium.

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