Northampton registered the first victory by a Prem Rugby side in this season’s Champions Cup as winger George Hendy inspired Saints to a scrappy 28-12 win over Cardiff.

After the feast of Northampton’s 71-48 victory over Bath last week, this certainly felt like a famine. Both sides had opted to rest key players and in wet conditions, Saints’ usual slick handling became sloppy as they committed 20 turnovers.

Yet in contrast to nearly every other English team, they defended stoutly with Cardiff only coming away with two tries from 10 visits to the Northampton 22. And while the attack was nowhere near as hot as it was last week when they needed a jolt of energy, Hendy provided it, scoring one try, creating another and then – in his most impressive act – pulling off an incredible try-saving tackle on Josh Adams.

After yet another Saints handling error in the Cardiff 22, the visiting team immediately pounced on the turnover to set Adams free down the right wing. Despite giving up a five-yard head start, Hendy hauled in the Wales wing and dragged him into touch just outside his own 22 to spark wild celebrations in the Saints coaching box.

Hendy, who is yet to be capped by England, is not the most polished of players, but he is an agent of chaos who makes things happen around him. It was his high ball take and break that created the opening try for James Pater before pulling out a circus act by juggling the ball at least three times to score himself in the second half.

That try pulled Saints clear after tries from Harri Millard and Mason Grady had brought Cardiff to within two points. Replacement Fraser Dingwall scored Northampton’s fourth with a minute to go but they missed out on a bonus point in the new tournament regulations where the winning team needs to be three tries clear of the opposition.

It was not the cleanest or most clinical performance from Northampton who had rested Tommy Freeman, Henry Pollock, Alex Coles and Emmanuel Iyogun. Yet in the context of other English teams’ performances, Saints must be satisfied with getting their European campaign up and running against a feisty Cardiff side.

More to follow...