George Furbank forces himself into Lions reckoning with scintillating return for seven-try Saints

We had a tough couple of weeks in the Prem. We had such a good run before Christmas and we were just trying to bring that in. And how good is that? Bring on Leinster away.

That was hard, they pushed us the whole way. I don’t think I have ever been hit like that. That hit off that lineout, oh my. I saw him and then the next thing I know I’m on the floor, that was mad. It was their fly-half, but don’t tell [my team-mates] that...

There’s a young fan in black head tape with a sign asking for Pollock’s boots. He’s becoming quite popular.

We’re very pleased. It’s been an inconsistent season for us but in Europe we seem to be going pretty well. We’re really happy getting to another semi-final.

In that second 20 minutes we were probably a bit reckless but that’s what we try and do, we try and play fast, move the opposition around and score tries. We found a good balance with that today and 51 points shows that.

Leinster are quality, one of the best around. We can’t wait.

Maybe they’ll get another? Northampton with a penalty near halfway. Smith runs down the clock after a tap and that’s that.

It will be Northampton travelling to Dublin for the semi-finals... again!

Boom. Pearson says hello by running through Dumora’s tackle and racing over to score by the posts. Poor Dumora, not what you need at the age of 37.

Northampton attacking from deep and win a penalty for offside. Player of the match goes to Mitchell, which is a good call. Some great assists in there.

Hard tackle by Hutchinson on Goodhue and it’s a penalty for picking him up. Castres kick to the corner.

Castres just leaking penalties now and waiting for the clock to run out, as Saints go back into the 22. Lockett comes on for Mayanavanua. Credit to Castres, they do win a holding on penalty.

Scrum penalty for Castres gets them out of trouble deep in their half. Macurdy the last Castres sub, on for Coles.

The England No 10 extends his side’s lead, as Mitchell makes way for James.

We are now back to a full compliment of players on each side, as Kemeny wins a penalty. Castres look cooked, to be honest. Another Northampton penalty as Nakarawa is turned over.

It’s turned into a Pollock player cam session now, and he duly knocks on. Saints fans can begin booking their travel to Dublin.

West’s big run sets up another attack. Mitchell drifts, luring defenders towards him, Pollock picks a short line and has his second try after good work from his scrum-half.

Dodges two tackles, takes him time before dotting the ball down, then free-throws the ball into the crowd after scoring. He’s buzzing at the moment.

Castres, playing with 13, trying to pressure Northampton but are turned over and it’s hacked long. All Chabouni can do is send it into the sky, basically inviting Northampton to counter-attack here.

Castres slowly trying to exit and Pollock punishes them with a turnover. Northampton looking for another but that’s more great breakdown work, Coles pinged for coming in at the side.

Odendaal is back on for Furbank. Hopefully that isn’t too serious for the England full-back on his return.

Castres going down to 13 should open up plenty of space in their defence, which Northampton nearly get into through Furbank and Ramm before being tackled into touch.

Now they come the other way and Freeman is tackled into touch on the other wing by two Castres defenders.

Still a fair bit of spice in this game as play is stopped for a scrap off the ball. Zarantonello in the thick of it. That’s a mad clearout from Baget on Pollock which seemed to kick everything off, Piardi having a look.

Had to be yellow for Baget after that and it is a yellow card. Castres back down to 14.

Wait, more yellow cards! Guerois-Galisson for Castres and Mayanavanua for Saints after the scrap. Three yellow cards!

Castres back on the attack but Babillot is down getting some treatment, so play has to stop. Looks like his ribs after tackling Langdon. He’ll have to come off.

Northampton meanwhile clear through a Mitchell box-kick.

Castres with a chance to hit back after winning a penalty and going to the corner, but it’s another good lineout steal from Saints deep near their own line before the clear to touch.

Crisis very much averted. That’s made by Mitchell going back to the short side, selling a dummy to go through a gap before drawing in the last man and putting Pollock over. Try number five for Northampton, they’re in control again. Smith converts.

After a high ball is tapped back it looks as though Papalii is about to break clear and score, but Furbank does really well to get back and haul him down before Saints win a breakdown penalty and clear.

Northampton’s ball off the restart, let’s see if they settle down. Odendaal gives Saints vital go-forward over the gain line and Castres are in proper trouble here and it’s Furbank on his return breaking through two tackles to score! Smith converts too.

Wait, hold on, there is a TMO check. It’s for a high tackle by Botitu on Odendaal. Or is it for Odendaal leading with the forearm? You can take enough time to find an offence here if you want to. Piardi say it’s not clear, so we carry on and the try stands.

Castres creep closer, a third penalty from Fernandez. Ideal start to the half for them.

Northampton a bit rattled here? Penalty given away for not releasing and then Langdon hoofs the ball away after the whistle. Piardi tells both sides to calm down. Fernandez taking a shot.

Castres looking keen, back out long before Northampton. They’re off to an ideal start as well with Fernandez unleashing a 50:22.

Second penalty for the scrum-half, well struck again.

Not much happening after the restart and that’s half-time. Tighter that it should be really, with Castres hanging in there thanks to those Fernandez penalties after Northampton scored three tries through Freeman, Langdon and Coles. Northampton had 66 per cent territory and 70 per cent possession, and a player advantage after Nakarawa went to the bin, but only lead by a score.

Castres from that penalty find touch, throw a nice lineout to the tail, and win another penalty for collapsing. Tricky, do you kick the points or go for the maul despite being a man down in the pack? Shot called, smart choice.

Odd one as Mitchell tries to thread a pass through some retreating Castres defenders to win a penalty, and it worked. And now they’ve been marched back 10 metres. Yikes.

Smith bangs the ball to touch, Northampton trying to turn the screw here before the break. Lineout not straight but Castres did not compete, so we play on.

Mitchell with a snipe but reeled in. Pollock might be in a bit of bother, down in the backfield and he can’t get up. Copped a big hit from Le Brun, might just be winded. Looks that way, up he gets. Penalty Castres, not for the first time at the breakdown.

Northampton still not as clear as you might expect for a side who have dominated most of this game. Castres just cannot get any territory.

But they go close there! A chip and chase for Botitu but he can’t quite control the ball and Northampton are there to turn over and clear.

Back come Castres though, Baget with a good run and finding Delaporte... but it’s another Northampton turnover! Great scramble defence for the second time in a couple of minutes.

Not for the first time, Castres defending for their lives near their own try line and this time a yellow card is shown to Leone Nakarawa. That’s after the team warning.

Northampton go to the lineout and Coles is over! Flicked off the top of the lineout to a front pod and that’s easy work. Nakarawa shakes his head on the sideline as Smith nudges another conversion wide, this time to the left.

Another unhappy scrum for Collier and Castres, who looked so threatening on that first engagement but have struggled since. Northampton go to the corner.

Chabouni tries to go for a 50:22 but it’s a firm old bounce on this dry pitch and the ball rolls dead. Unlucky. Northampton with a scrum.

Lineout won by Castres and now the forwards go direct, passed to Palis who must be close... time is off. He might be there but this will be checked.

Pollock might be in trouble. Doesn’t look like any separation when Palis places it back before Fernandez snipes over. And try given. Pollock gets a warning for playing the scrum-half. Fernandez converts.

Really dislike that notion that because a try is scored a yellow card shouldn’t be given out. It’s still foul play.

Coles drops the restart so it’s a dream chance for Castres, which they do not take. They do have a penalty though, which goes to the corner...

The kind of chip shot Smith could have hit with his eyes closed. Northampton’s lead out to 12 points.

Castres scrapping here, putting in a big double tackle on Kemeny, then stopping Freeman. But, they go off their feet. Northampton playing with an advantage, come right with Smith chipping wide but it’s too high, so back for a penalty.

Time off, could this be yellow? Next on to the bin, Piardi warns. Smith will take a shot, which is smart.

Now this one will have to be checked. More slick handling from Northampton to get it wide to the flanker, who has a bit of a juggle, leaving him with very little room down the touchline before he is tackled over the line.

The on-field call is try, so there will need to be some evidence. Foot in touch following Baget’s tackle but there was head-on-head contact as he came across.

This is taking a while. It’s not a penalty try, ruling that Kemeny was too far away, and it’s going to be only a penalty because of the lack of force and dip in height.

Dingwall accepts Piardi’s explanation but the “act of scoring” element is debatable, he was only a couple of metres away. Anyway, a Northampton penalty which they put in the corner.

Castres looked in real trouble there but Nakarawa bails them out before a long clearance. Giving Northampton this much territory and possession is not a smart idea, mind you.

Still, it’s Castres in possession in Northampton’s half... until Dingwall wins a turnover. Baget just ran into trouble there and Northampton kick deep again.

Good kick-chase from Pollock forces a slice into touch by Castres, with Northampton edging that territory battle.

Papalii needs a bit of treatment for blood but is carrying on. Castres need him really, such a gain-line threat.

Chabouni strays offside so we come back for a penalty... after Dingwall and Fernandez have a bit of a lively chat. Was a push in the back by Fernandez after the whistle so Piardi has a word.

Smith kicks to the corner.

Palis mis-times his run chasing the restart and takes Ramm out in the air. That was unlucky. Enough Northampton penalty for a high tackle as Mitchell goes quick and gets thumped.

Castres turn that over and kick high, taken really well by Palis. First proper attack for the visitors in Saints’ half but Chabouni can’t find Botitu with a pass and the ball goes forward.

Nice position for Northampton to launch something as Furbank puts in a chip and after a bit of a bobble, it sits up for Langdon to finish it off! Good option from Furbank with that space in behind but the bounce is a dream for the hooker after it comes off his shin. Smith can’t convert.

Furbank with a knock-on giving Castres a scrum in the middle of the field. Northampton were trying to launch a move before that.

That’s a monster shove from the Castres scrum, Collier getting on top of Iyogun, but we reset. And Saints get the penalty! Castres changing their angle and Collier is pinged for driving in. Northampton find touch deep in the Castres half.

Not a great bit of kicking from Castres but Goodhue, the former All Black, comes up with a good steal to win a penalty. It’s a way out but Fernandez has a go... and creeps it over! Castres on the board.

Welcome back George Furbank.

From that lineout turnover Saints go wide quickly. Freeman stops and then goes again, fends off the tackler and feeds inside to a waiting Furbank, who pops a pass back to Freeman for his sixth Champions Cup try. Very nice. Converted by Smith.

Ramm goes to the wing with Furbank at full-back.

Kemeny in a bit of room down the left wing but Castres cover that well. And that’s another jackal penalty, Le Brun this time getting over the ball. Castres will clear.

Stolen lineout though by Northampton, Coles getting up to disrupt that at the front...

That Le Brun kick just invited Northampton to counter-attack from deep, which Hendy does. But he’s now down and hurt, with referee Andrea Piardi stopping play.

Long bit of treatment, this could mean a very early introduction for Furbank. Hendy looks really groggy and is coming off, so Furbank does return for the first time since facing the Bulls in December.

The tackle on Hendy didn’t look great from Botitu when it was slowed down, and now the officials have decided to check it. He swings his body towards Hendy but it’s not a swinging arm, as such, caught him with the shoulder. Play on.

Better defence from Castres, forcing Northampton back and slowing down their ruck ball. Crowd trying to cheer them over the line but Castres hold firm for now. Smith to Freeman on a short ball and Castres pounce to turn it over for a penalty.

Le Brun takes it quickly (!) runs a few steps and then kicks long but not to touch - bet his pack are thrilled with that.

Early momentum for Saints, deep into the Castres 22 as Hendy nearly slips a tackle out wide. Odendaal crashes up in midfield, almost a knock-on but Coles picks up and Northampton keep coming. They are 10 metres out.

Only three of the Castres starting XV featured back in December, so you would expect an improved performance. But this is a massive chance for Northampton to get back to the semi-finals for the second season in a row against Leinster.

Fin Smith starts us off, away we go.

Absolute perfect conditions here at Franklin’s Gardens, with glorious sunshine and barely a breeze, which should perfectly suit Northampton’s attacking intentions. 

Castres’ defence coach Steven Setephano has described his side’s last trip to Northampton as “a good lesson” while stressing this is a different group, referencing the 38-8 loss the Top 14 side had here in December.

Charlie Morgan with some analysis on how the Northampton and England wing and why he is so tough to play against, speaking to a few of Freeman’s opponents including Anthony Watson.

He doesn’t get a lot of plaudits for doing the little things that are so influential. Getting up and forcing a knock-on from the opposition is an absolute win.

Read the full article here.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey - honestly, it’s not fair that one club can have both of the French wingers with him and Penaud - has raced over to seal what became a bit of a a nervy win. Bold effort from Munster late in the second half but it’s not to be, final score of 47-29.

That means UBB will face the winner of Toulon and Toulouse in the semi-finals.

With UBB having looked comfortable, Munster have battled back to trail 40-29 and the French side are down to 13 after a yellow and red card. Four minutes left but another Munster score would make this interesting.

Northampton: 15. James Ramm, 14. Tommy Freeman, 13. Burger Odendaal, 12. Fraser Dingwall (c), 11. George Hendy, 10. Fin Smith, 9. Alex Mitchell, 1. Emmanuel Iyogun, 2. Curtis Langdon, 3. Trevor Davison, 4. Temo Mayanavanua, 5. Alex Coles, 6. Josh Kemeny, 7. Henry Pollock, 8. Juarno Augustus

Replacements: 16. Henry Walker, 17. Tom West, 18. Elliot Millar-Mills, 19. Tom Lockett, 20. Tom Pearson, 21. Tom James, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. George Furbank

Castres: 15. Theo Chabouni, 14. Geoffrey Palis, 13. Vilimoni Botitu, 12. Jack Goodhue, 11. Rémy Baget, 10. Louis le Brun, 9. Jeremy Fernandez, 1. Quentin Walcker, 2. Gaetan Barlot, 3. Will Collier, 4. Gauthier Maravat, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Mathieu Babillot (c), 7. Baptiste Delaporte, 8. Abraham Papalii

Replacements: 16. Loris Zarantonello, 17. Lois Guerois-Galisson, 18. Aurelien Azar, 19. Simon Meka, 20. Romain Macurdy, 21. Baptiste Cope, 22. Santiago Arata, 23. Julien Dumora

Afternoon everyone, welcome to our coverage of this Champions Cup quarter-final as the final English side left, Northampton Saints, take on Castres looking for a spot in the semi-finals.

Northampton are unchanged from the side who defeated Clermont 46-24 in the round-of-16 match last weekend although they have reverted to a five-three bench, with the England full-back George Furbank making a welcome return to action in the No 23 shirt, having missed the Six Nations after breaking his arm last December.

Can Premiership clubs still compete with the very best in Europe? Phil Dowson, Northampton’s director of rugby, certainly thinks so, as he told BBC Northampton this week.

It is hard [to compete] but it’s supposed to be hard. Some of the other sides and leagues have more ability to withstand injuries and rest players but it’s still possible for Premiership teams.

The Top 14 has a longer schedule and they may have bigger squads but they still have to ensure they are winning every week to compete on two fronts, likewise in the United Rugby Championship.

“It is possible but it’s tough. We haven’t managed to do it very well this year but last year we had a decent run in the tournament and it’s a very tough thing to do.

As for Castres, they booked their spot in the last eight after that thrilling win over Benetton, and are having a fine season in the Top 14 with Xavier Sadourny firmly in the mix for a play-off place.

One name you will know in their side is Will Collier, the former Harlequins prop now enjoying life in France. Keep an eye on their wing Remy Baget, who has scored five tries so far in the Champions Cup this season, the same number as Northampton and England’s Tommy Freeman.

Buildup coming your way ahead of kickoff at 5.30pm.