In similar fashion, the selection of George North at centre gave Brian O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy something different to consider. It is all well and good talking about how to approach an unorthodox selection but without playing against a player or combination you simply do not know what you have to do to be affective against it; within five minutes North had steamed over the line. Getting the first try and taking the lead was an important statement for Northampton because it gave them something tangible for their efforts. What was apparent from a tumultuous final 10 minutes was that the determination of Northampton. Their defensive effort in the face of successive attacks from Leinster was exemplary. As defence is, essentially, an attitude of mind, it showed Northampton had got theirs right.