Whether Hartley’s presence would have made any difference to the outcome is unlikely. Warrior that he is on the field, and an influential figure with the Saints’ ranks, Leicester were in dominant form. Northampton did well to hang on in there and still have a chance of snatching victory in the very last play of the match. That finale was mired in controversy too, Barnes appearing to blow early despite eight seconds showing on the clock as the ball went into touch near the Leicester try-line. The Tigers were down to 13 men at this point with Ben Youngs and Vereniki Goneva both in the sin-bin. Small wonder that Northampton were angry at not having a crack at one last line-out.