Saints relegated despite home win

Northampton were relegated from the Guinness Premiership despite a tense 27-22 final-day victory over London Irish.

Saints began the afternoon one point below Worcester and needed the Warriors to lose against Saracens at Sixways to give themselves a chance of staying up.

But John Brain's side upset the Premiership's form team 22-7 to safeguard their own place in the top flight and consign Saints, who were also relegated in 1995, to a season in National One.

Northampton chairman Keith Barwell opened his programme notes with an apology to fans for the club's predicament and promised a major review would begin on Monday.

Barwell wrote: "We cannot continue the way we are. We crave success on the park and we need a coaching structure and a playing culture that can provide that."

He also pleaded with fans to renew their season tickets but even the most loyal supporters will have found their patience tested by a dismal season at Franklin's Gardens.

Reports of a dressing-room rift and training ground bust-ups pointed to a club in turmoil, and despite recent claims by head coach Paul Grayson the squad was united following clear-the-air talks, their fate was no longer in their own hands.

Against Irish they did everything possible to aid their cause with Bruce Reihana, who also kicked 12 points, Sean Lamont and Mark Robinson running in tries - but the result was ultimately of no consequence.

Shaking off the fatigue of their bruising European defeat to Wasps six days ago, they overcame a lively Exiles outfit that saw Topsy Ojo and Seilala Mapusua score thrilling tries.