Foden inspires Saints win
Northampton claimed a 28-24 success at Montpellier thanks to tries from Chris Mayor, Stephen Myler and Sean Lamont.
Last Updated: 15/01/09 9:54pm
Northampton claimed a 28-24 success at Montpellier thanks to tries from Chris Mayor, Stephen Myler and Sean Lamont.
Saints scrum-half Ben Foden celebrated his first England call-up by setting up first-half tries for Mayor and Myler, before Lamont's late strike settled proceedings at the Stade Yves du Manoir.
Montpellier took an early lead after Francois Trinh-Duc booted a penalty inside the opening 90 seconds.
Northampton rallied and scored the opening try in the sixth minute when Foden and Paul Diggin combined to allow Mayor to touch down.
Myler added the conversion and the hosts' troubles increased when flanker Jerome Vallee was shown a yellow card for throwing a punch at Mayor.
The Guinness Premiership outfit grabbed their second try in the 21st minute when Foden fed Myler to crash over, but the fly-half missed a conversion and penalty chance to extend the Saints' lead.
Montpellier hit back and took a shock 17-15 lead when Frikkie Welsh and Louis Picamoles scored in quick succession.
But Myler edged the visitors back in front with two penalties and Lamont sealed the win before Grant Rees' late consolation try for the hosts.
