Hartley hails 'perfect start'

Hartley: 'Perfect start'

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Northampton's 27-19 victory over Leicester was the 'perfect start' to their Aviva Premiership campaign, according to skipper Dylan Hartley.

Hartley paid tribute to his side's attitude, following their convincing win over the defending champions at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday.

Northampton led from the start thanks to a brace of tries in the opening five minutes from prop Soane Tonga'uiha, the only disappointment for the hosts coming in the shape of an abysmal kicking display from fly-half Stephen Myler.

"It's a special achievement, seeing off a pack as powerful as Leicester's, so we are feeling good inside," said Hartley.

"They are a quality side so the victory is excellent. This is the perfect start to the season, a reward for our hard work and a positive attitude. Now it's up to us to build on this."

Northampton rugby director Jim Mallinder echoed Hartley's sentiments, singling out Shane Geraghty and Lee Dixon for special praise.

Magic

He said: "It was about a good combination of forwards and backs and we ran at their weaknesses, at the heart of them.

"Stephen had an off day with the boot. Had he kicked his goals we'd have pulled well away from them. But then they had their misses as well.

"To see both props scoring tries is very pleasing because we want our props to be good in the tight, but also around the field. You won't get much better than that this season, three tries from two props.

"Shane has that bit of magic, a lad who can come on, create a try and then kick the goals in this level of game.

"And I believe Lee Dickson is right up there, a very good player, very energetic on and off the field, and he suits our game tremendously since coming down from Newcastle.

"Ben Youngs is a very good scrum-half, but so is Lee. The England management were here and they'll have seen that for themselves."

Indiscipline

Leicester rugby director Richard Cockerill blamed indiscipline for the defeat, saying his side conceded too many penalties.

He said; "The start was unimpressive from us. The laws dictate that you carry the ball and you cannot easily defend against that.

"We were in the game, but we were also indisciplined, conceded too many penalties and we did not look after the ball well enough. They did those things better than us.

"I have got no complaints. I put out a good side and there are some guys there who are learning.

"But there are no excuses, we cost ourselves a possible bonus point, but I haven't looked at the video of the performance yet.

"By the time we got to grips with holding onto the ball, we could have come away with two points from a fourth try.

"I've no complaints about the result or the referee. But on the performance, two points would have been more than we deserved."