London Irish’s Aviva Premiership relegation troubles worsened after a poor display against Northampton Saints saw Tom Coventry’s men thrashed 35-7, writes Max Baker-Smith.

With Newcastle beating Leicester Tigers the previous evening, Irish sat bottom of the league and knew it was important to try and pick up points at Franklin’s Garden.

Exiles got off to a good start with some early territory in the Northampton 22, but were soon under the cosh.

Indeed only some excellent last ditch defending from the visitors managed to prevent Northampton crossing for an early try in the first 10 minutes.

However, only a few minutes later Halani Aulika, who starred the previous week against Worcester, was sin-binned for not retreating 10 metres from a Northampton penalty.

The hosts took full advantage as James Craig crossed for their first try of the game five minutes after, which Stephen Myler converted.

Saints were again camped straight back in the Irish 22, and although Irish fought hard for several minutes to keep them out, they were awarded a penalty try in the 23rd minute before Aulika returned. Myler again converted as Northampton went 14-0 ahead and Irish’s task looked steep.

Shane Geraghty missed a penalty for Irish with 10 minutes left in the first half, and things went from bad to worse as Alex Waller crossed just before half-time, Myler had converting to make it 21-0 at the break.

In the first 10 minutes of the second half Northampton killed off the game with two converted scores. Jamie Elliott went over after 48 minutes, and just two minutes later any small hope of an Irish comeback was dispelled by Saints captain Lee Dickson who bagged a try.

With both converted Irish were in danger of an embarrassing score line, however, they kept fighting and managed to keep Saints out for the rest of the game.

And in the 77th minute this hard work was rewarded when David Paice grabbed a consolation for Exiles, Geraghty adding the extras.

Although Irish could not take many positives from their own performance, they remain just two points from safety after Worcester threw away a 14-6 half-time lead against Bath to only gain a losing bonus point in a 16-14 defeat.

London Irish will need to be much-improved next Sunday when the face title-chaing Exeter at the Madejski (3pm).