Freeman scores four as Saints extend unbeaten run at the top of the table

Saints looked to be running away with the game with three unanswered tries before the Londoners responded to remarkably take the lead at half time. The second half was nothing short of exhilarating, putting on a world class attacking clinic. The England contingent of Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, Fraser Dingwall, Alex Coles and Freeman were simply excellent.

On the occasion of Dingwall's 150th match for Saints, Northampton showcased why they are the team to beat in the Gallagher PREM. As the PREM takes a break for the Autumn Nations Series, Saints will be sitting pretty at the top in showing full of tenacity and flair.

The home side opened the scoring after a tense opening few minutes. Northampton had flirted with the idea of putting pressure on the Saracens back three with smart kicking coming from Alex Mitchell.

A strong break from Freeman, running over Ivan van Zyl, gave Saints the opportunity to attack. Fin Smith jabbed in a low kick, as the ball was recycled across the pitch, and George Hendy dived on the ball to score.

With momentum behind them, Saints spent the rest of the first quarter camped in Saracens' 22. Smith made a half break after a neat pass from Henry Pollock. The fly half came close shortly after but he could not keep ahold of the ball.

Saints forced another error from the away side as another grubber kick from Smith caused mayhem in the back field. Max Malins failed to deal with the sliding ball and could not ground the ball over his own line. Tom Pearson was the gleaming beneficiary as he grounded the ball.

Northampton employed a system of disruption, which was used to great effect as Saracens were pinned back in their own half for the majority of the first 40 minutes.

Freeman decided to get into the act before the half hour mark. JJ Van der Mescht used his considerable bulk to power through the Saracens defenders. Smith received the ball subsequently and threw a beautiful pass to release George Hendy. Freeman finished off the score in the corner, much to the delight of the home fans.

Against the run of play, Saracens finally got on the scoreboard out of nowhere. Nick Tompkins ran hard at the line and broke through Smith. A simple two-on-one resulted in Fergus Burke getting the first points for the Londoners.

A flurry of TMO checks ensued as Saracens finally got a foothold. Maro Itoje and Andy Onyeama-Christie both lost the ball over the line and Saints survived the visitors onslaught.

Youngster Jack Bracken changed the complexion of the match with Saracens' second score after a pinpoint grubber from Burke.

Juan Martin Gonzalez got the scores level with a remarkable first half comeback after Tom Pearson was sent to the sin bin for not rolling away. Owen Farrell added the extras to send Saracens in up by two at half time.

The Londoners continued where they left off with Hugh Tizard going over from close range as they made full use of Pearson's time off the pitch.

With the crowd fully behind their hometown heroes, Pearson made amends for his earlier yellow card. Marco Riccioni was yellow carded for cynically slowing the ball down after Pollock turned the ball over from an intercept. Pearson dived over a phew phases later.

Freeman got his second of the match when it was Northampton's turn to attack against 14 men. Saracens were forced to tighten their defence line, creating space on the outside. A straightforward pass from Mitchell to Freeman was enough to secure the try.

The barnstorming winger wrapped up his hat-trick on the 67th minute. Saints looked to their forwards to shrink the Saracens' defence. Two passes from Smith and Rory Hutchinson saw Freeman glide in untouched to mark a hugely impressive display.

However, Saracens would not lie still. Charlie Bracken took a quick tap after Todaro was adjudged to have interfered with chasing the ball. Another textbook grubber saw Bracken collect his kick and pass to a gleeful Max Malins.

Saints finally secured the win as Freeman crossed for a remarkable fourth try. Fin Smith once again the creator, sending a pinpoint cross kick to the winger.

The away side pressed for a losing bonus point late on as the structure of the match quickly unravelled. Both teams looked exhausted in the high-scoring affair.

Cries of 'Shoe Army' rang around Franklins' Gardens as Saints won a late penalty to extend their unbeaten run.

Northampton Saints: 43

Tries: 7 (Hendy 7', Pearson 17', 56', Freeman 24', 60', 67', 74')

Conversions: 4 (F. Smith 18', 57', 60', 67')

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 1 (Pearson 40')

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. George Hendy 14. Tommy Freeman 13. Rory Hutchinson 12. Fraser Dingwall (c) 11. Edoardo Todaro 10. Fin Smith 9. Alex Mitchell; 1. Danilo Fischetti 2. Robbie Smith 3. Trevor Davison 4. Tom Lockett 5. JJ Van der Mescht 6. Alex Coles 7. James Pearson 8. Henry Pollock

Replacements: 16. Craig Wright 17. Emmanuel Iyogun 18. Luke Green 19. Ed Prowse 20. Callum Chick 21. Archie McParland 22. Anthony Belleau 23. Tom Litchfield

Tries: 5 (Burke 28', J. Bracken 36', Gonzalez 40', Tizard 47', Malins 70')

Conversions: 3 (Farrell 29', 40', 47')

Penalties: 0

Drop Goals: 0

Yellow Cards: 1 (Riccioni 55')

Red Cards: 0

Starting XV: 15. Max Malins 14. Noah Caluori 13. Nick Tompkins 12. Owen Farrell 11. Jack Bracken 10. Fergus Burke 9. Charlie Bracken; 1. Eroni Mawi 2. Theo Dan 3. Marco Riccioni 4. Maro Itoje (c) 5. Hugh Tizard 6. Juan Martin Gonzalez 7. Andy Onyeama-Christie 8. Tom Willis

Replacements: 16. James Hadfield 17. Rhys Carre 18. Marcus Street 19. Nick Isiekwe 20. Theo McFarland 21. Ben Earl 22. Gareth Simpson 23. Angus Hall

Four tries in an outstanding showing. The British and Irish Lion seems to get better with every match. He will be a crucial part of Steve Borthwick's attack in the Autumn Internationals and if his form at Saints is to suggest anything, he will be amongst most of the tries. His strong running is enough to make of the opposition quiver in fear.

He barged through van Zyl early on in the first half, marking his intent to be physical and bruising. Surely one of the best wingers in the world now and he will continue to go from strength to strength.

The second row was at his best. Physically a beast and led his team superbly. It is only a matter of time before Itoje gets his 100th cap for England and he is in the form of his life so far.

Coming off the back of a successful British and Irish Lions tour, Itoje will long be remembered as a great of the English match. His work off the ball is exceptional, adding to his impressive carrying ability. A real workhorse across the whole park.

One for the future. Todaro was thrust into the starting lineup at the beginning of the season and has not let his coaches down.

The sprightly winger is a great development from the outstanding Northampton Saints academy. Receiving his call up to the Italian side, Todaro could be set for a first cap this autumn at the age of 19. With Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane, there is stiff competition out wide, but if anyone can do it, Todaro can.

With the debate for the position of England fly half fiercely raging on, it is so hard to look past Fin Smith.

He commanded proceedings excellently, combined with world class kicks. He showcased his vast array of kicks from his locker, creating many and pushing Saracens back. There was much in the buildup to this match about the threat of Saracens' back three.

But, Smith made it look it like they were not even there with smart, jabbing kicks and accurate grubbers. The 10 shirt is surely his.

5. Rory Hutchinson - Scotland & Northampton Saints

A serial underrated operator, Hutchinson epitomises what it means to be a Northampton Saint. Defensively solid and astute in attack, the Scot is dependable and always there to help his team out. Tactically smart, Hutchinson did not put a foot wrong all match.

With Huw Jones out injured, Hutchinson could set for an extended role in the 13 shirt, alongside Sione Tuipulotu. If he does, Scotland will have a formidable pair in the centres channel.

1. Freeman shines with four score showing

Whether he starts in the 13 or 14 shirt for England next week against Australia, Freeman will be paramount to their success. His natural try scoring ability is a huge positive for any team he plays in.

"We just want to play fast. If we can get our game on the pitch, we play fast and we drive tempo, we know that teams can't live with that", Freeman said speaking to TNT Sport post-match.

"It is so fun (being a Northampton Saints player). Popping up in space where you've got the likes of Mitch and Fin controlling the ship. It's pretty special being around those boys.

"I can't wait to get going (with England)."

Whatever happens, it is an exciting time to be an England supporter.

It is not often you see two brothers rip up the pitch they play on, week in week out. Charlie and Jack Bracken, despite being 21 and 20 years old respectively, looked at home in the Saracens shirt and played superbly.

Although on the losing side, the Bracken brothers were quick-thinking and electric as they both had hands in tries.

Jack Bracken showed his incredible turn of pace to outsprint Freeman to collect the ball for his try whilst Charlie Bracken demonstrated his footballing ability to send Malins away.

Promising careers look to be ahead of both of them, with Charlie Bracken already having spent time in the England camp at the close of last season.

One of the surprising points arising out of the match was Saints losing at half-time despite having dominated Saracens for most of the first half.

Saints looked to be on for a huge scoreline as Saracens were afforded no territory and faced an uphill battle to try to repel the Northampton attack.

"We gave ourselves a poor discipline game and double sets defensively. Saracens are the best side in the league, or one of the best sides in the league, in the 22", said Northampton Saints Director of Rugby, Phil Dowson.

"Continue to do what you do. Momentum shifts and swings. Play out the yellow card of Tom Pearson and get back to our game when we're back to 15 players."

There is much to say about the international calendar causing disruption for club sides. With players perhaps having an eye on playing a part in their country's matches, club games can become distorted and sloppy.

"It's a huge challenge. There's a month down the line where it's England games. It's week to week", said Dowson.

"I think there's maturity. There's lessons we learnt last year going from that environment and back to ours, it's an experience piece.

"We learnt a lot last year as a coaching group and as a playing group. They were exemplary. Great lads. They wanted to make a fuss of Dingers on his 150th and make sure he enjoyed that.

"They've all got a point to prove and want to be picked in the next four weeks. Their performance reflected that."

5. McCall speaks on the frustrating loss

At half time, Mark McCall must have gleaming with his side. To respond and lead after the first half whistle below, away from home, it was a stunning turn of events.

However, the game slipped away from them and the second comeback of the night came too little too late.

"A mix of frustration and some pride, I guess, 17-nil down in a difficult place," said McCall, speaking to TNT Sports post-match.

"Then, we had some control and threw an intercept pass. We made another mistake from a scrum that cost us.

"Frustrated, we never really had any control of the game. When they got down our end, they scored too easily.

"The first 25 minutes, we lost a lost of collisions. They had the ball the whole time and it felt like they were running at us, rather than us going at them.

"When Northampton get that speed of ball, they're very difficult to contain."