Northampton 14-35 Exeter: Saints continue winter of discontent as life after Jim Mallinder still looks grim

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Northampton's winter of discontent continued at Franklin’s Gardens as they fell to their 10th consecutive defeat in major competitions to Exeter Chiefs.

The Saints may be discovering that sacked director of rugby Jim Mallinder was not the source of all their problems. He left 12 days ago, and Northampton have shipped 67 points in two matches since.

Here they conceded 17 penalties, two yellow cards and four tries at home in a terrible showing.

Dylan Hartley had a terrible game for Northampton with one carry for zero yards 

Thomas Waldrom crossed for yet another try as Exeter picked up a bonus point

England captain Dylan Hartley endured a poor afternoon – he made just the one carry, for zero metres, and the lineout creaked throughout.

‘It was disappointing,’ said interim head coach Alan Dickens.

‘One of the problems we have talked about in the last few weeks is confidence. We need that win.

‘I have every belief in the players and I could not have asked for more from them this week. The players need to take responsibility and they certainly do do that. They will be the ones that drive us forward.

‘It is a challenge, but one I am relishing and enjoying.’

While Northampton flap, the Chiefs continue to soar. They are now 11 points clear at the top of the table with Saracens to play today.

The champions’ ravenous nature was summed up when they scored their bonus-point try with the clock dead – Jack Yeandle crawling over for their final score.

Luke Cowan-Dickie showed his supreme carrying ability in a powerful display 

And forwards coach Rob Hunter was delighted.

‘It gives us a pretty good Christmas, that’s for sure,’ he said.

‘There is a hunger and a voraciousness here and the competition internally if very high.

‘Even though we have got a bit of a gap at the top it is important we continue to learn and not sit back and think everything is rosy.’

The Chiefs hunted down Saints here – Will Chudley had their first after a Gareth Steenson penalty. He dummied Courtney Lawes and then chipped Ben Foden before gathering and scoring on the right.

Northampton are on a dreadful run of form and have lost ten matches in a row 

The crowd at Franklin's Gardens witness a familiar tale of a second half collapse 

Ahsee Tuala then went in for Saints and Francis converted. Steenson’s penalty before the break meant Exeter only led by four come half-time.

But then the siege began. Steenson knocked over a penalty when Nic Groom did not roll away from a ruck, and then Foden was sin-binned for killing the ball.

Northampton gave away two more penalties in their 22 – both were kicked to the corner and on the second occasion Exeter rolled the maul over the line and Sam Simmonds scored.

Thomas Waldrom had the next from close-range, after Francois van Wyk had seen yellow, Saints scored a consolation through Cobus Reinach but when Yeandle went over late on Saints were beaten again.