Argentina take the game to Saints

Northampton (3) 17
Tries: D. Browne, Hopley
Cons: Bourett 2
Pens: Bourett

Argentina (12) 40:
Tries: Serra Miras, Carballo 2, Agulla
Cons: J. Fernandez Lobbe
Pens: Serra Miras, J. Fernandez Lobbe 4
Drop Goals: Fernandez Miranda

Argentina scored four tries in a comfortable friendly win on a bitterly cold night at Franklin's Gardens.

A shadow Northampton side had no answer to the Pumas who pulled away after going in at the break 12-3 in front.

Saints scored the first try through Damien Browne after a lineout drive but then Argentina dominated the show.

Federico Serra and Rafael Carballo scored in the corners and after Mark Hopley crossed, Carballo touched down again before Horacio Agulla's late try.

Northampton found the going hard from the off against south American visitors who included six internationals in their ranks.

But they did take the lead through a penalty from Matthieu Bourret after a scrappy opening quarter.

However, Argentina hit back with a drop goal from Juan de la Cruz Fernandez Miranda and a string of five penalties from Federico Serra and Juan Martin Hernandez to lead 18-3 before Browne and the pack rumbled over.

That only fired the Pumas and Serra scored their opening try, after good work in midfield from Martin Gaitan, before opposite wing Carballo bagged his first touch down.

Northampton took advantage of having an extra man after a yellow card for visiting skipper Patricio Albacete when Hopley crossed.

But they were unable to close the gap further in the closing 10 minutes when a Serra up-and-under caused confusion in the home ranks from which Carballo profited and Agulla rounded off the scoring.