Hartley is targeting a crucial win over Munster on Friday

Northampton captain Dylan Hartley insisted hard work was the key to Sunday's victory over Perpignan which boosted Saints' Heineken Cup prospects.

Hartley's men beat the French side 34-0 to secure a vital bonus point in their bid to reach the quarter-finals.

"It's all down to our mentality really," the England hooker told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We work hard in the week, we work hard for each other and on the pitch we play for the full 80 minutes."

He added: "You also have to give a lot of credit to the boys who came off the bench.

"Brett Sharman, Chris Mayor and Scott Gray all made a big impact and lifted the tempo for us."

Jon Clarke's late try earned Northampton the bonus point and left them just two points behind pool leaders Munster ahead of Friday's crucial match between the two sides in Ireland.

"Everyone knows who Munster are and what they can do," Hartley said.

"We've just got to treat this as though it's our last game. We'll go out there and play, and we have to win it.

"Heineken Cup rugby is special. When you take on sides like Perpignan and Munster it's as close to an international as you'll get.

"They're massive teams and massive occasions."

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