Owen Farrell is a big miss for Saracens as Courtney Lawes stars in Northampton Saints’ 18-12 win… and Bristol hammer Gloucester

After leaving his role in England, Owen Farrell was sitting in the stands with his son Tommy when he received a round of applause in the tenth minute.

The reality is that the number 10, who is recovering from a knee injury, would have much rather been on the pitch as he watched his team slide to defeat against Northampton.

Saracens missed their skipper's grunt on a day when his former understudy to the national captain, Courtney Lawes, stole the show.

In recent years, Northampton has not always backed its style with steel. Their offense has earned more praise than their defense, but here they were collectively and individually at the forefront.

In every collision there was bite. They dominated the rucks and Lawes set the tone with a performance that would make the England selectors wish he had not retired from international duty.

Owen Farrell appeared at the StoneX stadium, but only as a spectator with his son

Northampton put Saracens to the sword with a strong performance against the Champions

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell had a try and Saints' release play worked well

The champions were unable to score a single point for an hour. Their driving mauls were repelled and Saracens' frustrations were evident as they saw a penalty turned back after a push from Billy Vunipola.

Tommy Freeman continued his move into the centers and produced a performance of international standard, manhandling Nick Tompkins in midfield. His running game was also impressive, with Brian O'Driscoll comparing him to Welsh powerhouse George North.

“Tommy was obviously disappointed not to go to the World Cup,” said Northampton coach Phil Dowson. 'He can play centrally, as a full-back or as a full-back.

“He's definitely put his hand up and Steve (England head coach Borthwick) is talking about him.”

Fly-half Finn Smith will move up the England pecking order in Farrell's absence and the youngster scored six points to give Northampton a half-time lead.

He is unlikely to overtake Marcus Smith and George Ford for England's number 10 jersey, but on yesterday's evidence he could well be pulling the strings for their A team.

In the 53rd minute Northampton scored their first try. George Furbank saw space around the crawler and slid behind enemy lines. Fraser Dingwall pinged a kick across the pitch and Ollie Sleighthome scored on the wing.

Tom Parton replied with a Saracens try, but Northampton demonstrated their running skills in the final quarter.

Scrumhalf Alex Mitchell was the beneficiary of their off-loading match, sprinting between Alex Goode and Manu Vunipola to give his team an unassailable lead.

Alex Lewington's late try earned Sarries a bonus point, but it wasn't enough to mask their frustrations.

Courtney Lawes put in a dominant performance as the engine room of Saints defense and attack

The England selectors will ruin the decision Lawes made to hang up his international football boots

Bristol crushes Gloucester in seven tries

Bristol scored seven tries in a 51-26 hammering to hand Gloucester a sixth straight defeat.

Harry Randall crossed twice, with the Englishmen Max Malins and Ellis Genge also crossing.

Bath moved up to second after rallying to beat Exeter 41-24 at the Rec.

Alfie Barbeary and Cameron Redpath's scores, plus a penalty from Finn Russell, put Bath ahead 12–0, but Henry Slade's try, conversion and penalty brought the Chiefs within two points.

Ben Spencer and Stu Townsend exchanged tries as Bath led 20-17, but Joe Cokanasiga, Barbeary and Will Butt all crossed to seal the win.

Bristol defeated Gloucester at Ashton Gate in a one-sided match in which they scored seven tries

The Bears' excellent attacking performance handed a struggling Gloucester side their sixth straight defeat