Saints pass stern Castres test to reach last eight

Saints pass stern Castres test to reach last eightImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Saints captain George Furbank scored an excellent second-half try shortly after setting up a score for Josh KemenyBySteve MatherBBC Sport journalistPublished4 minutes ago2 CommentsInvestec Champions CupNorthampton Saints (14) 49Tries: Penalty try, Fischetti, Kemeny, Freeman, Furbank, McParland, Dingwall Cons: Belleau 6 Castres (15) 41Tries: Ambadiang 2, Chabouni, Ardron, Karawalevu, Botitu Cons: Fernandez, Herve 3 Pen: FernandezNorthampton were given a stern examination of their Champions Cup credentials by impressive Castres as they came out on top of an engrossing contest to book their place in the quarter-finals.Saints were 12-0 down after 11 minutes as Christian Ambadiang and Theo Chabouni stunned the home side, before a penalty try and yellow card to Ambadiang gave the hosts a route back into the game.Northampton prop Danilo Fischetti powered over but Saints trailed 15-14 at the break, taking the lead for the first time thanks to Josh Kemeny early in the second period after some fine footwork from captain George Furbank.From there the tries flowed freely from both sides, with Tommy Freeman and Furbank's scores replied to by Tyler Ardron and Vuate Karawalevu.Fraser Dingwall's try finally pushed Saints out of range but impressive Castres scored the last of the 13 tries when Ambadiang raced away for his second as the French Top 14 side pushed Prem leaders Northampton all the way to the final whistle.Phil Dowson's side will face the winner of Saturday's all-English contest between Bath and Saracens in next weekend's quarter-final.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Castres wing Christian Ambadiang scored the first and last tries of an entertaining last-16 tieCastres' line speed and pressure on passes forced Saints into some early handling errors, one of which led to the visitors taking a deserved lead after eight minutes.Scrum-half Jeremy Fe...