North stars as Saints win in style

George North led the rout as Northampton opened their Aviva Premiership title defence by making a mockery of rebuilt Gloucester's optimism for the new season.



North's clever footwork produced a hat-trick in a 53-6 eight-try demolition at Franklin's Gardens that delivered the bonus point as early as the 44th minute

Saints were ruthless when in sight of the whitewash with George Pisi, Kahn Fotuali'i and Jon Fisher also crossing and Luther Burrell touching down twice, but it was North's night as Gloucester slumped to a record Premiership defeat.



Fly-half Stephen Myler contributed one pena…