A 'security incident' during Northampton's Champions Cup victory over Cardiff on Sunday is now believed to have been a hoax.

Police responded to reports at Franklin's Gardens stadium around 19:00 BST, following threats made on social media. The match had commenced at 17:30, and as a precaution, players from both teams exited the field immediately after the final whistle.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police stated, "Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and we are working closely with both the Saints and our policing partners on the investigation."

In their statement, Northampton expressed regret for the disruption, saying:

We are sorry that supporters didn't get the opportunity to see the players after the final whistle. Following a security incident at the stadium, both sides left the field immediately as a precautionary measure. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. The safety of our supporters, players, staff and officials will always remain our top priority.

Despite the unsettling circumstances, Northampton secured a solid 28-12 victory over Cardiff, highlighting their focus on both performance and safety.