Northampton scored 10 tries in Parma and picked up a maximum five-point win to keep themselves in the mix for final eight qualification.

Saints’ full-back Paul Diggin and Scotland wing Sean Lamont both scored two tries each, but the  Italians fought back late on.

Northampton were on top from the off as Carlos Spencer scored the opening try after five minutes.

An intercept try from Parma centre Ezio Galon gave the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi crowd plenty to cheer about, and the early loss of fly-half Stephen Myler with a leg injury shook the Saints, but normal service was resumed when full-back Paul Diggin jogged around behind the posts to score.

Spencer somehow managed to miss the conversion from point-blank range, but it didn’t matter as the Northampton scrum began to dominate their rivals. Winger Chris Wyles was the next man over the line after a beautiful long pass from Spencer, who ironically added the extras from the touchline after his earlier shocker.

The Parma scrum was under immense pressure, and conceded a penalty try in the 30th minute to hand the Saints a valuable away bonus point.

Parma’s Fijian centre Nadridri Sego was binned for a professional foul, and he hadn’t even left the field of play when Saints hooker Steve Thompson crossed for his side’s fifth try. Replacement scrum-half Mark Robinson benefited from some Spencer magic to cross for a try the New Zealander converted as the first-half finished 40-7.

The Saints backrow smashed their way to the line with No 8 Daniel Browne going over after good support play – Spencer slotted over his fifth conversion making it 47-7 just after the break.

Having not seen much ball all afternoon, Scotland winger was rewarded for a strong run with his side’s eighth try that took Northampton through the 50-point barrier as Spencer landed the conversion over.

Saints’ prop Pat Barnard earned himself a yellow card as Parma were rewarded for their perseverance when wing Giovanni Ghidini went over for a try in the corner which had the fans singing.

Parma grabbed their third try when replacement back Marco Neethling crossed as the Italians sniffed the bonus point.

Normal service was resumed when the ball was spun from a scrum under the Parma posts and full-back Paul Diggin went over out wide for his second try.

Lamont touched down for the 10th and final try as Spencer’s replacement Jonny Howard slotted the conversion