Tom Seabrook scored a stunning hat-trick as Northampton Saints secured a thrilling win over Munster to clinch first place in Group 3 and a draw at home in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16.
Making Saints' second successive start in over a year, the winger scored the opening try wide after some great hands by the hosts.
In a game dominated by the Wings' finishing prowess, Munster hit back through Calvin Nash, who sprinted past an unaware Alex Mitchell to claim Conor Murray's kick from the box kick in a brilliant effort.
Nash doubled his tally moments later after Munster had the ball in his hands and the winger came off the touchline to leap over, before a Jack Crawley penalty increased the visitors' lead.
Saints looked to regain momentum before half-time and Munster were forced to concede after Gavin Coombs was sent into the sin box, allowing Curtis Langdon the chance to point in from the bottom of a rolling strike.
The hosts still trailed by three goals at the break, but Seabrook collected James Rahm's excellent pass to cross for his second attempt.
Full-back Rahm then switched from provider to striker as he broke through the Munster defense following Finn Smith's clever pass to seal the bonus.
However, Munster were not finished there, as winger Diarmuid Kilgallen latched on to a brilliant behind-the-back pass from Murray to open the scoring for the Irish province.
With the game well balanced, the Saints took matters into their own hands again when Seabrook scored his hat-trick after a first-phase attack from midfield freed him up the inside.
But Munster kept the faith and Kilgallen doubled his tally at the other end, before Crawley's brilliant conversion from the left pulled the visitors to within two points.
Looking for a win to leapfrog Northampton in the table and secure home advantage in the last 16 and quarter-finals, should they qualify, Munster surged forward in a nervy finale and cruised through the next stages to break Crawley as Saints held on.
The home side achieved a crucial turnover in their own half through the efforts of Henry Pollock and there was a huge sigh of relief in the Franklin Party Gardens as the ball was kicked dead to confirm Saints' success as pool winners.
