Northampton Saints director or rugby Jim Mallinder has admitted that his side were "very sloppy" during their Champions Cup loss away to Clermont Auvergne.

Les Jaunards continued their impressive run at home in European competition with a 37-5 win over the Aviva Premiership outfit at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

While Mallider believes that Clermont played well, he has suggested that Northampton contributed to their own downfall.

He is quoted by EPC Rugby.com as saying: "For the first 40 minutes we just were not in the game - in every single aspect. We were very sloppy and they were very, very good. We came up against an outstanding side who hit their peak but we did not help ourselves and we could have been better.

"Our kicking was poor, we got turned over at the breakdown and we were under pressure at the scrum. We have to learn very, very quickly from this and we have one focus now and that is to retain the Premiership title.

"When you play against a fantastic side like that you have to get everything you do right and when you get some ball you have to look after it."

Saints return to domestic action with an Aviva Premiership clash away to Exeter Chiefs next Sunday.