22-1-17 CHAMPIONS CUP

EUROPEAN RUGBY CHAMPIONS CUP

SATURDAY

POOL 2

SARACENS 62-14 NORTHAMPTON

KOSH KLIMBS LADDER


Saints led twice in the opening exchanges as Cobus Reinach and Nafi Tuitavake scored either side of Mako Vunipola's try for the hosts.
But from 20 minutes, and the introduction of winger Nathan Earle for the injured Chris Wyles, the European champions were rampant.
Earle made metres down the middle for Alex Goode's score, before Owen Farrell's side-step put in Marcelo Bosch.
Earle, who will join Harlequins at the end of the season, was then involved again as he broke down the left to set up Richard Wigglesworth.
Saracens added their fifth score of the half as Vincent Koch drove over for a soft try with Jamie Gibson in the sin-bin.
Maitland and Vailanu added second-half tries, while Saints failed to add to their tally.


MY OPINION

At the time Saracens had no clue in how important this win was for Saracens in getting the bonus point as it gave them that extra point needed to reach that quarter final. I think they will be ecstatic but fearful of playing Leinster in the quarters.

CLERMOUNT 24-7 OSPREYS

MIGHTY MC ALISTER


Nick Abendanon's first-half try, plus the kicking of Morgan Parra and Greig Laidlaw put Clermont in command before Luke McAlister crossed late on.
Ospreys points came from Ashley Beck's try and Dan Biggar's conversion.


MY OPINION

This was a play off for top spot in the group and if Ospreys had had played to get the try against Saracens they might have had the belief to do something in this match but I think that they beat themse4lcves because of that choice. I think that Clermont can show the quality in the knockouts that they have in this group.
POOL 3

MONPELLIER 14-23 LEINSTER

BRILLIANT BYRNE


After relinquishing an early lead to the hosts before the half-time break, Leinster reclaimed the advantage in the second half through tries from Seán Cronin and Robbie Henshaw as well as a conversion and penalty from the boot of Ross Byrne.
A try and a penalty from Byrne gave Leinster the early initiative in the first half, but the hosts quickly recovered to cross over the whitewash twice through Bismarck Du Plessis Yacouba Camara, putting them 14-8 in front at the half-time whistle.
Leinster needed a strong second half-start and Henshaw's try on 45 minutes provided the platform for them to work their way back into contention. They capitalised on that momentum less than six minutes later, and put Seán Cronin over the try-line.


MY OPINION

In group play Leinster look to be on fire but you do wonder what things will be liker for them in the knockout as they do play Saracens but the Irish side do look to have the most strength in depth of any Irish side when the IRF should be about development of all provinces

GLASGOW 28-21 EXETER

FAGERSON FINDS FINAL FLOURISH


Hogg crossed within two minutes, before Sam Simmonds' try brought Chiefs level at half-time.
Warriors took control with a penalty try and length-of-the-field scores from Tommy Seymour and Matt Fagerson.
Exeter refused to give up, tries from Don Armand and Ian Whitten bringing them to within a score.


MY OPINION

Exeter could not show the type of quality in Europe that they do in the Premiership and I think that they need to learn how to compete in Europe otherwise they will find that sense of needing to improve not really working
POOL 5

SCARLETS 30-27 TOULON

PARKES GIVES WELSH A CHANCE


The home side started superbly and, after running Toulon ragged, crossed for the opening try in the third minute when Rhys Patchell's long pass found Prydie to score. Dan Jones converted.
Toulon responded immediately when South African number eight Duane Vermeulen scored following a well-worked lineout move.
Jones kicked a penalty after Toulon were caught offside, with a Vermeulen tackle on James Davies also going unpunished.


MY OPINION

This was a good match and Scarlets have shown how good they can be and that Welsh club rugby is improving. I think that it is good that another nation can reach the quarter final of the champion’s cup.
TREVISO 28-47 BATH

BURNS BATH


Despite falling behind to an early Benetton score from Luca Sperandio, they were outstanding in attack in the first half.
Tom Dunn crossed first from a driving maul before further dominance in the pack saw a penalty try awarded.
With Benetton scrum-half Edoardo Gori in the sin-bin, Matt Banahan found space on the wing from Anthony Watson's pass, before the England international picked up on the left wing to finish another try.
Fly-half Freddie Burns, in for the injured Rhys Priestland, then put Jonathan Joseph into space, with Bath building a healthy 35-7 lead by the break.


MY OPINION

This is a non-event and Treviso should not and an Italian side be guaranteed a spot in the Champions cup. This another easy win and another humiliation to the Italians. They should be learning match on match but you do not see that every day.
SUNDAY

POOL 1

WASPS 26-7 ULSTER

COOPER WOLLEY WALLEYS ULSTER


he quagmire of a pitch lent itself to a forward-oriented game, and that’s how Wasps got their first try after 12 minutes, openside flanker Guy Thompson steering a maul over the line and getting the touchdown.
From nothing, Ulster got a score of their own just after the midway point in the half, Louis Ludik stealing in on a loose pass from Christian Wade and setting away Darren Cave, with the centre releasing Sean Reidy to take it the rest of the way.
But the English side would lead at the break as they grabbed a second score, le Roux dinking a kick in behind and hooker Tom Cruse racing onto it in the corner to slide in just in time for the converted try,
Six minutes into the second half and Wasps had their third, turning Nick Timoney over on his own line, and the dangerous Le Roux had the pace out wide to burn past Johnny McPhillips and score in the corner.
The fourth, and bonus point score, followed soon after, prop Jake Cooper-Woolley taking the ball at the five metre line and riding a tackle to stretch out and slam the ball across the whitewash.

MY OPINION

This was a disaster as Ulster had no control of the match whatsoever and I think that the loss of Jacob Stockdale before the match was of huge importance as it demoralised the squad before the match begun.
STADE ROCHELLE 16-7 HARLEQUINS

AGUILLON TRY PUTS STADE ROCHELLE INTO QUARTERS


The French side's win, combined with Wasps' bonus-point victory over Ulster, meant they leapfrogged the Irish side to take top spot in Pool One.
Tries from Pierre Aguillon and Kini Murimurivalu had put the home side in control at the break.


MY OPINION

This result was predicted as Harlequins were the whopping boys of the group. But the game was a very tight affair and they knew how to get over the line when needed.

POOL 4

LEICESTER 20-23 RACING

CHAVANCY KEEPS IT COOL


The Tigers, bottom of their pool and already eliminated, were outplayed in the first half, but stayed in touch through three George Ford penalties.
Brendon O'Connor scored the only try of the second period but Maxime Machenaud won the game with five minutes to play.
Leicester were without centre Manu Tuilagi, who withdrew through injury.


MY OPINION

This shows that French rugby when played well can be one of the toughest things to beat but I was surprised when the game was close. I think that Racing are too good not to have a shot at Europe in the next few years and Leicester will improve

MUNSTER 48-3 CASTRES

EARLS SHOWS HIS EXPERIENCE


Man-of-the-match Keith Earls' third try in as many games made it 13-3 at half-time, with the hosts taking advantage of Thomas Combezou's yellow card after a slow start.
Rhys Marshall's maul effort and a scintillating bonus-point score from Simon Zebo, either side of a penalty try, had Castres out for the count and replacements Alex Wootton and James Cronin made it five unanswered tries in the second half.
MY OPINION
Munster were able to tear Casters apart when they wanted to and I think that the Irish side will be a team to watch out for in the knockout stage. Zebo going to France made his mark as he showed what the Irish side will lose next season with a try.
CHAMPIONS CUP QUARTER FINAL DRAW
LEINSTER (Ire) v SARACENS (eng)
SCARLETS((wal) v LA ROCHELLLE (Fra)
MUNSTER (Ire) v TOULON (Fra)
CLERMONT (Fra) v RACING (Fra)
CHALENGE CUP QUARTERS







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