1 month ago
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There was never much doubt over the outcome, whatever the chaos in the air, whatever the vagaries of the home team’s form. English champions at home to a side renowned, even by the standards of the French, for their seeming travel sickness is a fixture that should not require a shaman to divine.
So it turned out. Northampton emerge from the floodlit swirling rainstorm with the full complement of points, six tries and the successful reintegration of Alex Mitchell into their starting line-up. It would be misleading to describe this as a return to their champion form of last season, just as it would be unfair to describe Castres as waving them through obligingly, but this was virtually the definition of a job done, no nonsense means-end efficiency.
Champions Cup roundup
ShowExeter fell to a 39-21 defeat against the Sharks in Durban. The Chiefs took an early lead through Dan Frost’s try while they were down to 14 with Greg Fisilau in the sin-bin. Frost claimed a second score at the end of the first half, but by then the Challenge Cup holders had crossed four times themselves. Phepsi Buthelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi dotted down for a 26-14 interval lead.
Kolisi’s second try stretched the Sharks’ lead before England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso claimed a crossfield kick for Exeter’s third score. Despite the Sharks being reduced to 12 men for about six minutes later with three players sent to the sin-bin in quick succession, Exeter could not score a fourth try and register a bonus point.
Clermont Auvergne shut out Benetton in a 28-0 victory Stade Marcel-Michelin. Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both crossed twice with Benjamin Urdapilleta converting all four tries.
Toulon overcame a 14-10 interval deficit to record an impressive 24-14 success away to the Stormers in Cape Town. Gabin Villière, Facundo Isa and Baptiste Serin crossed for the visitors, while Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba scored tries for the South African hosts. PA Media
With the wind and rain in their faces, the Saints opened up a 14-3 lead in the first half, with early tries from Fraser Dingwall and Temo Mayanavanua. Then, 10 minutes into the second, they had their bonus point with two further tries from the excellent Juarno Augustus and Curtis Langdon. Another from Augustus just past the hour had them 31-3 up, before Castres replied with their only try of the match, by Pierre Colonna.
Which left the stage for another dynamo in Northampton’s back row, Henry Pollock, very much one for their future, to drive through half the opposition midfield with five minutes remaining.
Full report to follow
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