It was a rough week for the English sides in European Rugby this weekend, winning just two out of ten games in both Champions Cup and Challenge Cup games.
Northampton Saints took their home test against Welsh side Cardiff Rugby 28-14, just missing out on a bonus point in a revamped ruling this year. England international Fraser Dingwall was among try scorers for the Saints, although the centre’s 78th minute effort was not enough for the extra point in the competition.
The English champions did get a fright going into the second half, as Cardiff turned a 14-0 deficit to 14-12. Although George Hendy and Dingwall held their nerve to take the four points.
Struggling Harlequins took five points against Vannes scoring nine tries in the process. The 57-19 triumph was aided by England fly-half Marcus Smith scored two tries in the Challenge Cup contest, racking up a total of 22 points with six successful conversions.
Quins are winless in the PREM Rugby season this year, although faced the Pro D2 team in their first Challenge Cup fixture since 2018. Will Evans and Cadan Murley also took the ball over the line twice each throughout the fixture in West London.
Gloucester faced a hard-fought draw against back to back champions Bordeaux Begles in Kingsholm on Friday in a 36-36 thriller. The shared points shadowed the Cherry and Whites excellent start to the year, who are top of the PREM Rugby table.
Will Trenholm gained a player of the match performance after coming on early in the second half and scoring a brace in the following minutes.
Vice-Captain Jac Morgan spoke to media and praised the Kingsholm atmosphere to aid their performance.
There’s a hell of an atmosphere there. It means a lot to us boys having supporters there, you know, hearing them cheering us on, it’s great. It’s great to be able to run out before the game, in front of the Shed.”
Sale Sharks welcomed Scottish side Glasgow Warriors in an emotional affair in Manchester. Tears were shed before the game after the devastating news of the passing of former Sale lock Hyron Andrews on Friday.
The Warriors ran away with the lead in the second half, scoring 26 points to take the 47-27 win alongside the bonus point. Scottish international Arron Reed took himself over the line twice, although it was not enough for the potential tournament favourites.
Connacht produces an excellent seven try performance to beat Saracens 45-36 in Ireland on Saturday. Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley took two tries a piece.
Saracen’s Owen Farrell was given the opportunity to take a bonus point for the Sarries, but the England veteran missed a conversion, meaning the London side couldn’t settle a point from the affair.
Bristol Bears took the long trip down to South Africa to face Stormers, getting thumped 49-17. The hosts took cards either side of the half, but the Bears could not capitalise on the man difference.
Leolin Zas and Jonathan Roche aided the seven try effort at the Stormers home ground on Saturday night. Joe Owen and Sol Moody were the only try scorers for the travelling side, in a dry attempt to take any form of points.
Bath Rugby lost out on their test against French side Montpellier 32-14. Despite taking an early lead and going into the break with a four point lead. The hosts had two disallowed tries, one in each half, although the effort still wouldn’t have been enough as the visitors scored 22 points in the second half.
Former Scottish legend Stuart Hogg ran in the first points of the test alongside Donovan Taofifenua’s two try effort and Alex Becognee going over the line.
Newcastle Red Bulls took the long trip to West Wales to get thrashed 47-14 by Scarlets. The seven-try bonus point performance was overshadowed by a potential Sam Costelow injury, which could raise high concerns for Wales going into the Autumn internationals.
Former Wales and Scarlets fly-half Stephen Jones returned home as Newcastle assistant coach, but was unsuccessful in his return.
Pau and Leicester Tigers faced in a pool one clash, with the French side coming out 41-17 winners. Leicester held up strong at the start of the game, but Pau’s quality was too much for the Tigers.
Portugal international Rodrigo Marta was involved twice in the five try effort to take the bonus point win.
Toulouse fought back to deny a famous win for Exeter Chiefs on Sunday. The scoreline ended 43-40, as a Zack Wimbush hattrick was not enough for the French side.
Rob Baxter, Exeter head coach knew it would be a tough contest, especially after losing players to injury.
“We still have guys that have Premiership experience.. but we’re starting to get names back into the squad and training.”
The Gallagher PREM Rugby season continues this weekend, starting with rivals Bath travelling to Gloucester for some Friday night action.
