SAINTS, bouncing back from a first round mauling against Saracens, displayed plenty of ticker and endeavour but absolutely no composure in a frantic, seething match and predictably paid the price against such wily European operators as Clermont.
Jim Mallinder’s team put their heart and souls into their performance and in many ways excelled – but they were impatient and inaccurate in the final ten yards and could never build the scoreboard pressure to really discomfort Clermont.
Northampton enjoyed 70 percent territory and 63 percent possession yet were outscored four tries to one. The margin of defeat was cruel but despite a couple of lamentable refereeing decisions from Ben Whitehouse, there can be no arguing about the result.
Clermont drew first blood when Fritz Lee marched over from a scrum five before the game took a horrible turn with a horrific accidental broken leg to Camille Lopez which saw a long delay and the arrival of young scrumhalf Charlie Cassang, who was to play a huge part in the game.
Denne historien er fra October 22, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 22, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
