A recap of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup action, which saw Northampton open with a bonus point win over Castres, while Exeter lost to South Africa’s Sharks.
Northampton 38-8 Castres
The Gallagher Premiership champions were quick to get out of the blocks through captain Fraser Dingwall’s try at Franklin’s Gardens, but Castres reduced the deficit through a Louis le Brun penalty as Storm Darragh made life difficult in the East Midlands.
Saints were firmly in control when Temo Mayanavanua made a run and Tommy Freeman threw a wide pass to Juarno Augustus to win a corner, with Curtis Langdon Augustus, ranked 8th, secured the bonus point before scoring his second goal.
Pierre Colonna gave Castres some cheer, but Henry Pollock capped off an impressive Saints show with a stunning solo finish.
The Saints’ next Challenge Cup assignment is in South Africa next Saturday when they travel to the southern hemisphere to take on the Bulls.
Sharks 39-21 Exeter Chiefs
Chiefs took an early lead through a Dan Frost try while down to 14. Greg Fisilau was in the sin bin but only the Challenge Cup holders could control four crossings.
Dan Frost scored two first-half tries for Exeter Chiefs during their defeat in South Africa.
Phepsi Buthelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi scored for the Sharks and Frost claimed his second late in the first half to leave the visitors trailing 26-14 at the interval.
Kolisi’s second try extended the Sharks’ lead before England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was claimed for a crossfield kick for Exeter’s third score.
Despite the Sharks being reduced to 12 men after about six minutes with three players sent to the sin bin in quick succession, Exeter failed to score their fourth try and register a bonus point.
What else happened in the Champions Cup?
ASM Clermont Auvergne Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both crossed twice and Benjamin Urdapilleta converted all four tries to shut out Benetton with a 28-0 win.
toulon Overcame a 14-10 gap deficit to record an impressive 24-14 success at the Stormers. Gabin Villiere, Facundo Isa and Baptiste Serin crossed for the French visitors, while Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba scored tries for the South African hosts.
Lyon 37-26 Cardiff Rugby
Cardiff had to settle for a bonus point after starting their European Challenge Cup campaign with a 37-26 defeat at Lyon.
Matt Sherratt’s side mounted a strong second-half comeback with tries from Ellis Bevan and Gabriel Hamer-Webb, forcing the French side to respond well in the later stages.
A quick response from Esteban Gonzalez and two penalties from Martin Meliande dashed the visitors’ hopes.
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