Bath 21-14 Worcester Warriors
Harlequins 39-39 Gloucester
Sunday, 27 December 2015
Saturday, 26 December 2015
Aviva Premiership Boxing Day
London Irish 25-23 Saints
Exeter Chiefs 33-17 Sale Sharks
Leicester Tigers 22-10 Newcastle Falcons
Sunday, 13 December 2015
European Rugby 13th December
European Champions Cup
Oyonnax 10-45 Saracens
An impressive display from Saracens saw them run 45-10 winners over Oyonnax in their European Champions Cup group. Tries from Alex Goode, Chris Wyles, Maro Itoje, Richard Wigglesworth and Schalk Brits saw the visitors run up the score after a 23-3 lead at the break.
Owen Farrell also kicked 13 points for Saracens with Arthur Aziz scoring Oyonnax's sole try late on. The victory leaves Saracens nine points clear at the top of Pool 1, with Oyonnax staying bottom on one point.
Toulon 24-9 Leinster
Toulon claimed a 24-9 victory to condemn Pool 5 rivals Leinster to a third successive defeat in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was a solid start to the contest for the visitors as Jonathan Sexton punished some ill-discipline from Toulon with two penalties inside the opening five minutes.
The home side responded well to the early setback to find the first try when Samu Manoa benefited from a driving maul to cross over, before Eric Escande added the conversion. Escande and Sexton traded penalties midway through the half, before Leinster's Cian Healy was sent to the sin-bin for a mistake in the ruck. Despite surviving with 14 men on the pitch before the break, Leinster were dealt another blow when Devin Toner picked up a yellow card just moments after Sexton had missed the chance to hand his side the lead by sending a penalty just wide of the post.
Toulon capitalised on the advantage at the second attempt as Escande added two penalties to make it 16-9 while Toner served his time in the sin-bin. Leinster battled impressively, but a comeback looked unlikely as the home side retained possession well without ever appearing to be at their best. A tiring visiting scrum committed an error to give Escande the chance to take his tally to 14 points.
Tom Denton became the third Leinster player to visit the sin-bin late on as Toulon wrapped up the win in the final minute when Steffon Armitage came off the lineout to deliver a try as the hosts recovered from the loss to Wasps to claim their first victory of the campaign.
Wasps 23-25 Bath
Anthony Watson scored a try in dead time to give Bath a 25-23 victory over Wasps in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The two sides swapped penalties early on as Ruaridh Jackson put the hosts in front with his kick but George Ford replied for Bath six minutes later to level the scores.
Two minutes later, Jonathan Joseph scored a try after picking up the loose ball. He sold Charles Piutau a dummy before he raced over the line to give Bath their first lead of the day. Eliot Day closed the gap to four points with a long-range penalty, with the kicker nailing an effort from the half way line.
Bath went further in front as Matt Banahan and Niko Matawalu played a one-two, with the former sprinting home unopposed for the away side's second try, but Ford missed the following conversion. Day missed another long penalty but Jackson hit two late three-point kicks to reduce the scores to 15-12 at the break.
Ford hit another penalty in the second half that was quickly replied to by Jackson, who then missed a kick that would have pulled his side level. Rob Miller then saved his teammates' blushes as he bundled over the line to give Wasps their lead back but Jackson's kicking woes continued as he failed to hit the conversion. Substitute fly-half Jimmy Gopperth thought he had sealed the deal for Wasps with six minutes remaining, dissecting the posts from a penalty to stretch Wasps' lead to five points.
It took until the 84th minute for Watson to cross the line, and Ford converted from the touchline to give Bath a dramatic victory.
Oyonnax 10-45 Saracens
An impressive display from Saracens saw them run 45-10 winners over Oyonnax in their European Champions Cup group. Tries from Alex Goode, Chris Wyles, Maro Itoje, Richard Wigglesworth and Schalk Brits saw the visitors run up the score after a 23-3 lead at the break.
Owen Farrell also kicked 13 points for Saracens with Arthur Aziz scoring Oyonnax's sole try late on. The victory leaves Saracens nine points clear at the top of Pool 1, with Oyonnax staying bottom on one point.
Toulon 24-9 Leinster
Toulon claimed a 24-9 victory to condemn Pool 5 rivals Leinster to a third successive defeat in the European Rugby Champions Cup. It was a solid start to the contest for the visitors as Jonathan Sexton punished some ill-discipline from Toulon with two penalties inside the opening five minutes.
The home side responded well to the early setback to find the first try when Samu Manoa benefited from a driving maul to cross over, before Eric Escande added the conversion. Escande and Sexton traded penalties midway through the half, before Leinster's Cian Healy was sent to the sin-bin for a mistake in the ruck. Despite surviving with 14 men on the pitch before the break, Leinster were dealt another blow when Devin Toner picked up a yellow card just moments after Sexton had missed the chance to hand his side the lead by sending a penalty just wide of the post.
Toulon capitalised on the advantage at the second attempt as Escande added two penalties to make it 16-9 while Toner served his time in the sin-bin. Leinster battled impressively, but a comeback looked unlikely as the home side retained possession well without ever appearing to be at their best. A tiring visiting scrum committed an error to give Escande the chance to take his tally to 14 points.
Tom Denton became the third Leinster player to visit the sin-bin late on as Toulon wrapped up the win in the final minute when Steffon Armitage came off the lineout to deliver a try as the hosts recovered from the loss to Wasps to claim their first victory of the campaign.
Wasps 23-25 Bath
Anthony Watson scored a try in dead time to give Bath a 25-23 victory over Wasps in the European Rugby Champions Cup. The two sides swapped penalties early on as Ruaridh Jackson put the hosts in front with his kick but George Ford replied for Bath six minutes later to level the scores.
Two minutes later, Jonathan Joseph scored a try after picking up the loose ball. He sold Charles Piutau a dummy before he raced over the line to give Bath their first lead of the day. Eliot Day closed the gap to four points with a long-range penalty, with the kicker nailing an effort from the half way line.
Bath went further in front as Matt Banahan and Niko Matawalu played a one-two, with the former sprinting home unopposed for the away side's second try, but Ford missed the following conversion. Day missed another long penalty but Jackson hit two late three-point kicks to reduce the scores to 15-12 at the break.
Ford hit another penalty in the second half that was quickly replied to by Jackson, who then missed a kick that would have pulled his side level. Rob Miller then saved his teammates' blushes as he bundled over the line to give Wasps their lead back but Jackson's kicking woes continued as he failed to hit the conversion. Substitute fly-half Jimmy Gopperth thought he had sealed the deal for Wasps with six minutes remaining, dissecting the posts from a penalty to stretch Wasps' lead to five points.
It took until the 84th minute for Watson to cross the line, and Ford converted from the touchline to give Bath a dramatic victory.
Saturday, 12 December 2015
European Rugby 12th December
European Champions Cup
Castres 10-17 Sale Sharks
A late penalty try proved to be the decisive moment as Sale Sharks battled to a 17-10 victory over Castres in the European Challenge Cup. The Sharks made the perfect start with the first score inside the opening minute when Nev Edwards charged over after Andrei Ostrikov's kick had been blocked.
Castres responded well to the early setback to quickly draw level through Florian Viallele, who spotted the gap to score the try after Sale had stopped a number of runs forward. Julien Dumora was on target with the conversion attempt and his penalty handed Castres a three-point advantage heading into the break.
Sale applied the pressure in the early stages of the second half, before drawing level just before the hour mark when Joe Ford split the posts with a penalty. It was the visitors who pushed for most of the closing stages, and the decision went their way late on as Julien Caminati was punished for a no-armed tackle on Charlie Ingall, which resulted in a yellow card and a penalty try as Sale snatched the win.
Glasgow Warriors 43-6 Scarlets
Taqele Naiyaravoro scored a hat-trick as an impressive Glasgow Warriors smashed Scarlets 43-6 in the European Champions Cup this afternoon. The home side showing their attacking intent straight away, kicking for the corner instead of taking the three points, and they were rewarded when Duncan Weir spotted a gap and sniped over for the try.
Weir converted his own try, before Steve Shingler grabbed a penalty back for the Scarlets. Naiyaravoro had a stunning try disallowed but Weir added a penalty for Glasgow just before half-time. Shingler kicked another Scarlets penalty after the break, but James Malcolm buried over after strong work from the forwards to extend Glasgow's lead.
Some good handling found Naiyaravoro who smashed his way over for the Warrior's third try, before good defensive work from Stuart Hogg saw the fullback hold up Jack Condy over the line. Further impressive defence saw Glasgow turn the ball over twice in their own 22, and they made Scarlets pay after a pinpoint cross-kick from Finn Russell found Naiyaravoro for the four-try bonus point.
Naiyaravoro then grabbed his third try seven minutes from time after catching a lazy loop pass and cantering in from 60 metres out. Tim Swinson rubbed salt in Scarlet's wounds with a try in the last play of the game, following up in support after a snipe from Grayson Hart. It is Glasgow's first win Europe this season and they move up to second in the pool, with Scarlets at the bottom with no wins.
Taqele Naiyaravoro scored a hat-trick as an impressive Glasgow Warriors smashed Scarlets 43-6 in the European Champions Cup this afternoon. The home side showing their attacking intent straight away, kicking for the corner instead of taking the three points, and they were rewarded when Duncan Weir spotted a gap and sniped over for the try.
Weir converted his own try, before Steve Shingler grabbed a penalty back for the Scarlets. Naiyaravoro had a stunning try disallowed but Weir added a penalty for Glasgow just before half-time. Shingler kicked another Scarlets penalty after the break, but James Malcolm buried over after strong work from the forwards to extend Glasgow's lead.
Some good handling found Naiyaravoro who smashed his way over for the Warrior's third try, before good defensive work from Stuart Hogg saw the fullback hold up Jack Condy over the line. Further impressive defence saw Glasgow turn the ball over twice in their own 22, and they made Scarlets pay after a pinpoint cross-kick from Finn Russell found Naiyaravoro for the four-try bonus point.
Naiyaravoro then grabbed his third try seven minutes from time after catching a lazy loop pass and cantering in from 60 metres out. Tim Swinson rubbed salt in Scarlet's wounds with a try in the last play of the game, following up in support after a snipe from Grayson Hart. It is Glasgow's first win Europe this season and they move up to second in the pool, with Scarlets at the bottom with no wins.
Racing 92 33-3 Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints put up a strong fight against Racing Metro, but it was not enough as the French side left Franklins Gardens with a 33-3 win in the European Champions Cup.
Northampton started the game on top but it was Racing who grabbed the first try, the hosts' power freeing up space on the right for Henry Chavancy to cross. Eddy Ben Arous then added a second soon after, following some strong forward work, with World Rugby Player of the Year Dan Carter kicking both conversions on his Racing Metro debut.
JJ Hanrahan kicked a penalty for Saints after 29 minutes to get their only points of the game, before Brice Dulin picked off an interception, with Racing under severe pressure on their own line, to go all the way. Luther Burrell saw a try chalked off after he failed to properly ground the ball, before Dulin got his second three minutes after half-time following strong work from his fellow backs in midfield.
The game broke down after this, with the weather doing its best to disrupt play, but Racing showed their class five minutes from time, turning the ball over and moving their way upfield before Juan Imhoff crossed with an easy finish. Racing remain top of the pool with Saints sitting just behind them in second place, but with a game in hand.
Northampton Saints put up a strong fight against Racing Metro, but it was not enough as the French side left Franklins Gardens with a 33-3 win in the European Champions Cup.
Northampton started the game on top but it was Racing who grabbed the first try, the hosts' power freeing up space on the right for Henry Chavancy to cross. Eddy Ben Arous then added a second soon after, following some strong forward work, with World Rugby Player of the Year Dan Carter kicking both conversions on his Racing Metro debut.
JJ Hanrahan kicked a penalty for Saints after 29 minutes to get their only points of the game, before Brice Dulin picked off an interception, with Racing under severe pressure on their own line, to go all the way. Luther Burrell saw a try chalked off after he failed to properly ground the ball, before Dulin got his second three minutes after half-time following strong work from his fellow backs in midfield.
The game broke down after this, with the weather doing its best to disrupt play, but Racing showed their class five minutes from time, turning the ball over and moving their way upfield before Juan Imhoff crossed with an easy finish. Racing remain top of the pool with Saints sitting just behind them in second place, but with a game in hand.
Benetton Treviso 17-50 Stade Francais
A strong first-half display by Stade Francais helped them beat Benetton Treviso 50-17 in the European Champions Cup this afternoon. Jules Plisson kicked an early penalty for the French side, before nice hands found Waisea Nayacalevu who crossed in the corner after just four minutes.
Julien Arias and Paul Williams quickly added a further two tries, before a Sylvain Nicolas interception secured the bonus point for Stade on 24 minutes.
Fly-half Meyer Bosman then added a fifth try just before half-time, as Sergio Parisse rumbled over to get in on the act just seven minutes after the break.
Djibril Camara scored another for the visitors, before Treviso finally got their first points of the game after Sam Christie crossed for a try. Stade Francais fell complacent after this and allowed Treviso to cross again, this time Simone Ragusi grabbing an interception 10 minutes from time for his side's second try.
Marco Lazzaroni added a third but it was all too late for the Italians who left the match without a point. They are now bottom of their pool with 0 points, while Stade move up to top spot for the time being.
A strong first-half display by Stade Francais helped them beat Benetton Treviso 50-17 in the European Champions Cup this afternoon. Jules Plisson kicked an early penalty for the French side, before nice hands found Waisea Nayacalevu who crossed in the corner after just four minutes.
Julien Arias and Paul Williams quickly added a further two tries, before a Sylvain Nicolas interception secured the bonus point for Stade on 24 minutes.
Fly-half Meyer Bosman then added a fifth try just before half-time, as Sergio Parisse rumbled over to get in on the act just seven minutes after the break.
Djibril Camara scored another for the visitors, before Treviso finally got their first points of the game after Sam Christie crossed for a try. Stade Francais fell complacent after this and allowed Treviso to cross again, this time Simone Ragusi grabbing an interception 10 minutes from time for his side's second try.
Marco Lazzaroni added a third but it was all too late for the Italians who left the match without a point. They are now bottom of their pool with 0 points, while Stade move up to top spot for the time being.
Exeter Chiefs 31-14 Clermont Auvergne
Exeter Chiefs climbed to the top of Pool 2 by producing a remarkable comeback to beat Clermont Auvergne 31-14 at Sandy Park. Clermont started the game brightly, scoring the game's first try inside the opening 10 minutes as Hosea Gear went in under the posts to make it 7-0.
Gary Steenson replied for the hosts through a penalty shortly after, but it was French side who remained in control in the opening stages.
The visitors used that momentum to go on and score the second try just before the 20-minute mark, as Noa Nakaitaci exposes the Chiefs' blindside with a clever chip, leaving it to Rougerie to do the rest and touch over for the French side's second try. Thomas Waldrom was responsible for keeping the hosts in touch as he charged over for the try after a patient spell with the ball from Exeter, and he repeated the trick early in the second half to put his side ahead following a maul.
Exeter were dealt a blow when Phil Dollman was sent to the sin-bin for persistent holding, but it was soon 14 vs. 14 after Clermont's Peceli Yato was penalised for a high tackle. It was Exeter who finished strongly as a long spell of pressure was ended by Don Armand finding the gap for the try, before a tiring Clermont defensive line allowed Mitch Lees to add another converted try in the final minute.
Exeter Chiefs climbed to the top of Pool 2 by producing a remarkable comeback to beat Clermont Auvergne 31-14 at Sandy Park. Clermont started the game brightly, scoring the game's first try inside the opening 10 minutes as Hosea Gear went in under the posts to make it 7-0.
Gary Steenson replied for the hosts through a penalty shortly after, but it was French side who remained in control in the opening stages.
The visitors used that momentum to go on and score the second try just before the 20-minute mark, as Noa Nakaitaci exposes the Chiefs' blindside with a clever chip, leaving it to Rougerie to do the rest and touch over for the French side's second try. Thomas Waldrom was responsible for keeping the hosts in touch as he charged over for the try after a patient spell with the ball from Exeter, and he repeated the trick early in the second half to put his side ahead following a maul.
Exeter were dealt a blow when Phil Dollman was sent to the sin-bin for persistent holding, but it was soon 14 vs. 14 after Clermont's Peceli Yato was penalised for a high tackle. It was Exeter who finished strongly as a long spell of pressure was ended by Don Armand finding the gap for the try, before a tiring Clermont defensive line allowed Mitch Lees to add another converted try in the final minute.
Ospreys 19-16 Bordeaux Begles
Ospreys boosted their qualification hopes in the European Champions Cup with a 19-16 victory over Bordeaux Begles at the Liberty Stadium.
The hosts got off to a flying start, as Dan Biggar kicked the hosts to an early 3-0 lead through a penalty, after a promising move from a lineout saw Fijian centre Josh Matavesi just fail to hold onto a pass which would've surely saw the hosts score the first try.
However, the Begles responded quickly with a penalty of their own, as both sides cancelled each other out in the opening 10 minutes.
The visitors made the breakthrough by scoring the game's first try, as the French side took advantage of the Ospreys's recent yellow card, with centre Felix Le Bourhis going over to make it 13-6 on the half-hour mark.
Biggar's foot kept the Welsh side in the game, pulling the score back to 13-9 going into the break.
The game was turned on its head five minutes into the second half, as Begles wing Jean-Baptiste Dubie received a red card for swinging an arm at Biggar, giving the Welsh side a much-needed lifeline.
The Ospreys took advantage of having an extra man, as wave after waves of attacks pounded the French defence, which was broken so after the red card, as Biggar scored the home side's first try of the game to give his side a 19-13 lead. Romain Lonca reduced the deficit with a penalty to set up a difficult finish for Ospreys, who struggled to display the clinical edge they needed in the second half.
However, Jean-Baptiste Poux was sent to the sin-bin with just five minutes remaining as Bordeaux were made to finish with 12 men on the pitch on a frustrating night for the visitors.
Ospreys boosted their qualification hopes in the European Champions Cup with a 19-16 victory over Bordeaux Begles at the Liberty Stadium.
The hosts got off to a flying start, as Dan Biggar kicked the hosts to an early 3-0 lead through a penalty, after a promising move from a lineout saw Fijian centre Josh Matavesi just fail to hold onto a pass which would've surely saw the hosts score the first try.
However, the Begles responded quickly with a penalty of their own, as both sides cancelled each other out in the opening 10 minutes.
The visitors made the breakthrough by scoring the game's first try, as the French side took advantage of the Ospreys's recent yellow card, with centre Felix Le Bourhis going over to make it 13-6 on the half-hour mark.
Biggar's foot kept the Welsh side in the game, pulling the score back to 13-9 going into the break.
The game was turned on its head five minutes into the second half, as Begles wing Jean-Baptiste Dubie received a red card for swinging an arm at Biggar, giving the Welsh side a much-needed lifeline.
The Ospreys took advantage of having an extra man, as wave after waves of attacks pounded the French defence, which was broken so after the red card, as Biggar scored the home side's first try of the game to give his side a 19-13 lead. Romain Lonca reduced the deficit with a penalty to set up a difficult finish for Ospreys, who struggled to display the clinical edge they needed in the second half.
However, Jean-Baptiste Poux was sent to the sin-bin with just five minutes remaining as Bordeaux were made to finish with 12 men on the pitch on a frustrating night for the visitors.
Munster 19-31 Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers have secured a third successive European Champions Cup victory by beating Munster 31-19 in Pool 4.
The visitors struck first when Owen Williams split the posts with a penalty, before Ian Keatley hit back with one of his own to level the scores. Keatley would edge Munster in front with his second penalty, but after missing with a third attempt, Williams made it 6-6 from close to the halfway line.
Leicester took control of the game with a strong finish to the first half as Vereniki Goneva charged over after a driving maul had been halted just short of the line. Another long spell of pressure produced the second try when Mike Fitzgerald recovered the ball from a lineout to sprint clear, and the conversions from Williams ensured the visitors led by 12 at the break.
Munster made the first breakthrough of the second half when James Cronin pushed the ball over at a ruck, but Keatley was unable to add the conversion. Leicester were put under more pressure when Marcos Ayerza was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle on Conor Murray, which allowed Keatley to further reduce the deficit with a penalty.
However, it was Leicester who struck before Ayerza returned to the field as Youngs showed a fine turn of pace to slide over, and a Williams conversion extended the lead to 25-14. Mike Sherry combined well with Keith Earls to deliver another try for Munster, but after Keatley missed another conversion, Tommy Bell sent over a couple of penalties to put Leicester beyond reach.
Leicester Tigers have secured a third successive European Champions Cup victory by beating Munster 31-19 in Pool 4.
The visitors struck first when Owen Williams split the posts with a penalty, before Ian Keatley hit back with one of his own to level the scores. Keatley would edge Munster in front with his second penalty, but after missing with a third attempt, Williams made it 6-6 from close to the halfway line.
Leicester took control of the game with a strong finish to the first half as Vereniki Goneva charged over after a driving maul had been halted just short of the line. Another long spell of pressure produced the second try when Mike Fitzgerald recovered the ball from a lineout to sprint clear, and the conversions from Williams ensured the visitors led by 12 at the break.
Munster made the first breakthrough of the second half when James Cronin pushed the ball over at a ruck, but Keatley was unable to add the conversion. Leicester were put under more pressure when Marcos Ayerza was sent to the sin-bin for a late tackle on Conor Murray, which allowed Keatley to further reduce the deficit with a penalty.
However, it was Leicester who struck before Ayerza returned to the field as Youngs showed a fine turn of pace to slide over, and a Williams conversion extended the lead to 25-14. Mike Sherry combined well with Keith Earls to deliver another try for Munster, but after Keatley missed another conversion, Tommy Bell sent over a couple of penalties to put Leicester beyond reach.
European Challenge Cup
Calvisano 10-50 Harlequins
Harlequins recorded a simple 50-10 win away at Calvisano in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. The away side grabbed their first try just two minutes into the match, Luke Wallace crashing over after a catch-and-drive from the lineout.
Mark Lambert added a second try before Calvisano lock Agustin Cavaliero was shown a yellow card. Jack Clifford scored from the base of the scrum for Quins, before the home side got their first points on the board after Filippo Buscema kicked a penalty. Quins scored two more in quick succession though before half-time,
Wallace getting his second before Ross Chisholm scored after Tim Swiel spotted a gap in midfield. Matt Hopper crossed 15 minutes in to the second half, before Calvisano hit back after Matteo Minozzi scored from a rolling maul. Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Walker added further tries as Harlequins ended the match on a high.
It is Quins' second win in two matches, and they currently sit in second in the pool. Calvisano remain win-less and bottom.
Harlequins recorded a simple 50-10 win away at Calvisano in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. The away side grabbed their first try just two minutes into the match, Luke Wallace crashing over after a catch-and-drive from the lineout.
Mark Lambert added a second try before Calvisano lock Agustin Cavaliero was shown a yellow card. Jack Clifford scored from the base of the scrum for Quins, before the home side got their first points on the board after Filippo Buscema kicked a penalty. Quins scored two more in quick succession though before half-time,
Wallace getting his second before Ross Chisholm scored after Tim Swiel spotted a gap in midfield. Matt Hopper crossed 15 minutes in to the second half, before Calvisano hit back after Matteo Minozzi scored from a rolling maul. Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Walker added further tries as Harlequins ended the match on a high.
It is Quins' second win in two matches, and they currently sit in second in the pool. Calvisano remain win-less and bottom.
Newport Gwent Dragons 22-0 Pau
Dorian Jones scored 17 points as Newport Gwent Dragons beat Pau 22-0 at home in the European Challenge Cup. Jones' penalty gave Newport the lead after 13 minutes, before adding a second soon after.
Sarel Pretorius added some life into the game after spotting a gap 70 metres out and running in unchallenged, before Pau's Marika Vunibaka was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Jones kicked another two penalties after the break to increase the lead to 17 points, before he grabbed a try for himself after picking up a loose ball and finding a gap in the French side's defence.
Ashton Hewitt knocked on while in the clear and with the try line glaring at him, before the Dragons soaked up some late Pau pressure to leave with their try line intact. Newport now top their pool with three wins from three, while Pau sit rock-bottom with 0 points.
Dorian Jones scored 17 points as Newport Gwent Dragons beat Pau 22-0 at home in the European Challenge Cup. Jones' penalty gave Newport the lead after 13 minutes, before adding a second soon after.
Sarel Pretorius added some life into the game after spotting a gap 70 metres out and running in unchallenged, before Pau's Marika Vunibaka was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Jones kicked another two penalties after the break to increase the lead to 17 points, before he grabbed a try for himself after picking up a loose ball and finding a gap in the French side's defence.
Ashton Hewitt knocked on while in the clear and with the try line glaring at him, before the Dragons soaked up some late Pau pressure to leave with their try line intact. Newport now top their pool with three wins from three, while Pau sit rock-bottom with 0 points.
Enisei-STM 10-7 Brive
Enisei-STM Krasnoyarsk managed their first-ever European Challenge Cup victory as they beat former European champions 10-7 in Russia. Krasnoyarsk took the lead after a tense first half an hour as hooker Nazir Gasanov managed to cross the line to give the Siberian side an unlikely lead.
It got better for the home side 10 minutes later as Iurii Kushnarev nailed a penalty to give the competition debutants a 10-0 lead at the break. Brive got back into the game quickly thanks to a try from Thomas Acquier and the French side pushed heavily for the victory in the final half an hour but Enisei-STM held on for a famous win.
The victory moves Enisei-STM up to four points but are two points off third-place Brive in Pool 1.
Enisei-STM Krasnoyarsk managed their first-ever European Challenge Cup victory as they beat former European champions 10-7 in Russia. Krasnoyarsk took the lead after a tense first half an hour as hooker Nazir Gasanov managed to cross the line to give the Siberian side an unlikely lead.
It got better for the home side 10 minutes later as Iurii Kushnarev nailed a penalty to give the competition debutants a 10-0 lead at the break. Brive got back into the game quickly thanks to a try from Thomas Acquier and the French side pushed heavily for the victory in the final half an hour but Enisei-STM held on for a famous win.
The victory moves Enisei-STM up to four points but are two points off third-place Brive in Pool 1.
London Irish 38-6 Edinburgh
London Irish smashed last year's finalists Edinburgh Rugby 38-6 in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon, with Andrew Fenby grabbing a hat-trick. Greig Tonks kicked a couple of early penalties for the away side, but Fenby caught an interception and ran in to get London Irish their first points after 11 minutes.
Irish then found a gap straight from the kickoff and Fenby grabbed his second just one minute later, Shane Geraghty adding the conversion this time.
A lovely backs move from the home team saw Alex Lewington score his team's third, before Johnny Williams secured the bonus point for his side just before half-time. It was all Edinburgh after the break but they failed to make their dominance pay, and Aseli Tikoirotuma crossed for Irish halfway through the half.
Fenby then finished off his hat-trick with five minutes to go, following good work from Lewington which allowed the winger to cross untouched. The wins sees Irish move to the top of their pool for the moment, with Edinburgh dropping down to third.
London Irish smashed last year's finalists Edinburgh Rugby 38-6 in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon, with Andrew Fenby grabbing a hat-trick. Greig Tonks kicked a couple of early penalties for the away side, but Fenby caught an interception and ran in to get London Irish their first points after 11 minutes.
Irish then found a gap straight from the kickoff and Fenby grabbed his second just one minute later, Shane Geraghty adding the conversion this time.
A lovely backs move from the home team saw Alex Lewington score his team's third, before Johnny Williams secured the bonus point for his side just before half-time. It was all Edinburgh after the break but they failed to make their dominance pay, and Aseli Tikoirotuma crossed for Irish halfway through the half.
Fenby then finished off his hat-trick with five minutes to go, following good work from Lewington which allowed the winger to cross untouched. The wins sees Irish move to the top of their pool for the moment, with Edinburgh dropping down to third.
Castres 10-17 Sale Sharks
A late penalty try proved to be the decisive moment as Sale Sharks battled to a 17-10 victory over Castres in the European Challenge Cup. The Sharks made the perfect start with the first score inside the opening minute when Nev Edwards charged over after Andrei Ostrikov's kick had been blocked.
Castres responded well to the early setback to quickly draw level through Florian Viallele, who spotted the gap to score the try after Sale had stopped a number of runs forward. Julien Dumora was on target with the conversion attempt and his penalty handed Castres a three-point advantage heading into the break.
Sale applied the pressure in the early stages of the second half, before drawing level just before the hour mark when Joe Ford split the posts with a penalty. It was the visitors who pushed for most of the closing stages, and the decision went their way late on as Julien Caminati was punished for a no-armed tackle on Charlie Ingall, which resulted in a yellow card and a penalty try as Sale snatched the win.
Friday, 11 December 2015
European Rugby 11th December
European Champions Cup
Stade Rochelais 27-19 Zebre
Stade Rochelais have secured their first win in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this season, surviving a late push from Zebre to claim a 27-19 win. The hosts made a strong start as they attempted to put defeats in their opening two matches of the pool stage behind with, with Benjamin Lapeyre and Jone Qovu Nailiko both scoring tries in the first 20 minutes.
A fast break from Rochelais before the break saw Kini Murimurivalu extend their lead further, before Fabien Fortassin secured the bonus point with a fourth in the second half. The visitors finally got on the board in the last 20 minutes as Giulio Toniolatti powered his way across the line from a maul following a lineout.
Zebre gave themselves a chance at a comeback as Guglielmo Palazzani leapt across the line shortly after to close the gap to 15 points heading into the final 10 minutes, but a penalty try came too late, leaving the visitors short.
Cardiff Blues 37-27 Montpellier
Cardiff Blues had to come from behind to secure a 37-27 win over Montpellier in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, aided by two yellow cards for the visitors at Cardiff Arms Park.
The home side made a bright start as Rhys Patchell got the opening try of the night on the board inside the first minute. Montpellier quickly turned things around, with Jamie Mackintosh, Timoci Nagusa and Julien Malzieu all crossing the line for the French club in a dominant 14-minute spell for the visitors. Josh Navidi kept Cardiff in the match at half time though, before the visiting side were reduced to 14 men with Bismarck du Plessis sent to the sin bin earlier in the second half, setting up Lloyd Williams for the Blues's third try of the night.
Things got worse for Montpellier though as an offence in the build up to Williams try by Robins Tchale-Watchou saw the replacement shown the yellow card, leaving the team two players short. Montpellier survived without conceding any more points while the two players were off the pitch, but Alex Cuthbert secured the bonus point for Cardiff shortly after, intercepting the ball before running back from inside his own half.
Gethin Jenkins set up Navidi for his second soon after, all-but securing the win for the home side, but Montpellier did close the gap late on, as Charles Geli battled over in the final couple of minutes.
Ulster 38-0 Toulouse
Ulster have crushed Toulouse 38-0 in their European Rugby Champions Cup match to claim a bonus-point win this evening.
The home side took the lead through Nick Marshall when he collected a handoff from the right and plowed through a Toulouse defender to reach out and touch down over the line. Paddy Jackson added the conversion and then a penalty from close range after Sebastien Bezy was sent to the sin bin for the French team. Toulouse spurned two opportunities to get back into the match as Toby Flood missed two penalty kicks from distance. Andrew Trimble extended his side's advantage with a fine solo effort as he raced through the line and kicked the ball over the full-back before gathering again to dive over the line.
In the second half, the Irish team added another try through a sublime kick from Ruan Pienaar, which allowed Luke Marshall an easy score in the corner. Ulster secured the bonus point by notching their fourth try of the night when Stuart McCloskey faked an offload to the right and raided forward before he weaved past one final tackle to touch down for the score. Jean-Marc Doussain thought that he had got a consolation try for the visitors when he dived under the posts, only for a last-ditch tackle from Trimble to deny him as he punched the ball free of the Frenchman's grasp.
The home side completed their win as Chris Henry scored their fifth try by capitalising on a good drive at the maul before he dove over to clinch the emphatic victory. Ulster move above Toulouse in second place in Pool A as a result of their bonus-point win.
Ulster have crushed Toulouse 38-0 in their European Rugby Champions Cup match to claim a bonus-point win this evening.
The home side took the lead through Nick Marshall when he collected a handoff from the right and plowed through a Toulouse defender to reach out and touch down over the line. Paddy Jackson added the conversion and then a penalty from close range after Sebastien Bezy was sent to the sin bin for the French team. Toulouse spurned two opportunities to get back into the match as Toby Flood missed two penalty kicks from distance. Andrew Trimble extended his side's advantage with a fine solo effort as he raced through the line and kicked the ball over the full-back before gathering again to dive over the line.
In the second half, the Irish team added another try through a sublime kick from Ruan Pienaar, which allowed Luke Marshall an easy score in the corner. Ulster secured the bonus point by notching their fourth try of the night when Stuart McCloskey faked an offload to the right and raided forward before he weaved past one final tackle to touch down for the score. Jean-Marc Doussain thought that he had got a consolation try for the visitors when he dived under the posts, only for a last-ditch tackle from Trimble to deny him as he punched the ball free of the Frenchman's grasp.
The home side completed their win as Chris Henry scored their fifth try by capitalising on a good drive at the maul before he dove over to clinch the emphatic victory. Ulster move above Toulouse in second place in Pool A as a result of their bonus-point win.
European Challenge Cup
Connacht 25-10 Newcastle Falcons
Jack Carty kicked six penalties and a conversion to lead Connacht to a 25-10 win over Newcastle Falcons in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this evening.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 40 minutes, but the home side managed to open up a lead, with Carty adding three penalties in the first half.
Craig Willis got the visitors on the board shortly before half time, and they closed the gap further when Richard Mayhew charged across for the only try of the match for the visitors, leaving Newcastle just two points behind. The hosts were reduced to 14 men for a time as Rory Parata had a spell in the sin bin, but Carty added two more penalties to keep Connacht ahead.
The home side clinched the win with just over five minutes remaining as a lengthy build up set up Danie Poolman for the try, with the winger forcing his way through the gap. The results keep Connacht unbeaten in the competition so far this season, while Newcastle slip to their second loss.
Jack Carty kicked six penalties and a conversion to lead Connacht to a 25-10 win over Newcastle Falcons in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this evening.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 40 minutes, but the home side managed to open up a lead, with Carty adding three penalties in the first half.
Craig Willis got the visitors on the board shortly before half time, and they closed the gap further when Richard Mayhew charged across for the only try of the match for the visitors, leaving Newcastle just two points behind. The hosts were reduced to 14 men for a time as Rory Parata had a spell in the sin bin, but Carty added two more penalties to keep Connacht ahead.
The home side clinched the win with just over five minutes remaining as a lengthy build up set up Danie Poolman for the try, with the winger forcing his way through the gap. The results keep Connacht unbeaten in the competition so far this season, while Newcastle slip to their second loss.
Stade Rochelais 27-19 Zebre
Stade Rochelais have secured their first win in the European Rugby Challenge Cup this season, surviving a late push from Zebre to claim a 27-19 win. The hosts made a strong start as they attempted to put defeats in their opening two matches of the pool stage behind with, with Benjamin Lapeyre and Jone Qovu Nailiko both scoring tries in the first 20 minutes.
A fast break from Rochelais before the break saw Kini Murimurivalu extend their lead further, before Fabien Fortassin secured the bonus point with a fourth in the second half. The visitors finally got on the board in the last 20 minutes as Giulio Toniolatti powered his way across the line from a maul following a lineout.
Zebre gave themselves a chance at a comeback as Guglielmo Palazzani leapt across the line shortly after to close the gap to 15 points heading into the final 10 minutes, but a penalty try came too late, leaving the visitors short.
Cardiff Blues 37-27 Montpellier
Cardiff Blues had to come from behind to secure a 37-27 win over Montpellier in the European Rugby Challenge Cup, aided by two yellow cards for the visitors at Cardiff Arms Park.
The home side made a bright start as Rhys Patchell got the opening try of the night on the board inside the first minute. Montpellier quickly turned things around, with Jamie Mackintosh, Timoci Nagusa and Julien Malzieu all crossing the line for the French club in a dominant 14-minute spell for the visitors. Josh Navidi kept Cardiff in the match at half time though, before the visiting side were reduced to 14 men with Bismarck du Plessis sent to the sin bin earlier in the second half, setting up Lloyd Williams for the Blues's third try of the night.
Things got worse for Montpellier though as an offence in the build up to Williams try by Robins Tchale-Watchou saw the replacement shown the yellow card, leaving the team two players short. Montpellier survived without conceding any more points while the two players were off the pitch, but Alex Cuthbert secured the bonus point for Cardiff shortly after, intercepting the ball before running back from inside his own half.
Gethin Jenkins set up Navidi for his second soon after, all-but securing the win for the home side, but Montpellier did close the gap late on, as Charles Geli battled over in the final couple of minutes.
European Rugby 10th December
European Challenge Cup
Agen 20-40 Grenoble
Grenoble have held off a strong recovery from Agen to secure a 40-20 victory over their fellow Top 14 side in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The visitors were looking to enhance their challenge in the group and they got off to the perfect start as it took less than a minute for Xavier Mignot to crash over and record the first score. Sona Taumalolo scored the first of his three tries on the night after 12 minutes to extend the early lead, and veteran Tongan added his second before the half hour, with Agen's only response coming in the form of a Bautista Guemes penalty.
The 34-year-old completed a first-half hat-trick six minutes later to secure the bonus point and give Grenoble a 25-point lead at the break, but Agen launched a remarkable fightback in the second half to move to within eight. First Marc Baget went over the cut the deficit, before Marc Barthomeuf and Marius Deguilhem scored as the hosts threatened to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.
However, it was not to be as a penalty try and a second score from Mignot secured a 40-20 victory for Grenoble to ensure that they kept up the pressure on Edinburgh and London Irish in Pool 5.
Worcester Warriors 22-34 Gloucester
Gloucester have made it three wins from three in European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 4 by running in five tries to see off Aviva Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors with a 34-22 win at Sixways Stadium.
The holders sat at the top of the Pool at the start of the evening and after both sides struggled for the first momentum in the opening minutes they took the lead through a penalty as World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Greg Laidlaw slotted between the posts.
Despite that early setback, it was Warriors who went over for the first score of the game with 12 minutes on the clock to bring the home fans to life as winger Dean Hammond has ran in from 35 yards to score at the corner, with Ryan Lamb adding the extras from a difficult angle.
However, the initiative was handed to the visitors when Warriors prop Gareth Milasinovich was yellow-carded, and Gloucester took immediate advantage as Henry Purdy was found by Mark Atkinson's well-weighted cross kick to expose the space and crash over and put his side back in front. The momentum was all Gloucester's, and though Lamb knocked over a drop goal as the first-half clock turned red to level the score at 10-10 at the break, Purdy went over for a second time after 13 minutes of the second 40 to restore the lead.
That signalled the start of a flurry of second-half tries as both sides inflicted further damage, first as Rob Cook went over in the corner to extend the lead before Mikey Daniels cut the difference back to five with 15 minutes remaining after Lewis Ludlow was sin-binned. However, Worcester's revival was short-lived as Laidlaw broke and found Stevie McColl for his third try in three games to secure the bonus point for Gloucester with 11 remaining, and Billy Twelvetrees collected a well-placed chip to seal the win.
Darren O'Shea had time to score a consolation third try for Worcester, but Gloucester were too strong as they held on to continue their 100% record in Pool 4.
Agen 20-40 Grenoble
Grenoble have held off a strong recovery from Agen to secure a 40-20 victory over their fellow Top 14 side in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
The visitors were looking to enhance their challenge in the group and they got off to the perfect start as it took less than a minute for Xavier Mignot to crash over and record the first score. Sona Taumalolo scored the first of his three tries on the night after 12 minutes to extend the early lead, and veteran Tongan added his second before the half hour, with Agen's only response coming in the form of a Bautista Guemes penalty.
The 34-year-old completed a first-half hat-trick six minutes later to secure the bonus point and give Grenoble a 25-point lead at the break, but Agen launched a remarkable fightback in the second half to move to within eight. First Marc Baget went over the cut the deficit, before Marc Barthomeuf and Marius Deguilhem scored as the hosts threatened to complete the most unlikely of comebacks.
However, it was not to be as a penalty try and a second score from Mignot secured a 40-20 victory for Grenoble to ensure that they kept up the pressure on Edinburgh and London Irish in Pool 5.
Worcester Warriors 22-34 Gloucester
Gloucester have made it three wins from three in European Rugby Challenge Cup Pool 4 by running in five tries to see off Aviva Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors with a 34-22 win at Sixways Stadium.
The holders sat at the top of the Pool at the start of the evening and after both sides struggled for the first momentum in the opening minutes they took the lead through a penalty as World Rugby Player of the Year nominee Greg Laidlaw slotted between the posts.
Despite that early setback, it was Warriors who went over for the first score of the game with 12 minutes on the clock to bring the home fans to life as winger Dean Hammond has ran in from 35 yards to score at the corner, with Ryan Lamb adding the extras from a difficult angle.
However, the initiative was handed to the visitors when Warriors prop Gareth Milasinovich was yellow-carded, and Gloucester took immediate advantage as Henry Purdy was found by Mark Atkinson's well-weighted cross kick to expose the space and crash over and put his side back in front. The momentum was all Gloucester's, and though Lamb knocked over a drop goal as the first-half clock turned red to level the score at 10-10 at the break, Purdy went over for a second time after 13 minutes of the second 40 to restore the lead.
That signalled the start of a flurry of second-half tries as both sides inflicted further damage, first as Rob Cook went over in the corner to extend the lead before Mikey Daniels cut the difference back to five with 15 minutes remaining after Lewis Ludlow was sin-binned. However, Worcester's revival was short-lived as Laidlaw broke and found Stevie McColl for his third try in three games to secure the bonus point for Gloucester with 11 remaining, and Billy Twelvetrees collected a well-placed chip to seal the win.
Darren O'Shea had time to score a consolation third try for Worcester, but Gloucester were too strong as they held on to continue their 100% record in Pool 4.
Sunday, 6 December 2015
Aviva Premiership Sunday 6th December
Newcastle 3-38 Saracens
Saracens have returned to the top of the Premiership by beating Newcastle Falcons 38-3 at Kingston Park. Under pressure from Exeter Chiefs to claim top spot again, Saracens coped impressively throughout the game to claim a sixth successive win as Newcastle's wait for a victory continued.
An early penalty allowed Saracens to find the first score of the game as they kicked for touch, before a driving maul resulted in Samuela Vunisa claiming the try on his full debut. Charlie Hodgson added the conversion before splitting the posts with a penalty, but Tom Catterick hit back with one of his own to keep the home side within touching distance. Much of the first half was spent with the two sides kicking into the air as both teams found it difficult to enjoy superiority.
Hodgson held his nerve to extend the lead to 13-3 just before the break and another penalty early in the second half handed the visitors a cushion as Newcastle struggled to find any rhythm. Any doubts about the result were put to bed with 15 minutes remaining as Newcastle held up Jamie George on the line, before failing to prevent Nick Tompkins from diving over for the second try of the afternoon.
Hodgson sent over another penalty, and there was still time for Saracens to add two more tries try late on as the former England fly-half intercepted a pass before sprinting clear but he was unable to follow the piece of brilliance with a conversion as he settled for a tally of 21 points.
Neither Newcastle or Saracens were keen to finish the meeting as the game ticked into extra time, and it was Billy Vunipola who battled his way over the line to secure the bonus point before Andy Goode ended the contest with the conversion.
Saracens have returned to the top of the Premiership by beating Newcastle Falcons 38-3 at Kingston Park. Under pressure from Exeter Chiefs to claim top spot again, Saracens coped impressively throughout the game to claim a sixth successive win as Newcastle's wait for a victory continued.
An early penalty allowed Saracens to find the first score of the game as they kicked for touch, before a driving maul resulted in Samuela Vunisa claiming the try on his full debut. Charlie Hodgson added the conversion before splitting the posts with a penalty, but Tom Catterick hit back with one of his own to keep the home side within touching distance. Much of the first half was spent with the two sides kicking into the air as both teams found it difficult to enjoy superiority.
Hodgson held his nerve to extend the lead to 13-3 just before the break and another penalty early in the second half handed the visitors a cushion as Newcastle struggled to find any rhythm. Any doubts about the result were put to bed with 15 minutes remaining as Newcastle held up Jamie George on the line, before failing to prevent Nick Tompkins from diving over for the second try of the afternoon.
Hodgson sent over another penalty, and there was still time for Saracens to add two more tries try late on as the former England fly-half intercepted a pass before sprinting clear but he was unable to follow the piece of brilliance with a conversion as he settled for a tally of 21 points.
Neither Newcastle or Saracens were keen to finish the meeting as the game ticked into extra time, and it was Billy Vunipola who battled his way over the line to secure the bonus point before Andy Goode ended the contest with the conversion.
Saturday, 5 December 2015
Aviva Premiership Saturday 5th December
Harlequins 38-7 London Irish
Tim Visser scored a hat-trick of tries as Harlequins cruised to a 38-7 win over London Irish at the Twickenham Stoop in the Aviva Premiership. Nick Evans opened the scoring with an early penalty before passing the ball inside to Visser, who burst through under the posts for the first try of the match, leaving the home side 10-0 up at the break.
Harlequins extended their lead further early in the second half as captain Danny Care powered across the line as the visitors struggled to keep possession. Visser kept the points coming for the home side with his second of the match midway through the second half, cutting inside before leaping across the line.
Visser secured the bonus point for Quins a couple of minutes later, while Jack Clifford made the most of a Tom Cruse error late on, powering across from a lineout after the Exiles man was sent to the sin bin for a no arm tackle. Halani 'Aulika ensured that the visitors got something on the board in the final seconds, sprinting over for a late consolation try for Irish.
The result leaves Quins third in the table, while London Irish stay bottom, having lost all six of their matches so far this season.
Worcester Warriors 20-29 Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers overturned a 17-0 deficit against 14-man Worcester Warriors to claim a 29-20 win in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon. The Warriors made a bright start to the match, as Tom Heathcote got the ball out to Wynand Olivier from a scrum for an early try, before Matt Cox added a second.
Graham Kitchener kept the visitors in the game at half time though, powering over the line against his old club for Leicester's first points of the match shortly before the interval. Having already had a spell in the sin bin during the first half, Donncha O'Callaghan found himself heading back to the dressing room early in the second half as he collapsed the maul, earning himself a second yellow.
Worcester were reduced to 13 men soon after as Gareth Milasinovich was shown a yellow card just three minutes after coming off the replacements bench. Leicester made the most of Worcester's discipline issues, with Telusa Veainu closing the gap with a second try of the afternoon for the visitors, before a penalty try inside the final 10 minutes handed the Tigers the lead for the first time in the match.
Lachlan McCaffrey sealed the bonus point and put the win beyond doubt with seconds remaining for Leicester, claiming a chip forward before powering across the line. The result leaves Leicester second in the table, while Worcester sit 10th following a fourth loss in five matches.
Bath 11-13 Northampton
Northampton Saints have held on to secure a narrow 13-11 win over Bath Rugby in the Aviva Premiership. JJ Hanrahan scored the only points in a cagey first half, kicking a penalty for Northampton to leave them 3-0 up at the interval at the Recreation Ground.
The Saints made a bright start to the second half though, with George Ford giving the ball away to Luther Burrell, gifting the winger the opening try of the match. Ford managed to add a couple of penalties to keep Bath in the match though, before Semesa Rokoduguni gave the home side a narrow lead, after a string of passes from Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson set him up.
Northampton reclaimed the lead inside the final 10 minutes though as Hanrahan split the posts with his second penalty of the match, sealing the win for the visitors. Northampton sit fifth in the table as a result of the win, while Bath slip to ninth.
Wasps 27-41 Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs have scored six tries, including a Thomas Waldrom hat-trick, to beat Wasps in their Aviva Premiership clash at the Ricoh Arena. Chiefs came out strongly with Gareth Steenson kicking an early penalty before they engineered the game's first try after a quarter of an hour. Steenson's fine kick put the visitors five metres from the line and from the lineout Waldrom drove over to extend the lead to 8-0, although Steenson missed the conversion attempt.
Jimmy Gopperth got Wasps on the board with a penalty, but Chiefs' driving was too strong and Jack Nowell made use of an overlap to go over in the corner and put the away side firmly in control. Gopperth added another three but Chiefs secured the bonus point before half time thanks to a try apiece from Mitch Lees and Waldron, the former thundering over from a lineout before the pack powered Waldrom over for a second to set up a 27-6 lead.
Wasps were shellshocked, but they found an important score moments before the whistle when George Smith's precise kick played in Frank Halai after Nowell was unable to collect, and Gopperth converted to cut the deficit to 12 at the break. That signalled a swing in momentum, and within the first 13 minutes of the second half Chiefs' once-imperious lead was wiped out altogether as Ashley Johnson rounded off a fine move before Lorenzo Cittadini went over to level things up.
Chiefs rallied, however, and though Waldrom was denied at the first attempt as play was brought back for a penalty, he was not to be denied and completed his hat-trick from another well-executed lineout move with 57 minutes played.
Steenson converted once more to put Chiefs a converted try ahead of Wasps. Exeter put the game to bed in the 72nd minute as Moray Low went over the line after a pick-and-go move from Chiefs' forwards. Steenson split the posts with his conversion as Exeter ran out 41-27 winners to move to fourth in the Aviva Premiership table.
Friday, 4 December 2015
Aviva Premiership Friday 4th December
Gloucester 23-19 Sale
Sione Kalamafoni scored two tries as Gloucester edged to victory over Sale.
Rob Cook's score inside two minutes was quickly cancelled out by Nev Edwards' try, before two Billy Twelvetrees penalties gave Gloucester a three-point half-time lead at Kingsholm.
Edwards, starting his first Premiership match, then edged Sharks ahead with a second try, but Kalamafoni crossed twice to restore the hosts' lead.
Danny Cipriani's penalty closed the gap to four points but Gloucester held on.
Both sides had endured inconsistent starts to the new season, winning two and losing three of their opening five Premiership matches prior to the contest.
But the Cherry and Whites, who boast the second best home record in Premiership history, were too strong for a Sharks side with only one win on the road in the last 12 months.
When winger Edwards crossed to put Steve Diamond's side ahead in the second half it looked as if Sale might register a third victory of the campaign.
But, with Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard in the sin bin, Cipriani turned down an easy kick at goal to add to the visitors' score and instead headed for the corner.
Sale's gamble did not come off though and to add to their frustration Kalamafoni scored two tries in quick succession to re-establish Gloucester's control.
Cipriani did land a penalty from in front of the posts with 11 minutes left to keep Sale's hopes alive, but the home side closed the game out to lift themselves up to sixth in the Premiership table.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys:
"We are absolutely delighted with the win. The league table already shows that one or two wins take you up, and one or two losses take you down.
"It's a great league, it's tough, and we know how close the games are going to be. We are delighted to come away with a victory against what is a very good, well-organised Sale team.
"I thought we found that bit of a spark. We struggled over the last couple of Premiership games, but tonight was much better. We were able to get on the front foot, we played with some width and we showed some ambition.
"If you think back over the last 18 months, the one thing you can't fault in this team is character and hard work. They never give up."
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond:
"We gave the ball away a bit too easily when we were in their 22, but credit to Gloucester, they didn't turn the ball over in the crucial stages.
"I thought Gloucester deserved the win tonight, but our last couple of games - the draw against Newcastle, and we should have beaten Harlequins away - you can't be nearly men all the time.
"We have just got to get the pressure situations sorted out in our team, kick our goals and kick field position when we get there.
"We know we are good with ball in hand - it's the basics that let us down. Even in the last three or four minutes, we knocked the ball on twice. If you can't convert your pressure into points, you get beaten."
Sione Kalamafoni scored two tries as Gloucester edged to victory over Sale.
Rob Cook's score inside two minutes was quickly cancelled out by Nev Edwards' try, before two Billy Twelvetrees penalties gave Gloucester a three-point half-time lead at Kingsholm.
Edwards, starting his first Premiership match, then edged Sharks ahead with a second try, but Kalamafoni crossed twice to restore the hosts' lead.
Danny Cipriani's penalty closed the gap to four points but Gloucester held on.
Both sides had endured inconsistent starts to the new season, winning two and losing three of their opening five Premiership matches prior to the contest.
But the Cherry and Whites, who boast the second best home record in Premiership history, were too strong for a Sharks side with only one win on the road in the last 12 months.
When winger Edwards crossed to put Steve Diamond's side ahead in the second half it looked as if Sale might register a third victory of the campaign.
But, with Gloucester hooker Richard Hibbard in the sin bin, Cipriani turned down an easy kick at goal to add to the visitors' score and instead headed for the corner.
Sale's gamble did not come off though and to add to their frustration Kalamafoni scored two tries in quick succession to re-establish Gloucester's control.
Cipriani did land a penalty from in front of the posts with 11 minutes left to keep Sale's hopes alive, but the home side closed the game out to lift themselves up to sixth in the Premiership table.
Gloucester director of rugby David Humphreys:
"We are absolutely delighted with the win. The league table already shows that one or two wins take you up, and one or two losses take you down.
"It's a great league, it's tough, and we know how close the games are going to be. We are delighted to come away with a victory against what is a very good, well-organised Sale team.
"I thought we found that bit of a spark. We struggled over the last couple of Premiership games, but tonight was much better. We were able to get on the front foot, we played with some width and we showed some ambition.
"If you think back over the last 18 months, the one thing you can't fault in this team is character and hard work. They never give up."
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond:
"We gave the ball away a bit too easily when we were in their 22, but credit to Gloucester, they didn't turn the ball over in the crucial stages.
"I thought Gloucester deserved the win tonight, but our last couple of games - the draw against Newcastle, and we should have beaten Harlequins away - you can't be nearly men all the time.
"We have just got to get the pressure situations sorted out in our team, kick our goals and kick field position when we get there.
"We know we are good with ball in hand - it's the basics that let us down. Even in the last three or four minutes, we knocked the ball on twice. If you can't convert your pressure into points, you get beaten."
Sunday, 29 November 2015
Aviva Premiership Sunday 29th Nov
Leicester 21-11 Bath
Leicester Tigers made it four victories from their opening five 2015-16 Aviva Premiership encounters thanks to a 21-11 win over Bath at Welford Road this afternoon. It was actually a more evenly-contested fixture - the 188th between the two sides - than the scoreline suggests, with just three points splitting them until the final eight minutes.
Bath's Anthony Watson got the visitors off to a positive start in just the sixth minute when he crossed over for a try. However, two Tommy Bell penalties and a try from Telusa Veainu, for which he had to run 80m to score, handed the home side an 11-5 advantage at the break. The boot of George Ford got Bath back level after the restart, but Bell was again accurate in the 65th minute to put the Tigers 14-11 to the good.
The outcome was then sealed in the 72nd minute as the Tigers managed to barge over the line after some sustained pressure courtesy of England international Dan Cole, who had not scored a try in his last 77 club games - a run that dated back six years. Bell made the conversion to add some further gloss to the scoreline.
Leicester Tigers made it four victories from their opening five 2015-16 Aviva Premiership encounters thanks to a 21-11 win over Bath at Welford Road this afternoon. It was actually a more evenly-contested fixture - the 188th between the two sides - than the scoreline suggests, with just three points splitting them until the final eight minutes.
Bath's Anthony Watson got the visitors off to a positive start in just the sixth minute when he crossed over for a try. However, two Tommy Bell penalties and a try from Telusa Veainu, for which he had to run 80m to score, handed the home side an 11-5 advantage at the break. The boot of George Ford got Bath back level after the restart, but Bell was again accurate in the 65th minute to put the Tigers 14-11 to the good.
The outcome was then sealed in the 72nd minute as the Tigers managed to barge over the line after some sustained pressure courtesy of England international Dan Cole, who had not scored a try in his last 77 club games - a run that dated back six years. Bell made the conversion to add some further gloss to the scoreline.
Saturday, 28 November 2015
Aviva Premiership Sat 28th Nov
Sale Sharks 15-15 Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons scored a late try to secure a 15-15 draw with Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon. Danny Cipriani kicked the home side into an early lead, opening the scores with a second-minute penalty before splitting the uprights again midway through the first half.
Newcastle were ahead soon after though as Rob Vickers powered through the Sale line to score the only try of the first half, but the windy conditions prevented the visitors from adding the conversion. Cirprini restored the Sharks' lead just before the interval with another kick, before adding his fifth penalty of the game early in the second half.
Newcastle were level inside the final 10 minutes though as Jon Welsh powered over the line for their second try, leaving Tom Catterick to tie it up with the conversion. Sale had a chance to secure the win in the final minute of the game, forcing a penalty advantage, but Cipriani's effort was wide, forcing the home side to settle for the draw.
Newcastle Falcons scored a late try to secure a 15-15 draw with Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon. Danny Cipriani kicked the home side into an early lead, opening the scores with a second-minute penalty before splitting the uprights again midway through the first half.
Newcastle were ahead soon after though as Rob Vickers powered through the Sale line to score the only try of the first half, but the windy conditions prevented the visitors from adding the conversion. Cirprini restored the Sharks' lead just before the interval with another kick, before adding his fifth penalty of the game early in the second half.
Newcastle were level inside the final 10 minutes though as Jon Welsh powered over the line for their second try, leaving Tom Catterick to tie it up with the conversion. Sale had a chance to secure the win in the final minute of the game, forcing a penalty advantage, but Cipriani's effort was wide, forcing the home side to settle for the draw.
Exeter Chiefs 26-25 Harlequins
Exeter Chiefs have made it four wins from five matches at the start of the Aviva Premiership season with a narrow 26-25 win over Harlequins at Sandy Park. The visitors had the advantage early on as they were awarded a penalty try following a series a scrums, before Danny Care chipped the ball forward to set Nick Evans up for a try shortly after.
Gareth Steenson kept the home side in contention though, adding four first-half penalties for Exeter as try-scoring chances remained scarce. Quins continued to find space down the other end though, leaving Charlie Walker to add a third, but James Short made the most of a swift counter from the Chiefs to score their opening try just before the interval.
Exeter extended their lead in the second half when Steenson added their second try of the game, but the visitors were handed a lifeline when Elvis Taione was sent to the sin bin. Tim Visser quickly made the most of the man advantage for Harlequins, adding another try to secure a bonus point, but a missed conversion from Evans left them a point adrift. Exeter stay second in the table as a result, while Harlequins sit third.
Exeter Chiefs have made it four wins from five matches at the start of the Aviva Premiership season with a narrow 26-25 win over Harlequins at Sandy Park. The visitors had the advantage early on as they were awarded a penalty try following a series a scrums, before Danny Care chipped the ball forward to set Nick Evans up for a try shortly after.
Gareth Steenson kept the home side in contention though, adding four first-half penalties for Exeter as try-scoring chances remained scarce. Quins continued to find space down the other end though, leaving Charlie Walker to add a third, but James Short made the most of a swift counter from the Chiefs to score their opening try just before the interval.
Exeter extended their lead in the second half when Steenson added their second try of the game, but the visitors were handed a lifeline when Elvis Taione was sent to the sin bin. Tim Visser quickly made the most of the man advantage for Harlequins, adding another try to secure a bonus point, but a missed conversion from Evans left them a point adrift. Exeter stay second in the table as a result, while Harlequins sit third.
Saracens 48-18 Worcester Warriors
Saracens have extended their unbeaten start to the 2015-16 Aviva Premiership season with a 48-18 win over Worcester Warriors.
The home side dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, resulting in early tries for Chris Ashton and Ben Spencer, while Charlie Hodgson, who has announced that he will retire at the end of this season, added a couple of first-half penalties.
Tom Heathcote got the visitors off the mark before the interval, kicking two penalties, but Saracens continued to get forward with ease at the start of the second half, resulting in a second try for Ashton, while Schalk Brits and Jackson Wray also went over.
Ben Ransom added a sixth for the home side inside the final 20 minutes, before Worcester added a couple of late consolation tries through Joe Rees and GJ van Velze. The result keeps Saracens at the top of the table, three points clear of Exeter, while Worcester sit eighth.
Saracens have extended their unbeaten start to the 2015-16 Aviva Premiership season with a 48-18 win over Worcester Warriors.
The home side dominated the first 20 minutes of the match, resulting in early tries for Chris Ashton and Ben Spencer, while Charlie Hodgson, who has announced that he will retire at the end of this season, added a couple of first-half penalties.
Tom Heathcote got the visitors off the mark before the interval, kicking two penalties, but Saracens continued to get forward with ease at the start of the second half, resulting in a second try for Ashton, while Schalk Brits and Jackson Wray also went over.
Ben Ransom added a sixth for the home side inside the final 20 minutes, before Worcester added a couple of late consolation tries through Joe Rees and GJ van Velze. The result keeps Saracens at the top of the table, three points clear of Exeter, while Worcester sit eighth.
London Irish 15-33 Wasps
Wasps beat bottom side London Irish 33-15 at Twickenham to move into the playoff places in the Aviva Premiership.
Wasps started the brightest and earned themselves a penalty after the Irish were caught offside, with Ruaridh Jackson converting the kick for three points. Chris Noakes then leveled the scores moments later as he slotted home the penalty kick for the home side but Jackson had the chance to put Wasps back in front after another offside, but he missed his kick. Jackson made up for his mistake with another three points before Frank Halai went over in the corner for the opening try of the game, but Jackson failed to hit the conversion.
However, London Irish pulled five points back on the stroke of half time after Alex Lewington made a good break before he was stopped and after Blair Cowan was denied, Johnny Williams crossed the line to score but Nokes missed the following conversion attempt.
After the break, Elliot Daly took a Ben Jacobs pass to the house to strengthen the visitor's lead and Jackson this time nailed the extra two points. The Exciles pulled themselves back into the contest again moments later as Aesali Tikoirotuma lobbed the ball up and Williams was there to pick it off and cross the line to make it a seven-point game.
Wasps sealed their win late on as a rolling maul assisted Thomas Young, who forced his way across the line with nine minutes remaining. Halai then earned his side a bonus point with his second try of the game after some good work from Daly found its way to the New Zealand international and he slid over the line.
The win moves Wasps into fourth in the Aviva Premiership table with Leicester Tigers playing tomorrow, while London Irish remain rooted to the foot of the table.
Wasps beat bottom side London Irish 33-15 at Twickenham to move into the playoff places in the Aviva Premiership.
Wasps started the brightest and earned themselves a penalty after the Irish were caught offside, with Ruaridh Jackson converting the kick for three points. Chris Noakes then leveled the scores moments later as he slotted home the penalty kick for the home side but Jackson had the chance to put Wasps back in front after another offside, but he missed his kick. Jackson made up for his mistake with another three points before Frank Halai went over in the corner for the opening try of the game, but Jackson failed to hit the conversion.
However, London Irish pulled five points back on the stroke of half time after Alex Lewington made a good break before he was stopped and after Blair Cowan was denied, Johnny Williams crossed the line to score but Nokes missed the following conversion attempt.
After the break, Elliot Daly took a Ben Jacobs pass to the house to strengthen the visitor's lead and Jackson this time nailed the extra two points. The Exciles pulled themselves back into the contest again moments later as Aesali Tikoirotuma lobbed the ball up and Williams was there to pick it off and cross the line to make it a seven-point game.
Wasps sealed their win late on as a rolling maul assisted Thomas Young, who forced his way across the line with nine minutes remaining. Halai then earned his side a bonus point with his second try of the game after some good work from Daly found its way to the New Zealand international and he slid over the line.
The win moves Wasps into fourth in the Aviva Premiership table with Leicester Tigers playing tomorrow, while London Irish remain rooted to the foot of the table.
Friday, 27 November 2015
Aviva Premiership Northampton Saints 15-3 Gloucester 27th Nov
Northampton Saints secured their second win of the Aviva Premiership season with a 15-3 victory over Gloucester, with all the points coming from penalties. The home side opened up a lead over the first 20 minutes as Stephen Myler added three penalties, making the most of a string of errors from Gloucester.
The visitors were handed a chance to get back into the game before half time as Tom Wood was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul, allowing Billy Twelvetrees to get them on the board with a penalty.
The wet conditions at Franklin Gardens continued to make it difficult for both sides to create try-scoring opportunities after the break, but Myler maintained his accuracy with the boot, kicking a further six points to leave Northampton 12 points up inside the final 15 minutes.
The visitors finished the match a player short as Yann Thomas was judged to have deliberately knocked on while trying to clear a kick forward from Saints, earning himself a yellow card.
The visitors were handed a chance to get back into the game before half time as Tom Wood was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul, allowing Billy Twelvetrees to get them on the board with a penalty.
The wet conditions at Franklin Gardens continued to make it difficult for both sides to create try-scoring opportunities after the break, but Myler maintained his accuracy with the boot, kicking a further six points to leave Northampton 12 points up inside the final 15 minutes.
The visitors finished the match a player short as Yann Thomas was judged to have deliberately knocked on while trying to clear a kick forward from Saints, earning himself a yellow card.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
European Rugby 22nd Nov
European Champions Cup
Wasps 32-6 Toulon
Wasp clinched a bonus point in a comfortable 32-6 triumph over Toulon in the second game of their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. Jonathan Pelissie missed an early penalty and they were made to pay as Wasps went ahead after eight minutes, with some good pressure leading to Nathan Hughes powering over for the try.
The home side went further ahead just a minute later as Ruaridh Jackson chipped the ball over the Toulon defence, Joe Simpson picked it up and played it to Joe Launchbury, who found Jackson again and he raced clear for the Wasps second try. Pelissie put up three points for the French side after a penalty from a power scrum but Elliot Day hit a kick from half-way to extend their lead back to 14 points.
Day could have put his side further ahead but missed his kick before Jackson added another penalty with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, but Pelissie cut the deficit back down just before the break.
In the second half, an excellent run by Charles Piutau splits the Toulon resistance before passing the ball to Frank Halai to sprint clear for another Wasps score. Hughes ran in the Premiership side's bonus point try after a rolling maul allowed the flanker to stretch over and add more to the Wasps' dominant lead but Jackson missed the following conversion.
Clermont Auvergne 34-29 Ospreys
Clermont Auvergne have survived a second-half comeback from Ospreys to secure a 34-29 win in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The French side were dealt a blow early on when Alexandre Lapandry was sent to the sin bin with just 12 minutes gone, but the hosts were able to hold the Welsh team to just three points during his absence. Once Clermont were back up to 15 men they started to dominate, resulting in tries for David Strettle and Aurelien Rougerie before half time, putting the home side in a comfortable position at the break.
Ospreys were on the front foot at the start of the second half though as Justin Tipuric powered over for the visiting side's first try of the match, while Eli Walker went over moments later, allowing Dan Biggar to cut the gap to three points with the conversion.
Clermont responded with another dominant spell, resulting in a second try of the afternoon for Strettle before Wesley Fofana sprinted through, securing the bonus point for the hosts. Despite trailing by 17 points with five minutes remaining, Ospreys finished with a flourish, Sam Parry and Tom Habberfield both caught the hosts out with a couple of weaving runs late on, but there was not enough time for the Welsh side to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, Ospreys remain top in Pool 2, having picked up a bonus point in both of their matches so far, while Clermont sit third.
Clermont Auvergne have survived a second-half comeback from Ospreys to secure a 34-29 win in the European Rugby Champions Cup.
The French side were dealt a blow early on when Alexandre Lapandry was sent to the sin bin with just 12 minutes gone, but the hosts were able to hold the Welsh team to just three points during his absence. Once Clermont were back up to 15 men they started to dominate, resulting in tries for David Strettle and Aurelien Rougerie before half time, putting the home side in a comfortable position at the break.
Ospreys were on the front foot at the start of the second half though as Justin Tipuric powered over for the visiting side's first try of the match, while Eli Walker went over moments later, allowing Dan Biggar to cut the gap to three points with the conversion.
Clermont responded with another dominant spell, resulting in a second try of the afternoon for Strettle before Wesley Fofana sprinted through, securing the bonus point for the hosts. Despite trailing by 17 points with five minutes remaining, Ospreys finished with a flourish, Sam Parry and Tom Habberfield both caught the hosts out with a couple of weaving runs late on, but there was not enough time for the Welsh side to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, Ospreys remain top in Pool 2, having picked up a bonus point in both of their matches so far, while Clermont sit third.
Stade Francais P-P Munster (due to Paris attacks)
Wasps 32-6 Toulon
Wasp clinched a bonus point in a comfortable 32-6 triumph over Toulon in the second game of their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign. Jonathan Pelissie missed an early penalty and they were made to pay as Wasps went ahead after eight minutes, with some good pressure leading to Nathan Hughes powering over for the try.
The home side went further ahead just a minute later as Ruaridh Jackson chipped the ball over the Toulon defence, Joe Simpson picked it up and played it to Joe Launchbury, who found Jackson again and he raced clear for the Wasps second try. Pelissie put up three points for the French side after a penalty from a power scrum but Elliot Day hit a kick from half-way to extend their lead back to 14 points.
Day could have put his side further ahead but missed his kick before Jackson added another penalty with 10 minutes of the first half remaining, but Pelissie cut the deficit back down just before the break.
In the second half, an excellent run by Charles Piutau splits the Toulon resistance before passing the ball to Frank Halai to sprint clear for another Wasps score. Hughes ran in the Premiership side's bonus point try after a rolling maul allowed the flanker to stretch over and add more to the Wasps' dominant lead but Jackson missed the following conversion.
European Challenge Cup
Newcastle Falcons 55-7 Enisei-STM
Newcastle Falcons have secured their first European Challenge Cup win of the season after a comprehensive 55-7 win over Enisei-STM Krasnoyarsk at Kingston Park.
The hosts took the lead after just six minutes when a kick through from Tom Catterick flew to Zach Kibirige, who grounded the ball for his side's first points. Enisei were no match for Falcons as they conceded a further four tries, with a Mark Wilson hat-trick and an additional try from Marcus Watson helping to establish a 29-7 lead by the break, despite a reply from Denis Simplikevich.
Watson and Kibirige then crossed over a further three times between them in the second half as the Russian outfit were run ragged by their more experienced opponents and succumbed to a heavy defeat.
Newcastle Falcons have secured their first European Challenge Cup win of the season after a comprehensive 55-7 win over Enisei-STM Krasnoyarsk at Kingston Park.
The hosts took the lead after just six minutes when a kick through from Tom Catterick flew to Zach Kibirige, who grounded the ball for his side's first points. Enisei were no match for Falcons as they conceded a further four tries, with a Mark Wilson hat-trick and an additional try from Marcus Watson helping to establish a 29-7 lead by the break, despite a reply from Denis Simplikevich.
Watson and Kibirige then crossed over a further three times between them in the second half as the Russian outfit were run ragged by their more experienced opponents and succumbed to a heavy defeat.
Saturday, 21 November 2015
European Rugby 21st Nov
European Champions Cup
Benetton Treviso 3-36 Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers have moved to the top of their pool after scoring five tries to beat Benetton Treviso in the European Rugby Champions Cup. After James Ambrosini failed to land a drop-goal attempt for the Pro 12 side, Thomas Bell kicked an early penalty to give the Tigers the lead in Italy.
The hosts then suffered a setback when Rupert Harden was given a yellow card as Leicester tried to dominate up front. Leicester were subsequently awarded a penalty try after their maul was brought down before the line. Richard Cockerill's side continued to impose themselves on proceedings, but could not get their second try until five minutes before the interval as Telusa Veainu bundled over the whitewash.
The Tigers looked to be out of sight on the stroke of half time when Peter Betham also got on the scoresheet for the English giants as they built a 22-3 lead. Jean-Francois Montauriol then saw yellow for taking out Sam Harrison off the ball and, although Leicester were unable to make the one-man advantage count, they did extend their lead later in the second half with another Veainu try.
The visitors capped off the comfortable victory when Greg Bateman scored in the last minute as Leicester made it two wins from two pool games.
Leicester Tigers have moved to the top of their pool after scoring five tries to beat Benetton Treviso in the European Rugby Champions Cup. After James Ambrosini failed to land a drop-goal attempt for the Pro 12 side, Thomas Bell kicked an early penalty to give the Tigers the lead in Italy.
The hosts then suffered a setback when Rupert Harden was given a yellow card as Leicester tried to dominate up front. Leicester were subsequently awarded a penalty try after their maul was brought down before the line. Richard Cockerill's side continued to impose themselves on proceedings, but could not get their second try until five minutes before the interval as Telusa Veainu bundled over the whitewash.
The Tigers looked to be out of sight on the stroke of half time when Peter Betham also got on the scoresheet for the English giants as they built a 22-3 lead. Jean-Francois Montauriol then saw yellow for taking out Sam Harrison off the ball and, although Leicester were unable to make the one-man advantage count, they did extend their lead later in the second half with another Veainu try.
The visitors capped off the comfortable victory when Greg Bateman scored in the last minute as Leicester made it two wins from two pool games.
Bath 19-16 Leinster
Bath dented Leinster's European hopes after defeating the Irish side 19-16 in a dogged game at the Rec this afternoon. It was a strong defensive effort from both teams with only two tries being scored, and it came down to a George Ford penalty with three minutes to go to secure the win for Bath.
Johnny Sexton got Leinster's first points after 10 minutes with a penalty, before Ford replied with a penalty and a drop goal to put Bath in the lead after 20 minutes.
Bath thought they had scored off Matt Banahan's break but Stuart Hooper was deemed to have knocked on over the line. Ford and Sexton traded a penalty each after half-time, before Sexton leveled the scores after 56 minutes with a penalty.
Bath finally got the first try of the afternoon on the hour mark after the English pack put Leinster in trouble, and the referee awarded a penalty try after the scrum was hauled down illegally. Substitute Josh van der Flier found a gap and bulldozed over to grab a try back for Leinster with 10 minutes to go, with Sexton nailing the conversion to bring the scores level.
Sexton had the chance to put Leinster in front but his penalty fell just short, before Ford showed the Irishman how it was done with the match-winning penalty. Leinster are now bottom of Pool 5 in what is their worst start to a European Campaign since 2006.
Bath dented Leinster's European hopes after defeating the Irish side 19-16 in a dogged game at the Rec this afternoon. It was a strong defensive effort from both teams with only two tries being scored, and it came down to a George Ford penalty with three minutes to go to secure the win for Bath.
Johnny Sexton got Leinster's first points after 10 minutes with a penalty, before Ford replied with a penalty and a drop goal to put Bath in the lead after 20 minutes.
Bath thought they had scored off Matt Banahan's break but Stuart Hooper was deemed to have knocked on over the line. Ford and Sexton traded a penalty each after half-time, before Sexton leveled the scores after 56 minutes with a penalty.
Bath finally got the first try of the afternoon on the hour mark after the English pack put Leinster in trouble, and the referee awarded a penalty try after the scrum was hauled down illegally. Substitute Josh van der Flier found a gap and bulldozed over to grab a try back for Leinster with 10 minutes to go, with Sexton nailing the conversion to bring the scores level.
Sexton had the chance to put Leinster in front but his penalty fell just short, before Ford showed the Irishman how it was done with the match-winning penalty. Leinster are now bottom of Pool 5 in what is their worst start to a European Campaign since 2006.
Toulouse 24-18 Oyonnax
Toulouse overcame fellow French team Oyonnax 24-18 to get their first win in this season's European Champions Cup this afternoon.
Regis Lespinas kicked two early penalties for Oyonnax, but Luke McAlister replied with one of his own to keep the home side within range at half-time. The wind and rain then increased and forced the game into a forward's match, but Timoci Matanavou crossed after the break to give Toulouse a try.
Maxime Medard got Toulouse's second on the hour mark, before Oyonnax got one for themselves after Vincent Martin crossed with 10 minutes left to play. Centre Gael Fickou scored a third for his side, but Fabien Cibray went over just one minute later to give Oyonnax a slim chance of victory. Nicky Robinson converted to keep his side within six points, but the visitors could not get through the black and red defence again and Toulouse came away with the win.
Toulouse overcame fellow French team Oyonnax 24-18 to get their first win in this season's European Champions Cup this afternoon.
Regis Lespinas kicked two early penalties for Oyonnax, but Luke McAlister replied with one of his own to keep the home side within range at half-time. The wind and rain then increased and forced the game into a forward's match, but Timoci Matanavou crossed after the break to give Toulouse a try.
Maxime Medard got Toulouse's second on the hour mark, before Oyonnax got one for themselves after Vincent Martin crossed with 10 minutes left to play. Centre Gael Fickou scored a third for his side, but Fabien Cibray went over just one minute later to give Oyonnax a slim chance of victory. Nicky Robinson converted to keep his side within six points, but the visitors could not get through the black and red defence again and Toulouse came away with the win.
Glasgow Warriors 15-26 Saints
Northampton Saints have secured their second win of their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign by defeating Glasgow Warriors 26-15 this evening.
Finn Russell kicked a long-range penalty to put Glasgow in front, but a high kick from Stephen Myler caused huge problems and the ball bounced into the grateful George Pisi's arms to cross over. Myler converted before adding a penalty from a collapsed Glasgow scrum.
Glasgow prop Ryan Grant was then shown a yellow after 20 minutes for collapsing another scrum, before Myler added another three. Ahsee Tuala slipped Stuart Hogg's tackle out wide to get Northampton's second, before Peter Horne finally scored for Warriors after hitting a hard line off Josh Strauss' carry.
Russell added the extra two from distance, but Myler was to put the Saints 11 points ahead at the break as he added a kick between the posts following a penalty from the home side. In the second half, Tuala added his second try of the match when he collected a handoff and powered over the line in the corner, but Myler was to miss the resulting conversion.
Luther Burrell was sent to the sin bin for the visitors, which allowed the Warriors to get back into the match when Strauss capitalised on his team's numerical advantage to cross the tryline. However, the Saints proved to be determined in their defence to hold out for the victory, their second of the campaign.
Northampton Saints have secured their second win of their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign by defeating Glasgow Warriors 26-15 this evening.
Finn Russell kicked a long-range penalty to put Glasgow in front, but a high kick from Stephen Myler caused huge problems and the ball bounced into the grateful George Pisi's arms to cross over. Myler converted before adding a penalty from a collapsed Glasgow scrum.
Glasgow prop Ryan Grant was then shown a yellow after 20 minutes for collapsing another scrum, before Myler added another three. Ahsee Tuala slipped Stuart Hogg's tackle out wide to get Northampton's second, before Peter Horne finally scored for Warriors after hitting a hard line off Josh Strauss' carry.
Russell added the extra two from distance, but Myler was to put the Saints 11 points ahead at the break as he added a kick between the posts following a penalty from the home side. In the second half, Tuala added his second try of the match when he collected a handoff and powered over the line in the corner, but Myler was to miss the resulting conversion.
Luther Burrell was sent to the sin bin for the visitors, which allowed the Warriors to get back into the match when Strauss capitalised on his team's numerical advantage to cross the tryline. However, the Saints proved to be determined in their defence to hold out for the victory, their second of the campaign.
Scarlets 16-29 Racing 92
Racing 92 kicked off their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign with a resounding 29-12 win over Scarlets, securing the bonus point in their emphatic victory.
The French side were playing their first match of the campaign after their match against the Glasgow Warriors was cancelled last week due to the terror attacks on Paris last week. Maxime Machenaud got the Parisian's first try after seven minutes, before Joe Rokocoko doubled the lead after crashing over out wide. Machenaud added the conversion to put his side 12-0 ahead and in control of the match in the early stages.
Chris Masoe compounded the visitors' dominance in the contest when he bounded over the line in the 28th minute, and Machenaud held his composure to add the two-point conversion. Marc Andreu extended Racing's lead just before the break when he raided down the flank and finished a flowing move to cross the line to hand his side the bonus point, and Machenaud was once again accurate with the resulting conversion. In the second half, the visitors were reduced to 14 men for the rest of the match when Bernard Le Roux was given his marching orders in the 43rd minute to give Scarlets hope of an unlikely comeback.
Aled Thomas got the Welsh side on the board when he crashed over in the corner in the 57th minute, although the fly-half was to miss his kick for the extra two points. Scarlets notched their second try in the 66th minute through Lewis Rawlins and this time Thomas sent his kick through the posts, but there was to be no comeback from the home side as the visitors held out for the win.
Racing 92 kicked off their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign with a resounding 29-12 win over Scarlets, securing the bonus point in their emphatic victory.
The French side were playing their first match of the campaign after their match against the Glasgow Warriors was cancelled last week due to the terror attacks on Paris last week. Maxime Machenaud got the Parisian's first try after seven minutes, before Joe Rokocoko doubled the lead after crashing over out wide. Machenaud added the conversion to put his side 12-0 ahead and in control of the match in the early stages.
Chris Masoe compounded the visitors' dominance in the contest when he bounded over the line in the 28th minute, and Machenaud held his composure to add the two-point conversion. Marc Andreu extended Racing's lead just before the break when he raided down the flank and finished a flowing move to cross the line to hand his side the bonus point, and Machenaud was once again accurate with the resulting conversion. In the second half, the visitors were reduced to 14 men for the rest of the match when Bernard Le Roux was given his marching orders in the 43rd minute to give Scarlets hope of an unlikely comeback.
Aled Thomas got the Welsh side on the board when he crashed over in the corner in the 57th minute, although the fly-half was to miss his kick for the extra two points. Scarlets notched their second try in the 66th minute through Lewis Rawlins and this time Thomas sent his kick through the posts, but there was to be no comeback from the home side as the visitors held out for the win.
Exeter Chiefs 34-19 Bordeaux Begles
Exeter Chiefs secured a bonus point on the way to beating Bordeaux Begles 34-19 for their first win in this season's European Rugby Champions Cup. Henry Slade started the scoring with a penalty early on, before the first try arrived moments later when Tom Johnson and Jack Nowell combined to find Olly Woodburn, who slid over in the corner before Slade struck the post with the conversion attempt.
Bordeaux responded well with a converted try in their first extended spell of possession as they shifted the ball out wide at pace, which allowed Nans Ducuing to cross over close to the touchline. However, Exeter soon extended their advantage with a powerful driving move which ended with Moray Low scoring the try, before Slade sent over the conversion. Space further up the field was harder to find as the first half progressed, but Slade continued his productive evening with two penalties to move Exeter 21-7 ahead at the break.
A vital third Exeter try arrived early in the second half when a patient charge up the field resulted in Ian Whitten evading a tackle for the try, but Slade was unable to add the conversion. The door was back open to Bordeaux when Julien Rey burst through the line to bounce off a couple of tackles on the way to a try, before the conversion was missed by Lionel Beauxis.
Bordeaux showed their resilience once again as they responded to a second try from Woodburn by reducing the deficit through Yann Lesgourgues, who slide under the posts to complete a fine move from the French side. The converted try reduced the deficit to 12, but Slade hammered another nail in the coffin with a penalty late on as Exeter claimed the win.
Exeter Chiefs secured a bonus point on the way to beating Bordeaux Begles 34-19 for their first win in this season's European Rugby Champions Cup. Henry Slade started the scoring with a penalty early on, before the first try arrived moments later when Tom Johnson and Jack Nowell combined to find Olly Woodburn, who slid over in the corner before Slade struck the post with the conversion attempt.
Bordeaux responded well with a converted try in their first extended spell of possession as they shifted the ball out wide at pace, which allowed Nans Ducuing to cross over close to the touchline. However, Exeter soon extended their advantage with a powerful driving move which ended with Moray Low scoring the try, before Slade sent over the conversion. Space further up the field was harder to find as the first half progressed, but Slade continued his productive evening with two penalties to move Exeter 21-7 ahead at the break.
A vital third Exeter try arrived early in the second half when a patient charge up the field resulted in Ian Whitten evading a tackle for the try, but Slade was unable to add the conversion. The door was back open to Bordeaux when Julien Rey burst through the line to bounce off a couple of tackles on the way to a try, before the conversion was missed by Lionel Beauxis.
Bordeaux showed their resilience once again as they responded to a second try from Woodburn by reducing the deficit through Yann Lesgourgues, who slide under the posts to complete a fine move from the French side. The converted try reduced the deficit to 12, but Slade hammered another nail in the coffin with a penalty late on as Exeter claimed the win.
European Challenge Cup
Zebre 27-8 Worcester Warriors
Seventeen points from the boot of Carlo Canna helped Pro12 side Zebre defeat the Aviva Premiership's Worcester Warriors 27-8 in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. Marcello Violi got the Italian club off to a flyer straight from the kickoff, Andrea Manici bursting through the Worcester defence before offloading to the scrum half to score.
Canna kicked the conversion before adding a penalty five minutes later. Tommaso Boni added the second after good hands found him alone out on the wing, before Canna kicked a drop goal after failing with the conversion attempt.
Ryan Lamb got Worcester's first points on the board with a penalty after 22 minutes, but the Premiership team found themselves down to 14 men when Sam Betty was penalised for collapsing a maul. Canna added another penalty after the break before the wind and the rain started to break the game down, with both teams struggling with handling in the poor conditions.
Canna added three again before Dean Hammond went over two minutes from time to give Worcester a consolation try. The result means that Zebre move into second in Pool 3, while Warriors drop down to third.
Seventeen points from the boot of Carlo Canna helped Pro12 side Zebre defeat the Aviva Premiership's Worcester Warriors 27-8 in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. Marcello Violi got the Italian club off to a flyer straight from the kickoff, Andrea Manici bursting through the Worcester defence before offloading to the scrum half to score.
Canna kicked the conversion before adding a penalty five minutes later. Tommaso Boni added the second after good hands found him alone out on the wing, before Canna kicked a drop goal after failing with the conversion attempt.
Ryan Lamb got Worcester's first points on the board with a penalty after 22 minutes, but the Premiership team found themselves down to 14 men when Sam Betty was penalised for collapsing a maul. Canna added another penalty after the break before the wind and the rain started to break the game down, with both teams struggling with handling in the poor conditions.
Canna added three again before Dean Hammond went over two minutes from time to give Worcester a consolation try. The result means that Zebre move into second in Pool 3, while Warriors drop down to third.
Sale Sharks 29-20 Pau
Sale Sharks squeezed past the challenge of newly-promoted French side Section Paloise in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. Tries from Brian Mujati, Mark Jennings, Viliami Fihaki and Sam James helped Sale win 24-20 in a back-and-forth game at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Prop Mujati bulldozed over the line for Sale after just three minutes with Joe Ford adding the conversion, before Thibault Daubagna pulled a penalty back for the French team. Quentin Lespiaucq crossed under the posts after 20 minutes to get a score back for Pau, with Daubagna adding the conversion to give the visitors a three point lead.
Sharks quickly retook the lead though after Jennings crashed through the Pau defence, before Daubagna pulled Pau back with a penalty just before half-time. Ford added another penalty after the break, but Lespiaucq rumbled over from a driving maul for his second and Duabagna added the conversion to give Pau the lead again. James hit back though for Sale after patient work from the forwards, before Mills secured the bonus point three minutes from time.
Sale Sharks squeezed past the challenge of newly-promoted French side Section Paloise in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. Tries from Brian Mujati, Mark Jennings, Viliami Fihaki and Sam James helped Sale win 24-20 in a back-and-forth game at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Prop Mujati bulldozed over the line for Sale after just three minutes with Joe Ford adding the conversion, before Thibault Daubagna pulled a penalty back for the French team. Quentin Lespiaucq crossed under the posts after 20 minutes to get a score back for Pau, with Daubagna adding the conversion to give the visitors a three point lead.
Sharks quickly retook the lead though after Jennings crashed through the Pau defence, before Daubagna pulled Pau back with a penalty just before half-time. Ford added another penalty after the break, but Lespiaucq rumbled over from a driving maul for his second and Duabagna added the conversion to give Pau the lead again. James hit back though for Sale after patient work from the forwards, before Mills secured the bonus point three minutes from time.
Castres 32-29 Newport Gwent Dragons
Castres narrowly beat Newport Gwent Dragons 32-29 in an entertaining game at Stade Pierre-Antoine in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. The match started off slowly but fly half Daniel Kirkpatrick found space in the Dragons defence and went over the first try of the afternoon. Geoffrey Palis converted but Dragons replied soon after with a penalty from Dorian Jones.
Palis crossed for a try of his own, before Jones added three quick penalties after Palis converted his own try. Jones' direct kicking kept Dragons within touching distance and they came out of the second half firing. Carl Meyer grabbed a try back before Elliot Dee gave the Welsh side the lead. Jones converted both tries but Thomas Combezou crossed for Castres, with Palis converting and then adding a further penalty to put the French team back in front.
Alex Tulou then scored to give Castres a bonus point, before Meyer added a consolation penalty late on for Newport. The Dragons remain top of Pool 2 in the Challenge Cup, while Castres move up into second.
Castres narrowly beat Newport Gwent Dragons 32-29 in an entertaining game at Stade Pierre-Antoine in the European Challenge Cup this afternoon. The match started off slowly but fly half Daniel Kirkpatrick found space in the Dragons defence and went over the first try of the afternoon. Geoffrey Palis converted but Dragons replied soon after with a penalty from Dorian Jones.
Palis crossed for a try of his own, before Jones added three quick penalties after Palis converted his own try. Jones' direct kicking kept Dragons within touching distance and they came out of the second half firing. Carl Meyer grabbed a try back before Elliot Dee gave the Welsh side the lead. Jones converted both tries but Thomas Combezou crossed for Castres, with Palis converting and then adding a further penalty to put the French team back in front.
Alex Tulou then scored to give Castres a bonus point, before Meyer added a consolation penalty late on for Newport. The Dragons remain top of Pool 2 in the Challenge Cup, while Castres move up into second.
Connacht 21-17 Brive
Connacht have held on to secure a 21-17 victory over CA Brive and keep up their 100% record in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup. Connacht were a point ahead of their French opponents at the top of the group after the first round of fixtures and they just about edged the play in a first half characterised by possession turnovers.
After Brive had missed a straightforward penalty chance to take the lead, it was they who did get themselves on the scoreboard first when Connacht fumbled a lineout and were shoved into touch and the French side took advantage for Thomas Acquier to maul over for the opening score. Jack Carty kicked a penalty to cut the lead to two, and the Irish side turned the game on its head in the closing moments of the first half when the fly-half's cross-field kick resulted in Rory Parata going over for his second try of the tournament.
Carty's second three-pointer gave Connacht an 11-5 half-time lead, before a flurry of tries in a frantic first 10 minutes of the second period saw both sides add to their score. First, Ben Marshall went over in the corner after the home side enjoyed a long spell in their opponents' 22, and after Benito Masilevu had replied instantly for Brive, a fine team move ended in Kieran Marmion extending the advantage again to give Connacht a 21-10 lead.
Brive mauled over from a five-metre lineout to set up a nervy finish, but the home side held on to make it two wins out of two.
Connacht have held on to secure a 21-17 victory over CA Brive and keep up their 100% record in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup. Connacht were a point ahead of their French opponents at the top of the group after the first round of fixtures and they just about edged the play in a first half characterised by possession turnovers.
After Brive had missed a straightforward penalty chance to take the lead, it was they who did get themselves on the scoreboard first when Connacht fumbled a lineout and were shoved into touch and the French side took advantage for Thomas Acquier to maul over for the opening score. Jack Carty kicked a penalty to cut the lead to two, and the Irish side turned the game on its head in the closing moments of the first half when the fly-half's cross-field kick resulted in Rory Parata going over for his second try of the tournament.
Carty's second three-pointer gave Connacht an 11-5 half-time lead, before a flurry of tries in a frantic first 10 minutes of the second period saw both sides add to their score. First, Ben Marshall went over in the corner after the home side enjoyed a long spell in their opponents' 22, and after Benito Masilevu had replied instantly for Brive, a fine team move ended in Kieran Marmion extending the advantage again to give Connacht a 21-10 lead.
Brive mauled over from a five-metre lineout to set up a nervy finish, but the home side held on to make it two wins out of two.
Grenoble 27-20 London Irish
London Irish came from 17 points behind before losing 27-20 to Grenoble in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The visitors briefly led by three points early in the second half, but a try from Clement Gelin in the final phase of play sparked celebrations in the stands as Grenoble snatched the win.
It took Grenoble just six minutes to make a breakthrough as Gio Aplon sprinted beyond a couple of challenges before offloading to Arnaud Heguy, who stormed over the line for the try which was converted by Gilles Bosch. The pace of Grenoble's moves quickly saw them pull further clear of the visitors as a patient approach ended with Fabien Alexandre diving over to give Bosch the job of converting a second try.
Irish's response was swift thanks to Johnny Williams, whose power proved to be too much as he charged through a tackle to make the path clear for a try, with Chris Noakes converting. Bosch hit back with a penalty to make it 17-7, and Grenoble would continue to ask questions of their opponents with long spells in their territory.
However, the momentum shifted before the half-time interval when impressive work by the forwards was followed by Jebb Sinclair sprinting clear for the try, and a conversion from Theo Brophy-Clews reduced the deficit to just three points. Brophy-Clews added two penalties earlier in the second half to edge the visitors ahead, before Bosch hit back with one of his own to pull Grenoble level.
A defensive showing of the highest class followed from both sides as neither team managed to break the stalemate over the next half hour, but there was a twist in the final minute as Gelin raced clear of his tiring rivals to score the crucial try and Christophe Loustalot added the conversion to bring a dramatic night to an end.
London Irish came from 17 points behind before losing 27-20 to Grenoble in Pool 5 of the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The visitors briefly led by three points early in the second half, but a try from Clement Gelin in the final phase of play sparked celebrations in the stands as Grenoble snatched the win.
It took Grenoble just six minutes to make a breakthrough as Gio Aplon sprinted beyond a couple of challenges before offloading to Arnaud Heguy, who stormed over the line for the try which was converted by Gilles Bosch. The pace of Grenoble's moves quickly saw them pull further clear of the visitors as a patient approach ended with Fabien Alexandre diving over to give Bosch the job of converting a second try.
Irish's response was swift thanks to Johnny Williams, whose power proved to be too much as he charged through a tackle to make the path clear for a try, with Chris Noakes converting. Bosch hit back with a penalty to make it 17-7, and Grenoble would continue to ask questions of their opponents with long spells in their territory.
However, the momentum shifted before the half-time interval when impressive work by the forwards was followed by Jebb Sinclair sprinting clear for the try, and a conversion from Theo Brophy-Clews reduced the deficit to just three points. Brophy-Clews added two penalties earlier in the second half to edge the visitors ahead, before Bosch hit back with one of his own to pull Grenoble level.
A defensive showing of the highest class followed from both sides as neither team managed to break the stalemate over the next half hour, but there was a twist in the final minute as Gelin raced clear of his tiring rivals to score the crucial try and Christophe Loustalot added the conversion to bring a dramatic night to an end.
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