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Domestic matters have taken a backseat as the round one of the Champions Cup has begun with every team looking to replace Saracens and become champions of Europe at the end of the season.
Group One
Ulster Rugby 19 – 9 Wasps
An injury-hit Wasps were hit hard by the pure magic of their former player Charles Piutau, who was at hand for the tries from in-form winger Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey in the space of two minutes to give the home side victory.
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Wasps showed impressive defensive determination to keep hold of a losing bonus point, but the boot of fly-half Christian Lealifano ended any hope on 74 minutes.
Harlequins 27 – 34 La Rochelle
The young boot of Marcus Smith was able to salvage a losing bonus point at the dead for Quins as they were run ragged by free-scoring Champions Cup debutants La Rochelle.
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The French side made an instant impact after two minutes they were in the lead thanks to hooker Hikairo Forbes and he was joined by Geoffrey Doumayrou’s double and Dany Priso to clinch the try bonus point.
14 points from former Gloucester Rugby player Ryan Lamb helped make a strong impression for the visitors.
The Twickenham Stoop faithful also saw Charlie Matthews, Will Collier and Joe Marchant bring Quins within a distance of claiming a try-bonus point.
Group 2
Northampton Saints 13 – 57 Saracens
Reigning European champions Saracens began their title defence with another dominating display against Northampton running in seven tries.
Liam Williams scored two first-half tires on this European debut and he was joined by Brad Barritt and Calum Clark to give Sarries the try-bonus 23 point lead. The host could only respond with Stephen Myler’s two penalties.
Further punishment was added when Vincent Koch, Mako Vunipola, Alex Lozowski and Ben Spencer touched down. Owen Farrell ended the game with 17 points.
Saints were able to score one try though Mikey Harwood on 75 minutes.
Other Group 2 Game – Ospreys 21 – 26 ASM Clermont Auvergne
Group 3
Exeter Chiefs 24 – 15 Glasgow Warriors
Reigning Aviva Premiership Exeter were able to take their impressive league form into the Champions Cup with a strong win over Glasgow.
It didn’t start too well for the Chiefs as the Warriors took a 10 point lead within 11 minutes, but the hosts finally got a footing thanks to Harry Williams’ try.
Jonny Hill followed up crossing the whitewash and with Gareth Steenson’s two conversions Exeter went into half-time 14-10 ahead.
The score was at 17-15 when Lee Jones scored on 44 minutes and at the dead Sam Simmonds try denied the Scots a losing bonus point and ended their winning start to the season.
Other Group 3 Game – Leinster Rugby 24 – 17 Montpellier
Group 4
Racing 92 22 – 18 Leicester Tigers
Jonny May continued his free try-scoring run with his seventh try in seven games, but it wasn’t enough to stop the hosts winning.
Luke Hamilton scored a try for the Tigers in the opening two minutes, but three quick tries from Racing through Leone Nakarawa, Bernard Le Roux and Teddy Thomas clinched the win for the Top14 side.
George Ford’s last-minute penalty made sure the visitors didn’t leave empty handed by getting the losing bonus point.
Other Group 4 Game – Castres Olympique 17 – 17 Munster Rugby
Bath Rugby 23 – 0 Benetton Rugby
If there was one certain victory in round one it was always Bath against Benetton however they might be kicking themselves for not getting the try-bonus point at the Rec with games against Toulon and Scarlets.
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The routine win against the Italian side came from tries though Zach Mercer and Aled Brew and Josh Lewis kicked 13 points in his first start for the Blue, Black and Whites.
Other Group 5 Games – RC Toulon 21 – 20 Scarlets
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