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| IMAGE VIA EPCR |
It was a mixed round one for the English clubs in the Champions Cups, but will the seven Aviva Premiership teams make more of a stronger display in round two.
A special mention has to go to Benetton Rugby after their performance and came so close to beating three times European champions RC Toulon but unfortunately, the historic win was denied by a last minute Francois Trinh-Duc penalty.
Group One
Wasps 41 – 10 Harlequins
After both sides lost their opening matches in the Champions Cup they had to put on a strong display with Wasps getting the upper hand and gave some revenge following their Aviva Premiership Round three defeat.
The home side also took advantage of Quins injury-hit squad, which included three changes before kick-off, running in five tries securing the try bonus-point and 14 points from fly-half Jimmy Gopperth.
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| DAN ROBSON SCORING/ IMAGE VIA GETTY IMAGES |
Dan Robson started the scoring in the third minute and this was followed by Christian Wade and Ashley Johnson before half-time. The other two were scored by Josh Bassett and a second for Wade.
The visitor’s points came from Marcus Smith’s penalty and conversion of Francis Salli’s try.
Other Group One Games – La Rochelle 41 – 17 Ulster Rugby
Group Two
ASM Clermont Auvergne 24 – 7 Northampton Saints
Clermont is seen as potential Champions Cup winners and this impressive bonus-point victory handing Northampton their second defeat in the Champions Cup.
Jaunards crowd made the Stade Marcel-Michelin feel like a fortress and they were raring after Fritz Lee’s six-minute try.
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| CASSANG BREAKS AWAY BEFORE SCORING/ IMAGE VIA DAVID ROGERS/ GETTY IMAGES |
Saints went down to 14 men when captain Dylan Hartley got yellow carded and the host took full advantage with a double from Charlie Cassang and in the second half Etienne Falgoux touched down to secure the try bonus-point.
Christian Day scored a try for Saints and converted by Harry Mallinder to get their only points.
Saracens 36 – 34 Ospreys
It was a try-fest at Allianz Park with the champs Saracens just able to hold off a relentless Ospreys in the nine-try battle.
Chris Wyles opened the scoring, but the Welsh side quickly replied through a double from Daniel Evans and had a 10 point lead with Dan Biggers penalty before Schalk Brits got the sides level on half-time.
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| DANIEL EVANS/ IMAGE VIA HUW EVANS AGENCY |
The back-and-forth scoring continued in the second half with Saracens getting a penalty try and Liam Williams followed up with a score of his own.
Owen Watkins’ try shrunk the gap once again, but the critical moment happened with Nick Tompkins crossed the line to give the hosts a nine-point lead and Ospreys couldn’t recover despite Sam Cross’s late try.
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| TOMPKINS SCORING/ IMAGE VIA SARACENS TWITER |
Both sides should be pleased with their performance taking a try bonus-point with Ospreys also taking a losing bonus-point home.
Group Three
Montpellier 24 – 27 Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs were able to secure a historic victory in a thrilling game in Montpellier with the host claiming both a losing bonus point and try-bonus point.
Despite Joe Tomane opening the scoring, it wasn’t enough to stop Don Armand’s double with Ian Whitten crossing the whitewash to hand victory to the Aviva Premiership champions with a little help from Gareth Steenson’s 12 points.
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| WHITTEN TOUCHING DOWN/ IMAGE VIA EXETER CHIEFS TWITTER |
The French side secured their bonus points with tries from Benoit Pailiaugue and a double from Nemani Nadolo.
Other Group Three Games – Glasgow Warriors 18 – 34 Leinster Rugby
Group Four
Leicester Tigers 54 – 29 Castres Olympique
Leicester Tigers delivered a bitch slapping to Castres at Welford Road to go top of group four.
Telusa Venainu spar headed the beating with a hat-trick of tries and obviously, Jonny May added a double to take his tally to nine tries in eight games. Ben Youngs and Nick Malouf also got their names on the scoresheet.
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| VENAINU SCORING ANOTHER TRY/ IMAGE VIA GETTY IMAGES |
It was also a good day for George Ford kicking in 17 points.
It wasn’t all bad for Castres who took home a try-bonus point with Alex Tulou touching down before a David Smith hat-trick.
Other Group Four Games – Munster Rugby 14 – 7 Racing 92
Group Five
Scarlets 13 – 18 Bath Rugby
Under the Friday night lights in a wet Parc y Scarlets, it was the retuning Phys Priestland who put the boot into his former side to give Bath victory and guided them to the top of group five.
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| PRIESTLAND KICKING FOR BATH/ IMAGE VIA BATH RUGBY TWITTER |
Even though the hosts took the through Steff Evans’ try and seven points from Leigh Halfpenny’s boot.
It ever seemed enough to stop Priestland kicking all of Bath’s 18 points.
Other Group Five Games – Benetton Rugby 29 – 30 RC Toulon
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