Tag: Rugby

Ospreys head coach Allen Clarke was full of praise for George North after the Wales flyer shone in Friday’s 17-13 win over Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium.

North, who was making his competitive debut for the Ospreys, was the Welsh region’s hero as he scored both of their tries but also worked hard off the ball, especially on defence, where he made several important tackles.

And Clarke hailed the 26-year-old’s performance after the match.

“It looks like a new George North,” he told Walesonline.

“He’ll get the headlines for scoring two tries and taking them fantastically well, but I was equally pleased with the complete package — his work off the ball, his resilience after he took a bang early on, his desire to stay on and not for a moment think of coming off.

“All that was rewarded at the back end of the game and that reflects where he’s been as a person within the group.”

Clarke also sang the praises of Wales fly-half Sam Davies, who delivered an impressive performance when coming on as a replacement for the injured Luke Price just before half-time.

“I have to comment on Sam Davies after the knockback he had with not being selected,” said Clarke.

“He defined our character with the way he responded and led us on the field. To come from the world of de-selection on Tuesday to deliver that performance in the second-half was fantastic.”

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Northampton head coach Chris Boyd believes the signing of mercurial fly-half Danny Cipriani is a very shrewd acquisition on the part of Gloucester.

Cipriani will line up in the Cherry and Whites’ number ten jersey for his debut against Boyd’s Saints at Kingsholm on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was rewarded for his fine form last season at Wasps with a first England appearance in ten years in the third and final Test of England’s June tour of South Africa.

However, it has also been a summer of controversy for Cipriani, haivng been convicted of common assault and resisting arrest while on pre-season tour with Gloucester in Jersey.

“Johan Ackermann (Gloucester head coach) was a revelation in South Africa and did extremely well with the Lions,” Boyd told the Belfast Telegraph.

“He introduced a new style of rugby, and I can see a lot of his traits in the way that Gloucester play. Plus, Cipriani is a very good signing for them, as he likes that style.”

When asked if there were any nerves ahead of his maiden game in charge of a European top-flight side, Boys said: “I am probably too old to get nervous now.

“But I just want to make sure that when we get to Saturday as a coaching group we’ve done everything we can, left no stone unturned and given the players all the preparation they need to go into the game.

“It’s up to them then to bring the performance.”

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Bristol head coach Pat Lam praised his side’s character after they opened the Premiership season with a 17-10 victory over Bath on Friday.

The newly-promoted outfit shocked their out of sorts rivals thanks to a try from Alapati Leiua and 12 points from the boot of Ian Madigan.

Afterwards Lam admitted he was delighted with his team’s opening showing which took place in front of 26,000 supporters at Ashton Gate.

“When you’re under pressure it’s about being able to show resilience and character and stay together as a team,” the coach told BT Sport.

“We were under a lot of pressure, we got done in the penalty count and spent a lot of time in our own half. I’m extremely proud of the boys.”

He added on the impressive turnout at the ground: “I said to the boys if we invest in the community they will invest in us. It was a fantastic night.”

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Bath captain Matt Garvey bemoaned his side’s high error count after they suffered a 17-10 defeat to Bristol at Ashton Gate on Friday.

Despite holding a slight edge over the Premiership newbies during the opening half, Bath were wasteful in possession and Bristol held a 6-0 lead at half-time.

Bristol grew in confidence in the second half and although Bath fought back and held a 10-9 lead midway through the second half, the home side secured victory via Ian Madigan’s goalkicking and a late Alapati Leiua try.

And Garvey could not hide his disappointment after the match.

“Rugby can be quite humbling at times, there was a lot of effort in the first half,” he said.

“I thought it was only a matter of time before it would tell but we made too many errors – they cost us.

“We were dangerous at points and we have to look at it. It does not matter who you play, you will be punished if you don’t take advantage.”

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Gloucester, Harlequins, Wasps and Exeter kicked off their Premiership campaign with victories as they beat Northampton, Sale, Worcester and Leicester on Saturday.

Gloucester 27-16 Northampton Saints

Two sides buoyed by new arrivals, but it was the recruits on the pitch who beat the recruit off the pitch as a Danny Cipriani inspired Gloucester kicked off with a win against Chris Boyd’s Northampton side.

The Kiwi is 12 months worse off than his South African counterpart in the home coaching box and perhaps continuity sprinkled with some star dust won the day. Cipriani’s wide pass for his side’s second try ignited Kingsholm with thoughts of what might be this term.

It was the man outside him at 12, Billy Twelevetrees, who kicked three first-half penalties, the first coming within 90 seconds after Saints were penalised. Three points became eight when hooker James Hanson benefitted from the back of a driving maul to score the game’s first try.

Dan Biggar got his first competitive points in Saints colours when he notched a penalty after 10 minutes only for Twelvetrees to kick his second three pointer over minutes later.

Biggar’s colleague Ahsee Tuala then sparked some Southern Hemisphere flair befitting his coach’s wishes. Picking up after a poor Piers Francis pass he stopped, stuttered and barged his way through the Gloucester defence. Francis’ support line atoned for his poor delivery as he dived over following Tuala’s offload.

Biggar missed the conversion but kicked a penalty to level the contest before Twelvetrees’ boot pushed the hosts three points ahead.

Charlie Sharples scored Gloucester’s second try of the game off a first phase move following a sumptuous wide pass from debutant Cipriani. The extra two making it 21-11 at the interval.

The second 40 elapsed with both side’s cancelling each other out. Twelvetrees kicked his fourth penalty of the afternoon with 20 minutes left to push the gap out to 13 points. Northampton responded and, much like Gloucester’s first try, utilised the power of numbers as a driving maul allowed Courtney Lawes to emerge five points better off.

Twelvetrees took his personal haul for the day to 17 with his fifth penalty of the afternoon three minutes from time. Saints thought they had nicked a losing bonus point at the death but the TMO deprived them and they left empty handed.

The scorers:

For Gloucester:
Tries: Hanson, Sharples
Con: Twelvetrees
Pens: Twelvetrees 5

For Northampton:
Tries: Francis, Lawes
Pens: Biggar 2

Gloucester: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Lewis Ludlow, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Mariano Galarza, 4 Ed Slater (c), 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 James Hanson, 1 Val Rapava Ruskin
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Josh Hohneck, 18 Ciaran Knight, 19 Freddie Clarke, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Tom Hudson, 23 Owen Williams

Northampton Saints: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Heinrich Brüssow, 6 James Haskell, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 David Ribbans, 3 Ben Franks, 2 James Fish, 1 Alex Waller (cc)
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley (cc), 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 James Grayson, 23 Ken Pisi

Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant Referees: Jack Makepeace, Greg Macdonald
TMO: Trevor Fisher

Harlequins 51-23 Sale Sharks

Sale didn’t make a habit of winning on the road last term and old habits die hard on the opening weekend of the new Premiership season.

Three wins from 11 outings wasn’t the greatest return and, despite showing signs they had it in them to win in Twickenham, they return north empty handed.

Marland Yarde had attracted much of the pre-match chat as he returned to the club he left in acrimonious circumstances last season. He was booed as his name was read out and, despite scoring a try, he won’t have enjoyed his reunion.

The game was stopped almost as soon as it started. Tom Curry was thumped by a jumping Aaron Morris as he looked to recover a high ball and was down for nearly 10 minutes. He was eventually stretchered off the pitch with Josh Strauss an early entrant but the concern was clear.

This after Marcus Smith opened his account for the season with the game’s opening three points. His opposite number AJ MacGinty responded with his own penalty to level at 3-3.

New occupant of the 12 shirt Ben Tapuai began endearing himself to the Stoop with two first-half tries. His opener owing much to some weak Sale tackles fives metres out and he wrinkled under to score unopposed.

Trailing by seven, Sale quickly turned the tables to lead by seven when MacGinty scored down the blind side with Quins short on numbers. The initial break made by Luke James down the centre as he got some serious drive from his attached forwards.

Pantomime villain of the day Mr Yarde then silenced the fans he used to make cheer. He ran with authority from his own half, trading passes with Will Cliff, to sprint over.

One of the men charged with replacing Yarde’s shirt after his mid-season departure last term is new arrival Nathan Earle. He scored his first try in Harlequin colours when he sprinted clear down the right to dive over in the corner. Tapuai’s second score under the posts reasserted the hosts advantage heading into the break as they led 24-20.

Two Smith penalties in the opening 10 minutes of the second-half pushed their lead out to 10 points. MacGinty responded with the boot directly in front of the Quins posts but Sale’s away day blues were still evident.

Joe Marchant made the visitors’ task even tougher when he grabbed the ball on the deck after a wayward offload was made to work by the outside centre. He scored unchallenged and Smith converted once more.

Sale, now 14 points behind, began their assault on the Quins line but to no avail. They were unfortunate as the home side conceded multiple penalties with Sale five metres out but an interception released the pressure valve.

If Sale had any thoughts of a losing bonus point or even a late rally it was put to bed when, running across the defence, Danny Care found his half-back partner Smith cutting a great line to score under the posts to make it 44-23.

The home side’s sixth and final try came with a minute remaining when replacement Max Crumpton powered over in the corner after Quins had begun camping in Sale territory. Smith soaring his sixth conversion of the afternoon.

The scorers:

For Harlequins:
Tries: Tapuai 2, Earle, Marchant, Smith, Crumpton
Cons: Smith 6
Pens: Smith 3

For Sale:
Tries: MacGinty, Yarde
Cons: MacGinty 2
Pens: MacGinty 3

Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Nathan Earle, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Aaron Morris, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Renaldo Bothma, 7 Luke Wallace, 6 Chris Robshaw (c), 5 Dino Lamb, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Will Collier, 2 Elia Elia, 1 Joe Marler
Replacements: 16 Max Crumpton, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Ben Glynn, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Charlie Mulchrone, 22 James Lang, 23 Paul Lasike

Sale Sharks: 15 Byron McGuigan, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Sam James, 12 Luke James, 11 Marland Yarde, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Will Cliff, 8 Jono Ross (c), 7 Ben Curry, 6 Tom Curry, 5 James Phillips, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Ross Harrison
Replacements: 16 Cameron Neild, 17 Alexandru Tarus, 18 Joe Jones, 19 Josh Beaumont, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Gus Warr, 22 Mark Jennings, 23 Paolo Odogwu

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Simon McConnell, Roy Maybank
TMO: David Grashoff

Worcester Warriors 20-21 Wasps

No Cipriani, no Gopperth and seemingly no problem for Wasps as they battled to victory at Worcester.

To say no problem would be to indulge Wasps unnecessarily, Worcester led for an hour of the contest before Wasps hit the front. Dai Young’s injury list at the Ricoh is extensive and Gopperth’s injury meant new fly-half Billy Searle was pushed into action far quicker than anticipated.

The 10 though was the hero of the day, kicking the winning penalty.

A lacklustre win at Sixways early last season was Wasps last victory before a run of five consecutive defeats threatened to derail their season early on. They recovered then and they recovered today to earn a vital win.

With all the debacle over fly-halves it was the one in blue who kicked two early penalties to put Worcester 6-0 up. That lead was extended after a quarter of an hour when centre Ryan Mills went over the whitewash from the back of a scrum.

The visitors did grab a foothold in the game when new boy Searle scored his first points in Wasps colours; two penalties in the final 12 minutes of the half cutting the gap to 13-6 at the break.

Last year’s semi-finalists returned from the interval with renewed vigour and when Alafoti Faosiliva was sent to the bin for 10 minutes Wasps seized their chance. Captain Joe Launchbury finally went over after the forwards had peppered the Worcester line. Searle’s boot levelled things up at 13-13 with half an hour remaining.

Minutes later Worcester regained the lead when flanker Sam Lewis picked up on the 22 and benefitted from a gap in the visitors defence. Duncan Weir kicked his second conversion to open back up the seven point cushion but it didn’t last long.

Wasps replacement Tommy Taylor barged over in the corner after a quick tap and go had put them off the front foot. Searle failed to add the two which meant Wasps trailed 20-18.

Still firmly on the front foot Wasps won a penalty following a dominant scrum and Searle kicked the three points to put Wasps into the lead for the first time in the afternoon.

The Coventry-outfit had managed the final moments well until a line out 10 metres out allowed Worcester one final assault. They secured their own ball and laid the foundations for Weir to notch a drop goal but the fairytale ending sailed wide and Wasps left victorious.

The scorers:

For Worcester:
Tries: Mills, Lewis
Cons: Weir 2
Pens: Weir 2
Yellow Card: Faosiliva

For Wasps:
Tries: Launchbury, Taylor
Con: Searle
Pens: Searle 3

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Alafoti Faosiliva, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Callum Black
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Simon Kerrod, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Cornell du Preez, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Ashley Beck

Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Juan de Jongh, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Joe Atkinson, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Ben Harris
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Zurabi Zhvania, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Joe Simpson, 22 Gaby Lovobalavu, 23 Marcus Watson

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: Peter Allan, Philip Watters
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Exeter Chiefs 40-6 Leicester Tigers

Exeter relinquished their crown last term but they proved they have all the appetite to get it back with Leicester Tigers their first bonus point victims.

A Tigers side that was near enough full strength it has to be said; whether the lesson of today is how good Exeter still are or how far Leicester have to go to reach former glories is a topic of debate. Both remain true in varying degrees.

George Ford endeavoured to push and pull his team in the right directions but, as was the case last year, he is operating without the relevant cogs around him.

Ford kicked the game’s opening points – two penalties coming in the opening 25 minutes to give the visitors a 6-0 lead. Olly Woodburn and Matt Kvesic quickly turned the lead in the Chiefs favour; the back-row making a half break before allowing his winger to go under the posts. Gareth Steenson added the extras.

The Chiefs’ win was predominantly about doing what they do, but there was an indication they wanted to throw the ball about a little more. Often a battering ram; Sam Simmonds found himself in the wide channel just before the interval and the home side scored their second of the afternoon.

The second 40 at Sandy Park took on far more of a mid-season feel, the Chiefs’ process well in tune with their high phase high possession game, Leicester looking to get imaginative through Ford and Telusa Veainu.

It took until the hour mark for Exeter to extend their lead. Typically the Chiefs found themselves five metres out and they went time after time. Eventually Luke Cowan-Dickie got a little push from Henry Slade to score the third from close range and then Slade scored a try of his own. Second-row Sam Skinner running a line any outside back would be proud of before pace eluded him and with Slade in support he offloaded for the bonus point score.

The contest began to have an ominous atmosphere about it; Exeter looking to kick into overdrive and Leicester acknowledging the game had gone. Kvesic scored the home side’s fifth try when he barged over after Phil Dollman had been stopped inches short.

Five quickly became six. Perhaps the pick of the bunch. Working in the open field Slade picked the ball up 30 metres out and ran hard and straight, threw a dummy and then an offload to Ian Whitten who ran over unopposed.

The scorers:

For Exeter:
Tries: Woodburn, Simmonds, Cowan-Dickie, Slade, Kvesic, Whitten
Cons: Steenson 5

For Leicester:
Pens: Ford 2

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Nic White, 8 Sam Simmonds, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Don Armand, 5 Sam Skinner, 4 Ollie Atkins, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Toby Salmon, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Henry Slade

Leicester Tigers: 15 Telusa Veainu, 14 Adam Thompstone, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 David Denton, 5 Will Spencer, 4 Mike Fitzgerald, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs (c), 1 Greg Bateman
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 David Feao, 18 Gaston Cortes, 19 Harry Wells, 20 Mike Williams, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Kyle Eastmond, 23 Jordan Olowofela

Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Paul Dix, Anthony Woodthorpe
TMO: David Rose

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The Sharks made it two wins out of two in the Currie Cup but were made to work as they edged the Free State Cheetahs 33-29 in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

A brace of tries from Chiliboy Ralepelle and further five-pointers by Lwazi Mvovo, Wian Vosloo and Daniel du Preez helped the Sharks secure the result but the Cheetahs were in the contest until late on.

The visitors made a terrific start and after taking the ball through several phases, Marius Louw found himself in space inside the Cheetahs’ 22 before offloading to Mvovo, who crossed for the opening try in the 14th minute.

The Sharks dominated the possession and territorial stakes but had nothing to show for that dominance and that proved costly as the home side opened their account in the 23rd minute when Louis Fouche took a tap penalty on the visitors’ five-metre line before barging over for a deserved try.

Shortly afterwards, the Cheetahs took the lead when Lloyd Greeff crossed for their second try after running onto a well-timed pass from Fouche deep inside the Sharks’ 22.

The Sharks struck back in the 37th minute when Ralepelle crossed for their second try – off the back of a lineout drive close to the Cheetahs’ try-line – before Fouche added a penalty which gave the Cheetahs a 15-12 lead.

That did not deter the visitors though and on the stroke of half-time they scored another try from a maul at a lineout deep inside Cheetahs territory and this time it was Vosloo who dotted down under a mass of bodies.

Robert du Preez added the extras which gave the Sharks a slender 19-15 lead at half-time.

The Sharks continued to set up mauls off lineouts when they were close to their opponents’ tryline and five minutes into the second half that tactic yielded reward again when Ralepelle crossed for his second try.

Du Preez’s conversion gave the Sharks a 26-15 lead but the Cheetahs soon narrowed the gap when Fouche went over from close quarters after running onto a well-timed pass from Rudy Paige.

The Sharks eventually regained the initiative in the 68th minute when Daniel du Preez dotted down after running onto an inside pass from Curwin Bosch but despite holding a 33-22 lead, the visitors still looked vulnerable on defence.

Two minutes before full-time, the Cheetahs were awarded a penalty try after the Sharks illegally halted a maul close to their tryline with the guilty party Khutha Mchunu also sent to the sin bin for his indiscretion.

Despite having a numerical advantage, there was too little time left for the home side to add to their points tally in a bid to secure the win.

The scorers:

For Free State Cheetahs:
Tries: Fouche 2, Greeff, Penalty try
Cons: Fouche 2
Pen: Fouche

For Sharks:
Tries: Mvovo, Ralepelle 2, Vosloo, D du Preez
Cons: R du Preez 3, Bosch
Yellow Card: Mchunu

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Adriaan Carelse, 14 Ali Mgijima, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Tersius Kruger, 11 Lloyd Greeff, 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Rudy Paige (c), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Stephan Malan, 5 Dennis Visser, 4 Louis Conradie, 3 Gunther Janse van Vuuren, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Kevin Stevens
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Luigi van Jaarsveld, 19 Abongile Nonkontwana, 20 Dian Badenhorst, 21 Vuyani Maqina, 22 Reinhart Erwee

Sharks: 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Tyler Paul, 6 Wian Vosloo, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Gideon Koegelenberg, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), 1 Juan Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Khutha Mchunu, 18 Andrew Evans, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Johan Deysel, 22 Aphelele Fassi

Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Ben Crouse, Divan Uys
TMO: Lourens van der Merwe

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Click:Hunter

The Golden Lions claimed a hard-fought come-from-behind 38-35 victory over the Blue Bulls in a topsy-turvy encounter at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Tries from Shaun Reynolds, James Venter, Dillon Smit and a Hajcivah Dayimani brace proved too much for the Blue Bulls who scored through Johnny Kotze, Andre Warner and a Ruan Steenkamp hat-trick.

The away side bossed the opening exchanges and were rewarded with the game’s first try. Having taken a quick-tap penalty close to the Blue Bulls’ try-line, the ball was swung to centre-field, where fly-half Reynolds showed dazzling footwork to cut through the centre of the hosts’ defence.

Warner would hit back for the home side, however, as a Blue Bulls’ counter-ruck forced the turnover. The scrum-half pounced on the loose ball and dummied his way past a couple of defenders to go in untouched under the posts.

Soon after, the Blue Bulls took the lead for the first time in the match when flank Steenkamp scored a superb individual effort, breaking his way past a number of tacklers.

The visitors’ second came after come superb interplay between backs and forwards. Howard Mnisi was the creator as his long pass put Venter in for the score-equalling try as Reynolds added the extras to make it 14-14.

Kotze would go over due to some questionable Golden Lions’ defending moments later to regain the lead but the away side would restore parity once again through scrum-half Smit with a fine individual effort.

The home side would have the last laugh of the first-half as enforcer Steenkamp spun his would-be-tackler to twist his over way from close range and grab his brace as Manie Libbok added the extra two points for a 28-21 lead as the sides went into the interval.

10 minutes after the break, the visitors found themselves even further behind as Steenkamp went over for his hat-trick. However, the Blue Bulls enforcer would turn from hero to zero moments later, when he was sin-binned for a neck roll.

This would give the Lions a route back into the game as they capitalised on their numerical advantage through a magical Dayimani brace – the flanker showing his winger-like speed on both occasions to snatch the back lead dramatically at 38-35.

It looked as if the Blue Bulls might steal it in the closing stages, but for a brilliant turnover steal by Golden Lions’ hero Dayimani at the breakdown to seal victory.

The scorers:

For Blue Bulls:
Tries: Steenkamp 3, Kotze, Warner
Cons: Libbok 5
Yellow Card: Steenkamp

For Lions:
Tries: Reynolds, Venter, Smit, Dayimani 2
Cons: Reynolds 5
Pen: Reynolds

Blue Bulls: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 JT Jackson, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c), 7 Jano Venter, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Jaco Visagie, 1 Matthys Basson
Replacements: 16 Edgar Marutlulle, 17 Conrad van Vuuren, 18 Ruan Nortje, 19 Thembelani Bholi, 20 Ivan van Zyl, 21 Tinus de Beer, 22 Duncan Matthews

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Sylvian Mahuza, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Shaun Reynolds, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Hacjivah Dayimani, 7 Len Massyn, 6 James Venter, 5 Marvin Orie (c), 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Johannes Jonker, 2 Corne Fourie, 1 Sti Sithole
Replacements: 16 Pieter Jansen, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Vincent Tshituka, 21 Madosh Tambwe, 22 Wandisile Simelane

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Ricus van der Hoven
Television match official: Willie Vos

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Defending Premiership champions Saracens got their campaign off to an excellent start following a 32-21 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park.

The Falcons opened the game well, going 6-0 ahead via Toby Flood, but the defending champions hit back through Owen Farrell’s penalty and Jamie George’s well-taken try.

Flood added another three-pointer to reduce the arrears before Alex Lewington scored for Sarries with his first touch after coming on as a replacement.

Mark Wilson reduced the deficit in the second half but Lewington’s second moved Mark McCall’s charges clear once again. Wilson went over for his second late on but it was not to be for Newcastle as Tompkins and Farrell made sure of the win.

Although the Falcons finished last season in fourth and qualified for the semi-finals, they have often struggled against Saracens and, despite a valiant effort, the title-holders just had the edge.

Newcastle began impressively, however, putting the visitors under pressure and earning two penalties which Flood converted, but the Londoners soon asserted their authority on proceedings.

Firstly, Farrell reduced the arrears from the tee after an infringement at the set-piece before they produced a wonderful move that ended in the opening try.

Alex Lozowski was the instigator, breaking through the middle and taking play up towards the opposition 22. With the hosts on the back foot, Sarries spotted space on the right and Jamie George and David Strettle brilliantly combined to allow the hooker to cross the whitewash.

To the Tynesiders’ credit, they were resilient and prevented the champions from gaining too much front-foot ball. Their first-up defence was excellent and they were rewarded by another Flood effort off the tee to reduce the arrears to one point.

However, Dean Richards’ men were hit by a blow late in the half when Sarries produced a second incisive attack of the match. Lozowski was once again to the fore, off-loading to a charging Farrell, and the fly-half fed Lewington, who touched down on debut.

Following that score, which gave them a 17-9 advantage at the interval, the Londoners controlled the early exchanges of the second period, but the Falcons were stout in defence.

Buoyed by that effort, they started to gain the ascendency in the scrum and, after they had moved upfield following a dominant shove, Wilson spotted a hole in the opposition rearguard to go over.

Although Flood was awry with the conversion, Newcastle were back in the contest, but the visitors simply upped the intensity and appeared to have completed the victory via Lewington. The wing latched onto Farrell’s looping pass to cross the line in the corner, going over unopposed.

Richards’ charges did not yield, though, and ill-discipline from the visitors saw Sarries reduced to 13 men as Tompkins and Alex Goode were sin-binned. With their opponents short in defence, the hosts charged forward through their maul and Wilson was the beneficiary of his team-mates’ good work.

The Tynesiders had the momentum but, in typical Saracens fashion, they clinically put the game to bed through Tompkins’ score and Farrell’s penalty.

The scorers:

For Newcastle:
Tries: Wilson 2
Con: Flood
Pens: Flood 3

For Saracens:
Tries: George, Lewington 2, Tompkins
Cons: Farrell 3
Pens: Farrell 2
Yellow Cards: Tompkins, Goode.

Newcastle: 15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Adam Radwan, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Callum Chick, 7 Will Welch (c), 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Will Witty, 4 Calum Green, 3 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Sami Mavinga
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Jack Payne, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Alex Tait

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Mike Rhodes, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 Juan Figallo, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Nick Tompkins, 23 Alex Lewington

Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Tim Wigglesworth, John Meredith
TMO: Sean Davey

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Full-back Israel Folau has been named in the wider Australia squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship encounter against South Africa.

The 29-year-old is a surprise inclusion after injuring his ankle against New Zealand in Sydney. Folau was expected to be out for a month and is only rated 50-50 for next weekend’s match but could now feature versus the Springboks.

He joins Taniela Tupou in the 31-man group, with the prop set to recover from a hamstring issue which kept him out of the Wallabies’ two Bledisloe Cup games.

“If Cheik wants me to start I will take that with both hands,” Tupou said. “It’s something I’ve been really looking forward to.

“I’ve been on the bench and I’ve been playing a few games but if Cheik wants me to start I’ll take that chance.”

Although further along his recovery than Folau, Tupou admits that he is still not quite at full fitness.

“I started running last week in New Zealand slowly but now I have started to go full speed. From what they have said I am doing really well.

“This week I’ve been comfortable and just need to do a few tests to see if I’m able to go 100 percent and be ready to play.”

Australia’s 31-man squad

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Caleb Timu, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou

Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua

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There were two significant victories in the Top 14 on Sunday with Clermont Auvergne defeating fellow play-off hopefuls Racing 92 and Agen overcoming Perpignan.

Results

Sunday
Racing 17-40 Clermont Auvergne
Agen 25-23 Perpignan

Racing 92 17-40 Clermont Auvergne
U Arena

Clermont Auvergne displayed their title credentials by gaining their second victory of the season following an outstanding triumph over Racing 92.

Franck Azema’s men were the better side from start to finish and scored three tries via Wesley Fofana, Peter Betham and Damian Penaud, but it was the performances of Greig Laidlaw and Camille Lopez which made a significant difference.

Laidlaw kicked five penalties and a conversion while Lopez added a drop-goal and controlled matters expertly as they eased to a comfortable win.

Les Jaunards appear to be rejuvenated this season having struggled in 2017/18 and they were impressive in the opening exchanges.

Laidlaw and Finn Russell traded early penalties before the visiting forwards took command and earned two more three-point opportunities, which moved them 9-3 in front.

Auvergne were dominant and the hosts were looking a shadow of the team that overcame Toulon in Round One. The Clermont half-backs were dictating proceedings superbly and Lopez’s grubber through allowed Fofana to touch down.

Lopez then kicked a drop-goal to extend their buffer at the interval before the hosts began the second period on the front foot.

Russell went flat to the gain line and found Virimi Vakatawa, who broke through a flimsy tackle and crossed the whitewash to get them back into the contest.

They were nowhere near their best, however, and ill-discipline allowed Laidlaw to kick two more penalties.

Even at that point, the game was effectively over but tries via Betham and Penaud, as well as five points from Morgan Parra, made sure of the victory in a performance which no doubt sent a message to the rest of the Top 14.

Racing had the final word through Simon Zebo but they were simply outplayed by the visitors.

The scorers:

For Racing:
Tries: Vakatawa, Zebo
Cons: Russell, Iribaren
Pen: Russell
Yellow Cards: Le Roux, Gomes Sa

For Clermont:
Tries: Fofana, Betham, Penaud
Cons: Laidlaw, Parra
Pens: Laidlaw 5
Drop goal: Lopez
Yellow Card: Fofana

Racing: 15 Simon Zebo, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Juan Imhoff, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Xavier Chauveau, 8 Jordan Joseph, 7 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Boris Palu, 4 Donnacha Ryan, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Ole Avei, 1 Eddy Ben Arous
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 Fabien Sanconnie, 19 Bernard Le Roux, 20 Teddy Iribaren, 21 Ben Volavola, 22 Joe Rokocoko, 23 Cedate Gomes Sa

Clermont: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Peter Betham, 13 Rémi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Damian Penaud, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Fischer, 6 Arthur Iturria, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Loni Uhila
Replacements: 16 Yohan Beheregaray, 17 Etienne Falgoux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Peceli Yato, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 Patricio Fernandez, 22 Apisai Naqalevu, 23 Davit Zirakashvili

Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona, Jean-Luc Rebollal
TMO: Sebastien Minery

Agen 25-23 Perpignan
Stade Armandie

Jake McIntyre was Agen’s hero as the fly-half scored 17 points in their 25-23 triumph over Perpignan at the Stade Armandie on Sunday.

McIntyre touched down twice and kicked seven points from the tee, while Sam Vaka also went over, in the team’s victory over Christian Lanta’s outfit.

Karl Chateau and Enzo Selponi tries and Paddy Jackson’s place-kicking accuracy provided the away side’s response, but Hugo Verdu’s penalty secured the win for the hosts.

After a disappointing opening round performance, the newly-promoted outfit were far more competitive at the Stade Armandie but it was ultimately not enough.

Despite McIntyre’s early penalty, the visitors were on the front foot in the first quarter and a brace of Jackson three-pointers put them 6-3 ahead.

They were then handed a boost following Paul Abadie’s yellow card for taking a player out in the air but that was immediately cancelled out by Sylvain Charlet’s sin-binning.

Agen were far more assured during that 10-minute period and took the lead for the second time as their fly-half scampered across the whitewash for an 8-6 advantage.

Philippe Sella’s men soon extended their buffer through Vaka before Chateau crossed the whitewash for Perpignan late in the half. That provided a significant boost to Lanta’s charges and another successful Jackson effort off the tee moved them in front at the break.

Agen recovered their composure, however, and restored their lead minutes into the second period as McIntyre’s excellent day continued, with the pivot going over once again.

Verdu made it 25-16 in the hosts’ favour and that would prove significant, with Selponi’s try setting up a tense finale. Sella’s outfit held on, though, as they gained their first victory of the campaign.

The scorers:

For Agen:
Tries: McIntyre 2, Vaka
Cons: McIntyre 2
Pens: McIntyre, Verdu
Yellow Card: Abadie

For Perpignan:
Tries: Chateau, Selponi
Cons: Jackson 2
Pens: Jackson 3
Yellow Cards: Charlet, Acebes

Agen: 15 Clement Laporte, 14 Nicolas Metge, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Sam Vaka, 11 Valentin Saurs, 10 Jake McIntyre, 9 Paul Abadie, 8 Yoan Tanga, 7 Facundo Bosch, 6 Antoine Miquel, 5 Denis Marchois, 4 Tom Murday, 3 Dave Ryan, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Quentin Bethune
Replacements: 16 Morgan Phelipponneau, 17 Opeti Fonua, 18 Mickael De Marco, 19 Romain Briatte, 20 Hugo Verdu, 21 Leo Berdeu, 22 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 23 Xerom Civil

Perpignan: 15 Enzo Selponi, 14 Jean Bernard Pujol, 13 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 12 Adrea Cocagi, 11 Mathieu Acebes, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Tom Ecochard, 8 Genesis Mamea, 7 Lucas Bachelier, 6 Karl Chateau, 5 Berend Botha, 4 Tristan Labouteley, 3 Sylvain Charlet, 2 Raphael Carbou, 1 Enzo Forletta
Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Yassine Boutemane, 18 Shahn Eru, 19 Mike Faleafa, 20 Sadek Deghmache, 21 Sione Piukala, 22 Eroni Sau, 23 Nicolas Lemaire

Referee: Julien Castaignede
Assistant referees: Mathieu Noirot, Arnaud Blondel
TMO: Bruno Bessot

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