Series of close games sets up Champions Cup intrigue

European rugby returned with a weekend of explosive action. The number of edge-of-seat fixtures has already made it look like the most difficult to predict tournament in many years – and it’s not even the second round. A combined total of 66 points separated the teams, an average of less than 7.5 points per game. Remarkable stuff. Well, that statistic did have to ignore Saracens entering the equation…

In what looks like a genuinely impossible-to-call Pool 3, Glasgow were made to pay for an off day from Finn Russell, as they succumbed to a first defeat of the season. They flew out in front against Exeter, with Tommy Seymour crossing and Russell contributing five points from the boot. Harry Williams and Jonny Hill claimed converted tries, meaning the Chiefs led at the interval. A Gareth Steenson penalty extended that, but Lee Jones pulled five points back for the visitors. Nerves were shredded, but the Warriors just couldn’t wrestle the match in their favour and, eventually, Sam Simmonds pinched the bonus point out of Glasgow’s hands as Chiefs won 24-15. Leinster made top spot theirs though, as they won with a bonus point against Montpellier. The French side were always in the hunt, but never got the killer blow, going down 24-17.

A flurry of first half tries made for a tense second between Racing and Tigers. The East Midland outfit got first blood through Luke Hamilton, but the hosts hit back with three quick-fire tries of their own. Johnny May kept his impressive scoring run going to make it a four-point game at the break, but from there the scoring dried up as only a penalty each was scored in the second half as the Parisians won 22-18. Munster and Castres drew 17-17 in the other game.

The English teams in Pool 1 had a nightmare start to the competition. Harlequins suffered a damaging home defeat – a cardinal sin in Europe – to La Rochelle. Ryam Lamb starred for the visitors as they scored four tries and 34 points to Harlequins three tries and 27. Wasps will be rueing their inability to at least come away with a losing bonus point against Ulster 19-9.

What looked like an ideal opportunity for Northampton to take revenge on Saracens after their humiliation on the opening day of the season was over before it began. The champions travelled north to claim their nineteenth successive European victory. Eight tries secured a 57-13 win and they look in dominant form once again. Clermont almost allowed Ospreys back into their clash, but a late Scott Spedding penalty proved crucial as they won 26-21.

Scarlets showed some serious mettle as they ran Toulon incredibly close after having given the French giants a hefty advantage. Leigh Halfpenny scored one of the comeback tries against his old club, but they fell just short 21-20. Meanwhile, Bath saw off Treviso 23-0, but only got two tries, which could end up being damaging.

Edinburgh and Connacht make early statements in Challenge Cup

The little brother of European competitions was almost equally hard fought, but two teams really set out their stall. Facing potentially tricky encounters to Oyonnax and London Irish respectively, Connacht and Edinburgh came out with mightily impressive bonus-point victories. The Scots racked up 37 points to Irish’s 14, whilst the men from Galway were even more ruthless 43-15.

The biggest shock of the weekend came in Krasny Yar’s debut in European competition. The Russians beat reigning champions Stade Francais 34-29 In Edinburgh’s Pool 4. Worcester got off the ground for the first time this season in Connacht’s pool with a 30-20 win over Brive.

In Pool 1, the other Russians, Enisei, were hammered 57-17 by Bordeaux and Newcastle beat Dragons 32-27 in a tense encounter. Pau had kicked off proceedings in the competition with a 27-21 victory over Gloucester, whilst in the same pool Agen made light work of Zebre 45-10. In the most difficult looking pool of all (Pool 2), Sale and Toulouse played out a 20-all draw and Cardiff kept Lyon at arms-length 29-19.

Villain of the week

Jamie George. Missed a line out for the first time in the 50^th minute against Northampton. He had the gall to smile about it as well. Simply not good enough and rightfully substituted just after. Saracens in general need to iron out these mistakes – conceding a late try.

Hero of the week

It seems a relatively straightforward decision this time out. A former Wasp, Viktor Gresev, was instrumental in Krasny Yar’s amazing Siberian win against holders Stade Francais, grabbing a brace that made the difference.

Try of the week

Ryan Lamb orchestrated a superb effort by Geoffrey Doumayrou. He looked back to his youth for inspiration as he produced a show and go at remarkable pace before feeding the big centre. Honourable mention to Ben Spencer for outrageously quick thinking.

Discussion points

– Who are the early favourites to make it out the pools?
– How to beat Saracens in Europe?
– Will Krasny Yar keep up their fabulous start?

by Joe Large