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Falcons prey on Toulon, Vunipola brothers injured in Sarries win
Newcastle Falcons marked their European Champions Cup return with a famous 26-25 win at Toulon and Saracens beat Glasgow Warriors despite injuries sustained by the Vunipola brothers.
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Bottom of the Premiership with only one win this season, the Falcons were expected to be in for a tough Sunday afternoon in the Pool 5 encounter at Stade Mayol.
Dean Richards’ side rose to the occasion in the club’s first match in Europe’s premier club competition in 14 seasons, recovering from a nightmare start in the wind on the French Riviera.
Three-time European champions Toulon came into the game having lost three of their last four games, but Romain Taofifenua charged down a kick to score the opening try after only 21 minutes.
The Falcons rallied to lead 16-15 at half-time, Kyle Cooper going under the posts from a pick-and-go and Joel Hodgson scoring 11 points from the tee before Raphael Lakafia went over at the other end.
A penalty try increased Newcastle’s lead and Hodgson won it with a penalty 10 minutes from time after a converted Guilhem Guirado try and Francois Trinh-Duc’s penalty had edged Toulon in front.
What a result for @FalconsRugby as they overcame three-time champions @RCTofficiel by a single point ☝️
An impressive start, who was the shining light? 🌟
Match report ✍️ https://t.co/ywbK1YMFw5 pic.twitter.com/hcpGPtsAqg
— Investec Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) October 14, 2018
Saracens maintained their 100 per cent record this season by grinding out a 13-3 Pool 3 victory at Scotstoun.
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Michael Rhodes scored the only try as the Premiership champions came out on top in an almighty battle, England duo Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola withdrawn with ankle and arm injuries respectively.
Gareth Anscombe scored a magnificent solo try and booted 15 points to ensure Cardiff Blues started their European campaign with an impressive 30-21 Pool 3 win at Lyon.
It proved to be a miserable day for Top 14 sides, Gloucester beating champions Castres 19-14 to go to the summit of Pool 2.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments