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Fekitoa makes Munster bow, Quins soar and Bath win big
The Premiership and URC seasons are edging ever closer, which means teams in both leagues are slowly building up their pre-season repertoire in the hope of entering the new campaign on the front foot.
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Wasps and Harlequins are coming off the back of huge victories against Championship opposition, while Connacht and Gloucester have prevailed in more tightly fought contents.
Munster 19-28 Gloucester
Munster began the Graham Rowntree era with a pre-season loss to Gloucester at Musgrave Park. A mixture of academy graduates and new signings Malakai Fekitoa and Chris Moore featured for the hosts, while Gloucester hit the ground running with Ollie Thorley scoring after 90 seconds.
Jersey Reds 29-31 London Irish
London Irish opened their pre-season with a narrow 31-29 win over Jersey Reds at the Stade Santander International. The Premiership team took a seven-point lead into half time, with Matt Cornish and Ollie Hassell-Collins amongst the scorers, but almost squandered that advantage come the final whistle.
Bath 38-7 Coventry
Newly appointed Bath head coach Johann van Graan named two completely different XVs for each half, as his team comfortably brushed aside their Championship opponents at Broadstreet Rugby Football Club.
Northampton Saints 40-26 Bedford Blues
Northampton Saints scored six tries against Bedford Blues to kickstart Phil Dowson’s tenure as director of rugby on the front foot. Bedford did take the lead early but the home side recovered to come out victorious at Franklin’s Gardens.
London Scottish 19-66 Harlequins
Harlequins prevailed over London Scottish in a high scoring content at Richmond Athletic Ground in which all three of the Premiership side’s starting backrow of Jack Kenningham, Will Evans and Tom Lawday made the score sheet.
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Leicester Tigers 42-28 Newcastle Falcons
Harry Potter scored a hat-trick as Leicester Tigers comprehensively beat Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road. Iwan Stephens finished off a brilliant score for the visitors while Tigers newcomers Anthony Watson, Jimmy Gopperth and James Cronin all got a run out.
Doncaster Knights 0-56 Wasps
Wasps opened their pre-season with a 10-try mauling of Doncaster at Castle Park. Josh Bassett and Matteo Minozzi both bagged a pair of tries, while Will Porter, Biyi Alo, Dan Frost and Brad Shields also got on the scoreboard.
Dragons 28-45 Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears edged out an 11-try clash with the Dragons to deliver a late win at Rodney Parade. First half tries from Angus O’Brien, Ollie Griffiths and Sean Lonsdale gave the Dragons the lead at the break, but two late tries tipped the game in Bristol’s favour.
Connacht 15-5 Sale Sharks
Scores from Conor Oliver, debutant Josh O’Connor and Eoin de Buitléar helped Connacht on their way to winning a low-scoring contest against Sale at Dubarry Park. The hosts took the lead through Oliver’s short-range finish and never looked back.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
29 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
29 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
29 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
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