Kiwis in Europe: Owen Franks and Matt Proctor start on right foot in Champions Cup
Owen Franks and Matt Proctor have made winning starts to their Northampton Saints’ careers.
The pair of former All Blacks entered the fray off the bench at Franklin’s Gardens as Chris Boyd’s Saints defeated Lyon 25-14 in the opening round of the European Champions Cup.
Franks’ last outing was in Canterbury’s October 19 semifinal defeat to Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership, while Proctor missed the entire competition due to injury rehab.
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Also coming off the pine for Saints were former Steeler Ahsee Tuala, while Piers Francis and Teimana Harrison, who was yellow-carded, both ran out in the starting XV. Charlie Ngatai, in the No 12 jersey, was the sole Kiwi involved for Lyon.
Former Auckland and Blues hooker Tom McCartney scored a vital try as Connacht edged Montpellier 23-20. Also starting for the Irish province were prop Dominic Robertson-McCoy and centre Bundee Aki. Aaron Cruden, Chiefs-bound after Christmas, scored a try for the French club.
Ben Volavola and Dominic Bird were replacements as Racing-Metro beat Sean Maitland’s defending champion Saracens 30-10 to cap a turbulent few weeks for the north London club.
Their critics will be smiling this evening after Saracens suffered defeat in the opening match of their Heineken Champions Cup title defencehttps://t.co/o42BTY5F7a
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 17, 2019
Toulouse won 25-20 at Gloucester, with lock Joe Tekori making Alex Shaw’s Champions Cup XV of the week for his powerful ball-carrying, which Manu Samoa could have used at Rugby World Cup. Charlie Faumuina and Jerome Kaino were alongside him in the pack.
Gloucester fielded Jason Woodward, Tom Marshall and Josh Hohneck.
Tyler Bleyendaal kicked five goals as Munster defeated Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys 32-13. Former All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson was a sub for Munster.
Clermont hammered Harlequins 53-21, with the midfield combination of Isaia Toeava and George Moala, who both scored tries, in fine fettle. Fritz Lee and Loni Uhila also featured.
Francis Saili wore the No 12 jersey for Quins.
Leinster, which fielded James Lowe, Michael Bent and Jamison Gibson-Park, beat Treviso 33-19. Hame Faiva and Dean Budd scored tries for the Italians, while Nasi Manu, Jayden Hayward and Toa Halafihi all played a part in the game.
La Rochelle, with Ihaia West and Victor Vito in the ranks, fell 12-31 to the Exeter Chiefs.
Callum Gibbins’ Glasgow beat Bryn Evans’ Sale 13-7.
Sean Reidy’s Ulster edged Bath 17-16.
In the European Challenge Cup, So’otala Fa’aso’o’s Brive beat Sione Anga’aelangi’s Stade Francais 27-11.
Julian Savea scored a critical try as Toulon won 20-13 at Sione Tau’s Bayonne. Liam Messam and Brian Alainu’uese featured in the Toulonnais pack.
Simon Hickey slotted five goals as Edinburgh won 31-10 at Agen. Simon Berghan was at tighthead prop for the Scots.
Jono Kitto scored a try for Worcester in the Warriors’ 57-14 shellacking of Russian club Enisei.
Seta Tamanivalu was among the tries for Bordeaux-Begles in the 40-30 win over Wasps, for whom Malakai Fekitoa was at centre and 2018 Auckland rep Jacob Umaga was an unused sub.
Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia and Blade Thomson all tasted victory to the tune of 20-16 for Scarlets over London Irish. Motu Matu’u scored a try for the latter.
Tom Taylor’s four goals were not enough to prevent Pau falling 41-20 at Leicester. Ziggy Fisi’ihoi is now with the south-western French club and he started at loosehead prop.
Bristol smacked Zebre 59-21, the Bears including James Lay, Chris Vui, Siale Piutau and Charlie Piutau.
Dragons beat Castres 31-17, the latter including Alex Tulou, Maama Vaipulu and Paea Fa’anunu in the pack.
Rey Lee-Lo scored a try as Cardiff Blues defeated Samuela Vunisa’s Calvisano 38-16. Willis Halaholo partnered Lee-Lo in the Blues’ midfield.
The second round of European action takes place this weekend.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments