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Northampton Saints put injury ravaged Gloucester to sword

By PA
George Furbank of Northampton Saints breaks with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Northampton got their Premiership season off to a winning start over an injury-ravaged Gloucester in a lively game at Franklin’s Gardens.

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Depleted Gloucester contributed fully to the entertainment but two yellow cards and a high penalty count against them proved costly, with Saints running out 34 – 20 victors.

Saints took advantage to score four tries from George Furbank, Nick Auterac, Tom Wood and James Grayson, with the latter adding two penalties and three conversions.

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Ollie Thorley, Jordy Reid and Jonny May scored Gloucester’s tries, with Lloyd Evans kicking a penalty and a conversion.

There was a frenetic start with both sides threatening the try-line in the first five minutes. First a kick-and-chase from Rory Hutchinson had Gloucester scrambling before the visitors replied with defence-breaking runs from Kyle Moyle and Thorley.

However, it was a penalty that brought the first points with Grayson knocking over an easy kick before Saints increased their lead when a sweetly-timed pass from Alex Mitchell sent Furbank into the clear and over the line.

Gloucester looked to have responded with their first try when a pre-planned move saw Jack Clement cross but TMO replays showed that Lewis Ludlow’s pass from his line-out take was clearly forward.

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Gloucester lost four line-outs in the first 25 minutes and conceded a number of penalties, so it came as no surprise when this proved costly.

Hooker Jack Singleton was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, but it was the hosts’ turn to have a line-out malfunction which allowed Gloucester to break out and score their first try when swift passing gave Moyle the opportunity to send Thorley in.

That was the only score in Singleton’s absence and on his return, his side could have scored a second when Clement intercepted to run 40 metres before Grayson raced back to drag him down 15 metres from the try-line.

Gloucester’s penalty count was ever mounting and a minute from half-time, Clement was yellow-carded for dragging down a line-out to leave his side trailing 10-5 at the interval.

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Evans had reduced the advantage within a minute of the restart with a straightforward penalty, but finally Saints took advantage of their numerical superiority.

They put together a string of passes with Furbank and Tom Collins combining to create a try for Grayson before excellent inter-play saw replacement Auterac trundle over from close range. Grayson converted both and Gloucester had a mountain to climb.

Clement returned from the sin-bin in time to see his side pick up their second try before Grayson gave Saints breathing space with his second penalty.

Grayson then attempted a drop goal but it was charged down by Freddie Clarke, who picked up to race away before feeding Jonny May, who was narrowly foiled by some desperate defence.

However, May was not to be denied for long, as minutes later he forced his way over with Grayson sin-binned for a high tackle on the wing but Saints had the final say with their bonus-point try from Wood.

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Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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