Northampton reaction to breaking 10-game European losing streak
Phil Dowson praised Northampton’s resilience as they won away to Glasgow Warriors for a first victory in 11 Champions Cup appearances.
The Scots had been beaten just once at home in the previous two years but three first-half tries provided the platform for the Premiership side to run up a 28-19 win at Scotstoun.
Dowson admitted a slight frustration at not scoring a fourth try to add a bonus point but overall was delighted with the effort.
He said: “I’m really pleased.
“We don’t want to burden this group – as it’s a different one from last year – in terms of picking over the history but we knew we had to be better in this tournament and I thought particularly in the first half we were excellent tonight.
“We were good at the breakdown again, didn’t give too many penalties away and showed some really good physicality as well.
“We knew that Glasgow would come out and put us under pressure and they did. In an ideal world you deal with that better but I thought some of our resilience, grit and determination were outstanding.
“Clearly it wasn’t perfect and there’s some frustration around the second half, inviting them in for opportunities. But I’m delighted with so many different aspects of our play tonight.
“It’s maybe pretty picky to be complaining about not getting the bonus point given we hadn’t won for 10 games in Europe. To become just the second team to win here in two years – we’ve got to be pleased with that.”
Courtney Lawes responded to Sebastian Cancelliere’s early try and Tommy Freeman’s double had Saints 22-5 up at the break.
Franco Smith, Glasgow’s head coach, admitted he had to ask his players to show greater urgency at half-time after a flat first period.
His team responded with Ollie Smith’s score and a late penalty try but by that point Saints held a commanding lead.
Smith said: “It is now three times they have come into the changing room at half-time and I’ve had to convince them that we have a chance.
“I don’t think it is a lack of preparation or a lack of belief. I don’t think it is a lack of energy. I think we looked a little bit shell-shocked, which is understandable if you haven’t played in the Champions Cup before.
“I think we improved in the second half and showed we know how to fight back but we are very disappointed with the first half.
“We were not good at what we did, in the first half specifically, but they were excellent at what they did, and I think that is the lesson to take from this game.
“They came here with the urgency and the belief that they want to win this competition and they showed it through physical action. So I must compliment them in that regard.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Bit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to comments