Rees-Zammit takes seconds to send message to Wales in fightback win
Louis Rees-Zammit inspired a stunning Gloucester fightback as they kept themselves firmly in the Gallagher Premiership play-off mix by beating Northampton 35-30 at Kingsholm.
The Wales wing had been on for barely a minute as a second-half substitute when he conjured a magical solo try that underpinned Gloucester’s fightback from 27-14 adrift.
Gloucester also claimed a penalty try, and there were touchdowns for prop Harry Elrington, centre Tom Seabrook and lock Santiago Socino, with fly-half Adam Hastings kicking four conversions.
It was Northampton’s fourth successive league defeat – their worst sequence since December 2020.
Saints’ first Premiership win since they toppled Worcester five weeks ago looked to be secured by tries from centres Matt Proctor and Fraser Dingwall, plus a brilliant second-half touchdown by wing Tom Collins.
Wales captain Dan Biggar warmed up for next Friday’s Guinness Six Nations appointment with title favourites France by converting all three touchdowns among a 15-point haul.
But Gloucester were not to be denied, leaving Saints shell-shocked as they continued their impressive resurgence under head coach George Skivington.
Rees-Zammit, who missed out on Wales selection for last weekend’s Six Nations clash against England, was again among Gloucester’s replacements, while number eight Ruan Ackermann captained a team that included starts for scrum-half Ben Meehan and hooker Santiago Socino.
Biggar featured among three Saints changes, with Scotland international centre Rory Hutchinson lining up at full-back and Karl Wilkins called into the back-row.
The visitors made a terrible start, falling behind after just three minutes, and they only had themselves to blame.
Hooker Sam Matavesi chose to throw long at a lineout just five metres from Northampton’s line, but it only found Elrington, who accepted the gift and crashed over for a try that Hastings converted.
Biggar missed a chance to cut Saints’ deficit when he drifted an eighth-minute penalty attempt wide, but Northampton dominated in terms of territory and he made amends midway through the first half through a successful 30-metre strike.
Northampton had the bit between their teeth and relentless pressure was rewarded through their opening try 13 minutes before half-time.
Saints’ forwards made repeated attempts to buckle Gloucester’s defensive resistance before they spun possession wide and Proctor scored, with Biggar’s conversion putting Northampton three points ahead.
A second Biggar penalty put daylight between the teams before Northampton claimed a second try when scrum-half Alex Mitchell’s short pass found skipper Dingwall, who finished off.
Biggar’s conversion opened up a healthy 20-7 advantage, but Saints were undone just two minutes later as Seabrook claimed an opportunist try that Hastings converted to put Gloucester back in contention.
But Northampton lit up the third quarter with a clear contender for Premiership try of the season.
There appeared to be nothing on when wing Courtnall Skosan threw out a long pass from deep inside his own 22, yet Saints attacked with menace through Hutchinson and Biggar before Hutchinson sent Collins sprinting clear as he completed a thrilling 90-metre move.
Biggar’s conversion opened up a 13-point gap, and just when Gloucester needed some inspiration, it arrived in the form of Rees-Zammit.
His first touch of the ball saw him shred Northampton’s defence on a mesmeric solo run, and his try – converted by Hastings – saw Gloucester reduce their arrears to 27-21 with 17 minutes left.
Louis Rees-Zammit scored so quickly after coming on that Gloucester hadn't had a chance to announce his arrival as a sub! First touch and sounds like it was a belter. Great to hear him responding in this way.
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) March 5, 2022
Gloucester’s forwards then took up the challenge, and when they drove a lineout relentlessly towards Northampton’s line, referee Ian Tempest awarded them a penalty try.
Tempest also yellow-carded Saints prop Emmanuel Iyogun for collapsing the maul as Gloucester went ahead, while also enjoying a temporary one-man advantage.
A long-range Biggar penalty edged Saints back in front, but Gloucester were not finished and they claimed a winning try six minutes from time when Socino crossed.
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to comments