The Northampton reaction after 'an old-fashioned hiding' at Bristol
Northampton boss Phil Dowson admitted that his team took “an old-fashioned hiding” after the Gallagher Premiership leaders were crushed 52-21 by Bristol. Saints saw their six-game unbeaten Premiership run come to a grinding halt as Bristol ran in seven tries at Ashton Gate.
Northampton still top the table, yet a return to league action after an eight-week break while the Guinness Six Nations played out went badly wrong.
“We took an old-fashioned hiding and we have got to make sure we look at that in forensic detail, both as a playing group and coaching group, and make sure we are better next week,” said rugby director Dowson.
“Credit to Bristol, they played well. All the things we said about them being a dangerous side proved to be right. They were a very good side on the evening – way better than we were – and we have got to make sure we deal with that in the most honest way possible and move forward.
“It is easy to be full of it when you are flying high, but sometimes you take a hiding and it brings you back to earth. You have to take that medicine and move on. We will make sure we do that.
“We are not going to scream and shout, we are going to go to work and make sure we fix the issues from a preparation point of view and performance point of view to make sure we are better next time when we play Saracens at home.
“As you can imagine, the lads are very, very down because the vibe in the last few weeks has been very, very strong and we were excited about coming down here to challenge ourselves. You can imagine what the mood is like (in the dressing room). I don’t need to describe it.”
Bristol stormed clear through tries from lock Joe Batley and scrum-half Harry Randall during an early points burst. Fly-half AJ MacGinty added two conversions and a penalty before second-half scores from prop Kyle Sinckler, Batley’s second-row partner James Dun and wing Gabriel Ibitoye, plus replacements Max Malins and Fred Davies, with MacGinty landing four more conversions and James Williams one, secured Bristol a bonus-point triumph.
Bristol’s victory kept them in with a fighting chance of reaching the play-offs, but it was a night to forget for Northampton, whose points came via two Ollie Sleightholme tries, a Jake Garside touchdown and three Fin Smith conversions.
Bristol rugby director Pat Lam said: “We have fine-tuned all areas of our game. It [the Premiership break] was a real opportunity to build on the things that we really wanted to, and our only focus was on this game.
“We knew the challenge – the number one team, the quality they have – so I am glad the players got their due reward for the work they put in. Getting the five points was really important.
“I said at half-time that they are an 80-minute team and they will always come back at you, so it was not about going into our shells. We kept playing.
“The only focus we have is recovery and getting ready for a huge game at Kingsholm (next Saturday). The only thing we can control is our preparation for Gloucester.”
Absolute wheels from Harry Randall and AJ MacGinty to run in try number two inside 20 minutes ??#BRIvNOR | @BristolBears pic.twitter.com/wJ8w9sYi55
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 22, 2024
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati 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 commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments