Despite facing multiple injuries and a determined Toulon team, Northampton managed to secure a 22-19 win in the Champions Cup at Franklin’s Gardens.

The Saints held the lead for the majority of the game, but their former player, David Ribbans, who left the east Midlands at the end of the previous season, scored a try in the 66th minute, allowing the second-ranked team in the Top 14 to take the lead.

Tom Seabrook and George Hendy, both of whom had been dealing with knee issues, were unable to continue playing in the first and second halves respectively. Soon after the break, scrum-half Fin Smith also required medical attention. The injury woes continued as Hendy’s replacement Ollie Sleightholme was forced to leave the game due to injury as well.

However, the tides turned when Toulon’s Mattéo Le Corvec and Jérémy Sinzelle were both given sin-bin penalties during the same play, forcing them to finish the last five minutes with only 13 players.

It was a difficult task to overcome, as Northampton quickly scored a try when substitute Tom Lockett crossed the line in the right corner and Smith successfully kicked for the conversion.

Courtney Lawes played exceptionally well for the home team as they achieved a 2-0 record in this season’s Champions Cup, increasing the success rate of Premiership clubs to eight victories out of nine games.

Lawes, the man of the match, made several important contributions and was at his best in defence when Toulon’s fightback gathered momentum.Full-back George Furbank finished with two tries, showing his strength for the second score.

by Toulouse

Glasgow manages to maintain their lead in Bayonne, while Toulouse surprises the Scarlets with an unexpected win.

Glasgow narrowly defeated Bayonne with a score of 12-11, securing a crucial away victory in Pool 3 and recovering from their previous loss at home against Northampton.

After Zander Fagerson received a yellow card in the 28th minute, Camille Lopez, the home team captain, successfully made a penalty kick. Bayonne then extended their lead with a try from Facundo Bosch, a hooker from Argentina, during a lineout drive.

Despite being reduced to 14 players, Glasgow managed to produce an impressive comeback thanks to their No 8, Ally Miller. He scored a 30-meter try on his own and was then converted by Ross Thompson, bringing Glasgow within one point at halftime.

After the restart, Lopez added another penalty to bring the score to 11-7 in favor of the home team. However, Glasgow took the lead in the 60th minute with their second try. Josh McKay took advantage of an opening on the left and raced to the corner, concluding with a stylish dive.

The game ended with that being the ultimate score, despite Reece Hodge of Australia attempting two long kicks for Bayonne while substituting, which narrowly missed the goal posts. Glasgow had to defend until the end of the game.

During the Challenge Cup, Santiago Socino scored two significant tries prior to halftime, aiding Gloucester in their 28-17 win against Clermont at Kingsholm.

The Argentinian’s double enabled Gloucester to take a commanding 22-10 lead into the interval. Jonny May also touched down and Santiago Carreras booted 13 points as the hosts held off a second-half fightback.

The Scarlets had a difficult night as they suffered a 23-7 defeat at their home stadium against Black Lion. The team from Georgia, playing in their first European match, managed to score two tries, one in each half, by Miriani Modebadze and Beka Mamrikashvili.

Luka Matkava contributed 13 points through kicking for the visiting team, and Vaea Fifita’s try in the fourth minute was the standout moment for the Welsh side. Unfortunately, they have lost seven out of their last nine matches in all competitions.

“I was under the impression that we were struggling financially,” stated Dwayne Peel, coach of the Scarlets. “Our pace in entering the breakdown was inadequate. Our offensive tactics were not effective. We were schooled on the scrum and faced penalties almost every time.”

Source: theguardian.com