A round-up of Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup action, where Northampton opened with a bonus-point win over Castres and Exeter were beaten by Sharks in South Africa.
Northampton 38-8 Castres
The Gallagher Premiership champions were out of the blocks quickly at Franklin’s Gardens to lead through captain Fraser Dingwall’s try, but Castres reduced the deficit with a Louis le Brun penalty as Storm Darragh made life difficult in the East Midlands.
Saints were firmly in control when Temo Mayanavanua galloped over and Tommy Freeman threw a wide pass for Juarno Augustus to make the corner, while Curtis Langdon secured the bonus point before number eight Augustus claimed a second.
Pierre Colonna touched down to give Castres some cheer but Henry Pollock rounded off an impressive Saints show with a wonderful solo finish.
Saints’ next Challenge Cup assignment is in South Africa next Saturday with a trip to the Southern Hemisphere to take on the Bulls.
Sharks 39-21 Exeter Chiefs
The Chiefs took an early lead through Dan Frost’s try while they were down to 14 – with Greg Fisilau in the sin bin, only for the Challenge Cup holders to take control for crossing over four times themselves.
Phepsi Buthelezi, Makazole Mapimpi, Grant Williams and Siya Kolisi dotted down for the Sharks, while Frost claimed a second score at the end of the first half to leave the visitors trailing 26-14 at the interval.
Kolisi’s second try stretched the Sharks’ lead before England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso claimed a crossfield kick for Exeter’s third score.
Despite the Sharks being reduced to 12 men for about six minutes later with three players sent to the sin bin in quick succession, Exeter could not score a fourth try and register a bonus point.
What else happened in the Champions Cup?
ASM Clermont Auvergne shut out Benetton in a 28-0 victory Stade Marcel-Michelin, with Peceli Yato and Barnabe Massa both crossing twice and Benjamin Urdapilleta converting all four tries.
Toulon overcame a 14-10 interval deficit to record an impressive 24-14 success at Stormers. Gabin Villiere, Facundo Isa and Baptiste Serin crossed for the French visitors, while Warrick Gelant and Joseph Dweba scored tries for the South African hosts.
Lyon 37-26 Cardiff Rugby
Cardiff had to settle for a bonus point after kicking off their European Challenge Cup campaign with a thrilling 37-26 defeat in Lyon.
Matt Sherratt’s side staged a strong second-half comeback as tries from Ellis Bevan and Gabriel Hamer-Webb gave them hope of clawing out an improbable win, only for the French side to respond well in the latter stages.
A swift response from Esteban Gonzalez, coupled with two penalties from Martin Meliande, ended the visitors’ hopes.
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