The Second Act - European Champions Cup

After a first stellar act we were poised and ready for the crescendo of a second and that is exactly what we were treated to as our Aviva Premiership teams continued their charge in the top flight of Europe. In case you missed any of the action here is a short review of Round 4 of the European Champions Cup 

Image @BathRugby

On Friday Night Bath Rugby made sure that they didn’t repeat the same mistake twice as they secured a winning bonus point and put 32 points past Montpellier. The game showcased to us all the sublime talents of George Ford and the dogged strength of the whole squad. Matt Banahan enjoyed himself as he personally scored three tries however it took more than a little bit of grit and determination to find the bonus point winning one.  The result itself was confidence boosting and importantly competition saving and now Ford's side will head back into the Aviva Premiership quietly satisfied by the manner in which they conducted themselves over the past two weeks.

On Saturday afternoon the Leicester Tigers had the unenviable task of running out at the Stade Felix Meyol. As much as I love our Aviva Premiership side, a Toulon back lash was always on the cards this weekend for they are a proud side and one that has a third title well within their sights. Toulon were led by the electric Bryan Habana, who made 72 meters during the game and the colossal Bakkies Botha. Leicester didn’t just back down but they did struggle to gain points from their possession early on which cost them any form of foothold in the match. In spite of the result, Europe has been good for Cockerill’s men and they should return to the domestic season with a greater spring in their step than when they left it.

(C) Claire Jones

At Franklin’s Gardens, the Northampton Saints delivered their supporters with 11 tries as they brushed aside Treviso with ease. There were hat tricks for Ken Pisi and Samu Maona, the latter's in around 30 minutes, as well as two tries for James Wilson. Statistically two men shone; Ken Pisi made 136 meters during the game and Calum Clark delivered 14 tackles, 7 more than any other Saints player on the field. It was straight forward and a predictable win however their bonus point win will simply add to their confidence and should mean that as a side they are as fresh as a daisy to take on the Tigers in the Premiership next Saturday. 

Sale and Saracens faced each other for the second time in seven days at Allianz Park and once again Saracens ended the eighty minutes of play victorious. Billy Vunipola was absolutely electric seemingly enjoying having his brother back on the field and it was his go forward and impetus that allowed the rest of the Saracens’ side to shine. Words like ‘we’ll take the win’ and ‘we can improve’ have been spoken from the Saracens camp whilst the message out of Sale was that this week they were 'beaten fair and square'. 

The Saturday Night Lights in Dublin delivered everything that we could have hoped for and more as Leinster and Harlequins battled it out for the full eighty minutes, hammer and tongs to secure the victory. Both sides’ hearts and souls were laid bare on the pitch and personally I thought it was one of the most dramatic games of the weekend. Ian Madigan had a stormer for the home side whilst George Robson’s cool line out steal at the death single-handedly saved Harlequins’ losing bonus point and with it their European hopes. A cracker all in all that even had a few handbags in for good measure! 

On Sunday afternoon Wasps rugby said goodbye to Adams Park in style as they delivered 7 tries and some beautiful rugby in the process. Wasps’ back row unit of Captain James Haskell, Ashley Johnson and Nathan Hughes is by far the most prolific we have seen in the black and gold of Wasps in recent times and Ben Jacobs had a stormer in the centre. Castres never gave up and did push Wasps much closer than the scoreline suggested but on a memorable day in history it was all about the home side. Wasps’ European destiny is in their own hands, if they win their next two games they’re through and they will be played in front of thousands at their new home the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Over the course of two weekends our top European sides went at each other as if their lives depended on it and it made for stupendous viewing. So the question is are we any clearer as to which sides will progress out of their groups come Round 6?! The answer that I’m most comfortable with is almost!