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Stuart Lancaster: England coaching return 'hypothetical' says Leinster senior coach - BBC Sport

Stuart Lancaster: England coaching return ‘hypothetical’ says Leinster senior coach – BBC Sport

Former England coach Stuart Lancaster says speculation linking him with a possible return to the post in the future is “hypothetical”.

Lancaster explains he is enjoying his day-to-day role as senior coach at Leinster and is involved in talks to extend his stay with the Irish province.

He also believes that choosing former England assistant Andy Farrell as Joe Schmidt’s successor as Ireland coach after the 2019 World Cup is a good decision by the Irish Rugby Football Union.

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Nigel Melville: Premiership clubs must spend cash boost on facilities, not wages

Nigel Melville is the Rugby Football Union’s interim chief executive

The prospective cash boost for Premiership clubs must be spent on facilities and not player wages, RFU boss Nigel Melville has warned.

Clubs are expected to agree in principle a deal with private equity firm CVC at a board meeting on Tuesday.

The latest offer is believed to be about £200m for an approximate 30% share in the business.

After rejecting a takeover by CVC in October, it is understood the clubs unanimously support the revised offer.

But Melville, who is running the Rugby Football Union following chief executive Steve Brown’s resignation, says he wants to see the cash spent wisely.

“Could it mean better facilities [for the rugby programmes]? Could it mean better facilities for the spectators? Could it mean investment in other ways?” former England scrum-half Melville told BBC Sport.

“The idea that each club will get some sort of cash injection is probably a good thing – investment in the game – as long as that doesn’t just go on players’ wages and out of the game.

“It’s a positive because CVC want to come in and help the Premiership grow into a bigger competition and maybe expand the commercial rights.

“Generally, it’s a good thing and we support it, we just need to know the details of the deal.”

Global growth goal

Most Premiership sides are struggling financially amid fears over spiralling costs, with only Exeter generating a profit last year.

Sources at Premiership clubs say they are therefore keen to ensure the salary cap stays frozen despite the extra investment.

However, there are concerns about how the cash surplus could affect the marquee player allowance, which currently has no cap.

Part of the deal will see CVC, who previously owned Formula 1, drive the commercial arm of Premiership Rugby in a bid to grow the business globally.

“We are pleased with the level of interest from global companies,” said a Premiership Rugby spokesperson.

“That’s a good reflection on where rugby is, and particularly Premiership Rugby.

“All our options were reviewed by the Premiership Rugby Board and we are still hoping to move to the next stage this month.”

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Michael Heaney: Worcester Warriors scrum-half signs new two-year contract

Michael Heaney joined Warriors from Championship side Doncaster this summer

Worcester Warriors scrum-half Michael Heaney has signed a new two-year contract with the Premiership club.

Belfast-born Heaney, 28, joined in July from Doncaster, where he had three seasons after moving from Ulster, twice making the Championship play-offs.

After three Premiership appearances, two of them off the bench, he is yet to figure on a Warriors winning team.

“Michael has shown that he can take the step up to Premiership rugby,” said director of rugby Alan Solomons.

“He is a first-class bloke and an excellent team man and will no doubt continue to make a positive contribution going forward.”

Heaney, who was part of the Ireland side which won the Under-20s Six Nations in 2010, arrived initially only on a one-year deal but he has impressed, having also made five cup appearances – and only once been on the losing side.

His only Premiership start was when he deputised for the injured Francois Hougaard at Gloucester in November.

“I have learnt a lot from the coaches and the other scrum-halves at the club since I arrived,” he said.

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Northampton Saints youngsters hope to provide festive cheer after slow Premiership start - BBC Sport

Northampton Saints youngsters hope to provide festive cheer after slow Premiership start – BBC Sport

Northampton Saints hope the Christmas period will produce an upturn in results after a slow start to the Premiership season.

Northampton are 10th in the table with three wins from nine games, but the emergence of youngsters such as Alex Mitchell, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Fraser Strachan has provided optimism.

BBC Look East’s James Burridge reports.

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Robbie Henshaw: Ireland centre likely to miss Six Nations opener against England

Injury also ruled Henshaw out of Ireland’s last three games during the 2018 Six Nations

Centre Robbie Henshaw is unlikely to return to fitness before Ireland’s Six Nations opener against England on 2 February.

Leinster revealed on Monday the 25-year-old faces up to another eight weeks on the sidelines.

Henshaw picked up the hamstring injury during the warm-up for Ireland’s win over Argentina last month.

He missed the last three games of Ireland’s Grand Slam winning campaign with a dislocated shoulder.

The injury also rules him out of Leinster’s three remaining fixtures in Pool One of the European Champions Cup.

Henshaw has suffered a frustrating run of injuries having prematurely left the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand last year with a damaged pectoral muscle.

He returned to international duty the following February, featuring in Ireland’s win over France before injuring his shoulder while scoring his second try against Italy a week later.

Having been rested for Ireland’s opening autumn test against Italy, Henshaw was set to partner Garry Ringrose in midfield against Argentina.

Ulster’s Will Addison was drafted in as a late replacement following Henshaw’s warm-up injury, while Bundee Aki wore the number 12 jersey against New Zealand.

Ireland will begin the defence of their Six Nations title at home to England before taking on Scotland in Murrayfield a week later.

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Ollie Thorley: Gloucester back

Former Cheltenham schoolboy Ollie Thorley is a product of Gloucester’s youth academy

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann praised young back Ollie Thorley’s “tremendous” form after his man-of-the-match display in their win at Exeter.

Thorley. 22, set up two of Gloucester’s tries in their 27-19 Champions Cup victory, having also scored four tries in his previous three appearances.

“He plays with no fear. He’s young, he’s bold,” former South Africa lock Ackermann told BBC Sport.

“I’m so pleased he can be in this purple patch and long may it continue.”

Former England Under-20 international Thorley also featured in November’s Premiership win over Leicester Tigers, sealing the win with a stunning late second try.

Ackermann added: “The big thing is, he’s a quality person off the field. He always trains fully-committed. He’s so easy to coach and he’s a great team man.

“He’s got a lot of experienced players around him to guide him. I’m pleased for him because he went through a tough time last season when he injured his shoulder. He had to be patient.”

Saturday’s win at Sandy Park left the Cherry and Whites second in Champions Cup Pool 2, three points behind leaders Munster with three pool-stage matches remaining.

“In the context of this competition, I don’t think we’ve achieved anything yet,” Ackermann continued.

“Hopefully this will just give the guys belief, that we don’t just have to make up a number in this Pool.

“We must just knuckle down and get ready for a big backlash from Exeter next week.”

Gloucester host the Chiefs – who are bottom of the Pool – in the return match at Kingsholm on Friday.

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Principality Premiership highlights from Scrum V - BBC Sport

Principality Premiership highlights from Scrum V – BBC Sport Watch Scrum V highlights from the weekend’s round of Principality Premiership. BBC Sport – Rugby Union ultras_FC_Barcelona

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Exeter Chiefs: What now after another European Champions Cup defeat?

Defeat at home by Gloucester means Exeter have won just one of their past seven matches in the European Champions Cup

“We win things because we are a bit of a machine, we’re efficient and the cogs – the players who are part of the machine – tend to run pretty smoothly together. It certainly didn’t feel like that for much of the day today.”

A brutally honest assessment by Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter after Saturday’s Champions Cup loss to Gloucester, which left his side all but out for Europe for another year.

It comes after a first Premiership loss of the season at Harlequins last week and a far from convincing win at Bristol on 18 November.

For a side which has prided itself on being one of the best in England over the past four years, a run of two wins in six (discounting the Premiership Cup) is almost unheard of.

But it seems Exeter’s biggest problem lies in Europe – a 10-10 draw at home to Munster in their opener this season before a 29-25 loss at Castres means the Chiefs need a miracle to progress this season.

Mental block?

In the top tier of European rugby, the Chiefs have only made the knockout stages once – they lost by a point in the last eight of the 2016 tournament after conceding a last-minute converted try at Wasps.

Exeter made uncharacteristic mistakes against Gloucester, giving away soft penalties and at times looking defensively frail.

“It has to come down to the thought process and the mental part of it,” Baxter told BBC Sport.

“It’s very rarely going to be a physical issue, it’s going to be a clarity of thinking across the group and getting a group who are on the same page.

“If we had 10 players out there going ‘this is how we play in the Premiership, this is what we should be doing’, but interspersed with them is five guys going ‘this is Europe, it’s going to be a bit tougher, it’s different’ the machine starts to stutter.

“That’s kind of where we are at the moment.

“It doesn’t mean it’s nothing we can’t put right and we’ve got a great opportunity to put it right next week.”

What now for Exeter in Europe?

Exeter can now get to a maximum of 18 points, so could go theoretically through, although they would need to win all their games with a bonus point and hope everyone else takes points off each other – ideally with a few draws thrown in as well.

So is it now a chance to change the side and focus on the domestic Premiership title?

“Potentially,” says Baxter. “But at the same time there’s 15 points on the field to fight for and if we’ve got anything about us and any good qualities then we should be fighting for every one of those points.

“If we fight for all those points and we play well within these games, there’s still an awful lot for us to learn.”

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Premier 15s: Saracens retain top spot

Saracens’ Eloise Bloomfield carries the ball

Saracens remain top of the Premier 15s table after cruising to a 59-0 victory over Darlington Mowden Park Sharks – their 10th win of the season.

Vicky Fleetwood went over after just three minutes before a flood of tries followed in pouring rain.

Sarries scored five more tries to make it 38-0 at half-time, before another three tries after the interval added the gloss to an impressive performance.

Harlequins leapfrogged Loughborough Lightning into second with a 43-7 win.

In an emphatic Quins first-half performance, Heather Cowell scored the opening try with just four minutes gone, before Leanne Riley and Georgia Newman crossed the line too.

The second period started in similar fashion to the first and Quins’ dominance was rewarded when Emily Scott ran through for try number four, and Riley intercepted possession for the fifth.

Lightning secured a consolation score but Harlequins had the final say as Cowell added a second try before Chloe Edwards scored in the final minutes.

Wasps responded to last weekend’s defeat by Loughborough with a 34-0 win over Firwood Waterloo Ladies.

Centre Louise Dodd opened the scoring after making a gap for herself, before Garnet Mackinder raced in eight minutes from half-time.

Rochelle Clark then dotted down following a driving maul as tries from Hannah West, Claudia MacDonald and a second from Mackinder capped the victory, and keeps the pressure on leaders Sarries.

Kelly Smith scored a hat-trick of tries as Gloucester-Hartpury Women avenged their early-season defeat by Bristol Bears Women with a comfortable 53-7 victory.

Tatyana Heard and Sascha Acheson also scored a brace each against the Bears – who were without key internationals Sarah Bern, Amber Reed and Elinor Snowsill.

Millie Wood opened the scoring before Smith, Heard and Acheson stole the show to ensure the Cherry and Whites remain in fifth, while Bristol picked up a late consolation try through Merryn Doidge.

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In Round 11’s final match, Anna Caplice’s late try completed a stirring 21-15 comeback as Richmond denied Worcester Valkyries their first win of the season.

Worcester led 15-7 with 18 minutes left but Laura Kapo’s converted try reduced the arrears to one point.

Then Ireland international Caplice scored her third try in as many games to hand Richmond the lead with just four minutes remaining.

Vicky Laflin had gone over in the corner and Alex Callender crashed over on debut, either side of Emelie Hellgren’s score, to give Worcester a 10-7 lead at the break, but their wait for victory goes on.

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Maro Itoje: England lock to miss

Itoje made his England debut in 2016

England lock Maro Itoje is set to miss “four to eight weeks” with his knee injury – but is expected to be fit for the start of the Six Nations.

The 24-year-old Saracens player chipped a bone in his knee on England duty and the problem is said to have worsened.

Saracens boss Mark McCall said there were no complaints about the way Itoje was handled by England and confirmed he would not require surgery.

England’s first match in the Six Nations is in Ireland on 2 February.

“From what I have been told, 100% he will be fit for the start of the Six Nations,” McCall told BBC Radio 5 live.

There had been a suggestion Itoje sustained the problem during England’s training camp in Portugal in October.

But he played in all four of England’s autumn internationals and also continued to appear for his club.

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European Rugby Champions Cup: Saracens 51-25 Cardiff Blues

Scrum-half Ben Spencer scored 10 minutes after coming on as a replacement for Richard Wigglesworth

Saracens (13) 51 Tries: Wigglesworth, Earl (2), Maitland (2), Spencer, Judge Cons: Farrell (5) Pens: Farrell (2) Cardiff (18) 25 Tries: Scully, M Morgan, Robinson Cons: Anscombe (2) Pens: Anscombe (2)

Saracens made it three wins from three in the Champions Cup and moved top of Pool Three with a bonus-point comeback victory over Cardiff Blues.

The Welsh side led 18-13 at half-time at Allianz Park thanks to tries from Blaine Scully and Matthew Morgan.

But replacement back row Ben Earl crossed twice early in the second half to put the hosts back in front.

Two tries from Sean Maitland, and one each from Ben Spencer and Christian Judge sealed a comfortable victory.

It looked as though the Blues were in for a long afternoon when Richard Wigglesworth crossed for the opening try inside the first five minutes.

But Morgan first set up a try for Scully, then crossed himself after a moment of individual brilliance – the full-back claiming a high kick from Owen Farrell, covering 60 metres and skipping through several tackles to put the visitors in front.

Saracens had three tries disallowed, twice because they edged into touch and once because a Maitland pass went forward.

There was no denying Earl, though as he first went over in the corner, then intercepted an offload from Gareth Anscombe for his second try.

The change in momentum was cemented when Cardiff’s Olly Robinson was sent to the sin-bin.

Maitland was the main beneficiary of Sarries’ numerical advantage, crossing twice in Robinson’s absence.

Spencer proved himself a worthy replacement for Wigglesworth, scoring 10 minutes after coming on, and Farrell’s conversion after Judge’s score brought up the half-century of points.

Robinson crossed for a late try, but it was not enough to secure a bonus point for Cardiff, who remain third in the pool.

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Richard Cockerill: England job

Cockerill led Edinburgh to the quarter-finals of the Professional14 and European Problem Cup final season

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill doesn’t count on to be thought of as a candidate to succeed Eddie Jones as England coach after the 2019 World Cup.

Interim RFU chief govt Nigel Melville revealed the previous Leicester director of rugby was one in all plenty of prospects being monitored.

He mentioned Cockerill, who led Edinburgh to the Professional14 play-offs in his first season, “has completed an incredible job”.

However the former hooker rejected the notion England may come calling.

“I’m not certain that could be a dialog the union shall be having with me anytime quickly,” he advised Matt Dawson’s Rugby Show on BBC 5 dwell.

Cockerill, 47, signed a two-year extension to his contract earlier this 12 months, committing him to Edinburgh till 2021.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, thought of a powerful candidate to exchange Jones, mentioned this week he’s “unlikely” to need the England job in the meanwhile.

“It’s a actually onerous one,” Cockerill mentioned. “Guys have come out in the previous few days and mentioned they’re in all probability not . It’s such a high-pressure job and it’s virtually generally a hiding to nothing.

“If you end up in a extremely good DOR [director of rugby] job at your membership and having fun with it, I’m not certain for some guys it’s that tempting to go away the day in, time out work of membership rugby, which is nice enjoyable.”

Edinburgh beat Newcastle on Friday to maneuver prime of their European Champions Cup pool, with a return fixture at Kingston Park subsequent Sunday, 16 December.

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Richard Cockerill: England job

Cockerill led Edinburgh to the quarter-finals of the Pro14 and European Challenge Cup last season

Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockerill does not expect to be considered as a candidate to succeed Eddie Jones as England coach after the 2019 World Cup.

Interim RFU chief executive Nigel Melville revealed the former Leicester director of rugby was one of a number of possibilities being monitored.

He said Cockerill, who led Edinburgh to the Pro14 play-offs in his first season, “has done an amazing job”.

But the former hooker rejected the notion England could come calling.

“I am not sure that is a conversation the union will be having with me anytime soon,” he told Matt Dawson’s Rugby Show on BBC 5 live.

Cockerill, 47, signed a two-year extension to his contract earlier this year, committing him to Edinburgh until 2021.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter, considered a strong candidate to replace Jones, said this week he is “unlikely” to want the England job at the moment.

“It is a really hard one,” Cockerill said. “Guys have come out in the last few days and said they are probably not interested. It is such a high-pressure job and it is almost sometimes a hiding to nothing.

“When you are in a really good DOR [director of rugby] job at your club and enjoying it, I am not sure for some guys it is that tempting to leave the day in, day out work of club rugby, which is great fun.”

Edinburgh beat Newcastle on Friday to move top of their European Champions Cup pool, with a return fixture at Kingston Park next Sunday, 16 December.

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European Champions Cup: Wasps 16-24 Toulouse

The game against Toulouse was Nathan Hughes’ second match back for his club

Wasps: (13) 16 Try: Rowlands Con: Sopoaga Pen: Sopoaga, Daly 2 Toulouse: (11) 24 Tries: Kolbe, Guitoune Con: Ramos Pen: Ramos 4

England forward Nathan Hughes suffered a pelvis injury as Wasps’ miserable Champions Cup campaign continued with defeat by Toulouse.

Tries from South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe and Sofiane Guitoune helped the French side to the top of Pool One.

Wasps claimed their try after prop Maks van Dyk was given a yellow card, with Will Rowlands capitalising on his side’s numerical advantage to score.

Wasps are bottom of the pool and face Toulouse in France next weekend.

Injuries add salt to Wasps’ wounds

Number eight Hughes left the field early in the first half having taken a heavy hit from Toulouse’s Joe Tekori and returned to the sideline with crutches after the break.

He missed England’s first three autumn internationals after being banned for six weeks for punching, but returned against Australia.

“It’s a hip and pelvis injury. He’s in a lot of pain but the next 48 hours will tell us more,” Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said on BT Sport.

Tom Cruse’s return was also cut short as the hooker was replaced by Ashley Johnson.

Sofiane Guitoune scored Toulouse’s second try

Wasps defence fails them

The lead changed hands constantly throughout the match, with Wasps initially ahead through a Lima Sopoaga penalty.

But Kolbe showed his pace and power as he stepped through several tackles to cover half the pitch and score.

Tomas Ramos was accurate from the kicking tee as he claimed 14 points, but England utility back Elliot Daly kicked two huge penalties to keep Wasps in touching distance.

When van Dyk was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle, Michael Le Bourgeois cut through the Toulouse defence and Rowlands timed his run perfectly to go over.

Wasps’ defensive struggles continued to hamper them though, as All Black Sopoaga missed a tackle to allow Guitoune to break through and score.

Four-time champions Toulouse went down to 14 men again after Louis-Benoit Madaule stamped on Brad Shields, but their defence held firm to keep the hosts out.

Champions Cup Pool One Played Won Draw Points 1. Toulouse 3 3 0 12 2. Leinster 3 2 0 10 3. Bath 3 0 1 5 4. Wasps 3 0 1 3

What they said

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young said:

“We’ve got to keep working at our defence, the guys are giving it their best shot but it’s not happening for us.

“Our scramble defence was pretty good and we forced Toulouse into a few mistakes.

“We had opportunities with the ball, but we started to play chaos rugby, throwing it anywhere.

“There’s no miracle cure and nothing I can say to make it sound any better.”

Toulouse man of the match Cheslin Kolbe said:

“It was a great team effort from the boys. We knew coming to Wasps wasn’t going to be easy but we implemented the plan that we had coming into this.

“The forwards did really well, they made great carries and it gave the backs a lot of confidence.”

Wasps: Le Roux; Neal, Daly (c), Le Bourgeois, Bassett; Sopoaga, Hampson; Harris, Cruse, Brookes, Rowlands, Myall, Shields, Young, Hughes.

Replacements: Carr for Hughes (20), Johnson for Cruse (35), Stuart for Brookes (61), Zhvania for Harris (61), Porter for Hampson (67), Matthews for Myall (67), De Jongh for Le Bourgeois (71).

Not Used: Searle.

Toulouse: Ramos; Huget, Guitone, Mermoz, Kolbe; Holmes, Dupont; Pointud, Marchand, Van Dyk, Axtens, Tekori, Cros, Elstadt, Kaino.

Replacements: Aldegheri for Axtens (35), Axtens for van Dyk (43), Madaule for Axtens (56), Bezy for Dupont (58), Castets for Pointud (67), Mauvaka for Marchand (67), Galan for Tekori (77), Ntamack for Mermoz (77)

Sin Bin: van Dyk (32), Madaule (69)

Not Used: Ghiraldini, Bonneval.

Ref: John Lacey (Ireland)

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European Champions Cup: Wasps 16-24 Toulouse

The sport towards Toulouse was Nathan Hughes’ second match again for his membership

Wasps: (13) 16 Strive: Rowlands Con: Sopoaga Pen: Sopoaga, Daly 2 Toulouse: (11) 24 Tries: Kolbe, Guitoune Con: Ramos Pen: Ramos 4

England ahead Nathan Hughes suffered a pelvis harm as Wasps’ depressing Champions Cup marketing campaign continued with defeat by Toulouse.

Tries from South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe and Sofiane Guitoune helped the French aspect to the highest of Pool One.

Wasps claimed their strive after prop Maks van Dyk was given a yellow card, with Will Rowlands capitalising on his aspect’s numerical benefit to attain.

Wasps are backside of the pool and face Toulouse in France subsequent weekend.

Accidents add salt to Wasps’ wounds

Quantity eight Hughes left the sector early within the first half having taken a heavy hit from Toulouse’s Joe Tekori and returned to the sideline with crutches after the break.

He missed England’s first three autumn internationals after being banned for six weeks for punching, however returned towards Australia.

“It is a hip and pelvis harm. He is in a variety of ache however the subsequent 48 hours will inform us extra,” Wasps director of rugby Dai Younger stated on BT Sport.

Tom Cruse’s return was additionally minimize quick because the hooker was changed by Ashley Johnson.

Sofiane Guitoune scored Toulouse’s second strive

Wasps defence fails them

The lead modified arms consistently all through the match, with Wasps initially forward by way of a Lima Sopoaga penalty.

However Kolbe confirmed his tempo and energy as he stepped by way of a number of tackles to cowl half the pitch and rating.

Tomas Ramos was correct from the kicking tee as he claimed 14 factors, however England utility again Elliot Daly kicked two large penalties to maintain Wasps in touching distance.

When van Dyk was despatched to the sin bin for a excessive sort out, Michael Le Bourgeois minimize by way of the Toulouse defence and Rowlands timed his run completely to go over.

Wasps’ defensive struggles continued to hamper them although, as All Black Sopoaga missed a sort out to permit Guitoune to interrupt by way of and rating.

4-time champions Toulouse went right down to 14 males once more after Louis-Benoit Madaule stamped on Brad Shields, however their defence held agency to maintain the hosts out.

Champions Cup Pool One Performed Received Draw Factors 1. Toulouse 3 3 0 12 2. Leinster 3 2 0 10 3. Tub 3 0 1 5 4. Wasps 3 0 1 3

What they stated

Wasps director of rugby Dai Younger stated:

“We have to maintain working at our defence, the fellows are giving it their finest shot nevertheless it’s not occurring for us.

“Our scramble defence was fairly good and we compelled Toulouse into a number of errors.

“We had alternatives with the ball, however we began to play chaos rugby, throwing it anyplace.

“There isn’t any miracle treatment and nothing I can say to make it sound any higher.”

Toulouse man of the match Cheslin Kolbe stated:

“It was an ideal workforce effort from the boys. We knew coming to Wasps wasn’t going to be straightforward however we applied the plan that we had coming into this.

“The forwards did very well, they made nice carries and it gave the backs a variety of confidence.”

Wasps: Le Roux; Neal, Daly (c), Le Bourgeois, Bassett; Sopoaga, Hampson; Harris, Cruse, Brookes, Rowlands, Myall, Shields, Younger, Hughes.

Replacements: Carr for Hughes (20), Johnson for Cruse (35), Stuart for Brookes (61), Zhvania for Harris (61), Porter for Hampson (67), Matthews for Myall (67), De Jongh for Le Bourgeois (71).

Not Used: Searle.

Toulouse: Ramos; Huget, Guitone, Mermoz, Kolbe; Holmes, Dupont; Pointud, Marchand, Van Dyk, Axtens, Tekori, Cros, Elstadt, Kaino.

Replacements: Aldegheri for Axtens (35), Axtens for van Dyk (43), Madaule for Axtens (56), Bezy for Dupont (58), Castets for Pointud (67), Mauvaka for Marchand (67), Galan for Tekori (77), Ntamack for Mermoz (77)

Sin Bin: van Dyk (32), Madaule (69)

Not Used: Ghiraldini, Bonneval.

Ref: John Lacey (Eire)

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European Champions Cup: Bath 10-17 Leinster

Jordan Larmour featured for Ireland in their historic victory over New Zealand in Dublin

Bath: (7) 10 Try: Thomas Con: Wilson Pen: Wilson Leinster: (7) 17 Tries: Cronin, Larmour Con: Sexton 2 Pen: Byrne

Ireland wing Jordan Larmour’s interception try helped Champions Cup holders Leinster beat Bath and move briefly to the top of Pool One.

The hosts took the lead thanks to the forwards, with Henry Thomas at the bottom of the pile as they drove over.

Leinster’s pack responded, capitalising on a line-out in the corner to drag Sean Cronin over in a maul.

Larmour then collected a long pass from Bath’s James Wilson and raced almost half the pitch to score the key try.

Champions Cup Pool One Played Won Draw Points 1. Leinster 3 2 0 10 2. Toulouse 2 2 0 8 3. Bath 3 0 1 5 4. Wasps 2 0 1 3

The first opportunity to score points came when Leinster were awarded a penalty, but World Rugby player of the year Johnny Sexton was surprisingly inaccurate with his attempt.

Both sides struggled to create openings in the first 20 minutes but Thomas’ try brought the game to life.

After Cronin’s score in reply, Leinster threatened to go over again just before half-time, after a break by returning Ireland forward Dan Leavy, but Bath’s Francois Louw – impressive at the breakdown all afternoon – ended that thrust by winning a penalty.

Wilson was brought in on a short-term contract by Bath to fill the void at fly-half created by injuries to Freddie Burns and Rhys Priestland but he faced a tough opposite number in Sexton, the pivot for Leinster and Ireland’s attack.

In a strange passage of play, a Leinster line-out went astray to give Bath possession but Wilson sent a long ball out wide that Larmour seized upon to sprint clear and claim the decisive five points.

Sexton converted and when the Lions fly-half was receiving treatment on his left wrist, Ross Byrne stepped up to extend the lead with a penalty.

Bath came close to a late try when Louw charged towards the try-line but they had to settle for a Wilson penalty that gave them a losing bonus point.

The result leaves Bath third in Pool One, but Toulouse’s win over Wasps later in the day saw the French side leapfrog Leinster back into top spot.

What they said

Leinster man of the match James Ryan said:

“We’re happy with the result. It was a really tough place to come.

“We got some good drives, scoring that maul try and our scrum was pretty good too, but we let ourselves down a bit in the first half.

“When the internationals were away, the guys that stepped in did a super job. The squad’s really strong at the moment but it will be another tough one in the Aviva next week [return fixture with Bath].”

Injured Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland said:

“At least we came away with something today. We’re disappointed but there’s a lot to take away from today.

“Sam Underhill was outstanding, along with Francois Louw and Tom Ellis. He gives it absolutely everything.

“Leinster are a formidable team. It’s going to take a good team to stop them but hopefully we can be that team next Saturday.”

Bath: McConnochie; Rokoduguni, Willison, Roberts, Cokanasiga; Wilson, Chudley; Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Attwood, Ewels (c), Ellis, Underhill, Louw.

Replacements: Stooke for Attwood (58), van Rooyen for Catt (58), Walker for Dunn (65), Vuna for Roberts (65), Lahiff for Thomas (69), Garvey for Ewels (69), Fotuali’i for Chudley (73), Davies for Cokanasiga (80).

Leinster: Kearney; Larmour, Ringrose, Reid, Lowe; Sexton, McGrath; Healy, Cronin, Furlong, Toner, Ryan, Ruddock, van der Flier, Leavy.

Replacements: Conan for Leavy (54), Porter for Furlong (64), Tracy for Cronin (64), E Byrne for Healy (64), Gibson-Park for McGrath (66), R Byrne for Reid (70), O’Loughlin on for Sexton (75), Molony on for Toner (78).

Ref: Mathieu Raynal (France).

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European Challenge Cup: Connacht graft to 22-10 win over struggling Perpignan

Ireland star Bundee Aki bulldozed his way over to score Connacht’s second try

European Challenge Cup, Pool 3: Connacht 22-10 Perpignan Connacht (14) 22 Tries: Leader, Aki, Godwin Cons: Horwitz 2 Pen: Horwitz Perpignan (0) 10 Try: Leiataua Con: Bousquet Pen: Bousquet

Connacht maintained their European Challenge Cup hopes as they grafted to a 22-10 win over struggling Perpignan in a wet and windy Galway.

Tries from Darragh Leader and Bundee Aki helped Connacht lead 14-0 at half-time after they had played with a strong wind advantage.

A David Horwitz penalty extended the lead but Manu Leiataua 65th-minute try left only seven between the teams.

But Leiataua’s sin-binning was the punished by Kyle Godwin’s late try.

Replacement hooker Leiataua received his yellow card for dissent in the 70th minute and it helped ease the pressure on the home side after Perpignan looked to have the momentum in the contest.

Helped by the man advantage, Connacht broke upfield to notch the the clinching score four minutes from time as replacement centre Godwin touched down.

Perpignan’s other five second-half points came from the boot of full-back Jonathan Bousquet.

As Aki joined his fellow Ireland players Quinn Roux and Finlay Bealham in returning for the home side, Matt Healy was the only Connacht survivor from last weekend’s win over Cheetahs in South Africa.

Perpignan, 11 points adrift at the bottom of the Top 14 table after a disastrous start to their campaign, also only retained centre Pierre Lucas from their defeat by Bordeaux last weekend.

Former Ulster player Paddy Jackson was among the Perpignan regulars who did not make the trip to Ireland.

Connacht’s win moves them to eight points in Pool 3 after three games although they remain two point behind leaders Sale who face Bordeaux in France later on Saturday.

Connacht: D Leader; C Kelleher, K Joyce, B Aki, M Healy; D Horowitz, J Mitchell; P McCabe, D Heffernan (capt), F Bealham, J Maksymiw, Q Roux, E Masterson, C Fainga’a, J Connolly.

Replacements: S Delahunt, M Burke, D Robertson-McCoy, G Thornbury, P Boyle, C Blade, C Fitzgerald, K Godwin.

Perpignan: J Bousquet; T Fainga’anuku, P Lucas, P Marty, E Sau; E Selponi, S Degmache; Q Walcker, R Carbou, N Lemaire, Y Vivalda, B Botha, J van Heerden, P Reynaud, M Faleafa.

Replacements: M Leiataua, K Tougne, S Charlet, A Roussel, E Iachizzi, T Ecochard, A Taumoepeau, J Farnoux.

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)

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