European rugby 2021/22 - round 1

[Robespierre]

The teams for the Northampton v Racing (Friday evening) have been announced:

Racing 92 : 15. Beale ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou (cap.), 11. Imhoff ; 10. Russell, 9. Machenaud ; 7. Lauret, 8. Tanga, 6. Diallo ; 5. Le Roux, 4. L. Jones ; 3. Oz, 2. Baubigny, 1. Gogichashvili.

Les remplaçants : 16. Chat, 17. Ben Arous, 18. Gomes Sa, 19. Bresler, 20. Chouzenoux, 21. Gibert, 22. Chavancy, 23. Taofifenua.

Northampton : 15. Furbank ; 14. Freeman, 13. Proctor, 12. Dingwall, 11. Skosan ; 10. Biggar, 9. Mitchell ; 7. Ludlam (cap.), 8. Augustus, 6. Wilkins ; 5. Ratuniyarawa ; 4. Ribbans ; 3. Painter, 2. Matavesi, 1. Auterac.

Les remplaçants : 16. James Fish, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Conor Carey, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Tom Wood, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Ollie Sleightholme.

Even though Racing have been blowing hot and cold this season, that's a strong team and an impressive bench.. Imagine a fiery Camille Chat coming on for the last 20. If the classy Racing backs get plenty of ball, they could cause Saints a load of problems

The Saints' team looks good too, and they also have a strong bench.

Could be close, but I'll go with Saints by 10.

[Scott1]

One game cancelled already and 2 teams having to put some kids out due to quarantine rules. Could be a farcical competition by the looks of it

[Old Hob]

Is Courtney Lawes not available?

[Old Hob]

Is Courtney Lawes not available?

Edit: Enforced rest. Big loss for Saints.

[OakhamTiger32]

Matavesi playing a dangerous game early on for Saints! 2 mistakes and it’s 6-0 Racing after 4 mins

[OakhamTiger32]

Wow.. 7 minutes gone and it’s 13-0 Racing!

[OakhamTiger32]

Racing running away with this! 23 mins played 23-0!

[CJ]

Saints are no slouches - are Racing really that good? Can Robespierre tell us ? Er, not that I’m sad to see Saints put to the sword

[OakhamTiger32]

Saints are no slouches - are Racing really that good? Can Robespierre tell us ? Er, not that I’m sad to see Saints put to the sword

Racing have been hit & miss this season in the Top 14 and are currently sat in 8th having won 6 and lost 6. Saints started poorly today but Racing look really up for this are are good value for the lead

[OakhamTiger32]

Another try for Racing.. Saints are getting absolutely destroyed in every department

[Robespierre]

The teams for the Northampton v Racing (Friday evening) have been announced:

Racing 92 : 15. Beale ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou (cap.), 11. Imhoff ; 10. Russell, 9. Machenaud ; 7. Lauret, 8. Tanga, 6. Diallo ; 5. Le Roux, 4. L. Jones ; 3. Oz, 2. Baubigny, 1. Gogichashvili.

Les remplaçants : 16. Chat, 17. Ben Arous, 18. Gomes Sa, 19. Bresler, 20. Chouzenoux, 21. Gibert, 22. Chavancy, 23. Taofifenua.

Northampton : 15. Furbank ; 14. Freeman, 13. Proctor, 12. Dingwall, 11. Skosan ; 10. Biggar, 9. Mitchell ; 7. Ludlam (cap.), 8. Augustus, 6. Wilkins ; 5. Ratuniyarawa ; 4. Ribbans ; 3. Painter, 2. Matavesi, 1. Auterac.

Les remplaçants : 16. James Fish, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Conor Carey, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Tom Wood, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Ollie Sleightholme.

Even though Racing have been blowing hot and cold this season, that's a strong team and an impressive bench.. Imagine a fiery Camille Chat coming on for the last 20. If the classy Racing backs get plenty of ball, they could cause Saints a load of problems

The Saints' team looks good too, and they also have a strong bench.

Could be close, but I'll go with Saints by 10.

My prediction isn’t looking good!

[OakhamTiger32]

28-7 HT

[OakhamTiger32]

The teams for the Northampton v Racing (Friday evening) have been announced:

Racing 92 : 15. Beale ; 14. Thomas, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Fickou (cap.), 11. Imhoff ; 10. Russell, 9. Machenaud ; 7. Lauret, 8. Tanga, 6. Diallo ; 5. Le Roux, 4. L. Jones ; 3. Oz, 2. Baubigny, 1. Gogichashvili.

Les remplaçants : 16. Chat, 17. Ben Arous, 18. Gomes Sa, 19. Bresler, 20. Chouzenoux, 21. Gibert, 22. Chavancy, 23. Taofifenua.

Northampton : 15. Furbank ; 14. Freeman, 13. Proctor, 12. Dingwall, 11. Skosan ; 10. Biggar, 9. Mitchell ; 7. Ludlam (cap.), 8. Augustus, 6. Wilkins ; 5. Ratuniyarawa ; 4. Ribbans ; 3. Painter, 2. Matavesi, 1. Auterac.

Les remplaçants : 16. James Fish, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Conor Carey, 19. Alex Coles, 20. Tom Wood, 21. Frank Lomani, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Ollie Sleightholme.

Even though Racing have been blowing hot and cold this season, that's a strong team and an impressive bench.. Imagine a fiery Camille Chat coming on for the last 20. If the classy Racing backs get plenty of ball, they could cause Saints a load of problems

The Saints' team looks good too, and they also have a strong bench.

Could be close, but I'll go with Saints by 10.

My prediction isn’t looking good!

Unless Saints pull off the comeback of the season I’m afraid to say it’s not.. haven’t seen Saints be this outplayed since Tigers visited the Gardens in Oct!

[Old Hob]

Is Courtney Lawes not available?

Edit: Enforced rest. Big loss for Saints.

Lawes not available because he is recovering from Covid. Very big loss for them. Seems to be a lot of panic in the Saints ranks from that early charge down to the wild passing. Deep breaths at half time or they are going down to a big score.

[OakhamTiger32]

And so the rout continues.. only took 2 mins for the first try of the second half!