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Falcons prey on Toulon, Vunipola brothers injured in Sarries win
By Peter Thompson
Newcastle Falcons marked their European Champions Cup return with a famous 26-25 win at Toulon and Saracens beat Glasgow Warriors despite injuries sustained by the Vunipola brothers.
Bottom of the Premiership with only one win this season, the Falcons were expected to be in for a tough Sunday afternoon in the Pool 5 encounter at Stade Mayol.
Dean Richards' side rose to the occasion in the club's first match in Europe's premier club competition in 14 seasons, recovering from a nightmare start in the wind on the French Riviera.
Three-time European champions Toulon came into the game having lost three of their last four games, but Romain Taofifenua charged down a kick to score the opening try after only 21 minutes.
The Falcons rallied to lead 16-15 at half-time, Kyle Cooper going under the posts from a pick-and-go and Joel Hodgson scoring 11 points from the tee before Raphael Lakafia went over at the other end.
A penalty try increased Newcastle's lead and Hodgson won it with a penalty 10 minutes from time after a converted Guilhem Guirado try and Francois Trinh-Duc's penalty had edged Toulon in front.
Saracens maintained their 100 per cent record this season by grinding out a 13-3 Pool 3 victory at Scotstoun.
Michael Rhodes scored the only try as the Premiership champions came out on top in an almighty battle, England duo Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola withdrawn with ankle and arm injuries respectively.
Gareth Anscombe scored a magnificent solo try and booted 15 points to ensure Cardiff Blues started their European campaign with an impressive 30-21 Pool 3 win at Lyon.
It proved to be a miserable day for Top 14 sides, Gloucester beating champions Castres 19-14 to go to the summit of Pool 2.
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Latest Comments
I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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