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Highlights - European Champions Cup
By Fred Culazzo
The European Champions Cup goes into the Christmas break after a bruising round of games across the continent this weekend.
Pro14 & Top14 teams dominated once again and now lead all but one of the pools, with Bath acting as the sole Premiership representative in the quarter-final rankings as things stand.
Ulster kicked off proceedings on Friday night as they hosted Harlequins at Ravenhill. Quins fielded a weakened team, having scuppered any chance of qualification last week.
Next up, Montpellier hosted Glasgow in France. Nemani Nadolo was the star of the show once again as he gave Tommy Seymour a game he won't forget in a hurry.
Pro14 Champions Scarlets, travelled to Trevisio to pick up some points on the road and remain in contention for Pool 5 honours.
Champions of England, Exeter, were out for revenge in Dublin against Leinster. One of the most physical games of the weekend saw three HIA's in the first 20 minutes.
An all-French affair in Pool 4 as Racing 92 hosted Castres in a must-win for both teams. Racing will go on to contest for qualification with Munster, while Castres are all but out.
Thankfully for the Premiership, Bath are still flying the flag for English Rugby. Anthony Watson was on great form as they hosted Toulon at The Rec.
La Rochelle went into their game against Wasps unbeaten, but their record didn't remain intact as the English side ran out comfortable winners against the French Champions.
Saracens were looking to end a 6 game losing streak as they travelled to France. A strong start saw them take a 13-0 lead, before Clermont came firing back.
The penultimate game of the weekend saw Northampton travel to Swansea to face Ospreys. The game held little significance for the Saints, but Ospreys were chasing a bonus point to remain in contention of Pool 2
The final game of the weekend saw Munster travel to Welford road to take on Leicester. Full highlights will be available shortly.
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Latest Comments
Yet Ethan Blackadder was one of our best against the World Champion Springbok. When he came back to the Crusaders later in the season , he made a huge difference, ( a long with others like Codie Taylor), we nearly made the Play Off's. Ethan has plenty of rugby left in him. His family , Dad Todd Blackadder must be very [proud of him. Todd Blackadder was a 3 time champion captain of the Crusaders, '98, '99 and 2000.An icon in this area. Also twice captain of Canterbury , '97 and 2001 when we won the NPC and Ranfurly Shield winning captain in 2000.
Go to commentsIt's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
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