'I'll be on my computer, TV, listening to something else on the radio and watching my phone'
Director of rugby Chris Boyd was delighted with Northampton’s fightback against Lyon as they kept alive their hopes of reaching the Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 36-24 success at the Matmut Stadium.
Hooker Mikey Haywood crossed for Saints’ solitary score in a first half which saw them make too many errors to sustain any periods of real pressure.
The French outfit, who currently sit second in the Top 14, played with more precision and power in the opening period, with scores from lock Felix Lambey and number eight Liam Gill giving them a deserved lead.
But Saints were much improved in the second 40 minutes, with number eight Teimana Harrison, scrum-half Cobus Reinach, full-back George Furbank and replacement hooker James Fish crossing the line to seal a win with something to spare.
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“We’re obviously really pleased to come here and win, and to get five points I guess is a bonus given the situation,” said Boyd.
“But probably more pleasing was we were down 17-5 at half-time, probably having created enough chances to be in front but we were just a little bit loose with our execution.
“There was real clarity at half-time around what we needed to do in the second half, and if we just tightened up our execution and stuck with what we needed to do then we’d be in with a chance.”
The New Zealander was pleased with the confidence and composure his team displayed to turn the tables on their hosts, with a crop of young players turning in impressive displays.
“I think there was a level of maturity in the second half today that has been coming, but that’s probably the first time we’ve seen it.”
Saints must now hope that Saracens and Gloucester fail to secure bonus-point victories against French giants Racing 92 and Toulouse respectively.
And Boyd was impressed with the performances of some of his younger players.
“I thought some of the young guys put their hands up and played really well today,” said Boyd.
“I’ll spend tomorrow like I normally do, with a review from our game,” he said.
“We’ve got London Irish next Friday which is a really important game for us. It’s tough for those that have got young kids (to spend Sunday working), but for me it’s just a big rugby day.
“Of course I’ll be keeping an eye on the scores. Often I’ll be on my computer with one channel and the TV with another, listening to something else on the radio and watching my phone.”
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Needing to select those players champing at the bit for a chance to play.
Go to commentsWell done, now go tackle something
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