Pearson bags hat-trick as Saints smash Bayonne to book knockout spot
Northampton registered nine tries as they thrashed Bayonne 61-14 at Franklin’s Gardens to secure a place in the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages.
Tom Pearson scored a hat-trick, Alex Waller a brace, and Fin Smith kicked eight conversions as the Gallagher Premiership leaders dominated their French opponents.
That was particularly the case in a first half that saw Northampton cross six times, with the first coming in the opening few moments as Tommy Freeman grabbed Rory Hutchinson’s chip and went over.
Pearson got on the scoresheet when Alex Coles intercepted a Bayonne line-out just before the quarter-hour mark, subsequently added another shortly after the visitors had Tevita Tatafu sin-binned, and Courtney Lawes then secured a bonus point in the 28th minute.
There was no let up from the hosts as further tries from Curtis Langdon and Waller, and Smith’s extras, made it 42-0 going into the break.
The one-way traffic then continued with Pearson and Waller tries early in the second half.
Bayonne finally got off the mark in the 65th minute as Tom Spring crossed and Thomas Dolhagaray converted.
Tom James subsequently got Northampton’s ninth before a late reply from Aurelien Callandret as Saints sealed qualification from Pool Three having made it three wins from as many matches in the group.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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