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Watch: Battering Banahan goes beast mode to set up spectacular try
By Online Editors
Gloucester wing Matt Banahan proved just why he is one of rugby's toughest men to cover in his side's 24-22 Champions Cup loss to Castres on Saturday.
Listed at 6'7" and 110kg, the 32-year-old made his presence felt in setting up a spectacular counter-attacking try and helping Gloucester build on an early lead.
Fielding a kick from Castres wing Armand Batlle, Banahan collected the ball at full speed and set off down-field from inside his own half.
Using his size and pace, Banahan went straight over the top of Castres fullback Scott Spedding and drew the attention of two more defenders before slipping away a difficult grubber kick.
Gloucester halfback Ben Vellacott won the race to the ball and slid over the line for Gloucester's second try, capping an incredible counter attacking effort.
Banahan has long been one of the Premiership's most prolific scorers, but Saturday proved he can set them up just as well as anyone.
Unfortunately for Banahan's Gloucester, the end result didn't go their way, with Castres number eight Maama Vaipulu crashing over after the final whistle to steal victory.
With the match decided and both sides eliminated from playoff contention, Vaipulu's back row mate 35-year-old Yannick Caballero had a crack at the conversion to end his team's campaign on a high.
Castres finished with a record of 3-3 in the pool to Gloucester's 2-4 with the 24-22 victory. Munster topped the pool and advance to the quarterfinals with a record of four wins, one loss and a draw.
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If Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
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