Rugby union: Premiership teams in action-packed weekend of European rugby
Seven matches involved Premiership sides in both the European Challenge Cup and the Investec Champions Cup in the round of 16.
With no Premiership action over the weekend, Sports News Blitz’s James Corrigan takes a look at the matches that took place in Europe.
Nine Premiership teams participated in the round of 16 across both competitions, but only four managed to progress to the quarter-finals.
European Challenge Cup
Exeter Chiefs vs Munster
After a disappointing season last term, Exeter Chiefs have surprised many with their quality of rugby in both the Premiership and in Europe.
Despite this, Munster were always expected to pose a challenge.
Dynamic back-rower Ross Vincent opened the scoring 13 minutes into the game, powering over the line after a break from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
The home side kept the pressure on Munster, forcing a loose pass which Henry Slade capitalised on, intercepting the ball and scoring a breakaway try.
The match was essentially over by half-time, as two more tries were scored through Will Rigg and Feyi-Waboso before the break, giving Exeter a 31-0 lead.
A spirited second-half performance from Munster saw Irish internationals Jack Crowley and Tadhg Beirne both get on the scoresheet, but it was not enough.
Exeter secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 31-21 victory.
Newcastle Falcons vs Stade Rochelais
Newcastle Falcons were the other Premiership side in the Challenge Cup as they hosted Stade Rochelais at Kingston Park.
The away side, who had exited the Champions Cup in the group stages, took control 22 minutes into the match when Ihaia West crossed following a TMO review.
Two more tries followed in quick succession through Jules Favre and Gabin Garault, making it 15-3 with five minutes remaining in the first half.
However, a yellow card for an off-the-ball tackle in the 38th minute shifted momentum before the break.
Newcastle capitalised immediately, with full-back Elliot Obatoyinbo scoring down the right to make it a seven-point game heading into the second half.
A fast start from the home side saw replacement front-rower Murray McCallum score early in the second half, showcasing impressive footwork to touch down under the posts.
A successful penalty from Brett Connon in the 55th minute edged Newcastle ahead.
Another yellow card followed shortly after, this time for the home side after a high tackle from Fergus Lee-Warner on Diego Jorba.
Stade Rochelais regained control through accurate kicking in difficult conditions, before a late try from Nolhann Coudol sealed the victory.
The French side secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 26-18 win.
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Investec Champions Cup
Northampton Saints vs Castres Olympique
Arguably the game of the week saw Northampton Saints take on Castres Olympique in a 13-try thriller.
Castres made a fast start, catching the home side off guard with two early tries and a penalty.
However, the visitors were reduced to 13 men after two yellow cards.
Despite the numerical advantage, Northampton only managed to narrow the gap through a converted try from Danilo Fischetti before half-time.
The Saints began the second half with intent, scoring early tries through Josh Kemeny and Tommy Freeman to take a 21-18 lead, both converted by Fin Smith.
Castres responded with two tries of their own to retake the lead in a match that could go either way.
George Furbank and Archie McParland then scored to put Northampton back in front.
Castres finished strongly with a late try, but Northampton held on for a 49-41 victory, securing their place in the quarter-finals.
Bath vs Saracens
Bath faced Saracens in the round of 16 not long after their 68-10 demolition of the London side in the Premiership.
Saracens looked like a completely different team, leading 10-0 at the break following a converted try from Charlie Bracken and a penalty from Owen Farrell.
Bath’s quality in the backs shone through in the second half, with tries from Ollie Lawrence, Joe Cokanasiga, Ben Spencer, and a brace from Henry Arundell turning the game around.
Saracens responded with tries from Max Malins and winger Noah Cato, but it was not enough.
Bath secured a 31-22 victory.
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Stade Toulousain vs Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears travelled to six-time Champions Cup winners Stade Toulousain hoping to continue their European journey.
The Bears scored four tries through Fitz Harding, Kalaveti Ravouvou, James Williams, and Noah Heward.
They took an early lead through captain Harding, but it only seemed to spark the home side into life.
Toulouse responded with 40 unanswered points before half-time to lead 40-7.
Despite a second-half yellow card, Toulouse extended their lead with further tries, including two from winger Matthis Lebel.
A late Bristol fightback narrowed the margin, but Toulouse ran out comfortable 59-26 winners.
Harlequins vs Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks improved on a disappointing season by defeating Harlequins away from home to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
Clinical kicking from fly-half George Ford gave Sale an early advantage, with three penalties inside the opening 30 minutes.
A yellow card for Will Evans made matters worse for Harlequins, with Sale capitalising through a try from hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie.
Harlequins responded with a try from Chandler Cunningham-South, but further kicks from Ford and another try from Cowan-Dickie extended Sale’s lead.
Two late tries from Alex Dombrandt brought Harlequins closer, but it was not enough as Sale secured a 26-17 victory.
Bordeaux vs Leicester Tigers
The reigning champions made light work of Leicester Tigers, scoring ten tries to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
A dominant performance from the French side unfolded despite a strong defensive start from Leicester in the opening 20 minutes.
With players like Louis Bielle-Biarrey pulling the strings, it was only a matter of time before the defence was broken.
Bielle-Biarrey assisted two tries and scored one himself in the first half as Bordeaux raced into a 36-0 lead at half-time.
Leicester managed two tries in the second half, but it was not enough to match Bordeaux’s attacking power.
Two late tries from Salesi Rayasi completed his hat-trick and sealed a 64-14 victory for Bordeaux.
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