European Champions Cup Christmas Round-Up & Highlights

The weekend’s action kicked off with a grim 9-9 draw between Northampton and Racing 92. Myler and Carter traded penalties with the result leaving Racing top of the table on 12 points closely followed by Northampton on ten and Glasgow on 9.

If the game in Franklins Gardens lacked points, Saracens made up for it with a 55-13 demolition of Oyonnax. Chris Ashton went over for a hat-trick as Sarries all but secured their QF place. Ulster meanwhile got their campaign back on track with a vital away win against Toulouse to put them in contention for a runners up spot in the same group.

Wasps extracted revenge for last week’s defeat with a very impressive 36-10 win against Bath. Jimmy Gopperth provided the bulk of the points with an impressive man of the match performance. This group is still open with Toulon beating Leinster 16-20 to make it a three horse race for qualification. The Irish side have now lost four in a row and are out of the running.

Highlights of Toulon’s victory over Leinster in Dublin:

Clermont returned to winning ways against Exeter in France with a comprehensive 42-10 win. The game was over for Exeter after Spedding and Strettle went over in the first half. Davies and Lee also went over to earn a bonus point for the French side. The group remains very open with Bordeaux defeating Ospreys 33-27 in a cracking game on the French east coast.

In the final group, Leicester sent Munster packing again in a hard fought game at Welford Road. A 14 point turnaround in the second half was the difference with Goneva going over for the home side. Stade disposed of Treviso to make this a two hose race unless Munster can win back to back against Stade in the New Year. With Keatley at 10 and Foley in charge this seems highly unlikely.

The teams now focus on domestic duties before returning to the European table in the New Year for some unfinished business.