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These are your headlines on the evening of Sunday, December 7.
These are your headlines on the evening of Sunday, December 7.
Youngsters ‘big for the future of the club’
Corniel van Zyl says he’s proud of his team after their spirited defeat to Stade Français, saying the emergence of young talent is “big for the future of the club”.
Three debutants – Matty Young, Elijah Evans and Ieuan Davies – made their bows for the capital city club in Paris and van Zyl says that pleased him, as well as the manner of the performance.
“It was tough in the end to take, but there was a lot to be proud of,” he said. “In the first half we were really in the fight, and our defence in particular was very pleasing.
“It’s big for the future of the club. These boys are getting exposure at this level, and that’s invaluable. It’s not just about learning – it’s about taking today’s experience into the future and continuing to grow.”
Skipper Alun Lawrence echoed his coach’s words.
“These are days where boys learn so much,” he said post-match.
“Spectacles like today, European campaigns, they’re moments that stand out in careers. For him (Young) to get his first start, get on the scoreboard, set one up for Iwan (Stephens) on his return from injury — it’s great to see. And obviously Harry Wilde coming on early, only his second appearance, had a lot to do. I’m chuffed for those boys.
“Elijah had some really nice touches on the ball, and you could see the future of the club out there. Really exciting prospects, and I’m proud of how they carried themselves in the Cardiff jersey.”
Tiatia: We need to be better at basics
Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia says they need to be better at the basics after suffering a heavy defeat away in Perpignan.
The Men of Gwent were always chasing the game and conceded six tries without really troubling the home team, who were winless this season heading into European competition.
Even when down to 14 men, the French side looked in control.
“It was disappointing. We played a good Perpignan side who won most of the collisions and credited pressure,” said Tiatia.
“We need to be better at doing the basics well and keeping hold of the ball.
“We needed to get possession in the right parts of the field and create pressure and score points.
“We got a couple of tries at the end, but we were always chasing the game.”
Saints see off Pau
PA
George Hendy’s late try ensured a winning start for last season’s beaten Investec Champions Cup finalists Northampton as they saw off Pau 35-27 at Stade du Hameau.
With the score locked at 27-27 with two minutes remaining, wing Hendy raced in at the corner to edge Saints ahead before Fin Smith’s penalty in the dying moments sealed his side’s thrilling win in their opening pool game.
Pau played their part in a see-saw battle, while Northampton crucially overcame the loss of Australian wing James Ramm, who scored two of Saints’ five tries before receiving a red card early in the second half.
Northampton trailed 14-12 at half-time after twice responding to tries from Pau skipper Facundo Isa and wing Gregoire Arfeuil with scores of their own through Ramm and centre Fraser Dingwall.
After Ramm went over for his second score, Axel Desperes’ penalty for Pau levelled it at 17-17 and, following Ramm’s sending-off for a tackle in the air, Arfeuil went over for his second try, which was converted, to put Pau 24-17 ahead.
But Alex Mitchell’s converted score levelled it up at 24-24 and, after Smith and Desperes had traded penalties, Hendy went over for the decisive try before Smith’s second penalty in the dying moments sealed a hard-fought win.
