Northampton hold off Cardiff to take only English win in Champions Cup opener

Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 to claim the only English victory in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, recovering from a second-half scare to start their Pool Four campaign with a win. [1]

Saints led 14-0 at half-time at Franklin’s Gardens after tries from James Pater and Toby Thame in difficult conditions. Cardiff fought back through Harri Millard and Mason Grady, whose try made it 14-12 after Northampton fly-half Anthony Belleau was sent to the sin-bin on the hour.

George Hendy restored the hosts’ lead with a try, then chased down Cardiff’s Josh Adams to prevent what appeared a certain score. Fraser Dingwall added Northampton’s fourth try in the 78th minute, but Saints could not cross again to claim the bonus point.

The win came after a tough opening weekend for English Premiership sides: Gloucester drew with defending champions Bordeaux-Bègles, while six other English clubs lost. Northampton, last season’s quarter-finalists, had made a strong start to their domestic title defence, scoring 24 tries in their first three league matches.

Cardiff were returning to the Champions Cup after two seasons in the Challenge Cup and had a five-day turnaround before a United Rugby Championship match against the Sharks. Several key players were held back, although Wales and British and Irish Lions internationals Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams returned from injury to make their first appearances of the season.

Northampton travel to Stade Français in December. Cardiff host Bath in their next Champions Cup fixture.