Saints completely fall apart as Racing go on to qualify in first position

Northampton Saints 8-32 Racing Metro

Neither team was particularly impressive at the beginning of the first half, with both teams not quite tapping into their full potential. Errors were aplenty for Northampton and Racing, but the latter team were the more clinical of the two and a yellow card for Dylan Hartley after 14 minutes allowed them to go into the lead after a penalty made the score 0-3. The line-out in particular for the Saints was a weak point, and a not straight throw from Haywood ultimately led to a scrum penalty for Racing, which they slotted to increase their lead to 6.

Things appeared to turn around for the Saints after this, with Myler kicking a penalty to make the score 3-6 after 21 minutes. Afterwards, a great passage of attacking play from the home side almost resulted in a try, but Burrell knocked on right by the try line after a great kick through from North. It was then Racing's turn to hammer away at the Saints try line, but some simply stunning defence from the Saints, and Calum Clark in particular, allowed them to come out of the situation unscathed. There was then a succession of scrums, with Saints winning the majority of the penalties, but they just could not convert this into any points. Right at the end of the half, Racing continued to push towards the Saints try line, and it finally paid off for them as Imhoff crashed over the line for a well-deserved try. The conversion was missed, and the half ended with the score being 3-11 to Racing Metro.

It seemed that it would be a bright start to the second half for the Saints with Burrell almost scoring a try from the kick-off. But then everything fell apart. A bad pass from the Saints allowed Imhoff to pick up the ball and essentially run the length of the field to score his second try. The conversion was slotted over, and the score was 3-18 after 43 minutes. You would think it couldn't get any worse for the Saints after this, but it could and it did. A terrible response from the Saints after a high kick resulted in Lapeyre picking up the ball and easily crossing the line for Racing's third try. The score was now 3-25 after 45 minutes.

It looked like there was some light at the end of the tunnel though for Northampton, as a try came from North after a good line-out maul, and the missed conversion made the score 8-25. At 55 minutes there then came a yellow card for Lapeyre after a deliberate knock-on, but somehow Northampton seemed to get worse after this. A penalty to Racing for truck and trailer at the maul gave the visitors the chance to attack, and yet again it paid off as Roberts eventually crossed the line after 61 minutes to grant Racing the bonus point. The conversion made the score 8-32, with no way back for the Saints.

Errors continued to come from Northampton, whilst Racing kept up their intensity to stay in charge of all facets of the game. But then Northampton finally got some possession, and a spectacular break from North after 73 minutes signified the highlight of the match for the home side, despite the fact that a knock-on yet again stopped the attack. Knock-ons continued to be a bane for Northampton as every time they marched forward in attack, they were halted in their tracks by silly errors. The final score was 8-32 to Racing, who were fully deserving of the win. They now qualify for the European quarter-finals in first place.

Teams

Northampton Saints: Wilson (15), Pisi (14), Pisi (13), Burrell (12), North (11), Myler (10), Dickson (9); Corbisiero (1), Hartley - capt (2), Ma'afu (3), Dickinson (4), Day (5), Wood (6), Clark (7), Manoa (8), Replacements: Haywood (16), Waller (17), Denman (18), Dowson (19), Harrison (20), Fotuali'i (21), Stephenson (22), Elliott (23).

Racing Metro: Lapryre (15), Imhoff (14), Chavancy (13), Roberts (12), Thomas (11), Dambielle (10), Machenaud (9); Arous (1), Szarzewski - capt (2), Ducalcon (3), Charteris (4), van der Merwe (5), Lauret (6), Le Roux (7), Claassen (8). Replacements: Lacombe (16), Brugnaut (17), Mujati (18), Kruger (19), Gerondeau (20), Phillips (21), Goosen (22), Audrin (23).

Ruck and roll!

Jess.