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Edinburgh slay Saracens in European Challenge Cup campaign

By PA
(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Edinburgh began their European Challenge Cup campaign with an impressive 21-18 victory over Saracens at the StoneX Stadium.

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Tries from Ramiro Moyano and WP Neil, together with three penalties and one conversion from Emiliano Boffelli, secured a crucial win against their Gallagher Premiership opponents.

Alex Goode and Andy Christie crossed for Saracens and Manu Vunipola kicked two penalties and a conversion.

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Mike Blair’s men held on for victory ahead of their double-header against Glasgow later this month.

Dragons let slip a nine-point lead to go down 22-16 at Perpignan, who made the most of the Welsh region losing Tavis Knoyle and Adam Warren to the sin-bin in the second half to claim victory.

Jamie Roberts’ 73rd-minute try, converted by Sam Davies who finished with 11 points, gave Dragons hope of a late recovery but the French side held on.

In-form London Irish enjoyed a better night in France as they defeated Pau 33-17 to claim a five-point haul in their European opener.

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Agustin Creevy and Olly Cracknell both scored two tries each for Irish after the Gallagher Premiership side – coming into the game on a four-match winning streak – had taken the lead through an 11th-minute penalty try.

Pau got to within touching distance at 26-17 in the closing stages but the Exiles slammed the door on them through Cracknell’s second try with the clock in the red.

Also on Saturday, Biarritz beat Zebre 26-13 thanks to tries from Antoine Erbani, Baptiste Erdocio, Ushangi Tcheishvili and Billy Scannell.

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Another 37 minutes ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

21 Go to comments
S
SK 12 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

35 Go to comments
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LONG READ What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025? What should be on a rugby Christmas wish list for 2025?
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