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Fekitoa makes Munster bow, Quins soar and Bath win big
By Stefan Frost
The Premiership and URC seasons are edging ever closer, which means teams in both leagues are slowly building up their pre-season repertoire in the hope of entering the new campaign on the front foot.
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Wasps and Harlequins are coming off the back of huge victories against Championship opposition, while Connacht and Gloucester have prevailed in more tightly fought contents.
Munster 19-28 Gloucester
Munster began the Graham Rowntree era with a pre-season loss to Gloucester at Musgrave Park. A mixture of academy graduates and new signings Malakai Fekitoa and Chris Moore featured for the hosts, while Gloucester hit the ground running with Ollie Thorley scoring after 90 seconds.
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Jersey Reds 29-31 London Irish
London Irish opened their pre-season with a narrow 31-29 win over Jersey Reds at the Stade Santander International. The Premiership team took a seven-point lead into half time, with Matt Cornish and Ollie Hassell-Collins amongst the scorers, but almost squandered that advantage come the final whistle.
Bath 38-7 Coventry
Newly appointed Bath head coach Johann van Graan named two completely different XVs for each half, as his team comfortably brushed aside their Championship opponents at Broadstreet Rugby Football Club.
Northampton Saints 40-26 Bedford Blues
Northampton Saints scored six tries against Bedford Blues to kickstart Phil Dowson’s tenure as director of rugby on the front foot. Bedford did take the lead early but the home side recovered to come out victorious at Franklin’s Gardens.
London Scottish 19-66 Harlequins
Harlequins prevailed over London Scottish in a high scoring content at Richmond Athletic Ground in which all three of the Premiership side’s starting backrow of Jack Kenningham, Will Evans and Tom Lawday made the score sheet.
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Leicester Tigers 42-28 Newcastle Falcons
Harry Potter scored a hat-trick as Leicester Tigers comprehensively beat Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road. Iwan Stephens finished off a brilliant score for the visitors while Tigers newcomers Anthony Watson, Jimmy Gopperth and James Cronin all got a run out.
Doncaster Knights 0-56 Wasps
Wasps opened their pre-season with a 10-try mauling of Doncaster at Castle Park. Josh Bassett and Matteo Minozzi both bagged a pair of tries, while Will Porter, Biyi Alo, Dan Frost and Brad Shields also got on the scoreboard.
Dragons 28-45 Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears edged out an 11-try clash with the Dragons to deliver a late win at Rodney Parade. First half tries from Angus O’Brien, Ollie Griffiths and Sean Lonsdale gave the Dragons the lead at the break, but two late tries tipped the game in Bristol’s favour.
Connacht 15-5 Sale Sharks
Scores from Conor Oliver, debutant Josh O’Connor and Eoin de Buitléar helped Connacht on their way to winning a low-scoring contest against Sale at Dubarry Park. The hosts took the lead through Oliver’s short-range finish and never looked back.
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Thank you for the brief write ups on these friendly matches. Although they are not of great importance it is still interesting to know what happened. It is difficult to find these results elsewhere.