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Watch: Battering Banahan goes beast mode to set up spectacular try

Gloucester's Matt Banahan takes on Castres fullback Scott Spedding. Photo / RugbyPass

Gloucester wing Matt Banahan proved just why he is one of rugby’s toughest men to cover in his side’s 24-22 Champions Cup loss to Castres on Saturday.

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Listed at 6’7″ and 110kg, the 32-year-old made his presence felt in setting up a spectacular counter-attacking try and helping Gloucester build on an early lead.

Fielding a kick from Castres wing Armand Batlle, Banahan collected the ball at full speed and set off down-field from inside his own half.

Using his size and pace, Banahan went straight over the top of Castres fullback Scott Spedding and drew the attention of two more defenders before slipping away a difficult grubber kick.

https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1086690209830486017

Gloucester halfback Ben Vellacott won the race to the ball and slid over the line for Gloucester’s second try, capping an incredible counter attacking effort.

Banahan has long been one of the Premiership’s most prolific scorers, but Saturday proved he can set them up just as well as anyone.

Unfortunately for Banahan’s Gloucester, the end result didn’t go their way, with Castres number eight Maama Vaipulu crashing over after the final whistle to steal victory.

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With the match decided and both sides eliminated from playoff contention, Vaipulu’s back row mate 35-year-old Yannick Caballero had a crack at the conversion to end his team’s campaign on a high.

Castres finished with a record of 3-3 in the pool to Gloucester’s 2-4 with the 24-22 victory. Munster topped the pool and advance to the quarterfinals with a record of four wins, one loss and a draw.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Fukuoka:

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Another 5 hours 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.

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