Last season's Investec Champions Cup semi-finalists Northampton Saints got their new campaign off to a perfect start with a 38-8 bonus-point win over Castres at Franklin's Gardens.
Round six of the Gallagher Premiership promises to deliver another thrilling weekend of action, with teams looking to solidify their positions ahead of a break before the Test rugby returns in November.
Northampton Saints have handed a debut to England U20 international George Makepeace-Cubitt, who was playing in National League One last season for Rams Rugby.
The England scrum-half had been named to start in the Saints team for their September 13 friendly versus Bedford, but he was a late withdrawal.
Australia flanker Josh Kemeny is set to make his competitive debut for Gallagher Premiership champions Northampton Saints on Friday against Bath at the Rec in the opening match of the season.
Five England internationals are set to return to Northampton Saints’ line-up for their final pre-season match this Friday in the Mobbs Memorial Match.
Having drawn their last two matches with Ireland, they finally put the squeeze on the age-grade rivals, dominating in the scrum and choking the life out of the opposition in a one-sided second half to convincingly win 31-20 after an end-to-end opening half had finished 22-20.
The hat-trick scoring jack Bracken wasn’t the player that coach Mark Mapletoft reserved special praise for in the aftermath of the 40-21 win over Argentina.
Saturday’s opening round of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship produced a feast of age-grade entertainment. There were some excellent team performances and a clatter of individuals stood out.
Coventry taught England U20s a valuable lesson as the club marked their 150th anniversary in style at Butts Park Arena.