George Furbank made an aborted comeback as Northampton set-up a repeat of last season’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster with a 51-16 rout of Castres.
George Furbank made an aborted comeback as Northampton set-up a repeat of last season’s Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster with a 51-16 rout of Castres.
Northampton Saints player ratings: Phil Dowson's side booked a Champions Cup semi-final with Leinster after seeing off an ill-disciplined and quarrelsome Castres at Franklin's Gardens on an impressive 51-16 scoreline.
It was the French who caught the eye in round one with six of their eight teams winning, including Stade Rochelais and Toulon away from home.
Regrets. Will Collier will no doubt have a few when his playing career finally ends. Everyone does. But, then again, as the song goes and despite English rugby...
French rugby is on the crest of a wave and they know they can afford to take an understrength squad to Japan and rest their biggest names
Toulon loose forward Charles Ollivon leads a 42-man France team chosen on Monday by coach Fabien Galthie for two Tests against Japan next month.
Budgets, players to watch, arrivals and departures - and an overview of each club at the start of the new season. Welcome to the Rugby Pass club-by-club Top 14 season preview