The Premiership clubs took centre stage in Europe this past weekend, with some impressive victories recorded by the English sides against their continental opponents. Eight out of the 10 Premiership teams secured the win, with some memorable encounters taking place across the opening weekend.
Northampton Saints kick-started the competition with a win up in Glasgow. The Saints battled well in Scotland for a 28-19 victory to ignite their campaign. Saturday’s action began with Exeter Chiefs recording a nail-biting win over Toulon, as Henry Slade slotted the crucial conversion for a 19-18 triumph. Bath then battered Ulster at the Recreation Ground, and racked up an imposing 37-14 victory to begin their European venture with a winning start.
Down in South Africa, Saracens were defeated 27-16 by the Bulls, in a slight blemish on the record of the Premiership club sides this weekend. An 85th minute drop goal from Callum Sheedy secured Bristol Bears a stunning 36-34 win over Lyon, in an electric contest at Ashton Gate. Sale then put Stade Francais to the sword, and ran out an impressive 28-5 clinic over their Parisian visitors. Sunday’s action saw Leicester Tigers hand the Stormers a 35-26 loss at Welford Road, before Marcus Smith took centre stage in Harlequins’ 31-28 comeback win against Racing 92.
The Challenge Cup featured two Premiership performances, with Gloucester Rugby making good on their trip to Georgia. The Cherry and Whites recorded a 15-10 win over Black Lion, to mark the Tbilisi side’s debut in the competition. Newcastle Falcons were unable to record their first win of the campaign, with Montpellier re-finding their form for a 24-19 away win up in Kingston Park.
Here are our picks for the five England hopefuls who stood out, in the opening round of European action.
1. Tommy Freeman – Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints have steadily pieced together an exhilarating side, with their triumph over Glasgow Warriors highlighting their entire arsenal. The young english contingent of Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman produced constant fireworks across the back-line, with Freeman’s efforts burning brightest against Glasgow, for a future England call-up. Freeman’s pace has always been a weapon, however since the start of the 2023/24 season, the 22-year-old packs an added punch with gain-line breaks.
Freeman was excellent at the Scotstoun, and made a strong line-break in the build up to Courtney Lawes’ try. The midfielder then contributed his first of two scores to put the Saints into the lead, as he exploded onto Fin Smith’s neat pop pass, and drove over from close range. Freeman’s second try came on the half hour mark, and presented a powerful leg drive to shrug off the numerous Glasgow defenders that tried to bring him down. Freeman kept pumping through the black wall, and dotted down for a stunning finish.