Saints vs Lyon

[Adam_P]

15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-capt)
2 Mike Haywood
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison (co-capt)

Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Owen Franks
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Jamie Gibson
21 James Mitchell
22 Matt Proctor
23 Ahsee Tuala


15 J. Buttin
14 J. Tuisova
13P. Barassi
12 C. Ngatai
11N. Nakaitaci
10 P. Fernandez
9 J. Pélissié
1 R. Chaume
2 J. Maurouard
3 C. Ric
4 K. Geraci
5 L. Goujon
6 L. Gill
7 P. Sobela
8 C. Fearns

REPLACEMENTS
16 M. Ivaldi
17 H. Kaabèche
18 D. Bamba
19 H. Roodt
20 V. Bruni
21 B. Couilloud
22 J. Wisniewski
23 T. Regard

[francoisfou]

Saints may well be turned over if Lyon can maintain their Top14 form. Also, they’ll want to putlast season’s zero points in the pool stages behind them and make a positive start to their campaign.

[Adam_P]

I dont know a great deal about the Lyon side, but they obviously have a few well known danger men in the backs.

Saints looks like a completely different beast to the first part of the season. This is probably our strongest back row and second row combinations and we have the internationals back at half back. If all the international returnees can gel into the team this could be quite a match. Very interested in seeing both Franks and Proctor off the bench to see what they bring.

[Mellsblue]

If Lyon bring the T14 form Saints may wish the were playing Sarries.

[twitchy]

Saints looking great so far.

[Timbo]

Saints returning internationals have all been quality today.

I know he came off at ht, but Piers Francis is so under rated. Saints lost their attacking shape after he went off.

[francoisfou]

Just seen the result. Did Lyon fall foul of the referee or just fail to adapt? On the bright side, they scored more tries than Saints!

[Peej]

I think Francis has really found a groove. I thought he was a bit underused at the World Cup

[Timbo]

Just seen the result. Did Lyon fall foul of the referee or just fail to adapt? On the bright side, they scored more tries than Saints!

I don’t watch much Top14, but in commentary they said something like Lyon have conceded lowest number of try’s and highest number of pens in the league. So this was just typical Lyon possibly.

[Adam_P]

Very good first half from Saints. A bit shaky in the second, and punished at scrum time, but ultimately a good win.

[Scrumhead]

I think Francis has really found a groove. I thought he was a bit underused at the World Cup

I agree. When he’s played for England he’s usually done a decent job despite often being asked to run hard lines which isn’t playing to his strengths. I’d probably move him aside for Tompkins, but I think he’s much better than he gets credit for.