Northampton vs Bayonne - Friday night

[FKAS]

You can't overturn a try based on that. You can barely see the ball let alone whether there's clear separation. Awful TMO decision.

[twitchy]

Freeman is bossing it.

[FKAS]

If this was a boxing match the ref would be calling it. Bayonne are on the ropes and Saints are just landing punch after punch.

So many of these set ups from first phase are just giving Saints momentum and then the support floods through.

[Oakboy]

OK, Bayonne are looking poor but Saints earned their superiority with their enterprising plays. It is so refreshing to watch a team that plays rugby rather than just 'kick and hope'. It shows it can be done!

[twitchy]

Yeah I didn't realise it was going to be this one sided. I know nothing about french club rugby really.

[FKAS]

Well I didn't think Bayonne were likely to win but I also didn't expect them to just lay there and take a kicking.

Fin Smith has been very good off the tee which helps his international ambitions. He's shown a bit of everything so far.

Freeman has been exceptional. Healey was spot on when he said it doesn't matter what number he wears for England it's just paramount that he's starting.

[francoisfou]

Massive game on several fronts. From a team perspective, Northampton ideally need a win here to save themselves from needing anything out of the trip to Thomond Park next week. From individual player perspectives, Furbank, Freeman, Dingwall, and Smith are all auditioning for places in the England 6N squad named next week.

Anyone know enough about Bayonne's regular lineup to know if they're sending a sensible team across or if they've sacked this one off and sent the reserves? Francoisfou?

Puja

According to this morning's article in Midi Olympique, there are some first choice players that have been left at home, notably Camille Lopez.
So on paper, it should be a bp victory for Northampton!!

Should’ve specified a bp before halftime!

[Oakboy]

Maybe, they should get 2 BPs for 8 tries!!!

[FKAS]

Maybe, they should get 2 BPs for 8 tries!!!

Would be a good way to encourage dominant teams to keep scoring tries.

[fivepointer]

Very impressive from Saints. Bayonne were dreadful but that shouldnt detract from all the good things the home side did.

Freeman simply has to be in the England side for the 6Ns, and there's a strong case for a few other Northampton players too.

[francoisfou]

Splendid win for Northampton doing exactly what must be done when up against a "weakened" Bayonne side. Bayonne seem to have a strategy to concentrate on home games - where I think they're unbeaten this season in the Top14, although their draw away to Munster must be considered as a flash in the pan.