NORTHAMPTON SAINTS  12

Heineken Cup

Stade Ernest Wallon

Saturday, December 11, 2004

Northampton Saints began the game without the squad they had hoped for. Full-back Bruce Reihana failed a late fitness test on the hamstring that kept him out of last weekend’s game against the European double champions and fly-half Paul Grayson’s groin strain meant he did not feel able to start. The changes meant Jon Clarke started at full-back, John Rudd was drafted onto the wing and Shane Drahm stepped in at fly-half. Toulouse, on the other hand, were able to recall two of their previously injured players – flanker Trevor Brennan and scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

But Saints opened well with a penalty from Drahm on the stroke of sevens minutes after Toulouse had been penalised for bringing down the maul. The lead was a short-lived one though as Frederic Michalak was given the chance to level the game in the ninth minute. However, these were the only points he would score after suffering an injury a few minutes later which meant he had to be replaced by Jean-Frederic Dubois. It was scrum-half Elissalde who took over the kicking duties though and he got his first opportunity in the 16th minute, and again in the 19th minute, which took Toulouse ahead by nine points to three.

Drahm edged back with a penalty of his own just minutes later but his efforts were immediately followed by a try from the home team. It was inevitable that Toulouse’s massive pack would eventually tell and when they set up the driving maul, there really was no stopping them. It was prop Poux that came away with the spoils. Elissalde stepped up to make the conversion and after 25 minutes gone, Toulouse were 16-6 ahead.

Saints followed up the try with a couple of lost lineouts, but managed to regain their composure in time to put in some ferocious defending down the other end of the pitch. Toulouse’s efforts came to nothing as Elissalde missed his third penalty attempt, but Saints still had time to close the gap. A scything run from centre Ben Cohen followed up by a good gallop from lock Matt Lord, gave Saints a bit of space but in the end it was a penalty that took Saints to 16-9 not before a member of Toulouse’s staff on the bench had involved himself in his second fight in as many weeks on the touchline.

The second half could have started perfectly for Toulouse had referee Donald Courtney not ruled the ball had gone forward in the desperate fumble that followed a neat chip-kick from wing Cedric Heymans. Heymans actually got the ball down but Mr Courtney called the players back for a scrum. However, Toulouse did knock over a penalty in the 49th minute to stretch their lead to 10 points.

Then Saints, and Andrew Blowers, were dealt a harsh blow when the flanker suffered an injury that saw the former All Black lying prone on the pitch for five minutes, leaving both teams trying to warm up in the dropping temperature.

With less than a quarter to go, Saints were penalised for holding on as No 8 Mark Soden tried to get the ball back to Rudd. Toulouse opted to kick to touch for the lineout but Saints somehow won back possession in the ensuing minutes to frustrate their hosts.

Flanker Corne Krige also left the field and was replaced by Dan Richmond, leaving Steve Thompson to adopt his old position in the back-row. They were joined by Grayson shortly afterwards, but he deferred the next kick at goal to Drahm, who struck a beauty of penalty from virtually the halfway line. The kick meant Saints were within a score of a draw and at least a losing bonus point.

But Elissalde reclaimed that opportunity as the game reached its final minute of normal time and Toulouse started to bring on replacements to run down the clock. And when Elissalde stepped up to kick his fifth penalty to close out the game, the writing was on the wall. Saints had been brave contenders, but that was not enough.

Teams:
Northampton Saints – Clarke (Grayson 72muins); Rudd, Cohen, Stcherbina, Human; Drahm, Robinson; Budgen, Thompson (capt), Morris (Sturgess 82mins), Lord, Browne, Krige (Richmond 68mins), Blowers (Seely 58mins), Soden.

Toulouse – Jeanjean (Poitrenaud 84mins); Clerc, Jauzion, Fritz (Thomas 81mins), Heymans; Michalak (Dubois 12mins), Elissalde; Poux (Collazo 90mins), Servat (Bru 65mins), Hasan, Lamboley, Pelous (capt), Boulihou, Brennan (Labit 56mins), I Maka (F Maka 79mins).

Scorers:
Northampton Saints – Pens: Drahm (4).

Toulouse – Try: Poux: Con: Elissalde; Pens: Michalak, Elissalde (5)

Yellow card:

Lord (58mins)

Attendance:

16,629