Starting Lineup
15
Ahsee Tuala
13
Matt Proctor
11
Tom Collins
10
Dan Biggar
9
Cobus Reinach
1
Francois van Wyk
2
Mike Haywood
3
Owen Franks
5
Api Ratuniyarawa
6
Jamie Gibson
8
Teimana Harrison
Subs
16
Michael van Vuuren
19
Lewis Bean
20
Mitch Eadie
21
James Mitchell
Opposition Lineup
15
Jayden Hayward
14
Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara
13
Ignacio Brex
12
Tommaso Benvenuti
11
Monti Ioane
10
Tommaso Allan
9
Dewaldt Duvenage
1
Federico Zani
2
Hame Faiva
3
Marco Riccioni
4
Irne Herbst
5
Federico Ruzza
6
Giovanni Pettinelli
7
Braam Steyn
8
Toa Halafihi
Subs
16
Michele Mancini Parri
17
Cherif Traore
18
Tiziano Pasquali
19
Niccolo Cannone
20
Eli Snyman
21
Marco Lazzaroni
22
Tito Tebaldi
23
Ian Keatley
| pos | team | team name | pld | w | d | l | f | a | diff | tf | ta | tb | lb | pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 |  | Northampton SaintsNOR | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 166 | 183 | -17 | 19 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 19 |
4 | | Benetton RugbyBEN | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 96 | 169 | -73 | 12 | 23 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
Full Time
Benetton Rugby
32
Northampton Saints
35
A Champions Cup classic
Despite coming from 25-8 down to lead, Saints needed to pull something out of the bag late on for the win. And boy did they do that, through the imperious Dan Biggar. Bonus point win on the road.
What a time to lose internet
Dan Biggar wins it for Saints with a penalty in added time! A post worst waiting for.
80
One last scrum on Saints' own 10m line. Will they try and conjure up a winning score?
78
Benetton pile on the pressure again with a lineout drive before battering the Saints' defensive line. BG&G shirts stand tall though and Gibson wins a penalty at the breakdown.
76
High tackle from Bean and Benetton send the penalty long and into touch again. Saints need to stop this rolling maul.
75
This game has had everything and the ball goes end to end again. The crowd make more noise and Mitchell's kick goes out on the full, giving the hosts an attacking line-out just inside Saints' half.
73
Saints ring the changes with Bean, Mitchell and Dingwall into the action. They now go through the phases looking for a breakthrough, but there's a knock-on from Benetton as they strip the ball. Saints scrum on halfway.
Conversion Benetton
That's an important kick from Allan and we're back to level pegging.
Try Benetton
...But the TMO reverses that decision and Benetton kick a penalty deep into Saints' 22. That line-out and rolling maul combo fires again and Hame Faiva comes up with the try.
68
Waller is on and forces a knock-on with a huge hit in midfield. Saints looking to turn the screw now with 12 minutes remaining.
Conversion Biggar
Under some pressure Biggar knocks it straight and true. Saints now seven clear.
Try Collins!
Quality once again from Saints!! Off the scrum they go to the blindside, and after Furbank skips through a gap he draws the last defender and gives it to Collins who has the simplest of finishes. What a turnaround!
65
Benetton kick for territory again but the ball just runs dead and Saints have a scrum on halfway.
61
Reinach runs off the back of a scrum and offloads to Furbank! Sleightholme is on his shoulder as Saints move inside the 22, but the young winger is bundled into touch. Scintillating stuff from Northampton!
60
Brilliant from Saints deep in their own territory with a trick play off the line-out to release Haywood! Benetton are pushed back to halfway.
59
The atmosphere has cranked up a notch with the Italian crowd demanding a reaction. Scrum-half Dewaldt Duvenage breaks through and hacks to touch at the 5m line.
Conversion Biggar!
And Saints are level!
Try Sleightholme!
Furbank returns a clearance brilliantly and finds the young winger inside him who scampers across the line under the posts! The TMO takes a look and the home crowd aren't happy, but the try stands!
55
Good kick from Allan finds touch just outside Saints' 22. The line-out is lost and Benetton now build the phases, but Mikey Haywood forces the turnover and as Saints fire it wide Collins goes free and chips over the top! The wing collects his own kick and with Northampton bearing down on the line, Benetton knock the ball on in front of the posts. Saints scrum after a crazy passage of play!
Penalty Biggar!
That's three for Biggs and Saints are within touching distance now!
52
Proctor is tackled off the ball right in front of the posts and Biggar calls for the tee...
50
Benetton win back the ball from the scrum but can only clear as far as the 22. They are also back to 15 as they ring the changes in their back line.
48
Saints' lineout is disrupted but a brilliant pick-up from Hutchinson retains possession. Northampton hammering on the door here! But just as Collins looks to strike the killer blow, he is held up over the line.
46
The scrum is reset a few times and Benetton seem happy to run down the clock for now. But the Saints pack marches forwards and wins a penalty! Biggar sends it to ten metres out, an excellent kick.
44
So unlucky as Saints work the ball into space but Proctor just takes his eyes off it and knocks on. Benetton will have the scrum on halfway.
42
Hutchinson's tip pass releases Sleightholme before Van Wyk bursts through the middle! A questionable call of forward pass however sees them stopped just five metres short of the line and possession goes back to the hosts.
We're off again!
Biggar hoists the ball up and away we go for the second half. Confirmation that it was Abraham Steyn who saw yellow for the hosts before half-time.
40
Can Saints overturn the deficit after half-time?
HALF-TIME
A tough half for Saints there but they are right in this match thanks to that late Reinach score. They will start the second 40 with a man advantage and the wind in their sails. Come on you Saints!
Conversion Biggar!
Biggar brings the deficit back to ten points with the conversion, and Benetton are also shown a yellow card in the aftermath meaning they will start the second half with 14.
Try Saints!!
BRILLIANT from Reinach, who reacts so quickly to take a quick tap-and-go when Benetton infringe again and he scores to the right of the posts!
38
Benetton bring down the rolling maul again but no yellow from referee Mike Adamson yet.
37
A well-worked few phases see Saints right under the Benetton posts, but with penalty advantage they can't wriggle over. Another kick to the corner from Biggar and another line-out coming...
36
Saints win a penalty from the restart and Biggar confidently sends the ball into the corner. Northampton desperate to hit back straight away with five minutes to go before the break.
Penalty Benetton
No mistake from 15 metres out from Allan. Benetton building their lead.
34
Play is brought back again by the TMO as Biggar returns to the field for Saints. A penalty is given for offside and Allan calls for the tee from right in front of the posts...
33
Benetton break well with Saints a man down in the back line and Sleightholme clears to touch. The hosts now looking to score inside the 22 but Saints standing firm.
30
Furbank is on in place of Tuala who has picked up a knock. Saints have possession and are building the phases nicely, looking for a bit of control. But it's hands on hips again as the greasy ball is knocked on, and Benetton have a scrum to come.
Conversion Benetton
Allan's conversion is good again. Saints looking to bounce back.
Try Benetton
A first-phases line-out move from the Italians sends Ignacio Brex through the middle, and he dummys his way past Sleightholme to score.
27
Haywood's throw goes long but Harrison is there to gather and he does a great job. Reinach clears his lines well and Saints can breathe easier.
26
Tuala makes a brilliant try-saving tackle in the left corner but Saints are under the cosh here. Benetton using their physicality well to gain ground. Haywood will throw in from his own 5m line.
Yellow for Biggar
The TMO is taking a look at a Biggar tackle and adjudges it to be dangerous, showing the fly-half a yellow card. Saints down to 14 now for 10 minutes.
24
Solid line-out is gathered by Moon. There's a serious clash of styles on show here with Saints looking to run at every opportunity. Collins carries well with Biggar and Hutchinson looking dangerous in midfield, but again the ball is lost forward to the frustration of the Northampton bench.
22
Reinach hacks over the top and fullback Jayden Hayward is under huge pressure, but Benetton get numbers back to help and a decent touchfinder leaves Saints just inside the 40m line with a throw from Haywood to come.
21
Allan's conversion attempt from the right sideline is pulled left of the posts so it stays 15-8.
Try Benetton
The line-out and rolling maul is lethal from the hosts and the ball pops wide for Ratuva Tavuyara to score in the corner. Saints have a battle on their hands here.
19
It takes a long time to set the scrum but finally Saints are penalised and Allan sends the ball into the stands again, about seven metres out.
16
Biggar attempts an up and under and although he can't gather, Saints pile on the pressure. Northampton now moving the hosts from side to side across the pitch but there's a knock-on on halfway and we have a scrum.
14
Sleightholme wins back Biggar's high restart and Saints have possession. Hutchinson tries a nice little grubber through but it just goes dead and it's a 22 drop out to the hosts.
Penalty Benetton
...and the Italy international makes no mistake, striking it clean through the uprights.
12
Saints are now offside and Allan has the chance to put his side back ahead from the tee...
11
Biggar's conversion attempt from the sideline just drifts wide. Wind is certainly swirling slightly here in Treviso.
TRY SAINTS!!
...and what a try! Incredible hands from Biggar after a free kick at scrum time releases Tuala who assists Collins on the left wing to score!! Crazy start to this game!
Conversion Benetton
Allan's conversion is good from right in front.
Try Benetton
Benetton build the phases from the line-out and Marco Riccioni scrambles his way over the whitewash for the game's opening try.
6
The kick-off is very deep but Reinach clears expertly to halfway. Benetton's line-out is solid but they box kick and after Saints struggle to gather they are penalised for not releasing. Allan sends the penalty into the corner...
Penalty from Biggar!
Another penalty for Saints, this time right in front of the sticks, and Biggar makes no mistake from the tee! A near-perfect start.
2
Biggar makes a dart through the Treviso line and wins a penalty as the tackler doesn't roll away. Northampton's supporters belt out 'Oh When The Saints' and it feels like we're at the Gardens! Saints with a lineout on the 22.
Here we go!!
Benetton's number 10 Tommaso Allan gets us underway here in Treviso by sending the ball high into the sky!
Saints will be in Black, Green and Gold this afternoon, with the hosts in white!
-5
The teams are back in the sheds now as we prepare for kick-off. Plenty of Black, Green and Gold in the stands – the Saints faithful have travelled in numbers! Skies overhead in Treviso are grey but crucially it's dry...for now.
Biggs and co are out for the warm-up!
-30
30 minutes to kick-off!
We're live from the Stadio Comunale di Monigo as the men in Black, Green and Gold continue their European odyssey this afternoon! After a superb opening win over Lyon OU, can Saints back it up in Italy against Benetton Rugby?