Phil Dowson admitted cash talks at rugby’s highest stage after he watched his Northampton staff get blown away by defending European champions La Rochelle.
The Saints had been hammered 46-12 by their big-spending opposition having trailed 32-0 on the break to a facet coached by former England goal Ronan O’Gara.
Northampton director of rugby Dowson described his staff’s Champions Cup opener as ‘very sobering’ and ‘humbling’ as La Rochelle’s sources proved far an excessive amount of to cope with.
Northampton Saints head coach Phil Dowson admitted ‘cash talks’ in European rugby
The Saints had been brushed apart by Champions Cup champions La Rochelle within the first spherical of the competitors
‘It’s positively a mirrored image when it comes to the standard as a result of it’s a enterprise and the extra money you’ve got, the higher the gamers you should purchase,’ mentioned Dowson.
The annual spending of France’s largest golf equipment far outstrips the £5million-a-team restrict within the English sport, however the opening weekend of the Champions Cup confirmed that’s no assure of success. Gloucester defeated Bordeaux 22-17 at dwelling whereas Exeter received 27-12 at Castres.
Leinster’s 42-10 thrashing of Racing 92 in Paris was the weekend’s assertion end result.
Gloucester produced an excellent efficiency to beat Bordeaux 22-17 at dwelling within the cup
Gloucester coach George Skivington admits a visit to face Leinster on Friday will likely be a more durable job
‘You might be just about taking part in Eire,’ mentioned Gloucester coach George Skivington about their tie with Leinster in Dublin on Friday. ‘They’ve gone to Racing and beat them 42-10 which is unbelievable. We’re up in opposition to the favourites at their place.’
This season’s Champions Cup is the primary to incorporate South African groups and Harlequins misplaced 39-31 to the Sharks in Durban.
Within the Problem Cup, Tub had been crushed at dwelling by Glasgow.
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar made his debut for Toulon after leaving Northampton, as his facet received 24-21 in opposition to Zebre.
Harlequins suffered a gap Champions Cup defeat in opposition to the Sharks in South Africa
Wales fly-half Dan Biggar (left) made his debut for Toulon throughout their win over Zebre
Cardiff hammered Brive 41-0 with scrum-half Lloyd Williams scoring a attempt on his 250th sport for the membership.
There was extra Welsh success as Scarlets powered to a 39-7 dwelling victory over Bayonne. Dwayne Peel’s strugglers had received solely one in all their final 9 video games this season however made mild work of Bayonne.
