From BBC Sport · · 1m 40s
Northampton wins Champions Cup opener as English clubs struggle
Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 in Pool Four, becoming the only English Premiership side to win on the opening weekend of the Champions Cup.
In brief
Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 in Pool Four, becoming the only English Premiership side to win on the opening weekend of the Champions Cup. Northampton Saints became the only English Premiership side to win in the Champions Cup opening round, beating Cardiff 28-12 at Franklin's Gardens. Originally reported by…
Saints win opening Champions Cup match
Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 at Franklin's Gardens in Pool Four. Saints scored four tries to become the only English Premiership side to win on the opening weekend.
Saints dominate first half in tricky conditions
James Pater and Toby Thame scored tries as Northampton led 14-0 at half-time. Both Callum Chick and Tom Manz knocked on going for the line in slippery conditions.
Cardiff fight back to make it close
Harri Millard and Mason Grady scored tries for Cardiff to make it 14-12 in the final quarter. The Welsh side scented an upset after defending stoutly and forcing handling errors.
Hendy and Dingwall seal the win
George Hendy juggled the ball for a try to respond to Cardiff's comeback. Fraser Dingwall scored in the 78th minute but Northampton could not find the fifth try needed for a bonus point.
Tough opening weekend for English clubs
Northampton's success came at the end of a chastening opening weekend for Premiership clubs. Gloucester drew against champions Bordeaux-Begles but six other English sides lost.
Pool Four fixtures ahead for both sides
Northampton travel to Stade Francais in December and face Montpellier in January before a home finish against Bulls. Cardiff host Bath in December then travel to Stade Francais and host Montpellier.
Here's the gist
Northampton Saints became the only English Premiership side to win in the Champions Cup opening round, beating Cardiff 28-12 at Franklin's Gardens.
