Friday, March 29

Lawes injury mars Northampton’s narrow Champions Cup defeat to Ulster | Champions League


When Courtney Lawes left the field with a grimace in the 64th minute, Franklin’s Gardens held its breath.

It was the England striker’s 250th appearance for Northampton and Eddie Jones, in the crowd as he prepares to name his 2022 Six Nations squad on Tuesday, looked worried. Lawes, who impressed as substitute skipper in England’s autumn victory over South Africa, was looking forward to celebrating his special day in style.

He was joined by his four children as he led the Saints team to enthusiastic applause and pyrotechnics before kickoff.

The 32-year-old looked uneasy when he was replaced, but then Phil Dowson delivered a forecast that was a blessed relief for Lawes’ club and country.

“We thought we’d bring some fresh legs so it was more of a precaution than anything,” said Dowson, Northampton’s forwards coach. “I was exhausted and we had a lot of strikers on the bench to bring in. Courtney has enough experience, age, and 250 games ugly enough to tell us when she’s done. He’s fine.”

Lawes appeared to have taken a serious hit about 10 minutes before he was forced out, but again Dowson downplayed the severity of the complaint.

He added: “I was out of breath and that is one of the worst injuries you can have in a short period. I have spoken with the doctor and there is nothing remarkable. When he says it’s over, he’s very honest.”

Exhaustion aside, this was no way for a man who has given so much to Northampton’s cause over the last 15 years to mark his historic appearance. Credit to Ulster, of course. This well-deserved bonus points victory marked the third consecutive win in this season’s Champions Cup and ensured their advancement to the round of 16 of the competition. Full-back Mike Lowry took center stage with a brilliant two-try display and wingers Robert Baloucoune and Ethan McIlroy were not far behind in a youthful backline.

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Ulster's Robert Baloucoune scores his team's first try despite the best efforts of Tom Collins and George Furbank.
Robert Baloucoune scores Ulster’s first try despite the best efforts of Tom Collins and George Furbank. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/INPHO/Shutterstock

Ulster trainer Dan McFarland said of his three riders: “It’s a time in their career where they feel like they’re invincible. They are able to produce some magical moments.”

Indeed, the visitors seized their chances with deadly aplomb and capitalized on Northampton’s error-plagued performance which director of rugby Chris Boyd watched from behind the posts as he served the first game of his two-match ban. After seeing his team beaten 30-6 by Saracens in their Gallagher Premier League clash at Franklin’s Gardens on January 2, Boyd slammed the game’s referee, Adam Leal.

The New Zealander, who will leave his Saints job at the end of the season, criticized Leal’s handling of the scrum.

Boyd said Leal “didn’t have enough nuts” to penalize Saracens for the set piece and, although the 63-year-old is suspended from all coaching duties for the day, he can attend games as a spectator.

Ulster won 27-22 when the teams met last month and led here when Baloucoune evaded the Northampton defense to dive into the right corner.

That sixth-minute opener was soon added on when Lowry took a one-handed kick from Rory Hutchinson and found Baloucoune, who sent scrum-half Nathan Doak off in a hurry.

The Saints responded when Dan Biggar finished off a delicious move down the left flank after some good work from Tom Collins. The flanker received a good pass from Hutchinson and showed intelligence to guide the supporting Biggar over the line for a try that revived Northampton’s hopes.

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But on the stroke of halftime, Ulster struck again when a kick from fly half Billy Burns landed nicely for Lowry to score and the TMO conceded the trial despite suspicions of an earlier knockout.

In the 55th minute, Saints scrum-half Alex Mitchell was sent to the sin-bin for deliberate offside after Lowry threatened the home line with another explosive blast.

Five minutes later, Lowry took center stage again and finished off in style after a Baloucoune pass sent Mcllroy through the home defence.

Northampton claimed a late try through Hutchinson, but their hopes of qualifying are almost over.

Dowson added: “Courtney is a huge part of this club and she is one of England’s captains. We wanted it to be a special day for him and we failed on that front.”


www.theguardian.com

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