News

Europe takes it up a notch

August 23 2008

European clubs continued to up their pre-season flexing as six fixtures took place around Britain and Ireland on Friday.

In-form Saracens claimed their third successive victory in pre-season as they ran out 23-19 winners against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

Tries came through now regular blindside Chris Jack and wing Kameli Ratuvou with Glen Jackson extinguishing the Dragons' late fire to follow up wins against Toulon and Western Force.

Richard Hill's Bristol recorded a hard-earned 15-12 away victory over Glasgow despite the hosts outscoring their visitors by two tries to nil.

However, new fly-half signing Adrian Jarvis was on target on five occasions with the boot in what was a bruising, forward-dominated encounter north of the border.

"I'm really pleased with two tries to none, and when we were good we were very good, but there are things there such as the contact and set-piece we obviously have to work on. But this is pre-season and this is the test we need," said Warriors boss Sean Lineen after the defeat.

Across the water, the touring Queensland Reds found life tough at Ulster as they went down 24-0 at Ravenhill on Friday.

Former player Clinton Schifcofske kicked a penalty and two conversions from full-back for the Magners League side with Rob Dewey, Chris Cochrane and Timoci Nagusa crossing after a low-scoring first period.

Elsewhere, there was 135 points scored in a nineteen-try spectacle at Edgeley Park as their 'Double Header' saw Sale Jets overcome Sedgley Tigers 44-24 before the Sharks lost out 38-29 to Leeds Carnegie.

Fresh from their win against Newcastle Falcons, the hosts did rally from 38-10 down to finish strongly as new signing Andy Tuilagi crossed for a score in both games on Friday.

Next up for the Sharks will be very much a family affair as boss Philippe Saint-Andre faces off against brother Raphael's Lyon side on Thursday.

In the evening's other two fixtures, an under-strength Northampton side went down 12-7 away to Nottingham and Connacht lost out 17-12 to another National One side in London Welsh at the Sportsground.

In what was a tough encounter ahead of their Guinness Premiership return, Jim Mallinder opted for a mixture of Academy and First Team players in his line-up.

And the Saints subsequently struggled with their opponents' set-piece dominance as they could only muster one try on the night.