From Freddie Burns’s fluffed try to Maro Itoje’s mock celebration, here’s what you need to know about the first weekend of European action in the 2018-19 season
Behind you! Freddie Burns is caught unawares by Maxime Medard (Getty Images)
Freddie Burns fluffs a match-winning try
It was an eventful first weekend of European action in the 2018-19 season and there’s only one place to start: Freddie Burns.
Burns was playing at full-back for Bath against Toulouse at the Rec on Saturday and provided another playmaking option alongside fly-half Rhys Priestland.
However, in the closing minutes of the Heineken Champions Cup match and with Bath trailing by two points, Burns made two mistakes that cost his club the chance of victory.
First he missed a penalty in front of the posts and then he crossed for what looked like the match-winning try but the ball was dislodged from his hand by Maxime Medard as Burns celebrated prematurely. Toulouse held on to win 22-20.
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 13, 2018
And here’s what Burns had to say afterwards…
Love this sport for the highs and the lows. Today was an ultimate low and a mistake I’ll learn from. I’ll continue to give my best as I always do. Lastly just apologies to the boys and the supporters for the mistake. I’ll bounce back… thanks for the support ??
Celebrations were also a hot topic in Saracens’ 13-3 win over Glasgow at Scotstoun. The Warriors looked to have scored a try through DTH van der Merwe just before the break only for play to be called back for an earlier infringement. As Glasgow players celebrated, unaware of the referee’s whistle, Maro Itoje mockingly joined in…
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 14, 2018
And Newcastle, who last played in the Heineken Cup in 2005, became only the second team to beat Toulon at home in the competition, stunning the three-time champions 26-25. Not bad for a team that’s currently bottom of the Gallagher Premiership…
Let's hear it for the Geordie boys. @FalconsRugby spring from the bottom of the domestic table to beat Champions' Cup triple winners down on the Med. Never mind the fog on the Tyne, Toulon lost in a pea-souped of their own. Now you know why the final's in Newcastle.
— Watch #ShoulderToShoulder on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 14, 2018
Clermont Auvergne, usually strong contenders in the Champions Cup, are playing in the Challenge Cup this season after a disappointing 2017-18 campaign – and started their bid for silverware with a bang at Northampton…