Rabbit punch KOs Bristol
ANDY ROBINSON said his beaten Bristol side had been “rabbits in the headlights” as the big return of Premiership rugby to the city fell flat.
The seven-year wait brought a sense of fervent anticipation at Ashton Gate but the balloon was punctured in an opening 25 minutes which saw the home side leak 25 points.
Northampton, stung by their home defeat by Bath last week, ran in three tries in a sobering start and a fourth for the bonus point from Mikey Haywood – the half-time replacement for Dylan Hartley – two minutes from time.
There was an element of doubt over whether Ken Pisi’s foot was in touch for try No3 but there were no complaints from the ex-England coach afterwards.
“We’re clutching at straws if we go down that route. Even I’m not that bad,” said Robinson.
“We were schooled in how to play rugby in the first half – particularly Premiership rugby. They put us under pressure, turned over the ball in our third and scored from those opportunities. It’s a very difficult juggernaut to stop when it gets started.
“It’s only good for us if we learn from that. Some guys will learn and improve and others will go by the wayside because they can’t make those improvements.”
Robinson has a big squad at his command but the bottomless finances of owner Steve Lansdown make a dip into the transfer market a constant temptation.
Robinson has to weigh up quickly whether he has the quality to avoid a relegation scrap. If not, the chequebook could be soon out as there is RUGBY CORRESPONDENT Ashton Gate could become if the home side can up their game, but the momentum foundered on unforced errors.
Fifteen points adrift inside the last quarter, they rolled the dice by drilling a kickable penalty into the corner but Courtney Lawes infiltrated Bristol’s driving lineout and the chance was gone.
Saints kept Bristol at bay until they worked the position for Haywood to go over for the bonus point with two minutes left after Luther Burrell had squeezed a pass out to Pisi on the turn.
Hartley was removed at the interval as a precaution after aggravating a back problem. “It is a little bit sore, he has had it for a couple of weeks,” said Mallinder.
Hartley should be fit for next week’s visit to Saracens, which is welcome news. It is a big season for Hartley for club, country and beyond with Warren Gatland talking him up as a candidate to lead the Lions in New Zealand and the last thing he needs is another long injury absence after being sidelined twice with concussion last season.
Saints are now fourth in the table, leapfrogging Leicester, who crashed to a 34-22 home defeat by Wasps on Saturday.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill played down the extent of the groin injury which had sidelined England centre Manu Tuilagi.
Wasps are one of three sides with a perfect record after round two along with Saracens and Bath, who ran in eight tries to crush Newcastle 58-5.