Northampton Saints down Smith's Glasgow Warriors

MATCH REPORT: Centre Tommy Freeman scored two first half tries for Northampton Saints as they secured an impressive 28-19 opening day Champions Cup victory at Glasgow Warriors.

The 22-year-old scored just one try in last season’s competition but was in unstoppable form as his side secured a valuable win at Scotstoun Stadium.

The hosts had taken the perfect start on three minutes when scrumhalf Alex Mitchell’s pass was intercepted by wing Sebastien Cancelliere who raced 40 metres along the wing to dot down in the corner, flyhalf Tom Jordan missing the conversion.

Northampton Saints were probing from the outset and struck back on 12 minutes with second row Courtney Lawes scoring.

Flyhalf Fin Smith kicked the resulting conversion and two minutes later the flyhalf added to his total, slotting home a penalty.

Northampton Saints continued their momentum and had a second try on 19 minutes when the pressure from the visiting forwards told and Freeman charged over for an unconverted score.

Glasgow Warriors flank Scott Cummings was sent to the sin-bin on 28 minutes for jumping across the line-out and landing on opposing number Alex Waller who was taken off injured, and from the re-start Northampton Saints took advantage of their extra man.

Wing George Hendry drove forwards before being held up, only for Freeman to eventually charge over on 29 minutes, Smith converting.

The visitors increased their lead to 20 points early in the second half when Smith kicked a penalty, and he kicked a third from the tee to make it 28-5 on 57 minutes.

Glasgow Warriors left it until the 67th minute to score a second try when full-back Josh McKay found wing Ollie Smith who ran onto his own kick to dot down, with replacement Ross Thompson converting from a tight angle.

The hosts were growing in momentum and were awarded a penalty try as their drive was held up by replacement Tarek Haffar who received a yellow card.

Glasgow Warriors were pushing for a fourth try bonus point as the clock turned red, but Cancelliere was held up metres from the line as the hosts were left stunned by Northampton Saints.

The English side will now face RC Toulon at home next week, while Glasgow Warriors will travel to Aviron Bayonnais.

The scorers:

For Glasgow Warriors:
Tries: Cancelliere, Smith, penalty try.
Con: Thompson

Northampton Saints:
Tries: Lawes, Freeman 2
Cons: Smith 2
Pens: Smith 3

Teams

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Sean Kennedy, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Scott Cummings, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Ross Thompson.

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 George Hendy , 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Sam Graham, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Tom Lockett, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Tom James, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 Tom Seabrook.

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Source: @ChampionsCup