Battling Cardiff lose to Northampton on top-tier return

Northampton beat Cardiff 28-12 in a tense Champions Cup match, scoring four tries to win their opening Pool Four fixture. The result made Saints the only English team to win in the tournament’s opening round, while Cardiff’s return to Europe’s top tier after two seasons in the Challenge Cup ended in defeat.

Northampton led 14-0 at half-time through James Pater and Toby Thame, but Harri Millard and Mason Grady’s tries brought Cardiff within two points in the final quarter. George Hendy restored the hosts’ lead and Fraser Dingwall added a late try; Northampton missed out on a bonus point because they did not score a fifth. Cardiff had rotated players ahead of a URC match five days later, while Northampton were also managing their squad before facing Leicester.