European Rugby Champions Cup: Jim Mallinder defends Northampton after defeat
Sunday 19 October 2014 08:07, UK
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder refused to criticise his players after they came away empty-handed despite looking set for a draw against Racing Metro in the Champions Cup.
After Saints replacement Phil Dowson scored a try four minutes from time, the usually-reliable outside-half Stephen Myler would have brought the scores level with a successful conversion but sliced wide from the touchline.
Two minutes later with Saints trying to play their way out of their own half in search of the win, Ben Foden's attempted kick was blocked by Marc Andreu, who crossed to score Racing's second try and end Saints' hopes of a losing bonus point.
Mallinder said: “It's really disappointing because we were within seven points all game, so losing the bonus point at the last minute is a blow.
“But I can't criticise the efforts of my players or their ambitions in trying to win the game.
“Racing are a very good team as we know, they are very physical, strong and probably different from most of the teams we will face in the Premiership.
“Their forwards were very strong and slowed our ball down in attack. They played very well and Sexton controlled the ball from 10.
Tough battle
“It was a very tough battle but one which could have gone either way. There is this crucial moment when George Pisi dropped the ball (with a clear run to the try-line). He must have been dreaming of diving over and scoring the winning try and his hamstring popped and he lost the ball.
“Then we lose an away game which is disappointing. But there are still five more games so we are not too down.''
Ireland international Jonny Sexton was in excellent form on his return from injury, kicking two penalties, a conversion playing a big part in Racing's opening try.
Sexton said: “To go from it looking like it being a draw and getting four points to zero is very important.
“The big difference between Top 14 and Champions Cup is that every point and try counts. We will take the four points even if we didn't play at our best.
“We played for 20 minutes in the second half with 14 men, it could have been our discipline or the referee, I really don't know.
“The most important thing for the French mind-set is that we have something to play for, if we hadn't had won then I don't think we would have bothered much with the tournament but now we have got a win.
“We have to go to Treviso next week and we are in a really good position, we will be full of confidence.''
