By Jason Harris
November 17 2008

With the Italian Super 10 competition still on hiatus during the autumn internationals, Eurowatch this week looks at the contrasting fortunes of Saracens' French European Challenge Cup opponents as the Top 14 returned to action following a week's break.

Bayonne moved up to third place in the  table after a 13-9 win at Bourgoin in Round 10, while Mont de Marasan remain firmly rooted to the bottom after their ninth defeat of the season, 26-6 at Castres Olympique.

Bayonne Wing Filimone Bolavucu scored the only try of the match at Stade Pierre-Rajon on 17 minutes, while Manny Edmunds converted and added two penalties, with the match winner coming 16 minutes into the second half.

AB overtake Stade Francais Paris in the table and have 32 points from their 10 games; three behind leaders Toulouse and second-placed Perpignan. Next up, in Round 11, is a home game at Stade Jean Dauger against fifth-placed Montpellier.

At the other end of the Top 14, Mont de Marsan’s dismal run continued as two Benat Arrayet penalty goals were all they had to show at Stade Pierre-Antoine, while Castres ran in three tries at the other end. After 10 rounds Stade Montois have just the one win to their name, leaving them on seven points, eight adrift of Bourgoin in 13^th and Toulon, their only scalps this season, in 12^th.

Stade Guy Boniface will be the venue for back-to-back home games starting with Round 11’s local derby against Dax, followed by a tough encounter with ASM Clermont-Auvergne in Round 12.

Eurowatch - 17 November

Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 17/11/2008 14:47

TheSaracens.com
17/11/2008 14:47

Eurowatch - 17 November

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TonyTaff
18/11/2008 08:04

Thanks butt. Unless Bayonne put their kids out, we'll struggle to win both ECC games against them, it would seem.

It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!

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JO'G
18/11/2008 10:05

chances are they will TT

I am a little concerned the first match against them is away, as a loss at VR would leave them little chance of 1/4 final qualification

With a home match up first, they may still field a full side. On the other side of the coin - a close win at Bayonne for Sarries would guarantee a weak team being sent for the 2nd leg

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TonyTaff
18/11/2008 10:37

I agree. They are likely to be competitive in the first leg, and we need to be likewise.

Not the time for one of the captains to be considering playing for the BaaBaas on the Weds night beforehand - perhaps he could send Faz instead (to play the Aussies) .

It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!

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To Mega Therion
25/11/2008 21:04

Bayonne beat Montpellier 42-9

Mont de Marsan won! They beat Dax 12-6

Bayonne now up to 2nd place in the table.


Who removed my H.R. Giger picture?

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TonyTaff
26/11/2008 09:51

I might just do a 'Europeep' tomorrow

It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!

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