By From the Archive
January 8 2003

In our second, and last look back at previous Saints v Biarritz games we go back to the game in October 2000 down in the Basque country. It was the first game of the Heineken Cup defence after the 'Perfect Day' the previous May. Things didn't quite go to plan. SAINTS FALTER AT FIRST HURDLE

Biarritz 37 Saints 32

By Armchair fan
Date: 8/10/2000

Well, the defence of the European Cup has not started as we would have hoped. Do you remember Frano Botica - at 37 he masterminded the Biarritz victory. We never really looked as though we had a chance after going 17 - 0 down after 20 minutes.


Our main problem as I saw it was a complete lack of ball retention, Martin lost the ball in contact on countless occasions, but he was not the only one. It took 13 minutes for the first try of the game to be scored. After some decent possession Besten one of the Biarritz flankers with men outside, decided to put his head down and go for the line. Somehow he made it having broken two tackles he was then bundled over by his teammates. Botica converted.


To compound matters their second try came from the base of our ruck. No one wanted it and so the Biarritz no.9 excepted the gift, it was shipped down the line for the easiest of tries.

From here on we were resigned to playing catch up rugby, never an easy task but shortly before half time Hepher, playing his first game since the tour of South Africa, made a half break which resulted in Vass touching down. Then on the stroke of half time we could and should have had another try but for a quick tap just short of the Biarritz line which was knocked on. Chances at this level must be accepted and such errors will have to be eradicated if we are to make a decent go at defending the Cup.

After the break Biarritz scored from a line out off our throw and the game was up. We did manage to score second half tries through Hepher, Stewart, Hunter and Cohen which gave us something to cheer and add some respectability to the scoreline but with Botica in the form he was in with the boot amassing 17 points we were never going to overhaul Biarritz.

Cut the mistakes out and I think we really can build from here and be in with a chance of retaining the Cup