Pool 1: Dragons vs Northampton
When: Friday, October 19
Venue: Rodney Parade - Kick-off: 7.30pm local time
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (Fra),
Assistant Referee 1: Thomas Charabas (Fra),
Assistant Referee 2: Mathieu Noirot
Citing Commissioner: Olivier Seux (Fra)
MATCH FACTS:
- Dragons and Northampton have never met in European competition.
- Dragons have won 11 of their most recent 12 homes games (L1), however, five of their six home defeats have been against Gallagher Premiership opponents.
- Saints have won their last six away games in the Challenge Cup, however, their only previous game in Wales in the competition was the 2013/14 final at Cardiff Arms Park where they beat Bath 30-16.
- Dragons won a competition high 23 lineouts in Round 1, as well as stealing a further three opposition throws, another round-high tally.
- Dragons’ Ollie Griffiths beat six defenders in Round 1, no forward beat more across the opening weekend of action.
TOURNAMENT RECORD:
Northampton Saints: P32 W025 D0 L7
Points For 1056 Points Conceded 536
Biggest win 63 (v Bristol Rugby 2017/18)
Heaviest defeat -30 (v Connacht Rugby 1997/98)
Dragons: P55 W32 D0 L23
Points For 1566 Points against 1125
Biggest win 56 (v Bucharest Wolves 2014/15)
Heaviest defeat 33 (v Sale Sharks 2015/16)
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
First meeting in the competition
Pool 1 - ASM Clermont Auvergne v Timisoara Saracens
When: Saturday, October 20
Venue: Stade Marcel-Michelin - Kick-off: 3pm local time
Referee: Ben Blain (Sco)
Assistant Referee 1: Sam Grove-White (Sco)
Assistant Referee 2: Dunx McClermont (sco)
Citing Commissioner: Danae Zamboulis
MATCH FACTS:
- This will be Clermont’s first European fixture against Romanian opposition.
- Timisoara faced Stade Francais in their inaugural Challenge Cup campaign in 2016/17, losing 0-27 in France and 0-28 at home.
- Overall, Timisoara have conceded 151 points in their three previous away games in the Challenge Cup.
- Timisoara didn’t make a single offload in Round 1, the only side to do so.
- No one won more turnovers (3) than Clermont’s Etienne Falgoux in Round 1.
TOURNAMENT RECORD
Clermont ASM: P55 W42 D0 L13
Points For 1956 Points Against 935
Biggest win 84 (v Aberavon in 1998/99)
Heaviest defeat 19 (v Beziers 2000/01)
Timisoara Saracens P7 W0 L7
Points for 43 Points conceded 334
Biggest win: N/A
Heaviest defeat: 72 (v Harlequins 2016/17)
HEAD TO HEAD RECORD:
First meeting in the competition
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