Rugby Union

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Robinson angry over Edinburgh's tackling

By Wyn Griffiths
Monday, 13 October 2008

The Edinburgh head coach, Andy Robinson, described Saturday's first-half display against Leinster as the worst in his time at the club. Robinson's men suffered a terrible start to their Heineken Cup campaign, going down 27-16 to the Irishmen at Murrayfield.

The damage was done before half-time as missed tackle after missed tackle allowed the Magners League champions to run in four unanswered tries and claim a bonus point. "To concede four tries as we did and in the manner they were conceded is unacceptable – and I've explained that to the players."

In the European Challenge Cup, Saracens gained an overwhelming 53-3 win over French side Mont de Marsan at Vicarage Road yesterday. The Guinness Premiership outfit join London Irish, Northampton, Newcastle and Worcester in recording convincing victories on the opening weekend. Only Bristol's heavy loss in Montpellier on Friday night prevented an English clean sweep.

Saracens ran in seven tries against Mont de Marsan and Eddie Jones's men were never in trouble after a lightning start to Pool Five. The flying England Under-20 wing Noah Cato was over the try-line within the opening 60 seconds, and the hosts had already secured the bonus point inside 45 minutes.

Scrum-half Neil de Kock was the next player on the scoresheet before a penalty try and Chris Wyles added to the visitors' woes as they went into the half-time break 25-3 down. Second-half tries by Andy Saull and Ben Skirving and a second penalty try extended Saracens' lead while 16 points from the boot of Glen Jackson rounded off a comfortable afternoon.

In Pool Four, Overmach Parma fought off a second-half fightback from Brive to win 34-29, while Bourgoin won 21-10 at Bucharest in Pool Three.

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