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          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018
          OspreysOspreysOSP
          32
          18/12FT
          15
          Northampton SaintsNorthampton SaintsNOR
          • Dmitri Arhip(2')
          • Rhys Webb(56', 69')
          • Justin Tipuric(66')
          • Sam Davies(57', 67', 70')
          • Sam Davies(25', 31')
          • Harry Mallinder(46')
          • Jamie Gibson(81'+1)
          • Harry Mallinder(81'+2)
          • Piers Francis(50')
          • SummarySummary
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          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
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          Rhys Webb inspires Ospreys to Saints victory that lifts them above Saracens

          Wales scrum-half Rhys Webb scored two tries as Ospreys beat Northampton. Stu Forster/Getty Images
          • PA Sport
          Multiple Authors
          Dec 18, 2017, 04:35 AM
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          Replacement scrum-half Rhys Webb scored twice as Ospreys completed a European Champions Cup double over struggling Northampton with a 32-15 bonus-point victory at a wet Liberty Stadium.

          Ospreys, who backed up their 43-32 success at Franklin's Gardens, have given themselves a fighting chance in the Pool 2 but will need to secure wins over Saracens and Clermont in the new year.

          They were indebted to tries from prop Dmitri Arhip, Webb and the returning Justin Tipuric, with 12 points coming from the boot of Sam Davies.

          Editor's Picks

          • Clermont seize control of Pool 2
            PA Sport

          After a scoreless first half, Northampton -- without the England pair of Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes -- came back briefly with a try for Harry Mallinder and a penalty from Piers Francis.

          They also grabbed a consolation try for Rhys Marshall in stoppage time, converted by Mallinder.

          Ospreys made an imposing start, scoring the game's opening try after two minutes.

          It was scored in the right corner by prop Arhip, but conceived close to halfway with a break by Ben John, a weaving run from Tom Habberfield and good link work from Tipuric.

          The touchline conversion attempt was, however, missed by Davies.

          Northampton looked sure to score a try after moving the ball from a line-out but Mallinder knocked on in the tackle with Ahsee Tuala free outside him.

          And Saints had two goes at a drive from a line-out and got pushed back off the ball by Ospreys before the home side earned a scrum penalty and were able to clear their lines.

          In the 24th minute Ospreys extended their lead to 8-0 with a 45-metre penalty for Davies after Saints had been caught with hands in a ruck.

          That became 11-0 five minutes later as Davies found the target with a second penalty after Saints were penalised at another scrum.

          Saints tried to respond in the latter stages of the half but the Ospreys' defence was too good.

          The pendulum swung back Northampton's way after the break to cut the deficit to only three points.

          Webb came on at half-time but when he was caught in possession in his 22 that led to Northampton's try, with Mallinder going over after a kick from Francis, who failed with the conversion attempt.

          And four minutes later Francis kicked a penalty goal from in front of the posts after the home side infringed at a ruck.

          Some patient build-up play put Ospreys back in charge with a try from Webb in the 56th minute. Davies' conversion gave the hosts a 10-point lead.

          And they put the result beyond doubt with two tries in the space of three minutes.

          In the 66th minute a break by Dan Evans saw Owen Watkin put Tipuric over, with Davies' conversion extending the home lead to 17 points before Webb dived over following another concerted attack.

          Davies converted as Ospreys led 32-8 with 10 minutes remaining.

          In stoppage time Marshall squeezed over for a second Saints try, converted by Mallinder.

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          Standings

          Pool 1
          RTeamGPPDP
          1GLA4+4920
          2STA4+9412
          3SAL4-3811
          4SAR4+1310
          5SHA4-1010
          6ASM4-1080
          Pool 2
          RTeamGPPDP
          1BAT4+9116
          2RC4+1714
          3CAS4-810
          4EDI4-7110
          5MUN4-28
          6GLO4-276
          Pool 3
          RTeamGPPDP
          1LEI4+3518
          2HAR4+9815
          3STO4-814
          4LEI4+36
          5STA4-136
          6BAY4-1150
          Pool 4
          RTeamGPPDP
          1UNI4+7620
          2NOR4+4616
          3BRI4+5014
          4BUL4-687
          5SEC4-506
          6SCA4-543
          Full Table

          European Rugby Champions Cup 2018 News

          • Champions Cup match delayed after parachutist stuck on roof

            A Champions Cup rugby game between Toulouse and Sale was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof of the Stadium de Toulouse.

          • Parachutist trapped on roof before Toulouse v Sale game

            A Champions Cup rugby game was delayed for about half an hour on Sunday when a parachutist in a pre-match display was caught on the roof.

          • Toulouse win Champions Cup in thrilling final against Leinster

            Toulouse won a record-extending sixth European Champions Cup when a Matthis Lebel try helped them beat Leinster 31-22 after extra-time on Saturday.

          • Rugby Club World Cup set to be launched in 2028 - sources

            Plans for a rugby Club World Cup where the best northern and southern hemisphere club sides will compete against each other are in the offing, sources have told ESPN, with the tournament set to launch in 2028.

          • La Rochelle edge Leinster again to win back-to-back European crowns

            La Rochelle became the fifth team to win back-to-back European Champions Cups on Saturday when they clawed back a 17-point deficit to beat Leinster 27-26 at the Aviva Stadium in another breathless final between the sides.

          • Campo's call: Koroibete can get better still, Suaalii approach sends wrong message

            Wallabies great David Campese says Marika Koroibete is yet to hit the ceiling of his rugby talents, but the man who made the gold No. 11 jersey famous is displeased by talk Rugby Australia is lining up a mega-rich offer to teen sensation Joseph Suaali'i.