Eurowatch 12 September

This week's winners
By Jason Harris
September 12 2006

With the European Challenge Cup campaign starting in just over a month's time, Sarries' Euro opponents have now all begun their domestic competitions. GRAN Parma got off the mark in Super 10 Round 1, Glasgow miss out in the Magners League and Narbonne continue to struggle in Top 14.

The Super 10 finally kicked off in Italy last weekend and GRAN Parma began their 2006-07 league season, the 77th in Italian rugby history, with a 23-17 home win over Rovigo with their tries coming from wing Massimo Ravazzol and centre Alessio Galante. Italian interantional fullback Rima Wakarua converted both five pointers and added three penalties.

This weekend GRAN travel to Sicily to take on Amatori Cantania who lost their opening match 52-12 at Arix Viadana.

In the Magners League Glasgow Warriors continued their disappointing start in the with a second successive defeat in as many games; this time going down 31-17 at Stradey Park against the Llanelli Scarlets. The Scottish side scored two tries in the game, the first from flanker John Barclay, converted by fly half Dan Parks and the second from wing Colin Shaw, also goaled by Parks. The remaining three points came courtesy of a drop goal by fullback Franciso Leonelli.

Glasgow are now one off the bottom of the Magners league and it'll be tough for them to climb the table this coming Friday. The visitors to Hughenden are none other than European Champions Munster.

Things went from bad to worse down at Narbonne who, to be fair, have had a difficult start to the Top 14 which involved consecutive games against Biarritz (won 25-18), Perpignan (away, lost 45-6) and leaders Stade Francais (lost 33-24).

In round five RCNM made the short trip to Montpellier and were beaten for a fourth time this season 33-10. Kiwi lock and former NSW Waratahs player Dwayne Haare scored their only try which was converted by fly half Christopher Ruiz, and Full back Thomas Bouquié kicked a first half penalty.

Just like Glasgow, Narbonne find themselves one off the bottom of the table, but unlike the Warriors' task, they might find their home game at Parc des Sports et de l'Amitié against 10th-placed Castres on Saturday night a little less daunting.