Goal-kicking frailties return as Saints make a shaky start

NORTHAMPTON got their Heineken Cup campaign off to a nervy start with a somewhat fortunate 18-14 Pool One win over a lively Castres side at Franklin’s Gardens.

For parts of the match Castres were the better team and the home side can count themselves lucky to have come away winning after missing five kicks in the first half.

Place-kicking is routinely highlighted as the primary chink in the Saints armour, and misses by Bruce Reihana and Shane Geraghty almost cost them dearly here.