Photograph: David Davies/PA

Northampton break England’s duck in Champions Cup with victory over Cardiff

England’s Premier Rugby sides finally secured their first Champions Cup win of the season after Northampton defeated Cardiff 28-12 in Pool 4. The Saints ended a frustrating run of seven straight losses by their league counterparts, breaking a duck that would have been a major embarrassment for a competition featuring some of the most attacking teams in the world.

Despite a shaky performance, Northampton held off a strong challenge from Cardiff to deliver a crucial victory just as the weekend’s matches concluded. The result also marked a rare bright spot for the league, which had struggled to convert its offensive prowess into results in the opening round, with other teams like Gloucester and Exeter falling short in their own matches.

Up nextRugby· 29m ago

Northampton beat Cardiff for first English win in Champions Cup