Cardiff v Northampton security incident believed to be a hoax

Players from Cardiff and Northampton Saints left the pitch immediately after the final whistle at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday evening because of a security incident, and police were called. Northampton said the incident occurred during the second half of the Champions Cup match, which the hosts won 28-12.

Northampton, quarter-finalists last season, were the only English side to win in the opening round. They scored four tries in Pool Four but missed the fifth needed for a bonus point.

Security incident at Franklin’s Gardens: what the clubs said

According to Wales Online, players from both teams were ushered down the tunnel as a precaution as soon as the final whistle sounded, while stadium officials closely monitored the departure of supporters. Neither club’s statement describes the nature of the incident.

Northampton said in a statement: “Northampton Saints can confirm that there was a security incident during the second half of this evening’s match against Cardiff Rugby. As a precautionary measure, players from both teams left the field of play immediately following the final whistle.” The club added that it was working closely with Northamptonshire Police and thanked supporters for their cooperation and understanding.

Cardiff Rugby posted on X: “Our sincerest apologies to travelling supporters, players and staff were moved down the tunnel as quickly as possible after the full-time whistle due to a safety issue.” The club thanked supporters for their backing during the match and said it would see them at the Arms Park the following Friday, when BBC Sport reported Cardiff were due to host Sharks in the United Rugby Championship.

Northampton Saints vs Cardiff Rugby Champions Cup result

Saints led 14-0 at half-time through tries by full-back James Pater and centre Toby Thame. Cardiff scored twice in the second half through Harri Millard and Mason Grady before Northampton’s late tries settled the match.

	Northampton	Cardiff
Half-time	14	0
Full-time	28	12
Tries	Pater, Thame, Hendy, Dingwall	Millard, Grady
Conversions	Belleau 3, Pater	Evans

Pater opened the scoring with a supporting run, and Thame crashed over after 20 minutes. Northampton number eight Callum Chick and Cardiff lock Tom Manz both knocked on while going for the line in slippery conditions, and the score stayed at 14-0 at the break.

Millard scored early in the second half after a line run in the 22. Northampton fly-half Anthony Belleau was shown a yellow card for a breakdown offence in the 60th minute, and Jarrod Evans floated the ball right for Grady to score, making it 14-12.

George Hendy responded for Northampton, and Pater converted. Hendy also chased down Josh Adams to stop a likely Cardiff try. Fraser Dingwall scored in the 78th minute, but Saints could not add a fifth try. Jeremy Rozier of France refereed.

Tribute to Hyron Andrews at La Rochelle

Elsewhere in the round, the Lions played La Rochelle on Saturday less than 24 hours after the death of their lock Hyron Andrews. Wales Online reported that Andrews was found unresponsive at the team hotel on the Île de Ré on Friday morning. South African Rugby Union officials confirmed he died following a fall at the hotel, and an investigation into the circumstances has been opened.

The Lions chose to play the match in his honour. Andrews’ No 5 jersey was laid on the pitch before kick-off and players from both sides stood for a minute’s silence, while La Rochelle’s South African players presented a jersey to the visitors. Supporters stood to applaud in the fifth minute, shortly after Henco van Wyk scored for the Lions, who lost 31-14 on their Champions Cup debut. La Rochelle’s players formed a guard of honour at full-time.

Andrews, who had previously played for Sale Sharks and the Hollywoodbets Sharks, had recently joined the Johannesburg-based Lions. He leaves a wife, Maiglin, and two young sons. Before the match, French broadcaster RMC Sport reported, a spectator suffered a cardiac arrest at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre and was taken to hospital in La Rochelle; part of the main stand was closed for around 30 minutes, and no deaths were reported at the stadium.

Premiership clubs’ opening round performance

Northampton’s win followed an opening weekend in which Premiership clubs struggled. Gloucester drew with holders Bordeaux-Begles on Friday, and Sale, Bristol, Saracens and Bath all lost their opening pool games.

Bath were beaten 32-14 at home by Montpellier on Saturday, which left Leicester, Exeter and Northampton to play on Sunday. Including those two, six Premiership sides lost in the round.

Cardiff were back in the top tier of European rugby after two seasons in the Challenge Cup. They played five days before a United Rugby Championship game against the Sharks at Cardiff Arms Park, and held back several influential players. Wales and Lions internationals Taulupe Faletau and Josh Adams made their first appearances of the season after injury.

Champions Cup Pool Four: remaining fixtures for Northampton and Cardiff

After round one, Northampton have four points and Cardiff have none. Northampton also made changes with a trip to Leicester in the Premiership on Saturday in mind.

Team	Remaining Pool Four fixtures
Northampton	Stade Francais (away, December); Montpellier (away, January); Bulls (home)
Cardiff	Bath (home, December); Stade Francais (away, January); Montpellier (home, January)

Exact kick-off dates and times for those games are not yet confirmed.

Your questions answered

What happened at the end of Northampton v Cardiff?

Players from both teams left the field immediately after the final whistle because of a security incident that Northampton said took place in the second half. Police were called and the club said it was working with Northamptonshire Police.

What are the current Champions Cup fixtures for Northampton and Cardiff?

In Pool Four, Northampton visit Stade Francais in December and Montpellier in January, then host Bulls. Cardiff host Bath in December, then visit Stade Francais and host Montpellier in January.

What are the current standings in Champions Cup Pool Four after round one?

After one round, Northampton have four points in Pool Four and Cardiff have none. Northampton won 28-12, a points difference of plus 16 for Saints and minus 16 for Cardiff.