Northampton Saints 12 Bordeaux-Bègles 16: Tom Vickers' review and player ratings

Time for Saints to finally banish their demons.

To finally close a game out.

To finally put a full stop at the end of an unprecedented run of defeats.

Because unlike at Bristol a week earlier, when they were hit with a sucker punch in the final play of the game, it seemed that Chris Boyd’s side had a measure of control.

They had played much of the game in French territory, with the black, green and gold defence looking far more resilient than at any time in recent memory.

Bordeaux had been restricted to just nine points, and there were few scares during that time.

Dan Biggar’s quartet of kicks looked like they may just sneak Saints over the line, despite the lack of ruthlessness they had showed, especially when enjoying a man advantage during two separate sin bin periods.

Surely even these Saints in this sorry situation could see this out.

But whoever is writing these scripts in 2020 is determined to add torment upon torment for this team.

And after Matthieu Jalibert’s penalty, earned at a rare dominant Bordeaux scrum, hit the post, Saints seemed to freeze.

Four players saw the ball drop between them and Santiago Cordero made up some ground to gather and score.

Whether you believe it was bad luck or a lack of awareness - and the real answer is probably a combination of the two - the outcome was the same.

Saints had seen their bubble punctured again and, as Boyd admitted afterwards, they just continue to conjure up new ways to lose matches.

It is now 11 successive losses and 16 in 18 games in all competitions.

And with a formidable Leinster team to come next weekend, that horror run will surely be extended for at least another week.

Yet it should already be over.

Saints have had chances to give themselves the breathing space they needed against Bristol and Bordeaux.

But their lineout has really let them down in key areas of the field and at key times.

So often they get set to put the squeeze of sides only to falter with their set piece.

It is a source of immense frustration.

Because if they got those basics right, they could be well clear come the closing stages of games and nerves would not be such a factor.

They were far better against Bordeaux than against Bristol.

But not to score a single point during the 20 minutes when Bordeaux were a man down was extremely poor.

And ultimately, the French side, as good teams do, clung on for dear life and pounced when it mattered most.

The days when Saints did likewise just seem to get further away week by week.

The memories of Biggar booting a last-gasp penalty at Benetton and Taqele Naiyaravoro nabbing a late winner at Wasps continue to fade more by the day.

Saints have lost that winning habit and, it seems, no matter how hard they try they can’t get it back.

But with fans back at Franklin’s Gardens for the first time since February you could feel the extra appetite.

And surely, at some point, the supporters will get to see a win again.

It is just unlikely to be next weekend.

How they rated...

How they rated...

GEORGE FURBANK

Looked strong enough under the high ball and showed some of his old cut and thrust but did miss a chance to send Naiyaravoro in out wide and kicked the ball dead on a couple of occasions... 5.5

AHSEE TUALA

Not too much involvement in key areas for the versatile back as Bordeaux kept him pretty quiet... 5.5

MATT PROCTOR

Like Tuala, he wasn't really able to have too much of an impact on proceedings as he rarely got the chance to run... 5.5

RORY HUTCHINSON

Showed plenty of appetite in open spaces and made a crucial saving tackle to stop Bordeaux scoring a second try late on... 6.5

TAQELE NAIYARAVORO

Looked more like his old self in attack, especially during the first half, but wasn't able to find a way through the Bordeaux defence... 6.5

DAN BIGGAR

Pulled the strings well during the first period, landing everything that came his way from the tee, gathering high balls and looking largely assured... 7

ALEX MITCHELL

Kicked pretty well from hand, tried to spark Saints into life when he had the chance and won a couple of turnovers, but Bordeaux kept him under wraps pretty well... 6

NICK AUTERAC

Helped Saints to hold their own at scrum time and didn't do too much wrong with ball in hand... 6.5

SAM MATAVESI

Not the best night for Saints at lineout time but Matavesi was hungry for work, particularly in trying to win possession back... 5.5

OWEN FRANKS

An improved performance from the prop as he helped Saints to stay steady at scrum time before departing... 6

DAVID RIBBANS - CHRON STAR MAN

Was bandaged up early on, showing how keen he was for the battle and he really didn't deserve to be on the losing team... 7

NICK ISIEKWE

Made one hugely important tackle out wide and the forward was in the thick of the action from the off... 7

COURTNEY LAWES

Back in the team and back to doing what he does best, putting in a typically impressive performance, packed with carries and tackles... 7

TOM WOOD

Captain for the night, the flanker put in his trademark shift, hitting double figures for carries as he tried to push Bordeaux back... 7

SHAUN ADENDORFF

Was second only to Naiyaravoro in metres made for Saints but could have perhaps found a team-mate on one of his impressive gallops... 6

Replacements (who played more than 20 minutes)

FRANCOIS VAN WYK (for Auterac 50)

Made a decent contribution and was only second to Lawes in the Saints tackle count despite only being on for 30 minutes... 6.5

JAMES FISH (for Matavesi 50)

It wasn't really the hooker's night as Saints had a tough time at the lineout and he couldn't quite grab a ball with the line in sight... 5

PAUL HILL (for Franks 50)

Took a knock for his troubles as he tried to front up to the big Bordeaux pack and it was a tough cameo... 5.5