Rugby union: talking points from the weekend’s action

Northampton will be weakened by the loss of Samu Manoa, Gloucester’s motivation is in question and Tom May let the public be judge and juryAs Northampton reflected on another away victory against a potential title rival and a year in which they won the Premiership and remain its strongest side, one question recurs: how will they replace Samu Manoa, who is joining Toulon in the summer on a four-year contract? The No8 scored one try and created another to help his side overcome Harlequins’ monopoly of possession, physical and dextrous. Manoa was virtually unknown when he joined the Saints from S…