It was the openside flankers first game of rugby since suffering a serious shoulder injury playing for the British & Irish Lions against Japan in June 2021. Saints led 12-3 at half-time thanks to a penalty try and a score from Angus Scott-Young.
Garyn Phillips crossed twice from close range for the hosts after Cai Evans’ try. Tom Collins ran in a fine solo effort from his own half for Saints, while Branden Nansen was also on the scoresheet.
Luke Morgan won it at the death to the delight of the home crowd. Tipuric wasn’t the only senior Wales international making his return from injury as with Ross Moriarty playing his part as the Dragons RFC slipped to a 28-12 defeat to Wasps at Rodney Parade.
Wing Ashton Hewitt also made a 40-minute Dragons appearance on his return from another long-term injury. Elsewhere, the Scarlets’ high-profile summer signing Vaea Fifita made an impressive debut scoring a sensational individual try but it wasn’t enough to stop the Scarlets going down 34-28 to Bristol Bears in an enthralling contest in Llanelli.
Cardiff Rugby were also in action on Friday night going down to a 42-17 pre-season defeat against an impressive Gloucester side at Kingsholm.
