This week was the last week before the European competition kick off. For some teams that will be a much need time off from the domestic leagues. It will give teams a chance to take stock of the league and bring some much needed momentum from the European matches into the domestic games. Other teams will see it as a possible hindrance because they want to continue there good starts to the season. Once the European break is over we may see things change around in the table.
Harlequins 16-14 Sale Sharks
Harlequins every improving game this season must have decided to have a week off. They were very lucky to scrape through with a win here. There was 20 minutes of good play in the 2nd half, other than that they were at the mercy of Cipriani. He controlled the first half with some pin point kicking however it was Cipriani that lost them the game. He missed two penalties and last play drop goal, any of which would have got them a big away win at the Stoop. After the European break, Quins go to Chiefs and Sale have the Northern derby (haha) with Falcons coming to visit.
London Irish 14-45 Bath Rugby
For me there is one stand out moment in this game and that was Mckibbin’s first half red card. Mckibbin stamped on Thomas head and this was so bad and completely unnecessary that I think a many month ban is the minimum that should be given. It was a disgrace. It also cost Irish a try as they had just scored a penalty try. The scores would have been 10-7 and Irish would have been in the game, a game I thought they had an outside chance of winning. Instead they got destroyed. Bath did what any team should in that situation and exploited the extra man and space. They scored 6 tries with Priestland looking like he is fitting to his new team quite well. This win has moved Bath back up into the playoff fight, while Irish are now 8 points adrift of 10th and will be in a 2 horse race with Falcons, They are in real danger of going down already. Next up they host Wasps and Bath go for a big trip to Tigers.
Worcester Warriors 28 – 20 Newcastle Falcons
This was a great encounter for the neutrals. Worcester went flying out of the blocks and had the bonus point try by half time. However the Falcons were giving them a good game as they were playing the lovely rugby we know they can and scored a couple of tries themselves. This meant that there was a whooping 45 points scored in the first half. Even though there was only 3 points scored in the second half it felt like the Warriors were having to hold on to their lead. Falcons pushed them all the way and were chasing the losing bonus point till the end. The way the Falcons are playing you would have thought they would have enough to stay up. It is now a two team fight at the bottom so they will need to start finding some points. Worcester have pretty much secured another season in the top flight already. They are up to sixth and must be loveling life at the minute. Next week they could come crashing down to ground as they go to Allianz Park while Falcons go to the Sharks.
Northampton Saints 6 – 12 Saracens
Saints were lucky to have come away with a bonus point here. Saracens were all over them and should have scored a couple of tries. While the last minute penalty got Saints that important losing bonus point. Fellow England teammates Wood and Farrell clashed early on after a late tackle from Wood caused Farrell to react badly. This up’d the tempo of the game and that caused the tension. This was a tight affair with only Saracens really having a go throwing the ball around in the backs. It is a big win for them away at their main title rivals, a win that suggests they are on the path to that title. Saints are all at sea with this loss putting them unbelievably down into 10th place. They have a couple of weeks off the domestic league with the European games, this will be needed to get their season up and running. Next up is Gloucester at home with Saracens welcoming newsboys Worcester to Allianz Park.
Exeter Chiefs 19 – 6 Leicester Tigers
Exeter were the better team here and were dominate in the forwards, driving Leicester back on several occasions which is not something that you can’t normally say about Leicester. Exeter are looking like a team on the up still. They have got better year on year and don’t seemed to be slowing down. They struggled to keep up in Europe last time they were in the top competition due to lack of the depth in their squad so the next two weeks are going to be key to see if this time they have enough that it won’t affect their domestic season. Leicester will not be panicking but they will know that they have another big fight for the playoffs again this year. They need to sort out their discipline because it put them on the back foot here, that they never came back from. It doesn’t get any easier for either team next time with Chiefs hosting Quins and Leicester having Bath come to Welford road.
Wasps 23 – 3 Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester were already having a torrid time at the breakdown in this game before Halaifonua got his matching orders for a dangerous high tackle. Elliot Daly was providing some breath taking long penalties to build a Wasps lead which included a try for Wade. This is when Gloucester’s dreadful disciplinary record got in their way with the high tackle. They probably have the worst red card record especially over the last few years. They need to sort this to be able to progress in the table. Wasps did even up the playing numbers when Cittadini threw punches at Twelvetrees who was fighting Cittadini’s case for him not to get sent off. Wasps are looking unbreakable at home and Gloucester need to get their away form sorted starting with just getting into the opponents 22. Next up Wasps gave Irish away and Gloucester are visiting the Saints.