1. Referees need more respect
We all love to hate them at times and they’ll never keep everyone happy but if there is one group in rugby that must maintain our utmost respect, it’s the referee and his fellow officials. Unfortunately this was not the case over the weekend as more than one incident tarnished rugby’s reputation.
Anthony Watson’s reaction to his red card was born out of frustration at a marginal call, but it should have been accepted all the same. To carry on his argument with the fourth official was not necessary. Unfortunately, this only added fuel to the fire as there are reports of a fan confronting Greg Garner, the match referee, after the match in the changing room and both the fan and Bath Rugby should have something to answer to.
Over in France, the treatment Romain Poite had to endure tops the lot. Oyannax full back Silvere Tian had seen his yellow card upgraded to a red after announcing that Poite “was pissing him off” (‘chier’ in French). The 34 year old then waited in the tunnel and had to be restrained as he looked to show the international referee exactly what he thought of him.
There’s no place for any of this in rugby and the punishments should reflect the crimes.
2. Rush of blood to the head
David Kilcoyne could have walked into any pub in Dublin on Saturday night and not paid for a drink as Leinster beat Munster at the Aviva Stadium. The main problem, though, is that the Irish prop plays for Munster rather than Leinster, and it was his rush of blood to the head that handed the men in Blue the derby victory.
In the final minutes, with the hosts down to 14 men, Munster piled on the pressure and inevitably got their chance to level the match with a simple penalty late on but entering from stage right trying to write his own script was Kilcoyne. A quick tap that he almost dropped was followed swiftly by a knock on which effectively handed Leinster top spot in the league and has made it very difficult for Munster to get into the play-offs.
3. Kiwis in a different league
Four different countries over three continents in four weeks for the Chiefs (such is Super Rugby’s ridiculous new schedule), and yet there is no sign of jet lag or fatigue in the men from Waikato. They’ve racked up 189 points and are playing rugby from another stratosphere.
A dominant pack is allowing their exciting backline that includes Aaron Cruden, Charle Ngatai and Damien Mckenzie to run riot.
The Crusaders are also two from two in South Africa now, and their handling skills against the Lions was manna from heaven. Six tries and a Ryan Crotty hat trick has put them right in the hunt for the playoff places.
4. Timing your run
It should have been the game of the weekend in Europe, but Toulon hosting Clermont in Marseille turned out to be a drab affair and only prove that Clermont are now the team to beat across the channel. They’ve had a rocky season that has had more troughs than peaks but they are coming into form at just the right time.
One moment of magic from Scott Spedding opened the game up late on as he grubbered through and released Alifereti Raka to cut inside and feed Damien Chouly for a try under the posts that settled the result.
It’s their seventh straight win in the league and leaves them six points clear at the top. If they can end their own hoodoo on playing in finals then the men from the Michelin look favourites to lift the title.
5. Relegation still up for grabs
After they shipped 76 points between them at the weekend it is now a straight shootout between London Irish and Newcastle to see who drops down the Championship next season.
The Falcons have the upper hand by four league points going into next weekend’s fixture and the game is also at Kingston Park but Irish will not go down without a fight.
At the weekend you felt that both teams had one eye on next weekend’s crunch clash as soft tries were scored against them but they will now look to claim a victory that saves them from the drop.
Marcus Watson scored again at the weekend and has been the most successful player in recent years to make the transition from the sevens circuit to full fifteens rugby. On the artificial turf in Newcastle, getting the ball to Watson in space will certainly be the game plan.
Irish were unlucky to lose star winger Alex Lewington to injury recently and he has been sorely missed but the Exiles have plenty of experienced internationals in the likes of Sean Maitland and Blair Cowan – the Scottish pair will be pivotal to their chances of survival.
6. As Goode as it gets
We’re not referring to our favourite pie chomping, pre-season dodger Andy, but rather the Saracens full-back Alex.
Just when you think he is out of the England running and to follow club-mate Charlie Hodgson’s route as a great club player, Goode seems to find that little bit extra that continues to make him a truly viable option as England’s full-back.
On Friday night under the lights of the Rec, Goode put on a mesmeric display of attacking rugby not only with his awkward running style, but as a first distributor when Owen Farrell was out of the game or when Saracens decided to change their point of attack.
His understanding with Farrell is a huge plus point and takes a lot of the pressure off the current England number 12 shirt, and the value he added with his distribution really made him stand out. Two of the passes he threw in the lead up to tries would have split any defence out there and it will cause Eddie Jones a welcome headache.
If Goode can come in and play as a first receiver, then there is no need to play both Farrell and George Ford in the midfield. It’s a different tactic for England, and would change the way they attack, but it is an option that Jones will certainly consider.
By Andy Daniel
(@scrum5ive)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 
Watched some of the highlights last night. Goode’s passing was excellent (although am I alone in thinking that the pass for Ellery’s try was slightly forward?)
Personally I’d like to see Farrell at 10 and Slade in the centre as the 2 distributors for England. I still don’t think Goode is a test level player but can’t deny that he appears to be in superb form at club level and gives EJ a back up option
It also looked like Will Fraser had an excellent game but can anyone tell me whether he was just doing the flashy stuff that looks good in the highlights or whether he was good in the tight as well?
Question: Do we really think Jones will consider Goode at 15? I have to admit I love the way he plays, and to all those who say his defence is not good enough, if the opposition has got that far in attack that your 15 is the last defender, then the defence has already failed. I can’t think of any 15s (world class or not) that could successfully defend a one on one every time.
Personally I would like to see Sldae tried at 13 with Watson at 15 first. Having the second distributor in the midfield makes more sense to me, as it means that no-one else has to drop back in defence to cover the 15 channel. I would also like to see Goode given more time at 15 as well though, preferably with Farrell at 10 and a Tuilagi, JJ/Daly midfield combination.
I would certainly like to see Farrell as 10, Tualagi @ 12, Daley at 13 and Goode at 15, this would give EJ power where he needs it ’12, a second distributor from 15, speed and guile @ 13 and defence,distribution and game management @ 10 -
2 – shouldn’t blame it all on the tap&go, in the phase before their forwards butchered a 3 on 1 overlap but cutting back inside. Munster should have scored a try there and won the game.
3 – I’m sooo glad that Wales have a gentle runout with 3 tests in NZ this year….
Couldn’t be a better time for it Brighty! NZ have lost McCaw, Nonu, Carter, C Smith. They are there for the taking!
Anything less than 2 wins for Wales can be seen as abject failure
Catch them while they’re cold and changing the old guard. It’s in the bag :-)
I saw the last moments of that Leinster game, having only seen it the once, when the lad took the quick tap the defence was pretty much 1 or 2 yards away having not retreated the 10 although the the try line was only a bit further back. Theres was no retreat whatsoever and there’s was no call or mention of it afterwards…