Wasps stun Toulouse
Wasps all but secured their passage to the quarters (realistically as group winners) by beating Toulouse 17-14. It was a performance way below their usual standards, but no less impressive. They were second best for large swathes of the game, and looked to have lost it, but Dan Robson’s try with the last play stole victory.
It was an entertaining game from start to finish, although lacked in end product numerous times. The first half was a prime example of that, as both sides created a number of clear-cut opportunities, but were unable to put any of them to bed. The most notable was after Cristian Wade’s wonderful pick-up from a Jimmy Gopperth grubber then being completely butchered. At the turnaround, the score was a surprising 3-0 to the home side.
The Coventrians were struggling at the set piece and couldn’t produce quick ball, with the nuisance that is Thierry Dusutoir disrupting ruck ball well. The visitors took the lead when Yoann Huget powered over, shortly before Wade received a yellow card. With a man down, Wasps hit back through Elliot Daly, shimmying and sprinting for the line. With the clock running down, it looked like they’d done enough, but Toulouse rumbled forward and set up a maul, which Danny Cipriani was deemed to have entered from the side, stopping a certain try. He was binned and Toulouse were given a penalty try. There was little time but lots of hope. Wasps threw everything at the opposition, and after a penalty advantage with a minute to go, play was brought back. Robson took a tap, went over and sent the crowd into raptures. Perhaps they were lucky, perhaps they didn’t deserve it, but Wasps have found new ways to win.
Connacht won big in Italy, as they beat Zebre 66-21. It leaves them in a very good position going into next week against Toulouse. Granted, they have to travel to France, however they hold a 4 point advantage, meaning they need only steal a bonus point and stop Toulouse from getting one to finish runners up in the group. In the game, the Italians had started well, taking a 14-7 lead, but the home side then scored 33 points without response to exert their authority and set them on their way to win.
Munster leave it late against Glasgow
Munster secured knock-out European rugby with a massively important win against Glasgow, putting the Warriors in a precarious position in the process. Gregor Townsend’s men now need to go to an (admittedly poor) Tigers next weekend and win to guarantee their own place. The Irish now look well set for a home semi berth, needing only to beat Racing at home to do so.
The match itself was an intense, bruising affair. Defences were frequently probed and always more than equal to the attacks that came at them. Glasgow had the better of the play, but little to show for it as they had three penalties cancelled out almost immediately after scoring them by Tyler Blyendaal. Eventually, during the second half, Glasgow held out after Finn Russell kicked another penalty. That was until a Stuart Hogg yellow cost them. France’s Saili made the most of a man advantage to dive over in the corner for a 14-12 lead. Glasgow pressed, but were unable to get those all important points to steal the win.
Leicester’s slim hopes of progress disappeared in France. They needed to win, ideally with a bonus point, to have any chance. That rapidly went up in smoke with an insipid performance from the off. Conversely, Racing found a bit of fizz that has been missing this season in the 34-3 victory.
Leinster wrap up Pool 4
Irish province Leinster were the first team to ensure their passage to the knock out stages of the Champions Cup. They didn’t just beat their main rivals in Pool 4, Montpellier, they served them a 57-3 drubbing. With the bonus point, it sent them onto 19 points in the pool: an unassailable lead. The result also went to show that last season, where they finished bottom of their group, was just a blip and that they are one of the favourites once again.
They were spearheaded by an inspired performance from Jack Conan, who helped himself to three tries of the home side’s eight in total. The Mediterraneans were hindered by a first half red card for a high challenge by their fly-half, Frans Steyn. Leinster were ruthless and extended their advantage, not giving their visitors a chance, fully avenging their 22-16 loss at the hands of the French side in October.
Elsewhere in the group, an already eliminated Northampton took Castres out of the competition with them. The French side were requiring two wins from their final two games, but Saints’ 28-21 win at Franklin’s Gardens pit paid to that. Saints run of good form continues, securing a bonus point as well, which is stark contrast to just a month or two ago.
Welsh hearts broken
Another English team, another last minute get out of jail act. Sunday was Saracens’ turn to score with the last play of the game, as they salvaged a draw with Scarlets. The result also signifies the elimination of the Welsh region. Scarlets were set to win, leading by 7 points with the clock gone and having a man extra, but Chris Ashton outpaced the defenders to cross for a converted try, levelling the scores 22 apiece.
Three time champions Toulon kept their hopes alive in the same group; convincingly beating Sale 27-12. They were in all sorts of strife in the first half, but rallied to put themselves in a good position for one of the runner up spots.
Exeter knock out Ulster
The Northern Irish campaign was ended in Sunday’s late kick-off, with Exeter handing Ulster a 31-19 defeat. It was a try heavy contest, with no points coming from penalties (very rare). Michele Campagnaro was the star in a muscular and creative performance, grabbing a brace. Exeter still have a very slim chance of progressing themselves.
Clermont also ensured that they will be remain in Europe after the group stages stop, edging fellow French outfit Bordeaux 9-6 in a high scoring classic.
Bath win West Country derby to edge towards qualification
Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup looks set to be Bath’s after they crushed Bristol 57-22. Importantly, it also put an end to their losing run and reinstalled the confidence amongst their ranks. There were starring roles for half-backs George Ford and Kahn Fotuali’i; they scored three tries between them. Cardiff remain in contention in the group, having beaten Pau 22-21.
Edinburgh upset Harlequins by going to win at the Stoop. They went top of the group with a 23-18 victory. The Scots had built up a nice lead, before Joe Gray crashed over twice to nab a bonus point. Both sides should qualify with victories next weekend.
Gloucester won big over Treviso, qualifying in the process. They held the Italians scoreless 41-0. La Rochelle also won, looking set to qualify after beating fellow French side Bayonne 24-14 away.
The Russian representatives, Enisei, crashed out as they lost 34-10 to Dragons. They had won their first two games, but tailed off. The result also signifies that Dragons are still in with a very real shout of the knockouts. Worcester lost to Brive 17-14, the French taking control of the pool.
Ospreys made sure of a home quarter with a game to spare, ousting Lyon 47-7. In the same Pool, Newcastle look set to miss out after they let Grenoble back in to the game in France, going down 31-27.
Try of the weekend
Given the importance, it is incredibly difficult to look past Dan Robson’s try for Wasps. There was nothing flashy about it, but calmness under pressure was completely evident. A tap to win the game and all but secure progress when everyone else was doing their own thing.
Hero of the weekend
A hat-trick would always be enough to put a player in contention for this award; they do not come around too often and are usually reserved for flying backs. A second-row hat-trick is an incredibly rare thing indeed. For that reason, Leinster’s Jack Conan is a hands down winner this week.
Villain of the weekend
Controversial this one, but I am going to give it to……….myself. I made a rushed error in giving the hero last week to James Haskell, for being over enthusiastic and getting KO’d. Wrong decision, hands up. Also, a few short weeks ago, I made a subtle dig at Northampton for giving up in the competition and having no pride. They proved me wrong this weekend.
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
My pick for villian of the week was James Davies for going down like he had been shot after Skelton bitch slapped him, but then that just reinforces your pick for villian of the week… My head hurts
Seconded. Really starting to dislike him.
I was just about to mention Davies. Such wonderful play acting. Surely the citing panel should be looking at him for bringing the game into disrepiute?
Isn’t he the charming fellow who recently got suspended for swearing and making an obscene gesture at a ref?
World Rugby do a good line in talking about how tyhey want to drive yhis kind of behaviour out of the game. If they are being truthful, then this would seem to be a good place to start.
Fact is it didn’t need all the am dram. Skelton was hardly subtle about it so the yellow was always coming and there was no way it was going to be a red.
Can I add a different point of view in on this one as well.
It looked to me as though Davies was pulling Skelton out of the ruck by his head/neck? Surely under the new rules there should be a sanction for this also? Added to the fact that he did go down like the preverbial sack of s**t!
Probably just as well for both parties that Skelton only slapped him.
Catch 22! James Davies would have made a good villain, but let’s not give ourselves unnecessary headaches………
Dan Robson’s try was great, and certainly important (all the more so if your name is Connacht), but ‘calmness’ under pressure I’m not so sure! Certainly composed, but the adrenaline of a very-not-calm situation saw him nearly boot the quick tap over his head!
Was it just me, or was the standard of refereeing this weekend abysmal. I thought it was just the Wasps match, but heard that Sarries and Sale were also on the wrong end of some frustratingly inconsistent decisions.
No, it wasn´t just you Benjit. I thought two of the three games I watched were very poorly reffed. There is a substantial difference in interpretation between French and English referees and the laws as written are not adhered to. Refs have allowed a crooked feed at the scrum for years and are now doing the same at the lineout. They also seem to be completely ignoring players going way past the ball to clear out, players following the ball carrier going completely off their feet and over the ball to protect it, and my pet hate, persistently sending men up in front of the ball carrier to obstruct or distract potential tacklers. They are also allowing scrum halves too many touches at the back of the ruck and the scrum. Once touched it´s out and players should be allowed to come round to tackle. Endless replays of unclear situations by the TM which hold up the game and destroy the momentum are also too prevalent.
Having said all that , as an ex ref I would hate to be doing it now. The game is so physical and aggressive and the players so quick and fit that many decisions are now extremely marginal and by the time you have sorted out in your head the exact sequence of events it must be very difficult to blow quickly enough or to get it right every time. I watched the Munster-Glasgow game this weekend and couldn´t believe that players kept getting up from some of the hits that were going in, or the speed with which the game ebbed and flowed.
I actually thought Pearce(Pierce?) had a fairly good game in the Munster-Glasgow match. It was a very hot tempeered game, quite niggly, but I thought he was consistent, he made his decisions quick, used the TMO effectively (usually just to ask which player did something), and he dealt with attempts at backchat/influencing him extremely well.
Also, Conan is 8/flanker, and was blindside against Montpellier, not second row.
Agreed, I think Pearce and his team did a really good job and were appropriately disinterested.
A bit of a concern that none of the English qualified loose heads put their hands up for a cap this weekend. Barrington certainly struggled and I gather that Census Johnson gave Mullan a horrible afternoon. Did anyone see cause for optimism elsewhere?
Have never been a great Tom Wood fan, but I thought he had an absolute stormer. Fantastic work rate, tackled hard and made an impression with ball in hand. Getting dropped has certainly upped his game. Others to impress were Luke Cowan Dickie who appears to be back to full fitness, Mikey Haywood who is a real dynamo, and Jackson Wray who never seems to have a bad game and must surely deserve at least a look by EJ. Good to see Tom Johnson back at last, and why no mention for that elusive speedster Thomas the Tank engine who dummied and sidestepped his way over from a long way out for another two tries? I also thought I glimpsed a rare smile from Farrell who was outstandingly calm in a very tight finish and at present is light years ahead of Ford who is very patchy. Sarries certainly didn´t get the rub of the green or on the right side of the ref against Scarlets, and if Skelton had to go for retaliation Davies should have got an Oscar for over-acting. Next time someone takes a well deserved pop at him I hope it lays him out cold.
I am slightly biased Andy, but I thought Lozowski was outstanding from 15 for Sarries. Goode out with a slight knock and Loz was stuck in at 15. He picked some fantastic lines in attack and he never takes a backwards step in defence.
Watching Lozowski on Sam Hill against Chiefs certainly caught my attention. Hill driven back not something you see very often and certainly not by a 10. Definitely one to watch.
His tackle on Waldrom was pretty good as well. Can’t really see why Wasps let him go. Based on his performances for Sarries so far I would pick him ahead of Cipriani. The fact that he’s worked his way into the England squad would suggest Eddie Jones would as well.
Entirely agree with all the above. Really powerful for a small bloke with pace and great vision. A better long term option at 10 than Ford because he hits above his weight? But I still think that Farrell is the best 10 in England and would play there if EJ could find someone else to nail down the 12 shirt.
I don’t think Ford gets the praise for his defence that he deserves. in the summer he was great defensively, considering he had the likes of Kurindrani running at him, made loads of tackles and didn’t back down.
He isn’t known for his defence like Farrell but he can do a job. Couple that with unrivalled ability with ball in hand and I think he is justified at 10.
He’s not actually that small. Similar size to Farrell, but with a great tackling technique. As you say great vision and pace.
Ford still tackles well above his size and weight and is prepared to put himself on the line. I think Loz just has a better technique.
Re Mullan – did anyone watch this game as the Telegraph seemed to think he had a good game and the scrum problems were elsewhere
“If the Wasps scrum came under pressure against the enormous Toulouse pack, Mullan held his own in his battle with Census Johnston, the giant Samoan tighthead prop”
Didn’t see either the Wasps or the Leicester games but would be interested to hear peoples respective opinions on Mullan and Genge, particularly in respect of their ability at the scrum.
IMO both of them would get chewed up and spat out by Slimani
Wasps were under a lot of pressure at scrum time, but it did mostly seem to go down the tight-head route. So, whilst Mullan certainly didn’t cover himself in glory in the set-piece, he wasn’t the main cause for concern.
As for Genge, I was very much dipping in and out of the Tigers game, so can’t comment. A very frustrating one for a Leicester fan. From what I’ve seen of him, he is a bit up and down at scrum time. I’m not sure I’d trust him to be starting for England.