Evans’ Quins dent Wasps, Exeter pounce

Nick Evans walked off the Stoop pitch for the final time in his illustrious career, with a 22 point haul. His Harlequins side overturned a half-time deficit to inflict a hugely damaging 32-13 defeat upon league leaders Wasps. It means Wasps need to equal or better Exeter’s result next weekend, when Wasps host Saracens and the Chiefs travel to Kingsholm to play Gloucester. The Coventrians, who seem to be running into inconsistent form at just the wrong time, would have been looking for victory, or minimum losing bonus point to make next weekend’s match easier. Now they have a mammoth task, not just to preserve top spot, but also a home semi final. Meanwhile, Quins have a slight advantage in what will effectively be a straight shootout for the final Champions Cup spot at Northampton next week.

The game started evenly enough, with few clear cut opportunities. The visitors led at the break courtesy of a penalty and a splendid Dan Robson try, initiated by a Jimmy Gopperth break, to two Evans kicks. On the resumption, the hosts ran clear. Evans added a further four penalties and converted two tries, scored by Tim Visser and Joe Marchant, while Gopperth could only add three more points for Wasps as they were uncharacteristically subdued.

To make matters worse, Exeter were on fire in their fixture against Northampton. Saints, who have been building on some good performances (albeit with results left to be desired), were outclassed despite a positive start. JJ Hanrahan converted his own try to establish a lead, which lasted for the best part of the first half. Then, Chiefs started rolling, scoring at will. Olly Woodburn got a brace, whilst Don Armand, Jack Nowell, Ian Whitten and Sam Hill helped themselves to one each. Saints got a late consolation, but confidence for next week’s massive clash has been demolished. How Chiefs have turned their season around.

Tigers and Bath both secure bonus point victories in race for fourth

Leicester maintained their surge towards yet another playoff qualification, putting the tries past Sale. The Midlanders suffered an early setback when Mark Webber drove over, but rallied to storm the match. Freddie Burns was the star, scoring 19 points, including a delightful try. Providing Tigers don’t lose next week away at Worcester, they will be involved in a semi final once more.

The only team that can stop them achieving that feat, Bath, put in a barnstorming performance in the West Country derby. Toby Faletau was in fine fettle, scoring a hat-trick as the hosts broke away after the break to win 44-20. It put paid to Gloucester’s chances of a top six finish, but they still have the European Challenge Cup final to look forward to.

Saracens put themselves in contention for a home playoff after labouring to victory over Bristol. A brace from Petrus Du Plessis helped them to a bonus point in a 27-9 result. Newcastle just about held off Worcester 16-14 in the only dead-rubber of the weekend.

Ospreys claim crucial win, Leinster and Glasgow in thriller

Should Ospreys win next week, they will have completely arrested momentum on their slide, booking their knock-out place in the process. After a horrific run of form, which had seen them slip from top two and almost out of the playoffs, they turned it around when they hosted Ulster in a crucial encounter. Tom Habberfield and Tyler Ardron had scored first half tries, which combined with seven points from Dan Biggar’s boot to form a 17-3 lead. Ulster battered on the door, but the Welsh defence held firm and after scoring a try apiece, Ospreys now hold a significant advantage in fourth place after winning 24-10. Ulster must beat Leinster next week – with a bonus point – and hope Ospreys lose to Scarlets – without one – to swap positions.

Leinster and Glasgow played out a stunning game in Dublin, which ended in the most bizarre circumstance. The hosts had built a healthy 23-6 interval lead, which Glasgow overturned with some classy play, with the clock running out. Joe Carbery kicked a penalty to wrestle a 31-30 advantage, but then the floodlights cut out. After a lengthy stoppage, the team’s returned, but the score remained the same.

Edinburgh claimed a morale boosting win over Newport, 24-20, bringing their losing run to a much needed end and leaving Dragons looking at a lowly eleventh placed finish. Cardiff made hard work of Zebre 30-24. Munster eased their way past Treviso 34-14 and Scarlets beat last season’s champions Connacht 30-8.

Stade win crucial Parisian derby

Stade Francais put themselves in the driving seat for the final Top14 playoff place. They leapfrogged rivals Racing with a 27-23 victory, leaving the champions needing other results to go their way next weekend. In a clash of the Titans, there was a titanic scoreline as La Rochelle beat Montpellier 40-37. Champions Cup finalists, Clermont, look set to finish in the top two after a 23-20 win in Lyon. Castres put the nail in any lingering hopes Toulouse had of appearing in the playoffs, with an impressive 52-7 victory, climbing into fifth in the process. Pau edged Brive 32-27, Toulon buried Bordeaux 26-13 and the already relegated Bayonne and Grenoble played out a 43-35 encounter in favour of the former.

Sunwolves push Chiefs

Sunwolves put in (arguably) the surprise performance of the weekend on their trip to Waikato, where they gave high-flying Chiefs a mighty battle, eventually losing out 27-20. Crusaders had an easier task in their 48-21 victory over Cheetahs, but lost Kieran Read to injury in the process. Los Jaguares suffered a devastating 33-25 loss to Sharks, which puts their season in jeopardy. Highlanders heaped misery on Stormers, with an emphatic 57-14 scoreline, whilst fellow New Zealanders Blues beat Brumbies 18-12. In the other games, Waratahs ground out a 29-26 win in Queensland, Kings smashed Rebels 44-3, and Lions claimed the scalp of Force, 24-15.

Yorkshire and Irish near their way to final

Yorkshire Carnegie and London Irish both took massive leads in the first leg of the playoffs. Both were playing away from home, and so it looks set to be the two of them in the final, which would guarantee Bristol joining the ranks of the Championship. An impressive Carnegie beat Ealing 34-16, whilst Irish put in a similarly solid performance in their 35-3 win over Doncaster.

Hero of the week

A lot of players will, naturally, be departing their clubs at the end of the season for various reasons. A bizarre number put in star performances in their final home matches; Freddie Burns, Nick Evans and Petrus Du Plessis, take a bow. Honourable mention for Toby Faletau and his hat-trick keeping Bath in the hunt.

Villain of the week

For all the money they have and all the good work they have done this season, it looks like Wasps are a team without the bloody-minded mentality that actually wins you things. They now look like they’ll be struggling to play a home semi and, if they fail in that, there will be no easy way through Saracens or Chiefs. Next step has to be to keep a group of players together who know what it feels like to be muscled out in a promising position. They lost many players who were there last season and could have contributed this, and they will be losing more still. A little premature to be writing their season off just yet, perhaps, but they have certainly let the ball drop.

Try of the week

I’ll give it to Freddie Burns, who inspired and finished a wonderful score for Leicester Tigers. Hopefully he can knock on England’s door again when he goes to Bath.

Discussion points

Will Wasps hold on to top spot?
How will the semi final line up look come 6pm next Saturday?
Is there any way Ulster can overtake Ospreys now?
How could the structure of Super Rugby change to ensure the best sides are in the playoffs, whilst giving all countries an interest?
Who have been the Pro12 and Premiership players of the regular season?
Who will claim the undecided Top14 playoff spots?
Which team will be replacing Bristol in the Premiership?

By Joe Large

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images