Exeter reach first final as Sarries march on

Saracens took another step towards completing the double by smashing Leicester 44-17 at Allianz Park. Having deflected years of criticism about a ‘boring’ style of play, 2016 has seen Sarries showcase some imperious rugby, and their surgical performance in this match was just the latest example. After Leicester had a try chalked off after less than a minute, Saracens drew first blood with a Will Fraser score and Chris Wyles added another, gathering a Tigers chip and scooting through a gap to the line.

With the second row pairing of George Kruis and Maro Itoje on monstrous form, the backs continued to receive quality ball and Chris Ashton was the next to benefit, speeding down the right wing and twisting his body to score. Wyles was on hand to snaffle an interception and sprint home for his second try and Sarries’ fourth before the break, with Owen Farrell superbly converting all four scores and adding a penalty. A half-time scoreline of 31-0 all but rubber-stamped Saracens finalist status, and although Leicester scored twice in the second period through Telusa Veainu and Dom Barrow, another effort from Chris Ashton and two penalties from Charlie Hodgson confirmed the outcome that many expected: a commanding Saracens victory.

Wasps and Exeter Chiefs played out a much edgier affair at Sandy Park, but the home support was ultimately appeased, with Exeter winning 34-23 partly thanks to two penalty tries awarded by Greg Garner. The ever-present Gareth Steenson kicked the first Chiefs points with two penalties before a Wasps driving maul saw Carlo Festuccia flop over the line for the game’s opening try. Despite the setback, the soggy conditions seemed to play into the hands of the dogged Chiefs and Jack Nowell was particularly busy, making a half-break and offloading to Ian Whitten for their first try. Although the weather robbed Wasps of some of their offensive capability, some slick offloading between Nathan Hughes, Frank Halai and George Smith set up Dan Robson for another try and Jimmy Gopperth converted to sneak back ahead by 14-13.

The first of the penalty tries made a crucial difference, as Festuccia dragged down a Chiefs maul and earned himself a yellow card, handing Exeter a 20-14 lead at the break and a personnel advantage. After half-time there was more thrust and parry, with Gopperth kicking two penalties either side of a muscular Dave Ewers try, and then landing another, 13 minutes before full-time. It was ultimately decided by another infringement and another penalty try to Exeter whose celebrations reflected the significance of a Premiership final to a relatively recent addition to the Premiership, while Wasps, and rugby fans around the world, were handed a sharp reminder that they are a puzzle piece away from greatness. Which is a terrifying thought for the other Premiership sides.

Aviva Premiership Star Man: Chris Ashton

Connacht set up all Irish final with Leinster

The Guinness Pro12 also saw four sides hammering out the shape of the league final, and Leinster were first to book their place in the big match with a 30-18 victory over Ulster. Leo Cullen’s side led from the outset, with fan favourite Isa Nacewa battling through defenders for a tough finish after just five minutes. Two Johnny Sexton penalties gave Leinster a comfortable 13-0 advantage, and it took until just before the half-time break for Ulster to breach their line for the first time. With Paddy Jackson having slotted two penalties, the prolific Craig Gilroy struck for the visitors, slithering down the touchline for a pinpoint finish.

With the conversion missing the mark, Ulster were within touch at 11-13 before a draining third quarter of the match. Jamie Heaslip was next to score, uncharacteristically finishing off a sensational backline move involving both Leinster centres and Sean Cronin made an impact from the bench, finishing off from close range to put clear daylight between the two sides. Although Gilroy added his second with a beautifully angled run, the Leinstermen were able to exorcise the demons of last season and await the news of their final opponents.

That was to be decided by Connacht and Glasgow who did battle at the Sportsground, with Connacht lining up an all-Irish final with a 16-11 win. It was the Irishmen who scored the first try of the game although they needed two attempts after a Bundee Aki knock-on put paid to an early try-scoring move. It was Niyi Adeolokun who eventually scored the opener, after Duncan Weir and AJ MacGinty traded penalties.

The fleet-footed winger brushed off three tackles on the way to the line and his score gave Connacht a 10-3 lead. Leone Nakarawa struggled over for Glasgow’s sole try of the game after half-time but the match soon became a matter of discipline, and which team could maintain it. Glasgow gave up multiple penalties and after MacGinty had turned down several attempts at the posts, he eventually stroked over two late penalties to Duncan Weir’s one, giving Connacht the lead they would hold until the end, even with Rodney Ah You sent to the sin-bin.

Guinness Pro12 Star Man: Jamie Heaslip

Half of Top 14 ‘en vacances’ already

The French top division still has a few ticks left on the clock before the end of the season, and the top half teams are keen to keep their noses clean and avoid any slips. Clermont Auvergne made short work of Stade Francais, winning 36-10 and receiving a 23-point contribution from Morgan Parra. The scrum-half notched three penalties and converted his side’s penalty try on the stroke of half-time for a 19-3 lead, with Scott Spedding having blasted over a long-range penalty of his own. The tries came after the break, very soon after it in fact, with John Ulugia crossing in the 41st minute although this was quickly cancelled out by Djibril Camara’s five-pointer for Stade. It fell to Parra, of course, to put the game beyond doubt, as he kicked his fourth penalty, scored a try and converted it for good measure. Les Jaunards maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the table as they head into the penultimate round of the Top 14.

Montpellier had to fight a lot harder for their victory over Bordeaux Begles, scoring a late try to win 19-16. The majority of the match’s scoring came from the respective boots of the kickers, Simon Hickey and Demitri Catrakilis, with both sides also scoring a try apiece in the second half. It was Montpellier and Catrakilis who seemed to control the opening stages, with the South African kicking three penalties that went unanswered until the final moment of the first half, with Hickey striking back to trail 9-3 at the interval. The next twenty minutes belonged to Bordeaux however, as Baptiste Serin’s converted try and another two Hickey penalties wrested the lead back from MHR, putting Bordeaux 16-12 ahead. It was the job of Bismarck du Plessis, in a surprisingly rich vein of try-scoring form, to grab a 65th minute try which handed Montpellier the narrow lead they held until the final whistle.

Toulon and Castres had no problem scoring in their respective showdowns, as Toulon romped past, over and through bottom-placed Agen 52-13, while Castres went even further, tonking La Rochelle 67-20. Racing 92 and Brive also recorded hefty wins, 43-13 v Pau and 45-24 v Grenoble respectively, while Toulouse were kept close by Oyonnax, eventual winners by 25-17.

Top 14 Star Man: Morgan Parra

Crusaders retain top spot

The Crusaders stayed atop the overall Super Rugby rankings with a convincing 29-10 victory over the Waratahs. The men in red started the match at a furious pace, sending Johnny McNicholl over for the game’s first try after three minutes and the winger turned provider soon after, offloading wonderfully to Israel Dagg after a high bomb by the Crusaders. Just moments after that McNicholl had the chance for a second try but it was chalked off for offside and the Waratahs took that as a positive sign, scoring through Rob Horne after a splendid Israel Folau run. Trailing 15-5, the ‘Tahs were unable to stop the cracks from developing in their defence and the next man to exploit them was Richie Mo’unga, who crossed for the third try before halftime. Jordan Taufua muscled over midway through the second period for the Crusaders’ final try and the Waratahs had just enough time for a consolation try from Zac Guildford.

It was a case of close-but-no-cigar for the Sunwolves, losing 35-25 to the Reds. It started with the Reds in the driving seat with Curtis Browning scoring first and Goromaru adding the extras and a penalty for a 10-0 lead, but Derek Carpenter was able to capitalise on some wobbly outside channel defence by the Aussies and scored the first of his two tries. James Slipper got in for his first try of the season with Browning adding another for the Reds but Carpenter was not far behind. A sumptuous display of handling by Akihito Yamada and Tusi Pisi put the centre in for his second try, bringing the Sunwolves to within two points at 20-22. Another penalty for the Reds stretched the gap before Liaki Moli scored to bring the Sunwolves alongside at 25-25, but a breakaway try from Cadeyrn Neville put paid to the Japanese fightback.

The Chiefs drew level at the top with Crusaders by beating the Melbourne Rebels 35-15, with the Blues and Bulls producing identical winning scorelines, 17-13 against the Force and Stormers respectively. Los Jaguares and the Southern Kings both endured 50-point thrashings, the Argentinians falling 52-24 to the Lions, and the Kings being shut out 53-0 by their compatriot Sharks.

Super Rugby Star Man: Johnny McNicholl

Try of the Week: Although Chris Ashton’s second try in the Premiership semi-final showcased his phenomenal pace, it lacked the flair of Niyi Adeolokun’s effort for Connacht or the skill of my choice for Try of the Week, Derek Carpenter’s second five-pointer for the Sunwolves against the Reds. Wonderful hands from Yamada and especially Pisi at the end of a lovely move.

What about the hands from @sunwolves?! Tusi Pisi setting up Derek Carpenter for a double @Reds_Rugby! #REDvSUNhttps://t.co/u4bUsg0KFW

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) May 22, 2016

Hero of the Week: Coming out of leftfield in more ways than one, I turn my eyes to the world of Sevens for Hero, naming the Scotland Sevens side after their first ever World Sevens win. The Scots defeated the dominant South Africa team by 27-26 with two tries in the final minute of a thrilling final that is definitely worth a re-watch on a Monday morning.

Villain of the Week: Also away from the mainstream, Bristol won the first leg of their Championship final against Doncaster 28-13, and subsequently earned Villain of the Week. This may seem a little harsh but Bristol fans don’t deserve the torment of leading after the first leg! Under Andy Robinson Bristol have been here before, PLENTY of times, and have a reputation for blowing these big moments. Here’s hoping they can go from villains to heroes in the second leg.

By Fraser Kay (@fraserkay)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images