Hartley sees red as Saints confirm changing of the guard
Even in a weekend that was stuffed full of local battles, you still couldn’t help but feel that it would be the East Midlands derby that would kick up the most drama – and that proved to be the case, thanks in equal measure to a certain Mr Hartley and a sensational performance by the remaining 14 men. Barely 10 minutes had been played when Matt Smith held on to the Saints captain after clearing him out from a ruck – but the whistle for a penalty had gone so there was no real rush, or need, for Dylan to lash out with his elbow on the Leicester centre.
Did Smith go down theatrically? My first reaction was ‘yes’, but replays (which do make incidents look worse) showed that Smith was caught flush on the schnoz. There was no other way you could look at it – it was a straight red card, and after Leicester had immediately earned a penalty try from their dominant scrum, you felt it could be a long afternoon for the hosts against their bitter rivals.
Instead, the sending off galvanised the reigning Champions, and it helped them deliver possibly their finest ever victory against the Tigers. Sure, they were assisted by a ludicrously harsh yellow card to Tom Croft for a high tackle, but don’t let that hide a dominant breakdown display with a phenomenally aggressive carrying game and a performance of real ambition and execution out wide. There were tries from Alex Waller, Ben Foden and Jamie Elliot, confirming some abysmal wide channel defence from Leicester (who seemed a man down themselves at times despite being a man up) and resulting in a thoroughly deserved 23 – 19 win for Saints, despite two efforts from Niki Goneva. It was a result that confirmed that – for now at least – there is a new order in the East Midlands food chain.
Out west, the Gloucester v Bath game kicked up records again, but this time it was for Bath’s biggest ever win at Kingsholm as they ran out 16 – 39 winners, with a Matt Garvey double and a penalty try securing the win despite a late effort from Dan Robson. George Ford was outstanding again with the ball in hand and from the boot, but the crowd may have felt short changed as just one card was brandished (a yellow to Sila Puafisi, for scrum infringements) compared the corresponding fixture last year, when referee Tim Wigglesworth dished them out like they were Christmas cards.
Elsewhere, Danny Cipriani and Sale impressed in their hard-fought victory over the in-form Exeter Chiefs, Richard Wigglesworth scored a hat-trick as Saracens took their turn in handing out the mandatory drubbing to the abysmal London Welsh, whilst Harlequins ground their way to an uninspiring win over Newcastle.
But it seemed odd that, in a weekend where the likes of Owen Farrell, Danny Cipriani and George Ford impressed, the premier fly half on show was the rather unfashionable Andy Goode. The former England man may look like a space-hopper with a combover, but he delivered a performance of utter class with the ball in hand and laser-accuracy with the boot as he picked up a recorded 33-point individual haul during his side’s 48 – 16 win over London Irish in their debut game since their controversial move to Coventry.
The Premiership record crowd (for a designated home ground) of 28,254 saw Goodey bang over eight penalties, two conversions and score a try in addition to efforts from Elliot Daly, Andreas Masi and Joe Simpson. Irish managed a try of their own through Geoff Cross, but it was Coventry-born Goode’s day, the fly half receiving a standing ovation as Wasps signed off the start of a new chapter in their history in some style.
Aviva Premiership Star Man: Andy Goode
Ospreys go top whilst Glasgow dig deep to defeat Munster
It was a weekend of change in the PRO12 as the Ospreys moved above Munster to reclaim top spot for Christmas. Once again, it was Rhys Webb who caught the eye for the hosts at the Liberty Stadium, with the scrum half darting over twice, in addition to efforts from Hanno Dirksen and Dan Biggar, to confirm 2014 as really being his breakthrough year. In truth, this was a surprisingly dominant display by the Welsh province against a powerful Ulster side, with the 31 – 20 scoreline flattering the visitors, who were indebted to late tries from Rob Herring and Tommy Bowe for giving some respectability to the final result.
Elsewhere, there was a real arm-wrestle up north as Glasgow overturned an 18 – 9 halftime deficit to claim a fine 21 – 18 win over Munster, leapfrogging the Irishmen at the head of the table in the process. The men in red scored two tries in the opening 40 minutes through JJ Hanrahan and Robin Copeland, but the Scottish outfit confirmed their ambition to be seen as serious contenders with a dominant second 40 which saw Leone Nakarawa and Jonny Gray both cross the line to haul back the victory for the hosts.
Elsewhere, Number eight John Navidi was outstanding for the Blues as they picked up a well-deserved 21 – 9 victory over the Scarlets in the Welsh derby to bring some festive cheer to Cardiff, whilst Leinster had to rely on a late effort from Zane Kirchner to seal a hard-fought win in miserable conditions over Connacht in Dublin on Friday. There were also away defeats for the Italian sides as Zebre and Treviso suffered heavy losses against the Dragons and Edinburgh respectively.
Guinness Pro12 Star Man: John Navidi
Toulon confirm that they will have a very merry Christmas
Fresh from a fine win over Leicester in the Champions Cup, Toulon rounded off a decent week – where the signings of mediocre players such as Ma’a Nonu, Napolini Nalaga and Samu Manoa have been announced – with a 30 – 6 thumping of Lyon at home, ensuring they remain top of the tree for the festive period. Lyon actually led 6 – 3 at the break, but the reigning champions stirred themselves into action in the second period with a double from Chris Masoe and a try from Drew Mitchell.
Clermont ensured that they will remain in second spot over the festive period, despite being made to sweat against Castres, being forced to play the entirety of the second half with 14 men after Julien Bardy was shown red at the end of the first half. Zac Guildford’s try and Morgan Parra’s boot was enough to claim victory over a side that had in fact taken the lead early on through a Remy Grosso try.
There were nerve-shredding wins for Montpellier and Bayonne, with a late penalty from Teddy Iribaren and a last-gasp drop goal from Santiago Fernandez claiming thrilling victories in their respective fixtures, whilst elsewhere there were comfortable wins for Racing Metro, Brive and Stade Francais.
Top 14 Star Man: Chris Masoe. (Or Mourad Boudjellal, for continuing his assembly of the rugby equivalent of the A-Team.)
Try of the Week: There were bucket loads to choose from this weekend, but I’ve gone for Joe Simpson’s effort against London Irish. An electric and determined breakout from Christian Wade, slick hands from Ashley Johnson and searing pace from the scrum half all combined for a beautiful 75-metre effort.
Hero of the Week: I would have given it to Andy Goode, but he’s already had too much credit in this piece, so instead I’ve handed it to Samu Manoa, but in truth I could have handed it to almost anyone in the Northampton ranks for stepping up against a Leicester side with an extra man. Manoa was immense, with one hit on Julian Salvi ensuring it will be seen on highlights reels for years to come. Saints will miss him next year.
Villain of the Week: Say what you want about Matt Smith’s provocation (which I think was limited), or alleged over-reaction, but the bottom line is that Dylan Hartley was a complete and utter dunce to lash out with his elbow. It could have cost his side the game, and this from a man who has just been awarded a new contract. The word numpty is starting to feel inadequate to describe the man at times…
By Mike Cooper (@RuckedOver)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
19 replies on “Best of the weekend: Hartley red doesn’t hinder relentless Saints”
‘The former England man may look like a space-hopper with a combover’
Best description of the year… He was magnificent though, the best he’s played since his heyday at Leicester!
“Josh” Navidi by the way. Excellent result for the The Blues, all over them in the 1st half. Navidi pushing hard for a Welsh call up for the 6 Nations.
The Ospreys blew away Ulster. Great to see Welsh sides send Ulster home without a point two weekends on the trot – it’s been a long time since we were able to compete so well with the top Irish sides. Hope it’s the start of something.
Hartley turned down Montpellier, who were offering him much more money, for the sake of his England career. I can’t see this being the end of it but a lot of pundits seem to think that SL may well decide he is too risky e.g. imaging him doing that to an Aus player in the WC group match.
England’s best players right now – Andy Goode, Charlie Hodgson and Nick Easter. A veterans callup for the World Cup perhaps?
Watched some of the Top 14 on the weekend as well … did Clermont do a (un)lucky dip to sign Abendanon? He just looks so out of place in that side.
Ummm, this article has no mention of Sam Burgess… Is some sort of fine in order?
Hartley was stupid but he’s going nowhere from the England set up. He is the best set piece forward in world rugby as far as I’m concerned. I like that he plays right on the edge, I often find some of the England pack a bit too nice. Yes the elbow was poor form and he shouldn’t have done it. But I think I’m in the minority of being a massive Hartley fan – walks into the England team in my book.
Gutted Samu Manoa is leaving the Premiership, one of my favourite players to watch.
Be interesting to see the attendance at the next Wasps fixture – I heard that tickets were literally given away to fill the stadium, and I’m sure they won’t continue too long with that.
As you say Jacob, whilst Hartley is performing at the scrum and the line-out as he did in the Autumn Internationals, he’ll be in the England line-up.
Where we differ though is you say he plays on the edge, I say he plays like a complete plonker sometimes. Its not just that he loses it on occassion, its that he loses it at silly times for silly reasons. Witness this elbow or his stamp in the SA game
Lancaster should get him to sit down with Brown and Marler to see if they can give him some advice on not losing his rag
Definitely moved from “on the edge” to “absolute plonker” for a moment on Saturday. I realise that moments like Saturday are not on the edge at all, but he plays in a very confrontational manor which I really like.
For what it’s worth – I don’t think the “stamp” against SA was him losing his rag at all – looked measured and an awful attempt to highlight the SA players wrongdoing (people seem to ignore the fact that England should have won a penalty for the SA player trying to pull the maul down).
England were about to win a penalty for that when Hartley managed to put a boot in it.
12000 tickets given to school children over 3 fixtures, 3500 of those were part of Sundays game. Throw in the 2800 STH from Adams park and that’s still 22k turning up in what could be described as more normal circumstances.
That is the best description (and the funniest) of Andy Goode I’ve ever heard. Hilarious and very accurate.
I think that London Welsh should just be relegated now, and 5 points awarded to anyone left to play them. They are by by far the worst team to ever grace the Premiership, and I just can’t see them winning any games at all. No cohesion, organisation, imagination, communication or desire to play. By half time, they looked disinterested, and ready to go home. I was at the game, and there could have been more tries. One disallowed, one dropped over the line by Joubert, and one occasion where if the ref had just played the advantage Ashton would’ve been in. It could’ve been a century if Sarries had finished every opportunity.
On Hartley, yes it was stupid, but he only seems to lose it (as do a lot of players) in the East Midlands derby. His record outside of playing Tigers has been very good of late, and I can’t see him losing his England spot because of this. But saying that we do have some decent replacements. Webber, Youngs, Batty, George, Cowan-Dickie to step in.
‘Pigsy’ has done it again.
A repeat offender with a worse record than Daft Boy Arbitrage.
‘Playing on the edge….my arse…
‘
If he did this sort of thing on weekend in a town centre or a pub he’d be up b 4 the beak in no time flat!
Biting, eye-gouging and now elbowing a player in face. Oh and sent off for calling the ref an F+++ing cheat.
Dear dear me. The man is a just thug. His record shows this for all to see!
‘Pigsy’ is such a credit to his adopted country and to wider the game that is rugby union.
Keep picking him SL..when he isn’t suspended that is.
Just been watching the highlights of the Northampton Leicester game. Three things strike me…
A. The elbow from Hartley was immensely stupid and petty. Surely Northampton have to be questioning whether he should be captain or not
B. Matt Smith looked to be making the most of it. I’m sure it was a surprise and caught him right on the nose but unless it was badly broken, then there was no need for the rolling on the floor clutching his face. Regrettably, football-style histrionics seem to be creeping into rugby
C. What on earth was Croft sent off for? Awful decision from the ref
Forgot to ask. Those who watched the whole game – how did Burrell get on?
Burrell was brilliant. One of the contenders for MOTM for me. Really good defensively and has a handy knack of constantly breaking the gainline.
He was MOTM on BT Sport was he not?
Thought it was Manoa? Might well have been him though.
Prophet Enoch
Steady on Enoch, ‘He’s just a soul whose intentions are good, Oh Lord, please don’t let him be misunderstood’. Lines from one of my fav songs doncha know!?
Nice one Don….. I suggested on the Arbitrage ban than Daft Delon should change his name to Dylan and shift to No2 but perhaps it really should be the other way round.
Actually within my circle of rugby fans we have called him Pigsy for years after the character from the 80s series ‘Monkey’.
I also recall Pigsy was screaming F words in a Euro Game at the Cardiff Lose hooker when both were leaving the field after being yellow carded for fighting and it was all caught on the Sky coverage.
And he did calla ref ‘F+++ing cheat’ in the final in 2013 Premiership Final which was also v Leicester.
So as I say he has form. England v Boks this AI series. He kicked a guy on the floor and stamped on his head and was lucky to have a yellow card only. (Walsh was scared to use red because of the anti-English claims that are always levelled against him by ….the English Media)
I bet the RFU given Pigsy a short ban that allows him back for the 6n opener.
Any England player facing an RFU ban just b 4 the 6n and we get the usual blurb….
‘He’s very contrite…he says he’s sorry…he won’t do AGAIN and we the RFU disciplinary committee clear him to play 1 week b 4 the 6 Nations starts.
They have form on this sort of thing going back almost 30 years.
But then again when the RFU citing officer is a bloke ran over a teenage girl in 1995 when he was a serving copper and over the drink drive limit what do you expect!
Whether Smith went down theatrically or not is not the only issue. If he illegally held on to Hartley & therefore provoked the former, then Smith also ought to be punished. without the instigator, there would have been no retaliation. In a way, this was a bit like French crime of passion. There was mitigation. Having stated that, it was ironic that Hartley never got pinged in the NZ game when he pulled Coles back by the jersey when the latter tried to get to his feet & return to the ruck. Coles lashed back, hardly making contact, but saw yellow. Rough justice? What goes around, comes around? Maybe, although unlikely. Anyway, maybe it’ll teach England to keep picking all these Kiwis, Saffas & SS Islanders… only kidding. But seriously, Hartley has a history of being unable to control himself, so he’ll be punished. Smith won’t be, but he should likewise be hammered, because he kicked it off. Harley’s (& Lancaster’s),real issue is though, whether can be relied upon to keep his cool, not only in the 6N, but also in the WC?! This is esp relevant with all oppo alerted to the fact that he is still so easily tipped over the edge. Thoughts on letters & postcards please.
Well Don the ‘Grey Suits’ at the RFU gave Pigsy an even shorter ban that expected so he only misses a few English club matches and is back for the Euro ties against the Ospreys and Racing Metro.
True to form the Establishment has looked after one of its own yet again!
It’ll be interesting to see what sort of ban the RFU panel give for elbowing to the next non-English international that commits exactly the same offence in a Prem game as Pigface.
I bet it will be a longer ban and the RFU will tell us all how they will make a stand against violent conduct…unless it is by a 1st choice English international.
Prophet Enoch
3 wks v Armitages’s 12. Short arm to the face assault v a verbal? Perlease.
I thought Hartley was hard done by when he abused Barnes as the latter ruined Hartley’s Lions tour. No one put a gun to Barnes’s head & he COULD have given yellow. IMO Barnes has always been bad for the game as his ego gets involved; e.g. ‘Look at me when I’m talking to you’! No right to say that at all. But, my real pt is that, surely, a verbal is a lesser offence (racism, some personal, e.g., bereavement aside) than a physical assault which must be more serious. It can cause injury. Also try it in the street, you may get jailed (I think you alluded to this before)!
Hope it was a merry one.