Mullan saves Wasps and Watson rescues Bath
Wasps bounced back from their European exit last week, but were reliant on an incredibly late Matt Mullan try – which went converted – to wrap up a 32-30 victory over Northampton. Saints, for their part, would have been worthy winners, having played some expansive rugby in scoring five tries to the hosts’ four. Crucially, Stephen Myler missed most of the (admittedly tough) conversions.
The visitors had raced into a healthy lead, through Ben Foden, Alex Waller and George North tries, but Elliot Daly’s score and the boot of Jimmy Gopperth kept the Coventrians in touch at the turnaround. Christian Wade and Joe Simson gave Wasps the control, but Saints regained their lead with another two tries. As the clock wound down, Willie Le Roux had an effort ruled out, then Wasps had the breakthrough. A yellow card to Saints gave them a one man advantage with the time gone. Matt Mullan drove over, Wasps stayed five points clear at the top. The double bonus point just about keeps Saints in touch, but given the run-ins, it is hard to see them catching Tigers or Bath.
As for those two, they played out a tense, if a little disappointing, ‘Clash’ at Twickenham. It was the first time Bath had played a home game away from the Rec, and the 61,000-strong crowd were prepared for a feast of running rugby. They got some. But only when reset scrums had taken a frustrating amount of the game away and the strong defences were finally stretched.
Tigers had stormed into a 12-0 lead after a Brendan O’Connor try and an opportunistic score from Telusa Veainu, despite not seeing a huge amount of the ball. The trend of Bath possession continued, but Tigers’ defence was solid. Eventually, Jonathan Joseph found the whitewash, and George Ford added the extras, as well as a penalty. Freddie Burns scored three penalties, to another one from Ford, to put the ‘visitors’ two scores ahead. In came Anthony Watson, running a great support line off Toby Faletau to bring them back within a point. JP Pietersen was then shown (what I thought – given the position on the pitch) a harsh yellow card, confirming Bath’s ascendency. Watson again found himself on the end of a lovely move to make it 27-21. Leicester tried for the winning score, and could have when Bath received another dubious yellow for a scrum infringement nowhere near the line, but to no avail. The two sides are level on points, with similar opposition in the last few games. It should be interesting.
Wembley hammering for Quins, Bristol push Exeter
Saracens confirmed their playoff position with a comprehensive win in the London derby at Wembley. Quins, who beat Sarries earlier in the season, had a vast amount of possession, but a low number of scores to back it up. The black and reds took a slim lead into the break, with tries from Chris Ashton and Shalk Brits, but pushed on afterwards to cruise to a 40-19 win.
Exeter just about managed to hold on to second place. They nearly suffered a surprise defeat to relegation-threatened Bristol. The visitors had put a 14-point gap in place before the Chiefs drew back level. Thomas Waldrom then scored a try to give his side the lead, and had to do the same again just minutes from time after Mitch Eadie had given Bristol the lead. The final score was a bizarrely unexpected looking 38-34.
In two games that probably bore little relevance to anything meaningful now that the season is winding down, Sale beat Worcester 36-26 and Newcastle beat Gloucester 16-14.
Leinster press home advantage, Zebre topple Dragons
Ospreys now have their work cut out to hold on to their (previously seemingly assured) playoff spot. Their form has been fairly woeful of late, but they had a glorious opportunity to turn that around against a weakened Leinster. They were ahead 11-10 at the break after a Sam Davies try, and led 18-17 going into the last minute. Then, Ross Byrne nailed a drop-goal to take the lead. All was not done, however, as the blues conceded a penalty forty metres out. Up stepped Dan Biggar. He missed. Now, Scarlets and Ulster are hot on their heels and no more slip ups can be afforded.
Ulster let their spot in the top four go, albeit only on points difference, as they were held to a surprise 24-all draw with Cardiff. That, combined with Scarlets’ thumping of Treviso (51-5) means it is all to play for in the last few rounds. Glasgow were effectively ruled out of the running (barring miracles), having been edged 10-7 away to Munster. Zebre shocked Dragons 29-14, becoming the leading Italian outfit in the process. Connacht also withstood a spirited Edinburgh fight-back, closing out the game 22-19.
Clermont’s European form not carried over
Despite their impressive run to the semi-finals in Europe, Clermont have given La Rochelle a comfortable gap at the top of the French league in losing 26-21 (AT HOME) to Brive. The table-toppers eked out of 16-5 result over Bordeaux. Montpellier really put the pressure on Clermont themselves as they hunt down second place, with a massive 54-14 demolition of Grenoble. Castres are now under pressure for their playoff place having lost 16-17 to Lyon, with Racing capitalising by beating Pau 34-32. Elsewhere, Toulon heaped more misery on Toulouse with a 33-23 win and Stade Francais beat lowly Bayonne 32-16.
Sunwolves shock Bulls
In one of the biggest upsets in Super Rugby history, Sunwolves edged out ex-champions Bulls 21-20. There were a couple of other (more minor) surprises as well, with Stormers seeing off Chiefs 34-26 and Waratahs keeping Hurricanes to within ten points, 38-28. Sharks got a vital victory over Jaguares 18-13. Force brought some pride to the Australian conference with a 46-41 beating of Kings, whilst Brumbies also won 43-10 over Reds to extend their lead in the division. Highlanders also beat Blues 26-20.
Hero of the week
Nobody would have given Bristol a chance of beating Exeter, but they came remarkably close. The man behind it? Gavin’s Henson. He scored 19 points, including a try: defying years and logic.
Villain of the week
Super Rugby’s authorities. They have now decided to strip back three teams, creating yet more uncertainty and confusion as to what the point and objective of the tournament it. A league with so many quality players should have me wanting to watch it, not regarding it as second-rate.
Try of the week
Anthony Watson’s second for Bath was a thing of beauty. Exactly how to use an overlap: showcasing wonderful hands and an impossible-to-defend support line, with wheels to finish it off.
Discussion points
Who will finish fourth in the Pro12 and Premiership?
Who were the star players this weekend?
What are Super Rugby trying to achieve with yet another change?
Post-6N, has anybody dented their Lions chances, or enhanced them?
The French league is congested; who will make the playoffs?
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Wade for Lions bolter?
Surely he is in the mix? He is undoubtedly one of the best attacking wingers in Europe and this season his defense has improved drastically. His decision making was brilliant in defense against Leinster and he had another great performance in defense against Saints (despite Wasps being absolutely terrible at defending).
Without that positional weakness, surely he is now as good as anyone around?
Well Gats took him as back up on the last tour so every chance he will get a seat on the plane. A few people saying Ashton is still in with a chance after some strong performances for Sarries? It depends on the style of play Gats is looking for. It will be interesting to see if the playing style will change with a different coaching set up this time.
Last time out we saw a strong Welsh style of play, but hopefully that will change this time around, as that will not work against the ABs, no matter who is playing.
I think both Wade and Ashton have to be in with a shout, both are in great form.
Wing is the position for the Lions that is one of the weakest I think. There are about 10 names that are all good shouts, but none have absolutely grabbed hold of the shirt. For the past 12 months I would have picked Watson and North as my test wingers and whilst neither have been incredible both a probably front runners because no one else has done much. I’m sure Nowell, Daly, Williams, Zebo and Seymour are in and around it, but there isn’t any winger that lit up the 6 nations. Daly was probably the closest thing to it and he isn’t really a winger at all.
You’re spot on Jacob. For me outside of North (who is a given if fit) it is difficult to choose. Watson is definitely my favourite of the others, but I would also stick Maitland in if only because he’s such a good all rounder. Great in defence but has the ability to finish off chances he has no right to.
For my test back three I would most likely go with North, Watson and Hogg. With possibly Sexton, Farrell and Daly/Joseph in the midfield?
Excluding performances from previous years, I cant see how North is justifying a starting Lions spot.
From what I saw Sunday, Wade got the better of him in their encounter. He also doesn’t offer the aerial presence that many pundits have described as a must-have to play against New Zealand, and his defence is questionable
When compared to other wingers at Gatland’s disposal – Watson, Nowell, May, Daly, Ashton, Seymour, Maitland, Zebo – he doesnt quite cut it.
Can you take/start him solely based on his performances on tour last time around?
He is a confidence player. If he has the best players around him and is given the confidence to perform to his best he is (in my opinion) our best option on the left wing. He can be devastating with ball in hand and solid in defence.
At the moment his club and country are not playing with great confidence and it’s reflected on him, but in the Lions squad with the best players around him he should be awesome.
I would say his defence isnt that solid, not what it should be for someone of his size anyway, missing too many tackles. In attack he can run over people but many better opposition – Savea, Skudder, Dagg, Smith – will be able to cope with this, whilst his footwork is not up to the standard of Watson’s for example.
Hopefully he is a confidence player because no doubt he will be chosen despite a very mediocre couple of years. Just seems a bit contradictory that some players will be taken based solely on reputation whilst others will be excluded because their recent form has not been of a sufficient standard.
I agree with most of that backline, except I’d lean towards Henshaw at 13. I think we’ll need someone to get us over the gainline, and he’ll do that whilst also offering a good set of hands.
Certainly Murray, Sexton, Farrell, Watson, North and Hogg are all nailed on for me to start.
I also think North’s form in the 6 nations was better than some suggested. Not incredible, but as good as any other winger throughout the tournament.
If Wade gets picked for England, he’s less likely to smash the try record like he’s currently on course to do!!
It will certainly be interesting to see if he doesn’t get selected for Lions duty, will Eddie pick him for the England tour?
Personally I would like to see Eddie use the summer tour as a chance to take some of the younger guys and give them some experience.
I’d definitely be taking Wade to Argentina if he doesn’t go away with the Lions. He needs time with the England set up if he is to become and long term option. Nowell and Watson are still ahead of him in my book, but there isn’t another English winger that’ll be available at the start of next season that I would pick above him.
How did Pulu’s first, the 99m single phase try for the Chiefs ?not make try of the week??
Being at the Sarries game at Wembley I would pick Ashton’s try. If only because it bounced embarrassingly off Brown’s head and up into Ashton’s arms for him to score.
I would not take North. I think Abendanon might be a wild card, and Visser, who I did not rate as a particularly clever player has improved vastly this year and would be a good outside bet. Agree with the view that Wade has improved a lot in defence and would love to see him on the plane. Being short is not that important if you are in the right place and can leap like a salmon.