Patience pays dividends for Bath
The West Country Derby was decided on a try that was later than a Southern Train. Semesa Rokoduguni went over the whitewash when the clock was well in the red to give a rejuvenated Bath team a 13-10 win over Exeter at Sandy Park.
It looked like Exeter had weathered the storm and secured a (what is becoming increasingly rare) win, but just as they had pushed their visitors back after defending on the five metre line for close to five minutes, George Ford gave the winger space to weave his way over. The finish was easily the most exciting thing about the game, with both teams playing in a very attritional manner. The first half yielded a solitary kick from Gareth Steenson, which was surprising given the amount of possession the visitors had. Post-interval, the intensity was upped, if not the quality. Exeter started to throw themselves forward, and some intelligent decision making from Henry Slade and Steenson gave them a great platform. Mitch Lees bundled over from a maul to retake the lead that the hosts had lost to two Ford penalties.
Exeter’s noisy fans did everything they could, and probably deserved to see their team win, but the soft tackling that led to the try left them galled. Whilst Bath have found ways to win tough games that they would have lost last season, their South West rivals are doing quite the opposite.
Error strewn Tigers punished
The loss of most of their locks did absolutely nothing to deter Saracens from yet another victory. The victims this time were a Leicester Tigers outfit shorn of any sort of consistency this season, and a trip to Allianz Park was the perfect opportunity to show where they really are. The answer? Just off the pace to really compete. They stopped Saracens getting a bonus point, but failed to pick up one of their own as they lost 24-10.
The opening half was dominated by the Londoners’ typically aggressive defence, which just did not let the Tigers breathe. Any time the visitors looked like they were about to break through, handling errors let them down. The hosts, on the other hand, seemed to look like scoring every time they were in the danger zone. Wingers Chris Wyles and Sean Maitland crossed for converted tries, with Owen Farrell slotting a penalty to cancel out one from Owen Williams before the break. Afterwards, despite Billy Vunipola giving Sarries an unassailable lead, Tigers managed to claw themselves back into the game, keeping their opponents defending and scoring a try through George Catchpole.
They really should have stolen a bonus point, with the number of attacking possibilities they had in the closing stages, but that sums their season up so far.
Sale travel well
Bristol entered this game confident of their first premiership win since being promoted. They were up against Sale, who, whilst a good team, are not renowned for winning on the road. Simply put, they had to win to not be chasing shadows for the rest of the season. Unfortunately for them, they caught a Sharks side in a try-scoring mood.
They weren’t helped by the returning, influential Gavin Henson going off after ten minutes, but they needed to make the game tighter than they did. They failed to rack up the phases, and were helpless when their opponents started to surge forward. Sharks got five tries in total to a solitary Bristol score, winning 31-13.
Cherry and Whites unlucky, Harlequins improving, Bonus point Wasps
Gloucester went down 23-20 at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday evening, in a contest they really should have won. They had the better of the game, but Saints found a resolve to win against the comeback the Cherry and Whites served up. The visitors missed numerous kicks at goal and also had an incredibly controversial Louis Picamoles try go against them (why have a TMO if you don’t listen to them). How Saints needed the victory though.
The Stoop bore witness to an impressive performance from their side, beating Worcester 36-14. They scored four of their five tries in a particularly deadly second half, and are slowly starting to find their feet under John Kingston. In fact, they look as likely as any of their peers to make the top four.
A below-par Wasps still made up a point on Saracens as they won 31-6 against Newcastle, and scored four tries in the process. The match was very interrupted, particularly by a nasty looking injury to Marty Moore. They head into the international break a very respectable ten points above fifth place.
Zebre coming of age
A hugely encouraging last few weeks came to an abrupt halt for Edinburgh as they suffered the most embarrassing result in their history. Zebre, without a win this season and the perennial whipping boys of Europe, won in Scotland for the first time and were decent value for it, to boot.
The match was full of mistakes, indiscipline and inaccuracy, the home side being the worst offenders. The first half only produced three kicks from Italian fly half Carlo Canna, both in terms of literal points and talking points. After the restart, he added another three to leave the hosts looking at disaster. They must have thought they had avoided it when Ross Ford and Murray McCallum crossed, but Giovanbattista Venditti won it with a tardy converted try giving his side an historic 19-14 win.
Edinburgh now seem to have regressed to their early season woes. Where do they go? Zebre would now, if their result over Connacht had passed (hypothetical, I know), be lying a fairly healthy eighth in the league. Europe aside, they actually seem more at home in this league than ever before.
Scannell drops Munster to victory
Ulster’s slight drop in form, and conversely Munster’s imrpovement, was backed up at the Kingspan. A drop goal five minutes from time by Rory Scannell completed a comeback where Munster came from fourteen points down to win 15-14.
The visitors struggled to break through the white wall in front of them in the first forty. Charles Piutau and Rob Lyttle both scored very nice converted tries for their team, and eventually Scannell replied with one after lots of banging on the door before the interval. When the teams returned to the field, Ulster completely went into their shells and let Munster dictate the play. A further try for the men in red left the scores tightly poised in the closing stages. The drop goal contest that Ulster had won last week was reversed, with Paddy Jackson failing in his response to Scannell’s and leaving the Northerners with a third defeat in four games.
Shingler’s Scarlets shining, Leinster control, Ospreys flying, Glasgow save Scottish blushes
The Welsh derby between Scarlets and Blues was prominent for a bizarre case of mistaken Shingler identity (see Villain of the Weekend). Brother Aaron was one of the try scorers in a busy opening half, where his team scored three tries to Blues one. After the break both teams got another try and the score ended up 26-14. Scarlets have now won their last four and Blues lost their last three, which is a significant turnaround for both teams after their respective starts to the season.
Leinster moved top of the Pro12 by beating last season’s winners, Connacht. An opening period featured only kicks for points, but was made up for in fire and intensity. Upon returning to the field, the boys in blue upped the ante, scoring two five pointers to win 24-13. The reigning champions still lie frustratingly low going into the international break.
Ospreys kept up their quietly impressive start to the season in the week’s other Welsh derby, putting a 35-17 scoreline on Dragons. They have scored comfortably more points than any other team in the league and are second in the table. They must fancy their chances of going all the way, particularly as the spotlight is focussed on the Irish provinces and Glasgow, allowing them to go about their business without distraction.
Glasgow, fortunately, gave Scottish rugby some respite after Edinburgh’s horror show. They beat Treviso 31-14 to claim a fifth win and sixth bonus point in the first seven games of the season.
Castres back it up
Castres showed that their win over Northampton was no anomaly, as they beat Bordeaux 33-27. They were well ahead in the opening stages, and their visitors did well to rally and claw their way back to a six point deficit at half time. Both teams got three tries, but Castres leave the happier as they are now within striking distance of the top four.
Toulouse got one of the three away victories this week, downing Pau 24-20. It was a back and forth affair, decided by lock Joe Tekori’s 67th minute score. It follows what has been a disappointing opening to their European campaign, and was vital in keeping them in touch with the top.
Montpellier edged fellow high flyers La Rochelle 12-11 on the south coast. The teams went in level on points, with the winner assured of going second. It was a physical and tight affair, with neither side giving an inch, as shown with the second half having a product of zero points.
An inspired Patricio Fernandez guided Clermont to a 40-16 win at Brive. Toulon dazzled when putting 42 points past Grenoble, who scored 12. An uninspiring Racing 92 required a late Juan Imhoff try to put daylight between themselves and Bayonne, leaving the score 16-3. Stade Francais saw off Lyon 25-19.
Try of the weekend
They were certainly not at their most clinical, but from the moment Freddie Burns stepped the Saracens defence, Tigers looked unstoppable. They recycled quickly and effectively with George Catchpole cutting a lovely line to confirm the inevitable score.
Check out the match highlights here:
Hero of the weekend
Just because they secured their best ever victory, I am going to give this one to Zebre and try scorer Giovanbattista Venditti. They are constantly ridiculed, and whilst their place in Europe is incredibly debatable, they have actually been there or thereabouts in the Pro12, getting a fair few bonus points and winning a game (or two). They need to back it up, though. An honourable mention to Patricio Fernandez for racking up a massive thirty points for Clermont.
Villain of the weekend
Brothers playing against each other is obviously a talking point in any game. It’s not easy for the family, each other and, evidently, the referees. In somewhat confusing circumstances Lloyd Linton showed Scarlets’ Aaron Shingler a yellow card for BEING TACKLED WITHOUT THE BALL by his brother Steven. It would have been even more controversial had Scarlets not gone on to win, but as it stands it was just quite amusing.
Here’s the clip:
What were your highlights from the weekend?
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Ironic for Tigers to get the try of the weekend as they struggled to keep hold of the ball for most of the game and only started playing when Mako got binned. Also was the pass to Catchpole slightly forward?!?!
I don’t really understand why Tigers aren’t starting with Burns and Williams playing at 10 and 12. They looked so much more threatening when they were both on, even when Sarries had 15 on the pitch!
My moment of the weekend was Mike Rhodes crashing into fellow Saffer JP Pieterson and then Pieterson coming back for a second bite of the cherry!!
Mako’s (not so) subtle shoulder on Burns to stop him getting past him gave me a chuckle as well. He doesn’t have to move out of the way and with the stopping distance of the Titanic there was only one way that collision was going to end.
Rather a good try from Leicester there. Part of it shows up why Goode concerns me a touch. When Sam Harrison continues the move, Goode comes across to stop him. He’s got a great angle on Harrison and should bring him down with ease. Instead he tries some godawful attempt at grabbing him around the shoulders, manages to knock him over but its not a tackle and up Harrison gets to make another few metres.
Now can you imagine if instead of Sam Harrison, Goode is playing for England and is trying to tackle Savea or Folau?
To give him his due though, he dies run a great line for Maitland’s try. Even if the final pass is a touch throw it and hope
Sarries first try there was also excellent. Great pass from Wray
I think if they hadn’t finished that chance they may have all felt the end of Cockers boot somewhere very painful as it was against 14 men.
Burns should have started. Totally changed the game when he came on and they could have threatened the gain line more often with him at 10.
You’re right about Goode’s tackle, although he knew back up was coming. If he’d really been one on one at that angle I have faith he would have taken him down.
What was your take on Mako’s yellow card?
Should never have been a yellow. MV hasn’t altered his position to block Burns and his momentum (and that of Burns) just mean that that the two collide.
There’s no way on earth MV could have avoided the contact and it was only ever going to have one result…
I thought yellow was a tad harsh as well, but I am obviously biased.
I was expecting some niggle from Tigers but they seem to have lost that edginess about them. Lackustre in attack until Burns came on. The only threatening player in the first half was Betham and his supporting cast were not up to it really.
Cole was really poor. He’s never been great in the loose, but as soon as he got the ball you knew exactly what he was going to do. Head down, trundle forward at snails pace and take the hit? Doesn’t bode well for England in the AIs when some of your most experienced players are so out of form.
It’s about using players to their strengths.
I wouldn’t expect Cole to be a key ball carrier for England with the likes of Mako, Billy, Hughes etc.. in the mix. His job will be to commit to the rucks and secure the ball while other line up for the big carries
I totally agree Leon, which is why I wondered why he seemed to get so much ball to carry? . But he wasn’t effective in the scrums or at turnovers either, where he normally would be.
Youngs as well looked well off the pace and Harrison seriously upped the tempo when he came on.
It was ironic that such a try came from that performance!
I thought Burns and Harrison changed the game. Burns was particularly dangerous, although I was annoyed by his ridiculous kick at the end. I agree that we need to start with the two number tens on the pitch.
Cole was woeful. I know it’s not in his repertoire to carry particularly destructively, nor link play, but you have to be able to catch a pass at any level and in any position. The number of times he knocked on from easy passes gave me a headache. He didn’t even do the jobs that he normally does excellently particularly well.
Off topic: England are now off on a ‘warm weather’ training camp. Can anybody explain to me the reasons why? Are we expecting the hemisphere’s to switch and get a second summer in November?
Totally agree Joe. I think only by watching the whole game would you realise how ineffective Cole actually was and how effective Burns, Harrison and Mulipola were when brought on.
I don’t understand the importance of warm weather training either, unless it’s just to give them a bit of a holiday as well as training?
Interestingly, the Telegraph’s team of the weekend had Cole amongst it. No explanation given though
Maybe they didn’t see this match and were going on the win against Racing?
That would be some pretty shoddy journalism (but wouldn’t surprise me)
My guess is that warmer weather is more strenuous on the body?? And therefore better for improving fitness. Cold weather also means tighter muscles and therefore I think you’re more prone to injuries. That would be my guess anyway!