Saracens smash ill-tempered Bath; Leicester survive Gloucester scare
There were some phenomenal Premiership performances this weekend with Saracens kicking off the round in style against Bath, winning 30-10. The champions were imperious with the ball in hand and wasted no time in marching up to the Bath line and sending Will Fraser crashing in for their first score after five minutes. Two Owen Farrell penalties were sandwiched between tries when Mike Ellery scored 10 minutes before the break, and after some ill-discipline and questionable refereeing reduced Bath to thirteen men, the match was all but won. Chris Ashton crossed twice on his return from suspension, either side of Bath’s sole try from Leroy Houston, but Saracens were in such wonderful form that Mike Ford’s side were unable to gain any traction.
Gloucester seem to have been involved in their fair share of Premiership try-fests (the 39-39 draw with Harlequins at Twickenham springs to mind) but they were unable to come away with more than a losing bonus point this weekend, losing to Leicester 35-30. The Tigers’ backline was on rare form and combined early and often, with Peter Betham putting Telusa Veainu in for try number one after five minutes, and Manu Tuilagi for number two five minutes later. Not to be outdone, Gloucester struck back with three tries in nine minutes. First, Steve McColl benefitted from James Hook’s hard work to trot over with Henry Trinder slicing through moments later, and Paddy McAllister underlining the pack’s contribution with the final try. Trailing 27-13 at halftime, it is not hard to imagine Richard Cockerill’s mood in the dressing room, and Leicester started the second half with a refreshed vigour. Tuilagi showed off his trademark fend on the way to his second try after 46 minutes, and Betham turned from provider to scorer on 66 minutes. The Australian centre added a third try assist for Veroniki Goneva’s match-winning effort, as the Tigers completed a 22 point second-half to snatch an unlikely comeback victory.
Exeter kept their title hopes aflame by smashing Worcester 50-12 at Sandy Park after hat-tricks from Thomas Waldrom and Olly Woodburn, while Wasps continued their inexorable rise up the league standings by beating Northampton Saints 28-6 for their eighth league win in their last nine matches. Sale and Harlequins made sure neither London Irish nor Newcastle made up any ground on each other, by beating them 30-15 and 46-25 respectively.
Aviva Premiership Star Man: Peter Betham
Connacht unseated by Leinster victory
Leinster’s three-point victory over Munster put them top of the Pro 12 table with three matches left to play. Jonathan Sexton provided all of Leinster’s points in the 16-13 victory, with Johnny Holland doing the same for Munster, but it was two late Sexton penalties that propelled Leinster past their fellow Irishmen. A late assault by the men in red was only halted by some phenomenal defence from Jamie Heaslip and the Premiership-bound Ben Te’o. This seals Leinster’s first season double over Munster since 2012/13.
Cardiff Blues may be outside the top six right now, but they maintained their playoff hopes with a 28-22 defeat of Scarlets. Two tries in the first half from Lloyd Williams and Tom James gave Cardiff a lead they never surrendered, with Gareth Anscombe adding a second-half score to complete his 18 point tally. Scarlets’ surge was too little, too late, with John Barclay scoring in the 71st minute after Dan Jones and Aled Thomas kept them in touch with five penalties. Despite Josh Turnbull’s yellow card giving Scarlets a man advantage, the Blues held off their opponents’ advances and seized a win.
Connacht were knocked off top spot after losing to Ulster 18-10, with Glasgow (won 38-16 v Benetton Treviso) and Edinburgh (won 29-0 v Zebre) also strengthening their cases for playoff qualification. On the outside looking in, Ospreys defeated NG Dragons 26-20 at Rodney Parade.
Pro 12 Star Man: Jonathan Sexton
Toulon slump to fourth after Clermont loss
Clermont came out on top in a crucial clash with Toulon, winning 19-18 thanks to a late Damien Chouly try. The match had been defined by ill-discipline, with Jonathan Pelissie and Morgan Parra duelling from the tee, with Pelissie kicking six penalties to Parra’s four giving Toulon an 18-12 lead with five minutes left. However, after previously finding themselves on the wrong end of last-minute miracles, Clermont scored through Chouly and Parra coolly slotted the conversion to push Toulon down to fourth.
Helping keep Toulon out of the top three were victories for Racing 92 and Montpellier. Racing defeated a slumping Bordeaux Begles side by 28-20. Metuisela Talebula scored first for Bordeaux after just four minutes while Johan Goosen filled in admirably for the rested Dan Carter, kicking three penalties to keep Racing in touch at the break, trailing 10-9. It took a second-hand flurry of tries to give Racing the lead, as they crossed three times in ten minutes through Antoine Claassen once and Goosen twice. A late penalty try for Bordeaux made the scoreline slightly more respectable.
Montpellier looked more convincing in their 19-3 win against Brive. Three Benoit Paillaugue penalties and a try just before half-time from Marvin O’Connor put them in the driving seat, with Brive notching a penalty from Gaetan Germain. Akapusi Qera’s 65th minute try put the result beyond doubt and Montpellier take second place in the Top 14.
Further down the table, Grenoble got the better of Oyonnax 27-20, Pau won a typically high-scoring match 33-26 against Agen and La Rochelle edged a close one against Stade Francais by 21-18. Castres won a key late season match 15-9 against Toulouse.
Top 14 Star Man: Johan Goosen
So near, yet so far (again) for Sunwolves
The heartbreak continues for the Sunwolves, who lost 33-28 to the Southern Kings and their hideous kit. The Kings owned an early lead after two tries from Steven Sykes and Martin Jaer along with a penalty from Louis Fouche put the South Africans 15-3 ahead. Shota Horie was first to hit back for the Wolves, ducking over from close range before Tusi Pisi sniped on the right hand side for the second try in two minutes. Shane Gates outpaced Hitoshi Ono to score the Kings’ third, with Shane Bond replying for the Sunwolves just before the half-time whistle, putting the Kings’ lead at 23-20. In the second period, Pisi and Fouche added another penalty each, before the Sunwolves set up camp on the Kings’ line and launched wave after wave of attacks. It took some remarkable defence to deny them but they could find no way over and it was the Kings who sealed the victory from a broken lineout play, with replacement Edgar Watts stretching over. Akihito Yamada’s 80th minute try was not enough to secure the Sunwolves their elusive first Super Rugby win, and this marks the third time they have lost by five points or fewer.
The Highlanders played the cruellest April Fool’s trick of all against the Western Force, allowing the Australians to build an early lead before rushing back to win 32-20. The Force crossed for two quick-fire tries in the first ten minutes, through Dane Haylett-Petty and Ben McCalman, for a 14-0 lead, before the Highlanders roused themselves. They scored their own pair of tries through Patrick Osborne and Dan Pryor, with Osborne atoning for an earlier goof that caused the first Force try. After half-time all the Force could muster was two penalties from Peter Grant, while the Highlanders struck again, with Matt Faddes and finally Jason Emery crossing the whitewash, giving the Otago side a convincing win that their performance may not have warranted.
The Crusaders defeated the Lions 43-37 in Johannesburg, partially thanks to a Ryan Crotty hat-trick. The Chiefs recorded their fifth win of the season, 48-23 over the Brumbies, while fellow New Zealanders the Blues were also victorious, defeating Los Jaguares 24-16. The Melbourne Rebels compounded the recent misery for the Waratahs by beating them 21-17 on Sunday, with the Bulls beating the Cheetahs 23-18 in the only remaining fixture.
Try of the Week: Leicester and Saracens both threatened to take this award with some stonking scores, so I highly recommend you catch up on those matches. However, the winner is Dan Pryor of the Highlanders, as he finished a trademark Super Rugby try that involved half the team, and started in their own 22.
Great game between @highlanders and @westernforce, check out this try from the @superrugby champions. SS1 NOW LIVE https://t.co/FPUzvMDki2
— Sky Sports Rugby (@SkySportsRugby) April 1, 2016
Hero of the Week: Difficult to not look at Thomas Waldrom again after another hattrick, but the award goes to Manu Tuilagi for his two-try, one assist performance against Gloucester. As the centre works his way back into the England set-up it is a joy to see him back to his best. Honourable mention goes to the injury-prone Henry Trinder who marked his return from a torn hamstring with a try. And he survived the game. Two thumbs up.
Villain of the Week: Although Greg Garner’s red card of Anthony Watson seemed harsh, Silvere Tian of Oyonnax gets the dubious honour this week, after swearing at Romain Poite. The full-back was being yellow-carded for an infringement at the ruck when he told Poite what he thought of him, which resulted in the card becoming a red. Tian later had to be held back by teammates as he sought to approach Poite after the game. Calm down son, no need for that.
By Fraser Kay (@fraserkay)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter. 
Have to feel sorry for Watson, as he definitely didn’t deserve a red card. But you can’t really fault the referee, as he’s just laying down the letter of the law as it’s been set. He didn’t make up the laws, he’s just applying them. If anything Chris Cook’s tackle on Rhoades had much more intent than Watson’s.
To be honest I don’t really think it had much bearing on the game or the result, as I think Sarries were far superior in most areas of the game, particularly from set-piece. Some of the offloading was pretty impressive though, and Mako V’s dummy and delayed offload was sublime.
I can’t agree, whether it was meant or not, accidental or deliberate Watson took the player out in the air, dangerously and he could have taken action to avoid it. It’s a red, no question (and imagine if it was Goode taking out Watson and a ‘common sense’ approach was taken and no red was shown, the Bath support would have gone ballistic and slaughtered Garner then too). The common sense approach should be taken at disciplinary and mitigating circumstances taken into account with Watson getting the minimum ban possible. But on the pitch exactly right, red card all the way.
By the way, wasn’t Alex Goode exceptional on Friday night, the best full back playing at the moment in England.
Goode was excellent on Friday night, and showed his second playmaker credentials with some fantastic passing ability.
Have to disagree about taking Goode in the air. Ashton checks his run which causes Watson to collide with him and lose his balance. Now whilst we don’t know what would’ve happened if he hadn’t collided with Ashton, I would assume that a player like Watson would not have then taken Goode out in the air, but would’ve waited unit he’d landed before tackling him, as he didn’t look like he was about to challenge for the ball in the air.
Doesn’t matter ( and he took three steps after colliding with Ashton who didn’t intentionally block him) he took a player out in the air, red card.
I’m sure when he comes to face a ban all the very good reasons as to why he was unlucky will be taken into account and he will get a short or no ban, but the red card was totally right.
Why were players let off when taking others out in the air during the 6N, then? You’re right, it’s a red card, but whether or not the referee issues a red card seems pretty random. It’s ludicrous that such a clear-cut offence is often a lottery in terms of sanctioning.
Simply Garner got it right. In the 6n’s they didn’t.
It’s the landing that dictates the punishment. If there was no way that the player could have avoided the collision (eyes always on the ball and hadn’t seen the other player) there is sometimes leniency.
My understanding is that if the player lands on their back or side it is a penalty and a yellow card. Anything involving the head or neck makes it a red. I, as a carries fan, personally thought Goode landed on his side first and it should have been yellow but I can understand the thought process behind the red. I find it strange that people are blaming Ashton. Not really his fault this one as he was running in front of watson with his back turned.
Anyhow I thought I would weigh in on this one.
I wasn’t blaming Ashton or Watson. To me it looked clumsy, but no intent to take Goode out. I genuinely think that Watson collided with Ashton (after he checked his run, I’m assuming to protect Goode and give him more space), lost his balance and then can’t stop himself from hitting Goode.
Because of the way Goode landed it makes it a red, but personally I think intent should come into the decision making process. Also Garner said that Goode landed on his head? Clearly he didn’t land on his head, as I don’t think he would have been getting back up that quickly, and would definitely have had to go off for a head injury assessment.
I think they key for me here is that not only did Watson show no intent, but he also didn’t really do anything to suggest careless behaviour either.
In incidents when players clearly show no intent, but they also show disregard for others, and their own, safety then I do think they should be punished.
As you rightly say, Watson was checking his run as he bumped into Ashton which shows that he was about to do exactly the right thing. Completely unfortunate events out of anyones control meant that Watson ended up being under Goode.
Letter of the law it’s a red, but it’s so harsh on Watson I’d hate to see him banned.
Dazza has already said that by the letter of the law it is a red – no one has disagreed with that. The issue is more with the fact that Watson hasn’t done anything wrong, he’s knocked off balance at full speed by Ashton and suddenly finds himself under Goode. Yes it is clearly a red by the letter of the law; but it is still incredibly unlucky.
i don’t think unfortunate situations like this one happen often enough to cause a rule change, but that doesn’t mean that Watson should get any sort of ban.
Also – completely disagree that any Bath fan would be in uproar at it being the other way round. Any level headed and sensible rugby fan could see there was absolutely not intent, or even anything to suggest Watson acted carelessly, so I just don’t see any fan getting that annoyed.
As well as Goode is playing at the moment, and he us playing very well, he wouldn’t get near the England team if I was picking it, despite Brown’s iffy form.
Sometimes club form is irrelevant. Some players excell at club level but lack the required skills to make it at test level. Goode is too slow and defensively frail for an international full back.
I can’t decide now on Goode. I was most definitely of that opinion 6 months ago. However, his form has never been this good for Sarries when he was playing for England previously so maybe that does deserve another shot?
I still don’t think style wise he’d make sense with EJ seemingly wanting a playmaker at 12 or 13.
I thought Gloucester were well and truly undone by some dreadful refereeing from JP Doyle, who I usually think is pretty good. A blatant obstruction in front of the runner cleared the path for one try, and there were at least two forward passes in another. Totally agree with Jez that Goode is playing out of his skin at present, but I fear that in England terms his time may have gone rather than be about to arrive.
I think you maybe right Andy but for the summer tour I think Goode has to be the starting 15 based on form at present?
Sadly I think that Goode may not be used that much whilst Slade is fit. The way that Sarries use his “second 10″ talents works excellently, but with Slade in at 13, Goode’s talents won’t be needed. Personally (yes I’m slightly biased) I would rather see Goode than Brown if England are going to play Tuilagi and JJ together. But I feel the way forward is with Farrell, Tuilagi and Slade in the midfield.
Completely agree that it is about the blend. There is no need to have 3 playmakers in your backline (although I’m sure Australia managed to fit about 5 in theirs at one point!).
If we do go with Manu and JJ/Daly at 13 then I’d play Goode. With Slade in the centres, or if we end up with a Ford/Farrell axis again, I’d either stick with Brown or start giving Watson a shot there.
I think now is the time to get Watson (or someone else) in the 15 shirt. Brown’s form and age are against him in my opinion.
Interesting to see Short playing 15 for Exeter at the weekend!? Having several players who can cover wing and full back e.g. May, Nowell, Watson, Short and someone like Daly makes it very interesting for the summer tour back three choices?
Personally I just don’t think there is an outstanding enough candidate yet to throw aside someone as consistent and solid as Brown.
For me, I’d like to see him come off in all three of the summer tests and perhaps both Daly and Watson given game time there.That’ll give them more of a chance to settle before potentially starting one of them come the Autumn.
Yep that approach sounds about right to me and would be consistent with EJ’s man management so far.
Fully take your point about balance Jacob, but I would have as many players as possible who play what they see in front of them in my back line, provided that they step up defensively. For years we have played a succession of centres who did exactly what they were told and showed little flair. Guscott was about the last one to really set the blood racing, though Eastmond might have been capable of it if given more chance. For the first time in years England have genuine options in nearly all the back positions. If I was purely interested in watching running rugby I´d have a backline of Care, Cipriani, Wade, Slade, Daly, Watson and Goode, but I don´t think you would win an awful lot of games at top level with that line up. Care, Farrell, Nowell, Slade, Tuilagi, May and Watson strikes me as being a pretty exciting combination with a bit more ballast to it, in which case Goode would miss out. I think the next couple of seasons are going to be fascinating. Still think that Slade should play at 12 and Tuilagi outside him if Tuilagi gets back into the starting line up..
I don’t necessarily mean players that can not think on their feet as an option. For example, JJ can make great decision when he has the ball in his hands but he is not a natural playmaker.
I think what is needed is a mix of players that can create holes with their speed of mind/hands with players that also make good decisions but have other attributes such as speed or power that cause defenses problem.
Goode’s issue in my mind is that whilst his speed of thought is clearly outstanding, the speed of test rugby means that his relative lack of raw pace becomes exposure. The delay that opens a hole at domestic level means he gets smashed and turned over in a test match. Small margins but the natural athletic ability sometimes separates the good from the great.
How you’ve jumped past Greenwood as an England centre of that mold is beyond me – unbelievable player!
I wouldn’t have Eastmond anywhere near the England squad mind you. His speed of foot masks that fact that he isn’t a particularly great playmaker and has a poor kicking game for someone to play as a second playmaking option at test level.
Big few weeks for Wasps now. With Worcester and Irish left as two of our last three games, I’m hoping we’re able to win both of those!
We then have a massive game away in Exeter to hopefully steal a home SF for the play offs! The Chiefs have got two away games against Quins and Gloucester though, so hopefully one of them will do us a favour!
Gutted as a Wasps fan that Smith is leaving at the end of the season. With Piutau going too, we’ll be losing two of our best players. Thomas Young is starting to show himself as a really good player though, and may well come into his own in the 7 shirt for us next year.
Has Smith signed for someone else or is he retiring?
He’s back off to Japan
Villain of the week for me is Ashton and his unnecessary afters on Watson. Regardless of whether you think it was a red card or not, it was quite clearly an accident on Watson’s part. Ashton is such an unnecessary tw@t that I am really dreading his return to England.
Talking of England does anyone think Miller has the potential for full back for England? Thought he had a stormer in defence as well as attack at the weekend.
Couldn’t agree more on Ashton – his form may merit inclusion but as a fan I just don’t want him anywhere near the squad.
Miller can be brilliant, but I’m not sure he’s consistent enough for England. He certainly should be looked at though, as he can be really dangerous. He’s quite a nice mix in style in that he can playmake (he’s stepped in at 10 for Wasps on occasion), and he has the pace needed to cause defenses issues with ball in hand that perhaps a Goode can not at test level.
So you just seen your mate upended in the air, what reaction do you expect? I’ve played for captains that would have smacked me for showing less restraint than Ash did. It was all a bit of nothing, yet seen as another stick to beat a good and honest player with.
Christ Jez! Do Sarries player EVER do any wrong in your eyes? It’s hard to take any of your posts seriously as you show zero objectivity.
Of course they do. Jeez, I’ve been supporting them.over 20 years, I’ve seen some rubbish.
But, I get accused of a lack of objectivity yet it is a criticism that could be levelled at just about everyone on here who chooses to tarnish, unfairly, not only Ash, but also Owen Farrell as some sort of out of control egotistical thug when in fact they are anything but. Ash gave Watson a shove and a piece of his mind over what happened to his mate, big deal. It’s something that happens across rugby fields the land over. All I’m saying is that when I played, and you could get away with it, Watson would probably have taken (and probably been disapointted if he hadnt) a fairly hefty snouting. Not saying it’s right, just saying please a bit of perspective.
On Friday I went to the funeral of an old club.mate who played 2nd row. In 30 years I think I only ever saw him take three or four balls at the line out. I lost count of the times he acted as an enforcer. Sometimes legit, more often.or not, not. He took some digs back, he didn’t complain, it happens.
Ash was far more reserved in his reaction than many would be, yet he is the one you all want hung, not Watson for his reckless (albiet maybe unintentional) action, not the Bath crowd for booing both Ash but in particular Garner, for doing his job right, or Goode, for having the temerity to get taken out in the air. That’s me being objective.
Oh wow you really do have a football attitude to being a fan don’t you – defend your player with blind fandom and believe completely that they are always the best both on and off the pitch.
Watson didn’t upend Goode. Goode came down on him as Watson found himself in an awkward position.
Ashton has proven himself to be completely unlikable on countless occasions, and if reports are to be believed is widely disliked when he is in the England camp.
Look Jacob, I played the game for 30 years at pretty good levels. In that situation I would have and have done taken summary retribution out. Yeah, on occasion I got dealt with, correctly, but I would still, if I saw my mate get upended as Goode was (without the benefit of hindsight or replays,), sort it out. That’s not a football attitude.
Speaking of football attitudes, I’m surprised Watson is not attracting more criticism for his remonstration with the fourth official. I really like the bloke, but I don’t want to see that sort of behaviour from him again.
Ashton is a funny one for me.
In terms of his playing ability he can do excellent things ball in hand. Defensive positioning was awful but has been working hard on improving this and is much improved.
However in terms of temperament he is a bit like Hartley in that he rubs players fans and officials up the wrong way. He finds himself involved in far too much handbags and unnecessary off the ball stuff and generally has quite an unlikeable attitude.
I haven’t seen the incident vs Bath but if as I expect he just grabbed a bit of shirt and got involved in some argy bargy then it pretty much standard behavior. If he wasn’t such an unlikeable character no one would even of mentioned it.
Here you go leon
https://streamable.com/zmcj
I would say that Miller is definitely worth looking at more closely.
And as for Ashton, even as a Sarries fan I can’t condone his reaction and shove on Watson. For someone who’s just come back from a 10 week ban, it’s very poor. Saying that I think maybe getting back in the England squad may do him some good.
Not seen the highlights of the weekend’s games yet but it sounds like Tuilagi had a good match. He is looking back to his old self?