1. Anglo-French tide is turning

The Top 14’s grip on European Rugby is loosening. It’s not only the results that have been a surprise, but also the performances. The Racing 92 match against Toulon was turgid at best, whilst Stade Francais’ defensive performance at Welford Road against Leicester was nothing short of woeful.

The Premiership teams played all of the rugby and the game between Wasps and Exeter was the perfect advert for English domestic rugby.

Racing will still remain many people’s favourites to take the title come the end of May but they first face a tricky trip across the Channel to take on Leicester at the ‘neutral’ Nottingham venue in the semi-finals. An all English final is certainly within the realms of possibility.

2. If you can’t Betham…

Peter Betham was one of many under the radar signings by Leicester Tigers in the off season but under the guidance of Aaron Mauger he looks to really be thriving at outside centre. Kiwi-born Betham managed just 41 caps in 7 years of Super Rugby as he represented three of the franchises but in this time he did manage to pick up two Australian caps.

Most of Tigers’ attacking play went through Betham and although he didn’t manage to get on the score sheet himself he played a hand in many of his team’s tries and made some scything breaks.

His partnership with Manu Tuilagi looks more dangerous every time they play together and with former Leicester legend Mauger nurturing them, it looks a hugely potent partnership for the Tigers.

3. Connacht still on the up

It was a gut-wrenching loss to Grenoble after throwing away a 16 point lead but Connacht showed yet again why they are deservedly one place off the top of the Pro12 at present.

They played with the verve and vigour that has been a trademark of their performances this season and when they conceded the lead they showed real fight to drag themselves back into the game.

The late drop goal that ended their European participation this season will have hurt immensely but when they take a step back and look at what they have achieved the only emotion that they can feel for the future must surely be one of excitement.

Robbie Henshaw is and will be an established member of the Ireland team for years to come but players such as Matt Healy should also be considered to consistently wear two different shades of green in the future.

Another jack in the box performance was capped with a try of his own and with public backing from a certain Brian O’Driscoll, even at 27 years of age, Healy could play a big part in Connacht and Ireland’s future.

4. Reds hot again

It’s been a topsy turvy start to this year’s Super Rugby competition for the Australian franchises but the Queensland Reds sparked into life at the weekend and two of their players especially became ones to watch as the competition progresses.

Liam Gill is off to France at the end of the season and after a performance like this the Reds will sorely miss the openside flanker. Nine carries, 71 metres with ball in hand, three clean breaks and seven tackles personify everything that is good about Gill. As an understudy in the national team to David Pocock and Michael Hooper, Gill has been overlooked time and again but this was a performance that belied his second choice status as he dominated the breakdown and was a constant threat in attack.

As one older head is set to leave it looks as though the fresh-faced Samu Kerevi is ready to embark on an exciting rugby career. He was excellent during the first period and finished with a try, assist, sixteen carries, seven clean breaks and 161 metres. Stats don’t tell you everything, but those are mightily impressive.

5. A sore loss

Charles Piutau has, in his short time with Wasps, become a hero at the Ricoh Arena. As much of a stroke of genius as it was bringing him in before he heads across the Irish Sea to Ulster, it also shows us the sizeable hole that he will leave behind next season.

The All Black has been sensational during his time with the Coventry-based outfit with his electric running, offloading and eye for a gap. The biggest loss will be his ability to open up defences for others to capitalise on.

There are rumours that Wasps are preparing an extortionate amount of money to buy him out of his Ulster deal, but Piutau says he is a man of his word and will honour his contract in Northern Ireland and what sort of a price can you actually put on a player of this quality?

6. Cruden ready to step out of Carter’s shadow

Can the All Blacks move on without Dan Carter? This is a question that all Kiwis have been asking. The answer is looking more and more like a resounding yes.

Aaron Cruden is talk of the town at the moment in New Zealand as he and his Chiefs side continue to take Super Rugby by storm. He is a player that sees things before anyone else and his chip ahead created the first try against the Blues at the weekend. He was then through a gap for his own try.

Last week he set up a try of the season contender with an array of skills that Carter himself would have been proud of. The famous Number 10 shirt is in good hands.

By Andy Daniel
(@scrum5ive)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images