6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

1. Not hungover

It was back to domestic business for most Six Nations stars at the weekend and unlike the period following the World Cup, there was little sign of fatigue or any unwillingness from the players involved.

Nowhere was that more obvious than at Saracens. They say confidence breeds confidence and the Grand Slam exploits of Owen Farrell, George Kruis, Billy & Mako Vunipola and Maro Itoje were hugely beneficial to Saracens as they returned to winning ways against Exeter.

It’s fair to say that the Barnet-based outfit have struggled without their internationals, but on Saturday their patient fans were rewarded with some scintillating rugby against Exeter, which Farrell orchestrated beautifully.

The same can be said north of the border as Stuart Hogg, Six Nations player of the tournament, rode on the crest of his wave. A yellow card very early on cost his side a try, but a chip and chase score and the game-winning penalty from 53 metres summed up Hogg’s confidence right now. Add in Finn Russell’s cross-field kick for another Scottish international full of confidence, Tommy Seymour, to score, and the rest of the PRO12 may have cause for concern.

2. Never challenge Connacht in an arm-wrestle

Not too long ago it was rumoured that Connacht’s very existence may be threatened by the IRFU but over the weekend the men in green proved precisely why they are so deserving of their place at the top table of Celtic rugby.

Anyone expecting a free-scoring, expansive game would have be sorely disappointed as Leinster visited the Sportsground, but the rugby purists will have loved every second of this one.

A war of attrition ensued involving just the one try and two penalties but the last ten minutes of the game shows you how far Connacht have come in the last 12 months.

Leinster hammered the Connacht line but the hosts weathered the storm, making tackle after tackle as they held out with a show of real tenacity. Now four points clear at the top of the table and with a play-off place all but secured, it’s time to secure a home draw.

3. As tight as ever in the Top 14

As we approach the business end of the season the race for the top four in France is slowly starting to come to the boil, and it looks like the battle for top dog status will go down to the wire. But over the weekend there was a mid-season twist that could turn out to be vital.

Freddie Michalak and Dan Carter rolled back the years to create a story that would have been commonplace in a late 90s World Cup. It may also have a massive bearing on this year’s championship.

With seconds to go Carter looked to have stolen victory from the jaws of defeat scoring a converted try but renaissance man Michalak had other ideas. With the clock in the red the enigmatic fly-half dropped into the pocket and unleashed a 35 metre drop goal to swing it back in Toulon’s favour.

The current incumbents of top spot, Clermont, had to overturn a 19 point deficit in Bordeaux to secure their points.

Despite that epic comeback it looks like the team to watch may just be Montpellier. They are on the charge and with five wins a row, including a 60 point demolition of Racing 92 last weekend, they look like the proverbial dark horses.

4. Chiefs charge into All Black contention

The Chiefs welcomed the Western Force to Waikato on Saturday and put on an attacking tour de force in the second half that may well strike fear into the international community just as much as Super Rugby.

The main reasons for this were two players surely hot on the lips of Steve Hansen and his All Black coaches: Charlie Ngatai and Damian Mckenzie.

The former scored four tries but that alone doesn’t do his performance justice. He is the current Maori captain and has one solitary cap to his name but after an attacking performance like this, he must be amongst the frontrunners to fill the Nonu-Smith shaped hole in the midfield.

Damian Mckenzie is fast becoming a household name at a very young age. You never thought you would be telling Ben Smith to watch his back for the All Black full-back jersey, but that could honestly be the case. Twinkle-toed and involved in nearly every attacking moment, the 20-year old put in a magical display on Saturday, grabbing two tries and assisting on nearly every other score.

5. Ospreys in freefall

One place the returning internationalists could do nothing to resurrect a poor run of form was the liberty stadium, as the Ospreys fell to a third straight defeat, this time against rivals the Scarlets.

They are now ninth in the table with only the two Italian clubs and fellow countrymen from the Dragon’s below them.

All the more surprising was the win itself. The Scarlets had only won at the Liberty Stadium once before and to do ao whilst dominating the Ospreys’ forwards (admittedly missing Alun Wyn Jones) in the process made it even more depressing to watch for the Swansea faithful.

Scarlets are now confirmed as the top region in Wales this season but for the Ospreys, with injuries to Justin Tipuric and Jones hampering their progress, the end of the season probably can’t come soon enough.

6. Rokoduguni has plenty to play for, even if Bath don’t

Many were surprised to see the Fijian-born flyer sent back to his club every week during the Six Nations but Rokoduguni is not one to sulk and has rolled up his sleeves to piece together an impressive run of form.

The conditions at Kingsholm were not conducive to wingers stealing the show but two tries, his second brace in two games, has now surely put him on the international radar.

Jack Nowell is a fine winger and will remain first choice but he was found wanting at times in Paris against Virimi Vakatawa. Would Rokoduguni have fared any better? It’s a hypothetical that we don’t know the answer to, but he’s certainly pushing his name firmly into contention for another crack at the England wing spot.

Whatever happens, he must be on the plane to Australia in June.

By Andy Daniel
(@scrum5ive)