Aviva Premiership Round 12: 5 things we learned

1. New year, new leaf

Leicester’s win over Bath was one for the traditionalists; a game that recalled the amateur days of this age-old derby. It was full of niggle (although without any actual incidents) and the only tries of the game came from forwards barrelling over from short range. Was this a turning point in Leicester’s season; another year in which they come good after the festive period? When you add in the gutsy comeback against Sale the week before, it certainly looks that way. The win of the round, however, belonged to Gloucester at Exeter. The Cherry and Whites are also looking to reboot in 2015 after a dire end to last year that saw them lose three home games on the bounce. They face Saracens at Kingsholm next, which will be quite some acid test. At the other end of the spectrum, Exeter are in danger of undoing all of their early good work after three straight losses, including games against Sale and Gloucester which they would have been targeting for wins. Given how tight the table is (nine points separate third and ninth) they cannot afford many more slip-ups if they are compete for a play-off spot rather than just Champions Cup qualification.

2. Falcons flying (relatively) high

It was massively refreshing to see Newcastle push the Saints all the way at Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night, and in such a pulsating encounter no less. They truly looked a different team to the one that was so dogged but so dull last season; the one that survived by the skin of their teeth at Worcester’s expense, but never really looked like they belonged in the Premiership. They certainly do now, playing with a freedom and abandon on Friday night that allowed them to really test – and at times find wanting – Northampton’s defence. Beyond the joy of seeing them play good rugby, it poses a couple of interesting questions. Is their keeping in touch with Northampton proof that the salary cap must stay, so as not to eradicate such encounters? Or is their willingness to chuck the ball around, safe in the knowledge that London Welsh are all but relegated below them, an argument for a ring-fenced Premiership without relegation? Or both? A debate for another time, perhaps.

3. Eight is the magic number

It has been quite some season for number eights in the Aviva Premiership, and plenty were back at their best as we welcomed in 2015. Thomas Waldrom has given new meaning to the word ‘rejuvenated’ since his move to Exeter, and scored another try against Gloucester to take him to nine for the season, top of the pile by two. Wasps’ Nathan Hughes, one of the players of 2014, isn’t far behind and also scored again to take his tally to six, and while Billy Vunipola may not have crossed the line himself he played a crucial role in the build-up to all three of Saracens’ tries against London Irish. Ben Morgan helped his side to a crucial win in Exeter and signed a new contract with Gloucester, which is good news for them and England. And to top it all off the Steffon Armitage debate has been reignited with the news that the World Cup might be a ‘special circumstance’ that would allow Lancaster to pick him again, with number eight his preferred position in recent times. Every name above is available to England this year (bar Hughes, who qualifies in 2016), giving Lancaster a real selection headache.

4. Pressure cooker for kickers

George Ford was back at his old hunting ground as Bath played at Welford Road on Sunday, and sadly for him the one great problem that dogged his time at the Tigers reared its head again. Since his move to Bath his goal-kicking has been markedly improved, but two simple kicks missed at the weekend were reminiscent of the old days. Every kicker has off days, but this was especially poor from Ford – with a last minute conversion to win his side a bonus point, he not only hooked it but scuffed it horribly off the inside of his boot. Lancaster was looking on, and you could almost sense him wincing as it happened. Gareth Steenson, meanwhile, missed a late kick that would have turned defeat into victory for Exeter. His was, at least, a clean strike that shaved the post, proving again the tiny, tiny margins that make the difference between winning and losing at this level.

5. Too little, too late

London Welsh do seem to be making tentative strides in the right direction, but it is surely too little too late at this stage. They didn’t fall behind to Harlequins until the 38th minute at the weekend, and after a scintillating opening try things were looking good. But their woefully porous defence soon let them down again as Karl Dickson scored far too easily from a quick tap penalty shortly after. It was, at least, a respectable Premiership scoreline rather than the drubbings they have been on the end of at times this season, but without so much as a losing bonus point to speak of it is still not enough to give them any real hope of survival. The maths might speak otherwise, but a loss to the ever-improving Falcons this weekend and it’ll truly be a case of no way back.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images