Only one winner in top of the table clash
The reigning champions reminded the other premiership teams, as well as the continent, of who are kings at Allianz Park on Sunday. They put in a display of intensity and swagger to end Wasps’ perfect start to the season with a bonus point 30-14 victory.
Truth be told, it was a match low on vintage attacking play, but that won’t bother the North Londoners one bit, as they successfully nullified the not-inconsiderable threat that the Midlanders pose. Big collisions and pressing defence were the order of the day, with Saracens taking an early lead through the power of Mako Vunipola. Wasps then got a foothold in the game after an exhilarating line break from Danny Cipriani set up Josh Bassett for a try before half time. They were unable to hold on until the turnaround though as Saracens reclaimed their advantage almost immediately with a Mike Ellery try. After the restart, the visitors got to within a couple of points, but let Saracens have too much of the ball in the closing stages and substitute Jamie George went over for two tries to claim the extra point and put Saracens on top.
For the first time this season, Wasps looked second best, but they are top 2 after having played a lot of their most difficult fixtures of the season already. They should use this experience to push on to win the competition, but don’t expect Sarries to let them do it without a massive fight.
Gloucester and Exeter in high scoring draw
Gloucester put in their best performance of the season so far, but still failed to win as Exeter came back in the closing stages to snatch a 27-27 draw at Sandy Park. The home side looked stunned by the manner Gloucester played for the first sixty minutes, before they fully took control.
First half converted tries from Matthew Scott and Charlie Sharples and a massive Billy Twelvetrees penalty gave them a half time advantage over the Chiefs, who had grabbed a couple of tries of their own. The cherry and whites extended their advantage with another penalty and a well earned try from Ben Morgan, but then a familiar pattern took hold. They allowed Exeter too much ball and field position as they became a little complacent. The hosts got a try through Ian Whitten, scoring his second of the afternoon, and then a penalty, which brought them back to only 5 points down. With the last play of the game the inevitable happened. The Chiefs put a penalty onto the 5m line, and went over with a driving maul. The conversion was missed and the scores tied as the whistle went.
Exeter showed great belief, but the tightness and error free play they have shown the last couple of seasons seems to have regressed. Gloucester, on the other hand, must be frustrating their fans. They are a lovely team to watch sometimes, but just don’t have the mental strength to believe they can win games and compete at the top end. The European break may be what is needed to let both sides take stock.
Newcastle survive scare
The Falcons survived a second half fight back from Bristol to go into the top half of the league. It was Bristol’s first real go at a victory since the opening weekend, but they were to be undone by their slow start.
The opening period saw the visitors effectively put tries on a plate for Newcastle. The first came from a bizarre flick pass from Bristol straight into the hands of Juan Pablo Socino, who darted over. They got another two before the half time whistle, through Will Welch and Joel Hodgson, who burst through a gaping chasm in the Bristol defence. The premiership newcomers did put up their best fight of the season as they kept the Falcons scoreless in the second period and scored a couple of tries themselves. The final score was 19-14, which, whilst not giving them the much needed victory they were after, will give the West Country men an invaluable bonus point.
Newcastle can be incredibly pleased with their start to the season, as they deservedly sit in sixth, and they look like they can push on to a decent final position. They don’t look like they will be in a relegation scrap, which is a refreshing change for the fans. Bristol must look to keep the heart they showed in the second half. They now just need to get victories, it’s just a case of where they will come from.
Quins condemn Northampton, Banahan guides Bath to win, Tigers tame Warriors
Harlequins’ fine home form continued on Saturday as they beat a poor Northampton 20-9. It was a fairly average encounter that only served up one try, for Alofa Alofa. But it was a performance based on forward dominance, which shall particularly cause Saints deep cause for concern, that won it for Quins. The Londoners must now press on and display the same on their travels.
The Sharks failed to do anything on their journey down to the Rec as they went down 30-3 to a Bath team who look more like contenders every week. Matt Banahan was the driving force, cutting a devastating line to burst over the whitewash and open the scoring. Sale defended bravely, but couldn’t make anything happen, allowing George Ford plenty of kicks at goal before another couple of tries for the hosts rounded off the scoring.
Leicester put in a slightly better performance as they got a bonus point victory in a Midlands derby over Worcester. A thundering first half saw Tigers go into the changing rooms 20-0, and kept the scoreboard ticking afterwards for a 34-13 win. Now to do it against tougher opposition.
Sexton inspires Leinster to vital win
Leinster kept up with their impressive early season form, beating fierce rivals Munster 25-14 at home. Johnny Sexton put in a man of the match performance as he controlled the game with aplomb.
The boys in blue dictated masses of the play from the start, scoring two penalties in quick succession at the start and almost going over for a try, saved magnificently by Simon Zebo with a tackle on Isa Nacewa. Munster got on the board with a try for captain Peter O’Mahony, but Nacewa crossed to reclaim the lead before half time. The Fijian flyer went over for a second after the interval, and Jamison Gibson-Park added another to extend the lead. Munster did get another 7-pointer, but it was far too little far too late to affect the result.
The two European powerhouses kick off their campaigns next week, but only one of them looks to be able to replicate the days of glory past. Leinster look the best they have looked for years and should compete on the domestic and European front. Munster have to focus on building a team that can do the same, with an objective of a Pro12 playoff place the priority.
Connacht inflict first defeat on Ulster
Connacht began to look more like the side of last season as they put in a massive performance in their 30-25 win over Ulster. It was the first defeat of the campaign for the men from the north, but they still held on to top spot as they eked a bonus point out of the game.
The hosts fizzed and fired in the first half, punishing bad tackling and scoring three tries in the process. If the westerners had given their visitors something to think about at half time, thought about it they had. A refocused Ulster came out and hauled themselves back into the game with two quick fire tries immediately. Connacht didn’t panic though, and got one more of their own to secure a bonus point and win the match.
The fears of a couple of weeks ago have disappeared somewhat for last season’s champions, with such a big victory against the league’s pacesetters. Ulster’s ability to respond to loss will come under intense pressure now they go into some tough fixtures in the Champion’s Cup.
Free-scoring Ospreys, Scarlets and Dragons in classic, Zebre fall to Glasgow, Edinburgh put in best performance
Ospreys brought Welsh rivals Cardiff Blues crashing down to earth with a massive victory. The Swansea based side crossed the whitewash seven times to the visitors three as they leapt to third in the table with a 46-24 win. The early season promise that Blues displayed now looks to be slightly misplaced, while Ospreys exerted their authority as the dominant Welsh region.
In the other Welsh Derby of the weekend, the Scarlets and Dragons served up a mighty feast of tries in a classic encounter. Both teams managed to get the try scoring bonus point, but it was the West Welshmen who got the big W, 31-27. They had to come back from 13 points to do so, proving they have a vital mental strength. Dragons now have something to build on, finally proving they can join together some plays and pose a threat.
Glasgow Warriors and Zebre also played out a game that was easy on the eye, with the Scots travelling to Parma and winning 33-28. There were seven tries in total, the Warriors scoring four of them, and Nick Grigg involved in three of those. The Italians can still feel a bit aggrieved not to have won so far this season, but with good home performances like this, that will come.
Edinburgh surprised their own fans as they won, and won big, against Treviso. At a hollow Murrayfield, they worked seven tries and saw off their visitors 45-10. Hopefully some more games like this may see some more faces turn up to watch them.
Wallabies secure second, Kiwis second half bombardment
Twickenham played host to the final match of this year’s Rugby Championship, welcoming Argentina and Australia. Both sides went in to the game with a chance of finishing runners-up in the first ever game in the competition to be played in Europe. The Wallabies ultimately ran out 33-21 winners, with Samu Kerevi scoring a brace. The onus is now on the Australians to stop a record breaking All Blacks winning run.
South Africa put in a sterlingly competitive first half performance prior to withering in the second half in a 57-15 defeat to New Zealand. It was the home side’s worst ever defeat in their own country. The first half was positive for the Springboks, with the All Blacks taking a slim 12-9 lead into the changing rooms, however they gifted the visitors tries galore, some through sloppy errors and some through excellent clinical instinct from New Zealand. At the moment, the home nations will be confident of winning against any of the Southern Hemisphere sides, bar New Zealand, in November.
Racing claim Parisian bragging rights
The Parisian derby played out a tense finale as Racing beat their neighbours 29-22. Stade Francais took a lead into half time, before Maxime Machenaud got his kicking boots firing in the second half. With three minutes to go, Stade were three points down and kicked a penalty which seemed to have nabbed a share of the spoils, but Racing got a second try with the last play of the game. 92 still don’t look like the team who were one of the best teams on the continent last year, even with this win.
Two teams in the upper echelons of the league fought out a 17-all draw. Toulon and La Rochelle traded a try apiece, and twelve points from the boot each. The decisive one was a very late one for Pierre Bernard to salvage the tie for the men from the South Coast
Adam Ashley-Cooper scored a try in a tight victory for Bordeaux against Brive at the Stade Chaban Dalmas. A late try for the visitors snatched a bonus point as they went down 27-25.
Clermont put a marker down for the coming weeks, overcoming Toulouse 29-25 at home. They were outscored three tries to two, but had to overcome two yellow cards to keep their place atop the pile. On current form, they look the best bet for a French team in Europe.
Maverick Michalak scored a try, as well as twelve points from the tee when Lyon beat Pau 27-22. Ben Botica starred with the boot as his Montpellier side inflicted a 28-19 loss on Castres. Lowly Grenoble hammered fellow strugglers Bayonne 44-16.
Try of the weekend
It was one that, as Graham Kitchener alluded to, the rest of the team were happy just to watch. Telusa Veainu jigged and jagged his way through would-be defenders as he crossed for a delightful try in Tigers’ victory over Worcester.
Hero of the weekend
Everybody’s favourite long, curly haired Welshman proved himself as legendary and diverse as ever. Adam Jones utilised all his experience to set a strong platform against a massive Saints pack, all whilst playing on the opposite side of the scrum to normal. The technicalities can’t be overstated and the victory was in no small part down to him and his front row colleagues.
Villain of the weekend
The props who were yellow carded late on in the Falcons v Bristol game. It is annoying to watch and Wayne Barnes was visibly getting agitated with their inability to scrummage when he told them they would go to the bin if the next one went down. You know the rest of the story…
By Joe Large
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Itoje and the Vunipolas were outstanding against Wasps on Sunday, and although Cipriani’s excellent break set up a good try, I thought (personally) that Lozovski won the fly half battle. He made some fantastic hits in defence whereas Cips looked very nervous about taking any hits with ball in hand let alone in defence.
I suspect it will be a very different game when we travel to the Ricoh!!
Itoje and the Vunipolas were incredible – Billy in particular was outstanding. I thought Hughes was brilliant too, he still seemed to make hards and find offloads despite often being targeted by two or three tacklers. I would love to see Jones fit High in the same back row as Vunipola.
On the fly halfs, I thought Cips was quite far ahead. Some of his tactical kicking was outstanding, and his ability with ball in hand is unbelievable. I thought Lozowski was good, but considering how much better the Sarries pack looked, I thought he could have caused more problems.
I thought we really missed Tommy Taylor, who has quickly become one of our most important players – surely right in the England reckoning now.
I would love to see Hughes and Billy in the same back line as the carrying power would be immense. It would mean that someone would have to lift one of them in the line-outs!!
I think the difference between Cips and Loz is subjective. Cips with ball in hand is fantastic to watch but defensively he still lacks conviction. Loz was awesome in defence but our attack is quite different and without Faz or Goode we will not throw the ball around much.
I didn’t see the game but Brian Moore said of Cipriani
“Danny Cipriani’s kicking game was easily absorbed by an organised Saracens back line….The only real moment of quality from Wasps in the first half came from one dummy and acceleration as Cipriani fashioned a try from the least promising of situations. The question that remains for Eddie Jones is, does this flash of quality outweigh a comparative lack of stewardship of the game tactically?”
Just demonstrates how people’s opinions can differ – even over the performance of a particular player in one match – something you’d have thought would be relatively objective
Our backline wasn’t as organised as it is when Goode is playing. Maitland’s positioning for some of Cips’ kicks was not great. For me Loz has the balance that Jones is looking for. Much the same as Faz, Ford and Slade.
Cips is great with ball in hand and his tactical kicking is good, but his defence and his workrate are not high enough.
Really surprised by that comment on Cips tactical kicking – I thought it was really good in this.
He’s still a turnstile in defense, which unfortunately doesn’t look like changing so I can’t see Jones picking him.
Agree with Jacob and Dazza.
I don’t think either team were at their best, but my God, Sarries are utterly ruthless and belligerent, and Itoje epitomises that more then most. I’m very relieved he’s English – opposition fans are going to hate him, I know I did for 80 minutes yesterday!
Clearly we have found one area where the Wasps Galacticos are vulnerable – hooker – Cruse was not really up to it, and we struggled there all day – not sure why we didn’t play Johnson. Thought Hughes had a mixed game tbh – not sure I’d pick him on current form for the AIs – think it will be Robshaw, Itoje and Billy, with either Launch or Lawes in the second row with Kruis.
Difficult to judge the 10s. Cipriani did well considering how far on the back foot Wasps were, and Loz’s defensive shift will have impressed EJ (kicking not so much).
What was it about Hughes’ game that you thought was mixed? I thought it was one of his better games recently – I’d love to see him in a pack that has other carriers as I do feel like he gets targeted so much at the moment due to the lack of other carrying options. Without Haskell, Launchbury or Taylor in the side, it was made even worse and he normally had 3 men on him.
I think you’re probably right about the AI’s – I can’t wait for the media reaction to Robshaw being given the 7 shirt back, even though the number on his back will be irrelevant. Or, even worse, Itoje will wear 7 and the media hype about him will go into such overdrive the internet will break.
Interesting about Hughes – I also thought he didn’t have the best of games. Was watching as a neutral so the B Vunipola vs Hughes was one of the match ups I was most looking forward to. However thought Vunipola comfortably won the battle (although in fairness he was always going to be helped by being on the winning side). Hughes gave away a couple of silly penalties and made a few mistakes. Was very well man marked by Billy. We know just how brilliant he can be, but on current form I wouldn’t have him in the England 23. Would rather have Beaumont as back row cover.
‘The early season promise that Blues displayed now looks to be slightly misplaced’
Yes this was always going to happen. Prior to the regions being established Cardiff RFC and its fans thought they were the greatest thing ever in Welsh rugby for no good reason whatsoever and as a region the Cardiff Lose has never failed to fail over and over again.
From that awful Peter ‘Pieman’ Thomas in the boardroom to that overrated import and plastic Welshman Gareth Anscombe, the Loos have always had a soft underbelly that teams usually expose sooner or later.
They have lost 11 on the trot to the Ospreys now and that sums them up.
I’m not sure why you have changed your name Prophet. I preferred Enoch as I knew how to pronounce it
I felt that Cipriani played ok considering his team was under the kosh for most of it. Lozowski, on the other hand, really put his hand up in defence and looked composed, but I don’t see any real genius in his play as of yet. As a squad option, he seems the better bet. I can see what Eddie Jones is driving at when he says Cipriani needs to be the standout 10 to get picked. For the Autumn, I would have chosen him as Farrell won’t have had much game time.
Ospreys definitely stamped their authority down at the weekend. Cardiff still (overall) seem in a better place than previous seasons, but as you say, a soft underbelly could now be exposed. We will see.
So with the likelihood of Watson and Nowell being out injured for the AI’s who do people think should be replacing them. As far as I can remember Wade and Yarde were the only other wingers in the squad?
No Wade in the squad. You’re probably looking at Rokodugni and Yarde plus he may call another winger up to the squad (hopefully Wade) with Watson/Nowell injured.
Oh, and May is also in the squad although not due back for Gloucester until sometime in mid/late October (ditto Nowell from what I hear) so he could also be a candidate although having not played for a year, who knows what condition he’s going to be in.
Roko and Yards sounds pretty good.
Yarde has had a decent couple of matches recently and I always though he upped his game a bit when playing for England. Given the issues with injuries, I wouldn’t be diappointed by a Yarde / Rokoduguni combo
It would also mean with these two larger powerful wingers we could have a midfield of Slade and JJ/Daly alongside Ford (i’m presuming Faz will not be fit as he hasn’t played any rugby so far).
I think you’re being fairly harsh on SA there, they put in so much good work to be just 3 points down at half time, the errors came because they just kind of ran out of steam late in the second half, and that stupid sinbinning certainly didn’t help them. And I still feel that the only team with even an outside chance of beating NZ right now is the All Blacks B team.
I did think they made a real fist of the game for a half. More noteworthy was the fact they completely capitulated at home. Silly errors can’t excuse leaking that many points. Running out of steam can make sense for the last ten minutes, but not 30 or so minutes. Early in the second half I was prepared to write positively about their performance. The second half and resultant scoreline negated that. I completely agree on the ABs B team statement!