Round 2 of the Aviva Premiership saw victories for Bath, Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester, London Irish and Wasps. Here are my Top 5 Talking Points After Week 2.
5 Talking Points After Week 2 of Aviva Premiership Play
1: Saracens Power Game Too Strong
Harlequins Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea spoke of his excitement at the prospect of his charges facing Saracens at the Stoop on Friday night. At half time Quins were still in with a shout but in reality they never looked anywhere near good enough to get close to Saracens.
Saracens have now only lost to Harlequins once in 12 games and their dominance was exemplified by the stunning performance of openside flanker Will Fraser. Fraser came up with three turnovers, 10 tackles and a try. Stuart Lancaster can’t but be impressed by this kind of performance.
Fraser wasn’t the only star turn for Sarries. Charlie Hodgson rolled back the years as he controlled the game from out half, despite his first half sin binning.
The most impressive aspect of their performance was the professionalism in which they dispatched Quins. Any mistake the home side made was punished to the fullest by Sarries. The rest of the Premiership beware, Sarries look meaner than ever.
2: Gloucester React In the Right Way
The pressure was on Gloucester this after they got a hammering against Northampton Saints last week. David Humphreys’ team reacted in the best way possible with a second half comeback against Sale Sharks.
There would have been a huge sigh of relief in “The Shed” after this result. Gloucester’s defence still has a long way to go but there is no doubt that all involved will be enthused by the comeback. Gloucester are a proud club and would have been embarrassed by the shambles of the previous week.
Next up for Gloucester is the Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm and the home side will be optimistic that they can repeat last weekend’s victory. Exeter will provide a much sterner test than Sale, and it will need to be a much improved defensive display if the cherry and whites can prevail.
3: Wasps Lay Down A Marker
Wasps were unlucky not to beat Saracens on the opening weekend of the Aviva Premiership. They did not have long to dwell on this result as the Champions Northampton Saints came to Adams Park. The home side came out on top in a bruising encounter with tries from Tom Varndell and Ashley Johnson.
Saints were frustrated at referee Luke Pearce’s interpretation of the break down but make no mistake Wasps deserved their victory. Nathan Hughes once again impressed for the home side and International honours may not be too far away for him if this early season form continues.
Next up for Dai Young’s men is an away trip to Harlequins. If Wasps are to make the playoffs, away victories will be the key. A trip to the Stoop is exactly the kind of test Young’s side need to see how far they can go.
4: Exeter Improvement Not Enough To Tame Tigers
Exeter Chiefs showed plenty of ambition in their game against Leicester Tigers but they lacked the composure needed to finish the job. The Chiefs displayed a fearless, confident, almost dismissive attitude towards their much vaunted opponents and that contributed to their loss.
The Chiefs took advantage of Vereniki Goneva’s sin binning by going for the corner from a penalty. Dave Ewers duly crossed following the lineout maul. They then needed to hammer their one man advantage home but they failed to do so and the Tigers punished them dearly late on.
Rob Baxter will see plenty of positives from this game, especially with the performances of Dave Hill, Thomas Waldrom and especially Ryan Caldwell. Caldwell’s aggression is a massive plus to the Chiefs pack and if he stays fit and out of trouble with refs, will be a major addition.
5: England Out Half Watch Week 2
Freddie Burns, Danny Cipriani, George Ford and Stephen Myler all started for their clubs over the weekend, while Owen Farrell was again on the bench for Saracens.
Cipriani was the star 10 on show over the weekend in Sale’s defeat to Gloucester. He scored 12 of his side’s 27 points and had a superb game overall. Burns also put in a very controlled performance for Leicester scoring 11 points. His grubber kick for Anthony Allen’s try was the vital score in the Tigers victory.
Ford kicked 15 points in Bath’s massive victory over London Welsh. Myler had a quiet game against Wasps despite scoring 11 points. He had a much greater creative influence last week. Wasps did a very good job in shutting him down. Owen Farrell came off the bench to kick two conversions in Sarries victory over Harlequins.
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