The Aviva Premiership opened last weekend and we saw victories for Northampton Saints, Bath, Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs. Here are my Top 5 Talking Points After Week 1.
1: Strettle Stakes His Claim
Wasps’ Christian Wade was billed as the star winger on show for the London Double Header at Twickenham last weekend. Wade lived up to the hype with a thrilling two try performance but David Strettle’s hat trick heroics stole the show.
Strettle has been overlooked for England since his last cap against Argentina in 2013 but will have given Stuart Lancaster plenty to ponder after his sensational game against Wasps. The Saracens winger often has to play second fiddle to Chris Ashton at Allianz Park but there was no doubt who the star on show was at Twickenham and his last minute, match winning try was the icing ion the cake.
Lancaster now has a good headache ahead of the Autumn Internationals if Strettle keeps his form. Wade, Ashton, Jack Nowell, Marland Yarde and Jonny May will all be vying for starting spots but Strettle has an early start on his wing rivals.
2: Big Struggle Ahead for Welsh
London Welsh fans are in for a long season judging by the hammering Exeter Chiefs gave them last Sunday. A 0-52 scoreline at home is about as bad as it gets for any team but you have to feel that things could actually get worse for Welsh as the season goes on.
Welsh’s attack play was very predictable. Piri Weepu tried hard to find holes in Exeter’s defense but was denied and didn’t receive much help from his teammates. Olly Barkley’s kicking was surprisingly poor from the kicking tee but early on in the game he kicked well out of hand.
The first half was encouraging but the amount of errors scuppered any try scoring opportunity. Their second half horror show is worrying for Head Coach Justin Burnell as it seemed his side basically just gave up. Next up for Welsh is an away trip to Bath this weekend.
3: North’s Power Play
Most rugby fans now realise that George North is probably the most destructive winger in the world when he is at his very best. Gloucester were on the receiving end of his talents in the first Aviva Premiership game of the new season.
Saints were pretty impressive in all aspects of their play but it was North once more who stole the show. He had to be treated by Saints medical staff early on as he shipped a massive hit. It didn’t seem to bother him too much as he touched down for two tries in the first half and one in the second.
North’s early season form will be seen as a massive boost for all at Franklin Gardens. Northampton are looking to retain their Premiership crown and if North can replicate this kind of form, few would bet against them.
4: Slater Disaster For Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers have been dealt a major blow with the news that captain Ed Slater has been ruled out for up to nine months with a knee injury.
Slater was part of the Elite Player Squad last season and this injury could rule him out of the world cup this time next year. He also captained England in the midweek game against the Crusaders during the summer tour of New Zealand.
The injury occurred in that game versus the Crusaders It is a big blow for the Tigers as Slater has become an integral part of their squad. Slater will be especially disappointed as he was tipped to gain International honours this season.
5: England Out Half Watch
All of England’s out half hopefuls made their season bow at the weekend. Danny Cipriani, George Ford, Stephen Myler and Freddie Burns all started their clubs games, while Owen Farrell came on as a sub.
Ford was undoubtedly the star number out half of the weekend, kicking 19 of Bath’s 29 points. In the same game, Cipriani kicked 10 points. Burns had a solid start to his Leicester Tiger’s career notching 16 points from place kicks.
Myler got 11 points in Northampton’s rout against Gloucester while Farrell kicked two conversions in his substitute appearance in Saracens victory over Wasps.
Farrell is probably still Stuart Lancaster’s mind and then followed by Burns, Cipriani, Ford and Myler.
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