Round 13 of the Aviva Premiership saw victories for Sale Sharks, London Irish, Gloucester, Harlequins, Bath and Newcastle Falcons. The Premiership now takes a break until 13th February. Here are my Top 5 Talking Points After Round 13.
1: Easter Shines In Quins Victory Over Tigers
Nick Easter last played for England in the World Cup quarter final against France in 2011. Many believed that this would be the last time the number eight would be seen in the white of his country but the stars have aligned and the calls for his return to the international scene have intensified.
The injury that Ben Morgan suffered in Gloucester’s game last weekend and the incredible form Easter has shown in recent weeks could lead to a place in Stuart Lancaster’s 6 Nations Squad. Easter was sensational in Harlequins win over Leicester there is no question he is the form eight in the league.
Many people will point to the fact that he will be 37 by the time England play their first warm up game for the World Cup and he is too old. This is rubbish. If a player is in top form his age should not come into it and if Easter is the form number eight by September, he should be in the starting line-up.
2: Wasps Sign Up Dai Young For Four More Years
Wasps have extended head coach Dai Young’s contract to 2019. The former Welsh international prop has been in charge at the club since 2011 and they have made significant strides this season. It is a major vote of confidence for Young as the club moves forward.
The team now lie fourth in the Premiership table and have surprised plenty with their rise up the table this term. They have an exciting pool of young and talented players including Nathan Hughes, Christian Wade and Elliot Daly. Add to that the experience of James Haskell and dynamism of Ashley Johnson and you have some quality members of an ever improving squad.
Dai Young was under severe pressure going into this season but Wasps have no doubt improved and this new contract shows that the club believe that the Welshman is the man to usher in a new era following their move from High Wycombe to Coventry.
3: London Irish Replace Brian Smith With Tom Coventry
It was no surprise that London Irish and Brian Smith have parted ways but the parting of ways was expected to be at the end of the season. Irish have also moved quickly to announce Waikato Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry as their new head coach from the start of next season. Smith has returned to Australia on compassionate grounds.
Smith’s return to London Irish has not gone well and their displays this season have not been up to the standard he was hoping for. They are in 11th position in the table and don’t have any relegation worries thanks to London Welsh’s disastrous season.
Tom Coventry has signed a three year deal and was part of the Chiefs coaching team when they tasted Super Rugby success in 2012 and 2013. He has international coaching experience with Samoa as well as New Zealand NPC team Hawkes Bay. Forwards coach Glenn Delaney will take over the reins at Irish for the rest of the season.
4: Sale And Gloucester Provide This Weeks Premiership Shocks
Sale Sharks provided one of the shocks of the season as they beat Northampton Saints last weekend. Tries from Dan Braid and Eifion Lewis Roberts set up the win but it was Danny Cipriani’s conversions and two penalties that sealed the win. Cipriani has been linked with a move away from Sale but he has matured during his time at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Gloucester provided the weekend’s other big surprise of the weekend, beating Saracens thanks to an injury time penalty from the half way line by James Hook. This was a compelling game that had everything. Sadly Ben Morgan and Nick Wood were stretchered off for Gloucester.
As well as Hook’s sensational last gasp winning kick, Gloucester scored what potentially is the try of the season. Started on their own five metre line by Jonny May and eventually finished by sub scrum half Callum Braley it was truly a thing of beauty. A try worth checking out if ever there was one.
5: Champions Cup Preview
The European Champions Cup returns this weekend and it is do or die time for all the Aviva Premiership teams. Here is a preview of all their games:
Leicester Tigers v Scarlets: The Tigers will be looking to avenge the 15-3 loss they encountered when these two teams last met in round 2 of the competition. Both sides are coming off defeats in their respective league but the Tigers will be favourites to come out on top in this game. To have any chance of progressing, both teams will need a bonus point win.
Saracens v Munster: This is also a must win game for both sides but Saracens go into the game as slight favourites. Munster won when the last met but Saracens felt that they left that game behind them. In a game where teams are this closely matched the kickers will decide this game.
Sale Sharks v Toulon: Sale will hope to pull off one of the shocks of the season by beating Clermont Auvergne at the AJ Bell Stadium. They played well in the earlier meeting this season but Clermont’s power eventually saw them come away with the win. The same should happen this weekend.
Harlequins v Wasps: This is the tightest pool in the entire competition and a win for either side could be vital. Both sides are in with a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages but Quins beat Wasps in the first meeting and coming off a great performance in their last game, should win again this weekend.
Toulouse v Bath: Bath travel to Europe’s most successful side where only a win will suffice in their quest for qualification to the next round. Toulouse top the group but Bath are in serious form and could come away with a surprise win from France.
Ospreys v Northampton Saints: Saints top the group by one point over Racing Metro and will hope to secure qualification to the knockout stages with a win at the Liberty Stadium. They will be smarting from last weekend’s loss to Sale Sharks but should have more than enough to see off the Ospreys.
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