Week Nineteen of the Aviva Premiership saw victories for Exeter Chiefs, Wasps, Bath, London Irish, Harlequins and Saracens. Here are my Top 5 Talking Points after Round 19.
Five Talking Points after Round Nineteen of the Aviva Premiership
1: Chiefs Topple Saints
Exeter Chiefs gave their playoff hopes a massive boost with a sensational win over top of the table Northampton Saints. The platform for the Chiefs win was very much laid down by a dominant pack, led as always by Thomas Waldrom.
This was only the Saints fourth defeat of the season and once again it shows how difficult it has become for any team to beat Exeter at Sandy Park. Rob Baxter and his team have made Sandy Park a fortress this season.
Exeter are in a ding dong battle with Bath, Saracens and Leicester Tigers for three playoff places as it looks like Northampton have sewn up first place. Exeter still have to travel to Saracens in a few weeks’ time in a game which could decide the playoff places.
2: Howard Signs for Saints from Western Province
Northampton Saints have announced the signing of Western Province centre Pat Howard. Howard won the Currie Cup in 2014 and will be known to a lot of European rugby fans after spending three months on loan with Munster earlier this season.
Howard played in the Pro 12 and the Champions Cup while at Munster and having seen him up close at Thomond Park, Saints fans are in for a treat. He is a powerful runner but is also faster than you would expect given his size.
Howard also has a ferocious work ethic and I can only see him being an asset for Northampton. Speaking about the signing of Howard, Saints head coach Jim Mallinder said: We’ve been impressed by what we’ve seen, but believe that there is more to come from him and are looking forward to seeing Pat develop in our squad.”
3: London Welsh Building for Next Season
Bottom of the table London Welsh are already building for next season with the announcement that Olly Barkley has become the latest player to commit to the club. This follows the news that front rowers Nathan Trevett, Koree Britton, Nathan Morris and Ben Cooper have also signed on this week.
This follows last week’s news that backs Seb Jewell, Alan Awcock, Nic Reynolds, James Lewis and Will Robinson who have also committed to London Irish. The commitment of these players is some overdue good news for the exiles in what has been the season from hell thus far.
The future looks somewhat bright for Welsh who badly needed these players to commit to the club. It will be a massively difficult season next year but the optimism that these announcements may bring could see London Welsh finish the season on a high note.
4: Kruis and Itoje Sign Long Term Deals at Allianz Park
Saracens have signed up second rows George Kruis and Maro Itoje on long term contracts. Centre Marcello Bosch has also signed a contract extension with the club. This is great news for Sarries as Kruis and Itoje are vital to the club’s future.
Kruis has had an outstanding season so far that has seen him recognised as one of the best second row’s in the country and England honours have followed. Sarries head coach Mark McCall: “He has been in phenomenal form this season for both club and country, and his standing within the group has grown considerably.
He’s only going to get better and better as a player, and we’re excited to see him do that here at Saracens.” On Itoje McCall also said: “Maro’s progress over the last two seasons has been outstanding. He’s captained Saracens to the A-League and LV=Cup title’s with great maturity and he has an incredible desire and hunger to get better as a player.”
5: Champions Cup Semi Final Preview: Clermont Auvergne v Saracens
Saracens go into the Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne as underdogs but they have a good recent history against the French side. In last year’s Heineken Cup semi-final Saracens hammered Clermont by 40 points.
They have played twice in the group stages of this seasons’ competition but Clermont are still hurting from last year will be gunning for revenge this weekend in St Etienne. They are strong in every position and if they get early momentum in the game, Saracens could be in for a long evening.
Saracens on the other hand will be looking to their forward pack and especially their back row to perform at their best to win this game. Billy Vunipola has escaped punishment for his alleged head butt on Matthew Tait and a huge performance from him is needed to beat Clermont Auvergne.
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