In penultimate round of the group stages the Aviva Premiership delivered us with blistering rugby and emotional scenes as various clubs said goodbye to some phenomenal servants of the game. The results across the country meant that Bath Rugby and the Northampton Saints confirmed their home playoff places however the two sides that they'll face remain unknown. In Round 22 three will go into two as the Leicester Tigers, the Exeter Chiefs and Saracens all mathematically could qualify for the Semis. Before then sit back, relax and perhaps grab a cold one for there's a lot of action to review from a cracking Aviva Premiership weekend.
The Friday Night Lights between Harlequins and Bath Rugby at The Stoop were an emotional set as the home crowd said goodbye to George Robson and Ugo Monye. It was an undulating game played at pace as both sides delivered positive rugby and the result was six cracking tries and the lead changing hands on seven occasions. Whilst George Robson hobbled off with a knee injury after 39 minutes Ugo Monye rolled back the years and scored two strong tries. Harlequins were more focused and precise than in previous weeks, they worked hard for each other and made use of their possession. However the visitors continued to show their own attacking structures and flair and combined this with an advantage at scrum time. The shift of Sam Burgess must be noted for he was as industrious and effective as I’ve seen any Premiership blindside flanker be all season and his relationship with Francois Louw and the bulldozing Leroy Houston is developing well. In the end Bath had that cutting edge and it was the ever present, ever cool, George Ford whose boot delivered them with the victory that secured playoff rugby for the first time in five years.
In front of 32,019 people Wasps hosted their first official local Derby Day against the Leicester Tigers however it was the visitors that romped to glory with their most character filled performance of the season. Leicester started with purpose and amassed a ten nil lead in as many minutes, physically they dominated Wasps and the breakdown was their friend. Only Seremaia Bai will know what he was thinking when he recklessly flew into the ruck head first, it was nonsensical and could have cost his side the match however the Tigers rallied in astonishing fashion. Wasps looked like they were trying just that little bit too hard and in defence they were uncharacteristically soft. Logovi'i Mulipola was at his destructive best and the Youngs brothers utilised their international experience wisely. The emotional response of Richard Cockerill at the end, misty eyes were spotted, says it all. It was a Derby Day to delight for the Tigers and one that shows that Wasps are not quite as street wise as their wily new neighbours just yet.
Another stadium that was filled with emotion this weekend was the AJ Bell as they said goodbye to a number of individuals including Mark Cueto. Sale's opening score was a belter courtesy of the sublime hands of Danny Cirprani, a bracing run from Josh Beaumont and Chris Cusiter tracking well on his shoulder. Naturally the score went down well at the AJ Bell but the roar was nothing in comparison to when Mark Cueto crossed himself a little over ten minutes later. It appeared that it was all going to go Sale's way however the Falcons rallied started to put their game on the park too with Rory Clegg looking extremely comfortable in the ten shirt. Clegg distributed well to their backs and up front they applied themselves with purpose. The Falcons didn't make things easy but their ability to not see out a game has been as constant as their improved attacking play this season. The result and importantly try scoring bonus point for the Sale Sharks keeps them mathematically in the hunt for sixth position and breathing down the necks of Wasps.
At Franklin's Gardens the Northampton Saints delivered the five points that they required to guarantee a home Semi Final. London Welsh started admirably, as they have done in many matches this season, however being as polite as I can you never expected Saints to have any issue with the game. Ken Pisi's feet are something special as he proved so in creating Ahsee Tuala's opening try and his fellow Samoan had a delightful day at the office, thoroughly deserving his Man of the Match performance. Once Saints hit their straps Welsh didn't have the answers and it is a game that won't be dwelled on for too long by the league leaders for there are much greater tests ahead. The first of those tests will be for their Director of Rugby to decide exactly what to do selection wise for their Derby Day next weekend. Does he rest individuals before the Semi the weekend after, which could be a repeat of the fixture, or does he go broke and risk injuries?
It appears that this year quiet and straightforward victories aren’t the quite the Gloucester way, instead a few twists and turns are preferred. In the opening quarter of the match Gloucester hardly had their hands on the ball instead London Irish played all the rugby however they squandered chance after chance. It wasn't until the home side were forced to pull their socks up due a red card that they arrived in the game. The red was to Matt Kvesic who got his technique badly wrong on Tomas O'Leary and whilst he showed immediate remorse it was, by the letter of the law, a red card. The decision was handled well by the home side, they pulled themselves together and in spite of Lewington strolling in for the first try of the game. After the break Gloucester capitalised on Irish ill discipline and through the boot of Greig Laidlaw developed a healthy lead. Dan Thomas cemented his Aviva Premiership debut with a try and Gloucester play positive attacking rugby, the victory sets up a tasty Derby Day against Bath Rugby next weekend, though David Humphreys will have selection decisions to make given their European playoff the weekend after.
Allianz Park treated us to a dramatic finale to the weekend as Saracens hosted the Exeter Chiefs. Saracens knew that if they won they would secure a playoff place whilst for the Chiefs it was do or die in terms of their domestic season. In the beautiful London sunshine the game was played at breakneck speed and it was a close encounter in which the lead changed hands five times in the opening forty minutes. Saracens enjoyed more ball in hand and their back three of Alex Goode, David Strettle and Chris Ashton attacked the match with purpose however Exeter’s collective never say die attitude meant they didn't allowed Saracens to gain a discernible lead. Mark McCall targeted his side's lack of composure near their line as their downfall and what for that to happen. Exeter's Thomas Waldrom continued his run of form producing two important tries and the benefit of having two kickers, working off two different feet with Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson on the pitch was clear. Exeter thoroughly deserved their first victory on Saracens' soil since 2010 as they showed an intensity and level of composure that we haven't seen for from them for a few weeks.
The Friday Night Lights between Harlequins and Bath Rugby at The Stoop were an emotional set as the home crowd said goodbye to George Robson and Ugo Monye. It was an undulating game played at pace as both sides delivered positive rugby and the result was six cracking tries and the lead changing hands on seven occasions. Whilst George Robson hobbled off with a knee injury after 39 minutes Ugo Monye rolled back the years and scored two strong tries. Harlequins were more focused and precise than in previous weeks, they worked hard for each other and made use of their possession. However the visitors continued to show their own attacking structures and flair and combined this with an advantage at scrum time. The shift of Sam Burgess must be noted for he was as industrious and effective as I’ve seen any Premiership blindside flanker be all season and his relationship with Francois Louw and the bulldozing Leroy Houston is developing well. In the end Bath had that cutting edge and it was the ever present, ever cool, George Ford whose boot delivered them with the victory that secured playoff rugby for the first time in five years. 
At Franklin's Gardens the Northampton Saints delivered the five points that they required to guarantee a home Semi Final. London Welsh started admirably, as they have done in many matches this season, however being as polite as I can you never expected Saints to have any issue with the game. Ken Pisi's feet are something special as he proved so in creating Ahsee Tuala's opening try and his fellow Samoan had a delightful day at the office, thoroughly deserving his Man of the Match performance. Once Saints hit their straps Welsh didn't have the answers and it is a game that won't be dwelled on for too long by the league leaders for there are much greater tests ahead. The first of those tests will be for their Director of Rugby to decide exactly what to do selection wise for their Derby Day next weekend. Does he rest individuals before the Semi the weekend after, which could be a repeat of the fixture, or does he go broke and risk injuries? 
Allianz Park treated us to a dramatic finale to the weekend as Saracens hosted the Exeter Chiefs. Saracens knew that if they won they would secure a playoff place whilst for the Chiefs it was do or die in terms of their domestic season. In the beautiful London sunshine the game was played at breakneck speed and it was a close encounter in which the lead changed hands five times in the opening forty minutes. Saracens enjoyed more ball in hand and their back three of Alex Goode, David Strettle and Chris Ashton attacked the match with purpose however Exeter’s collective never say die attitude meant they didn't allowed Saracens to gain a discernible lead. Mark McCall targeted his side's lack of composure near their line as their downfall and what for that to happen. Exeter's Thomas Waldrom continued his run of form producing two important tries and the benefit of having two kickers, working off two different feet with Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson on the pitch was clear. Exeter thoroughly deserved their first victory on Saracens' soil since 2010 as they showed an intensity and level of composure that we haven't seen for from them for a few weeks. 