Well Round 4 delivered didn’t it!!? From Friday night to Sunday afternoon we were spoiled by shock results, big individual performances and more. If it this was a Friends episode then it would definitely have the title 'The One With All The Drama'. So the question now is what do you class as the biggest head turner of the weekend? Sale Sharks’ comeback at Sixways, Newcastle Falcons’ victory at Kingsholm or Harlequins defeat of the reigning champions? I’ll leave that you to ponder of that one while we dive into a review of the weekend's action.
Bristol Rugby 17 - 41 Exeter Chiefs
If you cast your eye over the scoreboard alone and haven't seen the match then it looks to have been another bleak and dark evening for Bristol Rugby. But, if fact that are a number of positives that the side should take out of Friday night. Andy Robinson’s men very easily could have been pummelled and yet their pack really stood up and that greater physicality laid the platform for endeavour. Bristol’s second try was the pick on the night, they went from deep and the acceleration and hands shown from Ryan Edwards and Jordan Williams were top notch. Alas Exeter were too streetwise and ultimately had far too many tools at their disposal. Once again the combination of Henry Slade and Gareth Steenson is blooming as they pulled the strings with ease and out wide Olly Woodburn continues to thrive for the Chiefs. Exeter weren’t quite as ruthless as they would have liked to have been but they travelled back home with all five points and in the end that’s all that counts. Key Men: Olly Woodburn really enjoyed himself out wide and Alec Hepburn was a man on a mission.
Northampton 15 - 20 Wasps
We always knew that the match at Franklin’s Gardens had all of the elements to be a cracker and boy did it deliver. The Saints started with a bang but somehow managed to head into the break down on the scoreboard. Wasps were on the back foot for much of the opening forty but inaccuracies plagued their hosts (that was to be the story of the match). We’ve seen Wasps do the flashy stuff and Saturday was all about their grit and heart with a gorgeous try thrown in for good measure. That try was made by Danny Cipriani's invention and his chip found two of Wasps standout early season performers; Guy Thompson and Jimmy Gopperth. The duo continued to set the tone for Wasps in their respective positions and as a whole the visitors were determined. Saints looked promising, but ultimately were their own worst enemies. George North had one of his best games for the club for a long time and, like Henry Slade, Harry Mallinder looks so much more comfortable in the centres than he does at fly-half. Ultimately Saints’ video session will make for tricky viewing, due to the amount of chances they squandered, while Wasps march confidently on. Key Men: Jimmy Gopperth nudges it for me, he’s Wasps’ heart and soul in attack and it’s sublime to watch.
Worcester Warriors 34-34 Sale Sharks
Nine tries and 68 points it’s fair to say that the crowd at Sixways got value for money on Saturday afternoon! It was the ultimate roller-coaster of a match as Sale raced into a 17-5 lead before trailing 19-17 at half-time. Then in the second half Worcester charged ahead again to 31-17 before Sale clambered back to salvage the draw. Worcester again showcased the fruits of their back line and I remain extremely impressed by Jamie Shillcock and Perry Humprehys, the former’s solo effort on 52 minutes was my pick of the tries. But Worcester’s defence still proved to be a little too light to take the result and that must change. That said three points will be valuable and away from home Sale will happily take their three too given the ups and downs of the match. Key Men: Worcester’s back three has plenty about them to cause team’s issues. Now they need to collectively shut down opponents to hold onto the valuable four points.
Harlequins 17-10 Saracens
Ahead of Harlequins running out at the Twickenham Stoop their fans could have been forgiven for being a touch nervous. The champions were arriving in town and it’s fair to say that Harlequins’ start to the season hadn’t exactly been a walk in the park. Yet John Kingston’s men controlled the game and overall Saracens looked a touch off colour. The hosts were gutsy in defence and held Mark McCall’s side out for key periods just before half-time and in the second forty. If Alex Lozowski’s two second-half penalties had gone over then it would have been an even greater challenge for Harlequins to finish the game off (they were under the cosh as it was) but on the day they held firm. The challenge now will be for Quins to maintain this level and ensure that their squad players step up every week and not just on occasion because that will make a huge difference. For Saracens they’ll wish to park this one as a bit of a bad day at the office and leave it at that. Key Men: Chris Robshaw delivered the type of work rate that few can match and made some vital turnovers when Saracens had the line in sight.
Gloucester 13 - 18 Newcastle Falcons
It’s fair to say that Newcastle’s journey back from Kingsholm will have been a good one after they recorded only their third victory at the ground and their first since 2012. Dean Richards’ side finally broke their long standing travel sickness, they hadn’t won away from Kingston Park since November 2014, and did so through a determined and hard working performance. As a collective the Falcons showed true Northern grit and took their opportunities when they arose. Conversely Gloucester missed theirs and found the pressure of trying to perform in front of a home crowd too much. Elements were solid but too many were not shaky and those were the words echoed by David Humphreys’ after the watch. Gloucester have local rivals Bath rolling into town next and it will be another week of contemplation and trying to find their consistent mojo while Falcons will take plenty of confidence on the road to Sixways. Key Men: Will Welch delivered a captain’s outing to ensure Falcons stayed calm in the face of victory and led with his industry across the park.
Leicester Tigers 34-14 Bath Rugby
Leicester Tigers' early form had been indifferent yet in Round 4 it clicked and on home soil they showed their ‘first real Leicester performance’ according to Richard Cockerill. The holey defence that had been a part of the opening three rounds wasn't anywhere to be seen and instead they had the answers to Bath's questions. Both sides had late changes, Bath's due to injury, and while presence of Owen Williams at ten made a huge positive difference for the home side Bath missed Jonathan Joseph's creativity. The visitors were outmuscled and lacked the true spark that they required to question their hosts. Although Leicester had pushed themselves into a comfortable 27-7 lead they did make their own lives slightly hard work in the second half but Bath weren't pristine in their skill execution,, or discipline and as a result couldn't deliver any real challenge back. Key Men: One from the forwards and one from the backs for the Leicester Tigers. Peter Betham delighted us with his footwork and pace and Mike Williams was bruising and will have given Eddie Jones plenty to ponder on. 