Putting In The Winter Miles - Aviva Premiership Round 8 Review

'Winter miles make summer smiles' those were the words that BT Sport's Craig Doyle used to introduce opening game of Round 8 and there are 12 Aviva Premiership clubs that are hoping that he is right. We have reached the time of the year where the elements play more than their fair share in proceedings and the delightfully stylish wet weather ponchos come out in force! Once again it was an interesting weekend of domestic action even without our International talents. So without any further introduction let's see how our Aviva Premiership sides got on and review all of the Round 8 action; 

The weekend started in South West London where Harlequins hosted the Sale Sharks. Conor O’Shea highlighted pre-game that his side were ‘searching for fluent rugby’ and after 80 minutes of play in the drizzle they finished the game still searching for it. Harlequins had given just enough to the cause to lead 12-9 with 10 minutes to go after Nick Evans and Danny Cirpriani had spent the best part of 60 minutes trading penalties in the rain. Sale put in a strong defensive shift and Captain Braid led from the front and more than deserved the only try of the game. For the second week in a row Harlequins desperately missed the go forward of Chris Robshaw and the ability that Mike Brown has to penetrate the gain line.  

Elsewhere on Friday Night Dean Richards’ Newcastle Falcons secured their first set of back to back home wins since the 27th March 2009, that’s 2065 days of waiting. Gloucester arrived with some missing personnel and in spite of scoring first, the game went away from them in the 10 minutes following the break when they struggled with both the elements and a spot of precision. Newcastle have been building slowly and on Saturday afternoon they found their stride with patience and the boot of Rory Clegg finally being on song. It was a classic Northern Friday night with a difficult set of elements and a match that a young Gloucester side will learn from before taking on London Irish next weekend. Newcastle will entertain the Sale Sharks and will be aiming for a third straight home win.

100 not out @ExeterChiefs

The Exeter Chiefs secured a solid 31-15 point win over Wasps and put themselves top of the Aviva Premiership table, for 24 hours at least. Wasps are a side that suffer acutely from travel sickness having now lost their last 6 away Premiership matches in a row. For the home side three elements combined to produce a strong result; Gareth Steenston's precision and boot, Thomas Waldrom's go forward and Jack Nowell simply enjoying his rugby life. It was a frustrating day for Dai Young and his side for on paper they had all the attributes to make it a close fought battle. Wasps' players and fans will feel slightly aggrieved that no less than four dominant five meter scrums didn't deliver the penalty try however that is the hand that they were dealt with from referee Ian Tempest. 'We let ourselves down defensively' those were the words of Wasps' Andy Goode in the BT Sport Studio on Sunday and it is something that must fix and fast for consistency is the name of the game in this Aviva Premiership competition. 

In Reading London Irish entertained Bath Rugby in the first of their seasonal 'grudge matches' that sees former team mates and coaches battle against each other. Once again Mike Ford's side showcased their considerable depth in talent and expertise as they dismissed an Irish side that had many more of their first choice personnel on display. Gavin Henson's string pulling continues to get better with a 18 point contribution this week, 5 more than last and both Chris Cook and Henry Thomas scored tries that will bring a smile to everyone's faces in their Monday morning analysis session. Best recovery wishes to Nathan Catt who left the field with what was said to be a broken arm however his replacement Nick Auterac performance well. The assessment of Brian Smith sums up his side's day; ‘Our effort was good but our precision wasn't great. We put ourselves under pressure situations which were of our own making.’ 

Claire Jones (C)

It wouldn't be a complete round of Aviva Premiership rugby without a classic 'game of two halves' and that is what we were treated to at Allianz Park on Sunday afternoon. In the lashing wind and rain Northampton were rampant in the opening forty; they were precise, clinical and absolutely dominant at scrum time. For Saracens James Johnston's introduction after the break was the catalyst to turn the momentum and almost the game around. Two men that had a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders were wearing green; Stephen Myler and Luther Burrell and both delivered well. Charlie Hodgson had an opportunity to secure the losing bonus point with a last minute penalty however for once it was not to be. Both sides showed their considerable skill levels and just why they remain as two of the top teams in the competition.  

Stunning shot by @LeicesterTigers

The final game of the weekend was at the Kassam Stadium where London Welsh welcomed the Leicester Tigers. After one of the toughest days at the office you can ever imagine last weekend London Welsh turned up with determination and heart in Round 8. Leicester took a long time to wind up and really get going after an opening forty of what can only be described as error strewn rugby. Welsh's new man Opeti Fonua certainly made his presence felt as he provided them with the much needed go forward and gain line penetration that they have missed before he went off with a nasty looking injury 10 minutes from time. Leicester did what they had to do and secured a bonus point win,  credit to young Harry Thacker for putting two tries on the board and having a solid at the office however they'll need more against a hurting Wasps side next weekend. All in all it wasn't the most glamourous way to end the weekend however sadly we cannot enjoy champagne rugby 24/7!!

Full Round 8 Results

Harlequins 12 – 16 Sale Sharks

Newcastle Falcons 20 – 10 Gloucester Rugby      

Exeter Chiefs 31 – 15 Wasps       

London Irish 23 – 33 Bath Rugby

Saracens 24 – 31 Northampton Saints

London Welsh 5 – 26 Leicester Tigers 

Northampton Saints Photos © Claire Jones RedHatPhoto.com all proceeds supporting Restart, the rugby players' charity.