Scrum Time is Fun Time - Aviva Premiership Round 9 Review

This weekend it was one for the purists, those individuals that are fans of all things forward focused and front row dominated as we saw some colossal scrummaging displays and a huge amount of physicality across the board. As expected the International window has shaken things up a little so let's review all of the Round 9 action;

Stunning shot from @Katelm76

On Friday night Harlequins headed to The Rec with the intention to break up the Burgess party however Bath ensured that there was no chance of that even before the headline creating man stepped onto the field of play. Bath’s dominance at scrum time was the driving force for their victory and in the back line Kyle Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph put on a flawless show in difficult conditions. Wayne Barnes made full use of his cards and at one point Harlequins were reduced to 12 men and uncontested scrums. It was a less than ideal situation however their heroic defence must be applauded for they repelled challenge after challenge after challenge before eventually Ross Batty proved to be one man too many. Bath and their squad depth is the real deal and their form this international period says it all; played three and won three. Harlequins continue to search for that kind of consistency, but rest assured they’ll be back with a bang when their Premiership and their England men return.   

Exeter have been building for a number of rounds now and the fact that they beat Saracens at home should come as no surprise to anyone. It was the boot of Gareth Steenson that directed the home side with no less than 9 successful kicks off the tee. Henry Slade and Jack Nowell added sparkle, Dave Ewers grunt and the tight five delivered beautifully. Saracens again suffered at scrum time as James Johnston was sent to the bin just before the break. Maro Itoje's late try was of little consolation and with set piece difficulties two weeks in a row a spot of focus is needed before their European double header. Rob Baxter's sentiment about his side's form is plain and simple 'it is about time'. He has seen this potential for a while and now is it finally manifesting itself on the pitch. Victories over the Northampton Saints, Wasps and Saracens in recent weeks is no less than they deserve. 

At Welford Road it wasn’t a classic game of rugby and certainly future games between these two, when it becomes a local derby will be of a higher calibre. For Leicester Tigers was the expertise of another Premiership fly half, Owen Williams, that ultimately won them the match however as Richard Cockerill pointed out they ‘had senior players making poor decisions’ and they paid for it. Wasps lacked discipline and that that cost them any chance of gaining a foothold in the game and indeed proved to be their demise in the final ten minutes. Both Directors of Rugby must re-group their sides and fire them up for a spot of French European action as Leicester welcome Toulon and Wasps travel to Castres next weekend; raising things to another level will be only way either will take anything from the games. 

At the Madjeski Stadium London Irish fell to their sixth straight Aviva Premiership defeat in a game that won't win any awards for being the most fluid of the weekend's clashes! The scoreboard read 0-3 at half time and the match didn't truly spring into life until the 47th minute with Henry Purdy's try. James Hook and Greig Laidlaw continued where they left off before their International duties and up front Gloucester’s pack gave them ascendency, something fans will have been delighted about. For the Exiles it was great to see Tom Homer back on the field, however they need to make more use of their territory and possession if they are to press on and gain their first home win of this 2014/15 Aviva Premiership season. 

Dean Richards summed up the thoughts of every single Newcastle Falcons' player and fan when he said; ‘It was incredibly disappointing to lose that game, even if I can't fault the boys' effort. Our choice of options was wrong sometimes, as was our execution, and that second try was an absolute killer.’ His side are really starting to take shape nicely and this Sunday afternoon game showed that. The Falcons were physical in all facets and their 9, 10 and 12 axis hung together well. There was only one element that they didn’t have and that is Danny Cipriani. Danny’s magic created that killer try and boy was it a beauty. It was a battle of wills in the North East and one that Newcastle should have wrestled back in the final 10 minutes and taken. Frustration, of a positive kind will fuel both sides going into Europe next weekend. 

Finally on a chilly afternoon in Oxford London Welsh fell at the hands of the Northampton Saints however they did so with a huge amount of credibility, in spite of what you might think if you read the score line cold. For the first forty Justin Burnell’s side enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession however they simply couldn’t find a way to convert all into tangible points. The visitors remained firm and patient and simply waited to time their surge. That surge came just after half time with the man advantage and 5 tries later and the job was done. Jamie Elliott impressed out wide with superb distribution and speed whilst Phil Dowson put in a Captain's shift. For London Welsh their attacking intent was hugely positive; their Captain Tom May delivered, as always and Carl Kirwan performed particularly well on his return from injury. Both sides should head into their respective European travels with a spot of confidence after a positive afternoon at The Kassam.