Before the season started the Out On The Full Spotlight was placed on every single Aviva Premiership team to summarise their signings and ambitions for the season ahead. Now after 11 rounds of rugby it is time to once again cast a 'mid term' eye over our Aviva Premiership sides. In part one I'll look at Bath, Exeter, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester and London Irish, then the rest will make up part two coming shortly!
During pre-season Toby Booth described Bath’s style in the following manner; "To be as positive as you can whilst being adaptable to what's going on around you. Ideally you love to play with the ball in hand all the time, but we've got to the smart about it.” In my opinion those two sentences describe exactly what Bath have done so far in the Aviva Premiership. Mike Ford has two stellar front rows to choose from and an abundance of riches everywhere else including a certain Sam Burgess who is settling down nicely and getting to grips with the finer points of Rugby Union. Overall Bath are ruthless in their pursuit of victory and with their current form they should gallop nicely into the playoffs of our domestic competition.
During pre-season Toby Booth described Bath’s style in the following manner; "To be as positive as you can whilst being adaptable to what's going on around you. Ideally you love to play with the ball in hand all the time, but we've got to the smart about it.” In my opinion those two sentences describe exactly what Bath have done so far in the Aviva Premiership. Mike Ford has two stellar front rows to choose from and an abundance of riches everywhere else including a certain Sam Burgess who is settling down nicely and getting to grips with the finer points of Rugby Union. Overall Bath are ruthless in their pursuit of victory and with their current form they should gallop nicely into the playoffs of our domestic competition.
Mid Term Comment; A squad that is packed with talent and there is still a lot more to come... at this stage a certain title contender.
The Exeter Chiefs have surprised us all in the manner in which they have attacked this season with gusto and their 4th place is nothing less than they deserve. It is often the case that teams talk a good talk during pre-season but then they fail to walk to walk come game time however that has not been the case for Dean Mumm and his men. The Chiefs have put away the tight ones, thanks to the boot of Steenson and played with flair thanks to the fans' favourite Thomas Waldrom. The Chiefs’ tempo and skill levels have been second to none however they must avoid any form of mid-season slump if they are to achieve their Top 6 goal.
The Exeter Chiefs have surprised us all in the manner in which they have attacked this season with gusto and their 4th place is nothing less than they deserve. It is often the case that teams talk a good talk during pre-season but then they fail to walk to walk come game time however that has not been the case for Dean Mumm and his men. The Chiefs have put away the tight ones, thanks to the boot of Steenson and played with flair thanks to the fans' favourite Thomas Waldrom. The Chiefs’ tempo and skill levels have been second to none however they must avoid any form of mid-season slump if they are to achieve their Top 6 goal.
Mid Term Comment; Baxter’s men are proving that when you blend a lot of hard work and some precocious talents it is a recipe for success.
Starting the season with an entirely new coaching set up and a whole host of new players was always going to be testing for Gloucester Rugby however I don’t think any of us expected Round 1 to be quite so difficult. Thankfully since that day the Cherry & White trajectory has been, mostly, in an upward direction although not as quickly as many fans would have liked. David Humphreys is still reviewing the personnel options available to him however when his side have got it right they have the talent to impress. There is no doubt that they have delivered much more solidity from their set piece however a little more potency in attack will really make things sing.
Starting the season with an entirely new coaching set up and a whole host of new players was always going to be testing for Gloucester Rugby however I don’t think any of us expected Round 1 to be quite so difficult. Thankfully since that day the Cherry & White trajectory has been, mostly, in an upward direction although not as quickly as many fans would have liked. David Humphreys is still reviewing the personnel options available to him however when his side have got it right they have the talent to impress. There is no doubt that they have delivered much more solidity from their set piece however a little more potency in attack will really make things sing.
Mid Term Comment; Gloucester must focus on the building blocks to success; squeaky clean discipline and clinically turning possession into points.
Mid Term Comment; With the talent housed in their ranks you expect Harlequins to pick up the pace in 2015 and show us all exactly what they can do…
Mid Term Comment; With a clean bill of health Leicester have the experience and power to be right in the thick of it… but only if they pull their socks up.
Mid Term Comment; A big second half of the season is required for Irish haven't delivered to their capabilities as yet...
Part Two is on the way shortly and will cast the spotlight on London Welsh, Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Wasps
Part Two is on the way shortly and will cast the spotlight on London Welsh, Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Wasps
