'It is the cup that keeps on giving...' that was Lawrence Dallaglio's assessment of the new European Champions Cup Competition and as always he was spot on with that assessment. The weekend was emotional from start to finish and the quality of rugby across the board was absolutely first class. In terms of a Premiership Rugby perspective it was a tremendous weekend as no less than four of our Aviva Premiership teams now head to France or Dublin for the knock out stages, so now it is time for us all to get our diaries out, book some flights and enjoy a superb Easter away!! Before then let's look back and review all of the Premiership action from the weekend.
At the Ricoh Arena Wasps gave their fans an emotional roller-coaster of a journey as they turned around a 20-6 deficit to narrowly miss out on the victory. For forty minutes everything went Leinster's way as they showed Wasps exactly how to play knockout rugby, Fergus McFadden's try was supported by sustained pressure and had the boot of Ian Madigan been more accurate then the game would have been out of Wasps' reach by half time. However Dai Young's men showed huge character to turn things around after the break, their resurgence was led by Jake Cooper-Wooley, Joe Simpson & the mighty Nathan Hughes. It went down to the wire with Ian Madigan missing another penalty on 77 minutes and then Andy Goode's last gasp drop goal drifted wide. It was a cracking game of rugby for the neutrals, however I'm sure that it was far too emotional for either set of fans!
At the Ricoh Arena Wasps gave their fans an emotional roller-coaster of a journey as they turned around a 20-6 deficit to narrowly miss out on the victory. For forty minutes everything went Leinster's way as they showed Wasps exactly how to play knockout rugby, Fergus McFadden's try was supported by sustained pressure and had the boot of Ian Madigan been more accurate then the game would have been out of Wasps' reach by half time. However Dai Young's men showed huge character to turn things around after the break, their resurgence was led by Jake Cooper-Wooley, Joe Simpson & the mighty Nathan Hughes. It went down to the wire with Ian Madigan missing another penalty on 77 minutes and then Andy Goode's last gasp drop goal drifted wide. It was a cracking game of rugby for the neutrals, however I'm sure that it was far too emotional for either set of fans!
At the same time in the South of France Harlequins did everything possible to keep their European hopes alive as they ran in seven tries and secured the bonus point victory in the snow. Nick Easter once again pushed his International credentials with 15 carries and 60 meters. Castres fall from the upper echelons of the Top 14 has been difficult to watch and the end of their European journey continues their woes. Castres should be fairly happy with their 89% tackle success however elsewhere they didn't shape up in particular at scrum time as they delivered a measly 67% scrum success rate.
At Franklin’s Gardens the Northampton Saints had a tough day at the office against a focused and quite simply rampant Racing Metro side. Due the draw at the Ricoh Arena both sides knew that they had qualified and that the game was all about securing home Quarter Final advantage however for one of the first times this year Mallinder's men failed to turn up at home. Jamie Roberts was the stand out performer in a Racing side that showcased it's class and intensity whilst his Welsh International colleague George North was the go to man for the home side. I'm pretty sure based on this game Warren Gatland was at home in his slippers smiling whilst all England fans got a few butterflies of the nervous variety! Racing's performance was one of the stand outs of the tournament so far... sadly for Saints it was a European day to forget and worrying to see Tom Wood picking up a knock so close to the 6 Nations.
At the Kingspan Stadium the Leicester Tigers also had a tough time of it as their inconsistency came back to haunt them. Ulster’s Craig Gilroy was the stand out meter maker for the home side that salvaged some pride after a difficult run of form in the competition. Darren Cave's hat-trick must be applauded as Ulster secured the bonus point that Leicester had made the journey to Belfast in search of. It awful to see Geoff Parling limping off early on and that is another worry for Stuart Lancaster with Courtney Lawes and Joe Launcbury both already out of the 6 Nations. Adam Thompstone's try was a cracker but it was of little consolation as they failed to really sing and their European hopes are squashed for another year.
The Rec was treated to an absolute nail biter as Bath stuttered to begin with but ultimately overcame a Glasgow Warriors side that gave it everything. Gregor Townsend's men matched Bath in terms of their physicality which is no mean feat given the power houses contained with our Premiership team. Finn Russell continued to excel and his try saving tackle along with Sean Maitland on Anthony Watson epitomised their collective heart. Bath overcame first half nerves in order to deliver sustained pressure until the end and it was fitting that Francois Louw was the man to have the final word on proceedings. Francois is a giant of the game and Bath now continue on their European journey slightly albeit slightly battered and bruised follow this game.
The Sale Sharks took a slightly depleted side to at Thomond Park to face Munster. It was always going to be a tough task as Munster were on the largest of all bounce backs after their humiliation last weekend. Sale put together some rugby however the might of Paul O'Connell and feet of Simon Zebo were just two of the factors that combined together to put 65 points on the board and provided the home fans with something to smile about after a difficult few months.
At the Stade Marcel-Michelin Clermont did what they are famous for, they cut their opposition, Saracens, down early and never looked back. Nick Abenadnon delivered an outstanding performance and his first half try was world class. It was a physical old match however it did loose a little of it's bite in the second half, Saracens will have been disappointed to not have found their stride during the 80 minutes however qualification was all that mattered and that was done and dusted prior to kick off. A concern for all England fans as Owen Farrell limped off with what looked like a niggly knee injury and left the stadium on crutches. It was always going to be tough in the south of France and Saracens will feel disappointed in their display.
Following the final whistle the qualifiers were confirmed and EPC delivered the draw for the home Semi Finals. From a Quarter Final perspective all of our Premiership sides travel away from home and there are some huge match ups; Saracens at away in Paris against Racing Metro, Wasps travel to last season's Champions Toulon, the Northampton Saints have the task of silencing the Stade Marcel-Michelin against Clermont and finally Bath head to Leinster.
The matches will take place on the 3/4/5 April and it will be a tough, tough weekend for our Aviva Premiership sides however an exciting one. The kick off times will be confirmed over the course of the week when the TV scheduling has been confirmed between BT Sport & Sky Sports
After that the Semi Finals will be played at Toulon's Stade Felix Meyol or Wasps' Ricoh Arena and the second Semi Final will be in France at Clermont's fortress or here in Northampton.
The Sale Sharks took a slightly depleted side to at Thomond Park to face Munster. It was always going to be a tough task as Munster were on the largest of all bounce backs after their humiliation last weekend. Sale put together some rugby however the might of Paul O'Connell and feet of Simon Zebo were just two of the factors that combined together to put 65 points on the board and provided the home fans with something to smile about after a difficult few months.
At the Stade Marcel-Michelin Clermont did what they are famous for, they cut their opposition, Saracens, down early and never looked back. Nick Abenadnon delivered an outstanding performance and his first half try was world class. It was a physical old match however it did loose a little of it's bite in the second half, Saracens will have been disappointed to not have found their stride during the 80 minutes however qualification was all that mattered and that was done and dusted prior to kick off. A concern for all England fans as Owen Farrell limped off with what looked like a niggly knee injury and left the stadium on crutches. It was always going to be tough in the south of France and Saracens will feel disappointed in their display. Following the final whistle the qualifiers were confirmed and EPC delivered the draw for the home Semi Finals. From a Quarter Final perspective all of our Premiership sides travel away from home and there are some huge match ups; Saracens at away in Paris against Racing Metro, Wasps travel to last season's Champions Toulon, the Northampton Saints have the task of silencing the Stade Marcel-Michelin against Clermont and finally Bath head to Leinster.
The matches will take place on the 3/4/5 April and it will be a tough, tough weekend for our Aviva Premiership sides however an exciting one. The kick off times will be confirmed over the course of the week when the TV scheduling has been confirmed between BT Sport & Sky Sports
After that the Semi Finals will be played at Toulon's Stade Felix Meyol or Wasps' Ricoh Arena and the second Semi Final will be in France at Clermont's fortress or here in Northampton.
