Round 5 was always going to be a huge one for the European Competition as we race towards the business end of proceedings. Naturally we had high expectations for our Aviva Premiership sides given the quality of the competition over the last few weeks however I don't think that any of us expected them to shine quite as brightly as they did!
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| (C) Onside Images |
On Friday Night Leicester knew that they needed a bonus point victory in order to keep their hopes alive and instead being overawed and daunted by the prospect it gave them a sense of purpose. The Tigers scored no less than 6 tries and attacked the game with gusto although I'm sure that Cockers will have given his side a small ear bashing for switching off slightly towards the end. Freddie Burns superbly stepped up to the mark at fly half, having enjoyed limited game time over the past few weeks and up front Leicester delivered against a slightly depleted Scarlets' pack. It was a great day for the Youngs brothers as Tom scored 2 tries and Ben delivered a proficient performance at scrum half.
On Saturday afternoon Saracens had the difficult task of hosting Munster in a Pool 1 clash. Munster’s European credentials go without saying and they have beaten Saracens on five of the last six occasions that they have met however this weekend Saracens meant business from the first whistle. In short they blew Munster to smithereens and made Paul O’Connell’s side look like school boys. Billy Vunipola was in phenomenal form, he smashed everything in sight and carried like his life depended on it, surely he’s now a dead cert to head back into the England squad for the 6 Nations. Munster hearts are huge and to their credit they never gave up however it was their own inaccuracies and basic errors that hurt them. Saracens head into the find round of the group stages looking stronger than they have done all season however Clermont and Stade Marcel-Michelin awaits! Enjoy all the photos from Allianz Park here
At the AJ Bell Stadium Sale put in an admirable performance against the French giants Clermont Auvergne however the boot of Camille Lopez kept the scoreboard ticking away from them. Mr Sale himself, Dan Braid, delivered a Captains performance 10 carries and 12 tackles during the course of the game whilst their speedsters Nick MacLeod and Tom Arscott put in the hard yards. However Sale were missing a crucial ingredient, the man in the fifteen shirt for the opposition, Nick Abendanon who eclipsed the rest with ease generating 16 carries and 120 meters. It was a competitive and honourable performance from Steve Diamond's men that continue to push themselves in terms of their output however against the experience and class of Clermont they didn't have quite enough and will be looking to develop a slightly thicker skin and again learn from the European defeat.
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On Saturday night two of our Aviva Premiership sides went head to head against each other in a winner takes all contest at The Stoop. Wasps arrived with a point to prove as over the past few meetings Harlequins have been the team that they just cannot finish off. Physically it was a brutal game, James Haskell led his side from the front as he put in a shift reminiscent of the great Lawrence Dallaglio, elsewhere Joe Simpson had yet another stormer and Nathan Hughes continued to make us count down the days until he is qualified to play for England, 524 days exactly!! For the home side Danny Care took three tap penalties that due to Wasps' heroic defence produced zero points and in spite of their intent and the introduction of Nick Evans, who exuded class, they were overpowered by Dai Young's men. Wasps press on and will host Leinster in their all important Round 6 match whilst for Quins it is a consolation trip to the Stade Pierre Antoine in the South of France.
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Bath Rugby had the unenviable task of visiting the Stade Ernest Wallon and needing to return with nothing less than a bonus point victory. Toulouse don't lose at home, it just doesn't happen, however Bath turned up and absolutely smashed them out of the park. Mike Ford talked about 'playing with tempo' and going for the bonus point from the offset and boy did they do that with 3 superb tries in the first half. Toulouse, as you'd expect came back with force in the second, George Ford's try saving tackle was one of the best you'll see and then Jonathan Joseph stepped up and made a break any that any All Black would be happy with, surely International recognition is ahead. In short it was one of the best European performances from an Aviva Premiership side away from home in a very, very long time... absolutely outstanding.
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| (C) Claire Jones |
In the final game of the weekend with Aviva Premiership representation the Northampton Saints headed to Wales to face Ospreys. Jim Mallinder's men were made to work hard against an Ospreys side that showed exactly why they are leading the Pro12 at this moment in time. It didn't quite have the delight and intensity of Bath's game in Toulouse but it was a day for the work horses up front as Saints dominated and Sam Dickinson excelled thoroughly deserving his Man of the Match Award. The game tees up a clash of the titans at Franklin's Gardens next weekend against Racing Metro however the home side will be without Ben Foden who left the field with a nasty looking knee injury, of course we wish him all the best in his recovery. Saints will be satisfied with the win, but a small amount of frustration will niggle inside them that they couldn't deliver a bonus point victory.
