Aviva Premiership Round 4 - Drama, Drama, Drama

So there you have it, we have completed the first block of Aviva Premiership fixtures and now all of our sides will commence their preparations for their European adventures in either the Champions or Challenge Cups. 

Round 4 provided some sides with confidence boosting wins however for others it didn't quite deliver the platform that they would have wanted. Across the country we saw tries scored and tries disallowed, plenty of big hits as well as a few cards of the yellow and red variety. So, without further introduction let's dive into the Aviva Premiership Round 4 review. 

On Friday night the Twickenham Stoop turned on its floodlights as Harlequins hosted the Sale Sharks. As expected it was a tale of the fly halves as both Nick Evans and Danny Cipriani were instrumental for their sides. The opening half was dominated by the Sharks as they controlled the possession and territory courtesy of their 10 and it was his crossfield kick that was capitalised on by Dan Braid resulting in their opening try. For twenty minutes after the break Harlequins turned up to their own party and that was when Nick Evans showed his box of tricks. Nick set up Tim Visser for a score with a crossfield kick of his own and delivered accurately from the tee. However then Quins fell back asleep & Sale pressed, Sam James scored a second sensational try in as many matches and had Danny Cipriani’s radar been on form they would have taken the full four points. As it was, his penalty and a final drop goal attempt, both slid wide and Quins breathed a big sigh of relief. Full Time Harlequins 16 Sale Sharks 14. Man of the Moment Harlequins’ Nick Evans

The Madjeski Stadium witnessed a drama fest as London Irish lost by 14 points to 45 against Bath Rugby. It was a tempestuous affair with a particularly potent period in the opening half; Matt Garvey was yellow carded for pulling down the maul and a penalty try was awarded to London Irish. However after the TMO's intervention both decisions were reserved and the Exiles' Brendon McKibbin was given red for connecting his foot with the head of Henry Thomas. Try exchanges from Oli Devoto, who later received a yellow of his own, and Scott Steele left the game precariously poised going into the break.  However Irish were dealt a further blow when Steele left the field with a serious injury meaning they had to complete the game not only a man down but without any specialist scrum half on the field. After half time Bath scored 14 unanswered points and exploited their advantage, Irish worked hard for their consolation score however just couldn't cope. The result leaves the Exiles heading to Europe in search of their first victory and gives Bath a spot of confidence after what must have been a tough week. Full Time London Irish 14 Bath Rugby 45. Man of the Moment Bath Rugby’s Chris Cook

(C) AJB Photographic

Come May 2016 how important will this Round 4 victory be for the Worcester Warriors over the Newcastle Falcons? That is the question that many are pondering on, in spite of there being a lot of rugby still to play before May. The Warriors did the damage in the first half with four converted tries including two from new man Bryce Heem. Indeed there were just three points scored in the second forty and they were from the boot of Falcons' Tom Catterick.  Dean Richards’ described his side’s defence as ‘woeful’ in the opening half and watching his side fall off tackles and lose their defensive of shape will frustrate the Director of Rugby as much as their ill discipline.  In contrast the Warriors were well organised and composed however Dean Ryan will have something to say about the fact that they didn't truly press on in the second after a positive opening half. Full Time Worcester Warriors 28 Newcastle Falcons 20. Man of the Moment Bryce Heem

(C) Paler Images

After scoring 19 points against the Northampton Saints in this fixture back in May, Owen Farrell continued to hurt Jim Mallinder’s side slotting everything off the tee and providing Saracens with their fourth victory of the season. The visitors totally spoiled the opening party for the new Barwell stand with their trademark defensive intensity that stifled the home side. By all accounts this match was far from being a vintage classic, instead it was a dogged eighty minutes with plenty of bite. Tom Wood had a industrious performance in Saints’ back row and on the other side Maro Itoje continued to remind us all of his immense talent. Saints had plenty of brawn but not quite enough invention to bang down Saracens' defensive brick wall and Jim Mallinder has a spot to ponder on before starting their European adventures. Full Time Northampton Saints 6 Saracens 12. Man of the Moment Saracens’ Owen Farrell

(C) PPA 

At Sandy Park the Exeter Chiefs recorded their first win over the Leicester Tigers since the 2011/12 season. The Chiefs’ captain Gareth Steenson had a sensational match scoring all of his side’s points and being instrumental in their victory. Had Adam Thompstone’s try been allowed on 33 minutes then the game might have taken a different turn, however the TMO deemed him to have knocked on and the Chiefs slotted another penalty before the break. For the visitors Telusa Veainu looks like a fine signing as he caused issues from full back however as a collective they didn’t have enough cut through to topple the Chiefs. Richard Cockerill didn’t hold back with his post match assessment saying; "We got beaten physically and that was disappointing. There are some bruised bodies and some bruised egos in there.” On the other hand the Chiefs now head into Europe absolutely flying and sitting in second in the early Aviva Premiership table. Full Time Exeter Chiefs 19 Leicester Tigers 6. Man of the Moment Exeter Chiefs’ Gareth Steenson

At the Ricoh Arena Wasps' recorded their second victory of the opening four rounds against the Cherry and Whites. Gloucester Rugby had a tough opening half and went into the back 0-16 down failing to score a point in a half for first time since October 2011. The moment of the opening forty was a beautiful combination between Wasps' backline as Wade, Piutau and Daly showed us their pace and hands. After the break David Halaifonua saw red for what referee Ian Tempest and his TMO described as a 'high swinging arm. Even after that point Gloucester showed a spot of defiance and  had plenty of possession but just couldn't convert it to points. The drama continued until the very end as with 7 minutes to go Lorenzo Cittadini received a red card for a over zealous reaction towards Billy Twelvetrees mid breakdown however no further points were scored. Full Time Wasps 23 Gloucester Rugby 3. Man of the Moment Wasps' Elliot Daly for his long range goal kicking and George Smith's industry at the breakdown

Director of Rugby - Quote of the Round

Worcester Warriors Dean Ryan saying it as it is after their victory over the Falcons;

"I'm fed up of talking about relegation issues as I'm sure Dean Richards is," he said. "We shouldn't be judged on the past but where we are now."

#ImagineChange Moment of the Round

Let me know your #ImagineChange moments of the round; the positive turning points that swung the momentum in favour of your side. Answer on a tweet with the hashtag #ImagineChange and a 360 degree camera may be on the way to you as a result thanks to Premiership Rugby's partner Ricoh --> see here