With A Little Help From My Friend - England Rugby

On Friday evening we witnessed George Smith making Premiership Rugby look easy as he led from the front for Wasps against the Northampton Saints. 

Before Round 10 of the Aviva Premiership Wasps' record against the Saints didn't make for pretty reading as they had won just one of the last 13 encounters against Jim Mallinder's side. However in less than ideal weather conditions their captain paved the way for a comprehensive 24-11 victory with his outstanding work rate, razor sharp rugby brain and world-class skill set. 

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When Australia's most capped forward was signed by Derek Richardson and Dai Young there were some that said that he was ‘past it’ and ‘well beyond his prime'. However since the start of the domestic season, and indeed after his performance for the Barbarians before it, the Australian has made those individuals look like fools!

In 2016 George Smith remains one of the world’s best openside flankers and it is no wonder that the man that first discovered him, Eddie Jones, quickly secured Smith's services to assist with the national side. 

As we all know England Rugby came together as a squad for the first time on Sunday evening and on Wednesday George Smith arrived to provide the first, of what we hope, will be many breakdown masterclasses. 

For a number of years the greatest criticism that has been laid at England Rugby’s door is that the side have had a lack of scavenging proficiency and the absence of a true ‘out and out seven’. Now it is well documented that in the short-term James Haskell is likely to be the man wearing the 7 jersey, and although the burly Wasp isn't a natural openside, Smith is on hand to make this 'short-term solution' as effective as possible.

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On Friday Eddie Jones and his side hosted an Open Training Session at Twickenham Stadium in front of 15,000 fans. The stadium may have been at less than 20% of its full capacity however there was a distinct buzz in the air. Following a pacy and intense session Paul Gustard shared his thoughts on their maiden week at Pennyhill Park and also gave an insight into exactly what George Smith had delivered on Wednesday.

Over the past few years Gustard’s defensive system has worked wonders for Saracens however that was with a squad that he had the luxury of spending weeks and months with. Instead in his new national role there are just 7 training sessions in total before game one and with such a limited time England's defence coach has focused on implementing ‘five key pillars’. These pillars and a mantra 'of keeping numbers on feet as much as possible' will form the basis of England’s defensive work ahead of Scotland and then he will layer on much more detail as the tournament progresses. 

The components of George Smith’s session was of interest to all and England’s defence coach was highly impressed by both the manner in which Smith delivered his messages and the physical attributes that the 35-year-old showcased;

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“He [Smith] did 25 or 30 minutes of defensive breakdown skills and the way that he explained it was refreshing. He hadn’t been coached and wasn’t thinking like an Anglo-Saxon, where you try to build a process around the tackle. He was just ball driven and the tackle was part of the process, but wasn’t explicit. He just said “we want to get the ball”, while I would have had a mechanical process to do so.”

“The way his body moved, speaking to Chris Robshaw and James Haskell, players who have more than 50 caps each, left the guys a little bit embarrassed in terms of how poor their body moved compared to his. They can take a lot away from the mechanics of how he moves across the ground in those close-quarter situations.”

As mentioned Wasps' Aviva Premiership match against the Northampton Saints highlighted Smith’s teachings in practice. If his knowledge can rub off on England’s back-row forwards then there is the real potential that an area of historic weakness could turn into a future strength. 

George Smith’s willingness to assist England on his day off says so much about him as a character and individual and while he clearly has gas left in the playing tank when he does hang up his boots I expect him to become just as proficient in the world of coaching. 

Back In The Game - Aviva Premiership Round 10 Preview

We arrive at Round 10 of the Aviva Premiership off the back of one of the most dramatic finales to the European group stages that we have ever witnessed. While the Challenge Cup quarter-finalists were decided by early evening on Saturday it went down to the wire in the Champions Cup and I have to say as a neutral it was simply spellbinding. 

With 5 of the 8 Champions Cup quarter-finalists and 4 out of 8 in the Challenge Cup it is fair to say that our domestic clubs should be pretty pleased with themselves right now. Of course a number of individuals have now departed to Pennyhill Park however with the wealth of talent that all of our sides house we should be set for another enthralling weekend of action. This year there are 8 rounds during the RBS 6 Nations and it most certainly is the period that will test the men from the boys! 

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The round will commence at the home of England's new captain, Franklin's Gardens, where the Northampton Saints will be hosting Wasps. Both will head into the fixture with the confidence that arrives from securing European quarter-final spots and both will wish to make firm domestic statements. For all of Wasps' glittering European form they haven't been as consistent in the Premiership and that has to change now. Elliot Daly is surprisingly back and available for selection however hasn't been included by Dai Young in the match day squad instead his DOR has chosen to give others a chance - something I expect will compound his frustration.  As for the hosts well they are starting to move in the right direction going forwards, thanks in a large part, to the fresh enthusiasm and work of Harry Mallinder and he'll have extra room to play with donning the 15 jersey for the first time. The set piece battle will be a gnarly old affair between two powerful packs however I think that Wasps will have the edge in attack with Piutau, Halai and Daly on the charge. Focus Point: The battle of the 7s as one of the Premiership's most experience blindsides comes up against one of the Premiership's most promising for the future - Smith v Harrison. 

The Saturday service starts with Steve Diamond's Sale Sharks welcoming London Irish to the AJ Bell Stadium. London Irish have used this term's European Challenge Cup wisely in order to gain game time for their whole squad and used it to boost morale after a tricky domestic start. Flipping the focus to the home side there's a bit of a buzz around them at the minute as their young players are flourishing and they remain unbeaten at home this Premiership season. The focus that Paul Deacon has put on core skills is really paying off and in the middle Danny Cipriani continues to masterfully pull the strings. The rumours that he will be off to Harlequins next season are growing stronger by the day however for now he's focused on shining for Sale and in turn reminding Eddie Jones what he is missing. London Irish will be without Blair Cowen which does take a good deal grit out of their back-row. The AJ Bell remains a really difficult place to travel to and while I believe that Irish will deliver a good account of themselves I'm fully expecting the Sharks to extend their unbeaten home run. Focus Point: The Wing Men as Topsy Ojo will test his new form against Nev Edwards.

Burns v Burns on
familiar territory

133 miles south Gloucester Rugby will be running out at Kingsholm against the Leicester Tigers and this is a match that is going to be full of bite and menace. David Humphreys' side have been slipping under the radar slightly and will relish the challenge that comes with hosting an in form Leicester Tigers side. Without question The Shed will welcome back Freddie Burns in the customary fashion and his nerve will be tested back on 'Holm' soil, sorry it had to be done!!! Historically the Tigers used to lose a hefty chunk of their squad to England's camp however this year they remain mostly largely in tact and will be ready to rumble. Leicester's inventive back line will be a major test for the Cherry and Whites' defence however it will be without Manu Tuilagi who has picked up a hamstring strain and will be out for 'a few weeks'. Across the eighty minutes I expect plenty of spark and good old fashioned gnarly affair in this Premiership encounter. Focus Point: Keep one eye on the 10s with Freddie Burrns and James Hook testing each other and the other on Telusa Veianu and Charlie Sharples out wide.

Flashback
to Twickenham

Allianz Park will witness the first meeting of last year's Premiership finalists as Saracens will host Bath Rugby. It is fair to say that the two sides are in very different places to each other now. One is riding high in all competitions while the other still is looking to find the performance that clicks everything back into place and makes their fans breathe a sigh of relief. Saracens may have lost 6 players to England duty however when you look at the side that they are still able to field you expect zero drop in output. Notably Hodgson comes in for Owen Farrell, Jim Hamilton and Maro Itoje partner in the second-row and Schalk Brits starts at hooker. Bath's performance against Toulon showed more encouraging signs however they'll need further guts and grit to believe that they can topple the form Premiership side. Rhys Preistland will lead the side at 10 with Dan Boden making his club debut at 12 and crucially Francois Louw is back to captain the side in Stuart Hooper's absence. If Saracens get into their stride early then this could be a tough task for a slightly shaky Bath side. However if the visitors throw caution to the wind and avoid being sucked into playing the Saracens way at Allianz Park then they may be able to get something out of their trip to London. Focus Point: The scrummage and set piece - will Bath Rugby be able to gain the parity that they need?

On Sunday afternoon Dean Richards' Newcastle Falcons will host Harlequins at Kingston Park. Last weekend Harlequins didn't really enjoy themselves over in France as they faded badly in their match against Montpellier but won't dwell too much on that heading back into the Premiership. Japanese tight-head prop Kensuke Hatakeyama has joined the home side to boost their front-row resources and although he won't run out against Harlequins will add further power and proficiency to their set piece. Of course the visitors will be without Chris Robshaw, Jack Clifford, Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Danny Care however like Saracens their depth is strong enough to expect only a marginal dip in output. Without question this is a match that the Newcastle Falcons will need Andy Goode to be on the top of his game and steer their ship, with energy saving proficiency that he is famed for. Focus Point: Collision Central - Nili Latu has been setting the carrying standards this season and I expect Kingston Park's ground to shake when he meets the full force of Mat Luamanu.

The final game of the weekend will be played at Sixways where the Worcester Warriors will welcome the team of the moment the Exeter Chiefs to town. While Worcester quietly went about their business in the Challenge Cup for the past two weekends the Exeter Chiefs made the headlines with their thrilling Champions Cup finale and quarter-final qualification. Rob Baxter has the luxury of fielding Sam Hill, Tomas Francis and Michele Campangero and gives a first Premiership start to young lock Jonny Hill. From hereon in I expect his Exeter side to continue to put their foot on the gas and go from strength to strength with every round played. The challenge for Dean Ryan's side will be to ensure that their defensive line holds strong and that they take every single opportunity to fire some shots of their own. The form book points to a healthy away win however Sixways isn't an easy place to travel to and the Chiefs will know that. Focus Point: The collective confidence of Worcester - Dean Ryan's side must not be phased by the Chiefs' recent success and instead put their game on the park - GJ van Velze's leadership will be vital.

Captain Hartley - England Rugby

With exactly 12 days to go before the start of the RBS 6 Nations Eddie Jones has announced Dylan Hartley as his captain for the tournament. The rumours that the Northampton Saint would be given the job started at the back end of last year and as a result this confirmation didn't surprise too many people however what it has done is to continue to fuel the fairly heated debate as to whether it is the right decision or not. 

Eddie Jones has been very clear as to what he wants from his England captain and it starts with his captain being the first name on his team sheet. The captain will be the man to set the standards on the field and the one that is the ‘conduit between the coaching staff and players'. England’s new head coach has made it clear that this captaincy appointment will be for the duration of 6 Nations however you expect that if Dylan Hartley excels in the role then he will remain as captain for much longer than just 5 matches. 

Naturally this appointment is one that divides and splits opinion, with passionate cries on both sides of the fence and that is due to the fairly long list of misdemeanours that Dylan Hartley has on his record. The offences include gauging, biting and punching however in the red rose of England he has a much cleaner bill of health. So, should these historic acts count against him? In short no, for if no-one was ever given another chance then the world would be a tough place. Hartley has learned from his wrong doings, he has matured as a player and as an individual and is open about being ready to take on the responsibility that comes with this role. 

Of course opponents are going to target England’s new captain, why wouldn't they? Their ambition will be to switch on that 'red mist' and cause his temper to blow. Targeting a player with a feisty temperament isn't new in the world of sport and it will be up to England's hooker to manage his own emotions accordingly. The balancing act will be to continue to play 'on the edge' while still staying on the right side of the officials. If he does so then this choice from Eddie Jones could be an inspired one for Dylan Hartley, by his very nature, is a player that will give England a backbone, an edge and a steel. 

Eddie Jones’ opening comments about his captain were that he admires his ‘aggressive and uncompromising approach to playing rugby’. Dylan is passionate and forthright, he is a man that opponents are wary of and what he must do is to take those around him to his level of competitiveness, physicality and edge. 

Ugo Monye spoke recently on BBC 5Live about how the Australian team at the recent Rugby World Cup knew that they could push England around at their will. Indeed the Australian players felt that England were ‘soft’, they told him this in as many words and didn’t fear England in the slightest. This is a stark contrast to the England of 2003 that Eddie Jones’ Australia played against and something that needs to change and that starts now with Jones appointing Dylan Hartley as captain.

It is clear that England, and indeed Eddie Jones, are not here to be nice and they are not here to adhere to convention and do things by the book. Instead this is about winning and taking a nation with all of the resources in the world to the position that it should be in. This captaincy appointment, along with the squad shake-up, is one very experienced Australian coach putting his early stamp on England Rugby before a whistle has been blow or a ball has been kicked. 

To some choosing Dylan Hartley as captain will appear crazy while to others it is inspired choice. Ultimately the opinion of those outside of England’s camp matters little, instead it will be about how this England squad responds to their new captain and how their captain embraces the honour, and pressure, that has been bestowed on his shoulders.

Mind-sets & Performances - England Rugby

With over 20 years of coaching experience under his belt a little thing like a opening team announcement day in a new job doesn’t faze Eddie Jones in the slightest, instead he thrives on it. 

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On Wednesday afternoon England's new head coach was a professional at work; a straight-talker with a sense of humour that was enjoying explaining the rationale behind his selections. Eddie Jones will only share the information that he wants you to know and nothing more - he's been there and done it all before and it is very clear that he is in charge. 

So what do we now know about Eddie Jones' England that we didn't 48 hours ago? Well, the first thing that he did was to reiterate the fundamentals that his side will deliver. England Rugby under Eddie Jones will have a strong set-piece, a dominant scrum, a good line-out and then ‘the ability to move the ball’. In terms of the latter he wishes to develop the squad’s understanding of 'how and where to move the ball'. Eddie’s 33 is filled with play makers and ball players and it is very clear that in 2016 England will go after scoring points as opposed to simply trying to stop the opposition scoring. For that I must take this moment to pen a little ‘Hallelujah’ because it is exactly what the talent in this country dictates and it is how I believe that the game of rugby should be played. 

One extremely interesting area that Eddie spoke about was a driving ‘change of mind-set’ focused on certain players. He was open about the fact that currently his squad does not contain a strong enough spine of individuals that would walk into a World XV. Again don't mistake this admission to be disloyal, instead he was saying the unsaid, and it will motivate those coming into camp;

“I have no doubt that in this current squad of 33 there are four or five players who if they change their mind-set and they change their attitude, can become world class players. If we get four or five world class players - and I'm not going to name them - then we can be the dominant team in the world."

"That's what it takes. Why haven't England been dominant since 2003? Because they haven't had those players. If you go back to 2003 when I was coaching against Clive, you had Greenwood at centre, Wilkinson at 10, Dallaglio at eight, Hill at six, Johnson at five. They were guys who have changed games of rugby and England haven't had those players."

"Our job is to develop those players and if we do that the side will come through. There are enough good, hardworking players here, but to be a dominant team in the world you've got to be better than good and hard working. You have to want to do that bit extra, seek that extra bit of advice, you have to look at doing things differently. You've got to be desperate and hungry for success.”

How he goes about changing those mind-sets won’t be evident to us all on the outside however he did speak about creating an overarching environment in which the players are ‘absolutely fanatical about wanting to be in a winning England team’. His philosophy on England Rugby in 2016 is that the players are going to have to take full responsibility in order to become world leaders and that won't be easy;

“It's going to take more than what they have ever done in their lives to create a wining England team, that's the reality of it. Because otherwise it would have happened. Something has to change. It's the old definition of insanity. Someone expecting different people to do the same thing over and over again hoping to get different results. It doesn't happen. If we do the same as what we have done since 2003 then we will get the same results." 

If we then drill down into some specifics Eddie also provided an indication about certain players and certain areas. He shared that the openside flanker that he fields in this RBS 6 Nations Championship isn't likely to be his long-term solution there - James Haskell was hinted to be his preference with George Smith doing extra training at Wasps with the back-row forward. George Ford and Owen Farrell are likely to partner at 10 and 12 respectively and Eddie laid his cards on the table as to what he wants from this key area on the field;

"I’m clear in my mind what sort of player I want in each of those positions. I’ve tried to select in that way, but injury plays a part in that so we haven’t been able to select exactly in that way. I want a 12 who can take the ball through the line. A 12’s primary job is to straighten the attack; it was 30 years ago, it was 10 years ago and it still is now."

"They’ve got to make sure they straighten the attack by running straight, so sometimes they’ve got to take contact, other times they’ve got to pass and other times they’ve got to kick. That’s the sort of player we’re looking for. The 13 is like your backs version of a No 8 who can do a bit of everything; he can link, he can put the ball behind them and he’s a good communicator. We’ve got two guys with exceptional feet in Joseph and Daly, and they’re not bad readers of the game."

"The 10 has got to be the bus driver and the servant. He has to know which route to take and know what the team needs to have, and we’ve got two guys who can do that in George and Owen. We’re reasonably well set up."

Eddie Jones and his coaching team's work starts now, they have just 7 training sessions  before their side faces Scotland at the BT Murrayfield Stadium and they must be victorious. Time is against them however the squad is filled with exceptional talent and will be led by a man that knows exactly what he wants and how he is going to get it so we have every right to feel optimistic about England Rugby.

Eddie Jones' England EPS Squad

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England's new head coach is not your shy and retiring type, far from it, instead he is a charismatic and forthright Australian that knows what he wants. He has made it very clear that this will be his International side, one that beats to the sound of his drum and today he made his first significant step towards that by announcing the 33 individuals in the RBS 6 Nations and Elite Player Squad.

Eddie isn’t one to give too much away therefore going into today’s announcement few could have predicted, with 100% certainty, his exact 33-man squad. Of course we all expected some form of shake up, after all England’s new head coach had been very clear that this is a new age in which old records count for nothing, and we are again at the beginning of another four-year cycle that will culminate in a Rugby World Cup. 

Of all of the individuals that miss out the one that most will have not seen coming was the exclusion of Tom Youngs. Tom has been on fine form for his Aviva Premiership Club and although Dylan Hartley was rumoured to be in mind for the captaincy the general belief was that there would be room in the squad for Tom. Instead Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George are deemed to be above Tom in the pecking order, the former of which I find quite surprising. 

Another surprise inclusion is the reintroduction of Marland Yarde out wide. His last full test for England was against Australia in 2014 and although he has stepped up his game this season I thought that the strike rate of others in the Aviva Premiership would have give them the edge above the Harlequin. Once again Danny Cipriani misses out, as does an individual that I've consistently been impressed by, Joe Simpson. Without question both would have grasped an England opportunity with both hands and added greatly however there simply wasn't room for them. Eddie was clear that he 'wants to get the front-row right' and as a result that means being a 'little bit lighter' in other areas therefore only selecting two 9s and two 10s. 

Of course it would be remiss of me not to mention the 7 uncapped individuals that are part of the 33-man squad; Josh Beaumont, Jack Clifford, Elliot Daly, Ollie Devoto, Sam Hill, Paul Hill, and Maro Itoje. Most have been on our radars for a while and the task for Eddie and his team will be to nurture them in the right way. It isn't likely that we will see all 7 as part of the match day 23 to face Scotland however if I was a betting lady Elliot Daly and Jack Clifford would have strong odds to be included. 

The squad will meet together for the first time on the 24th January and just 13 days later will run out at Murrayfield to take on a much more settled Scotland side. Should we be worried? The answer is no, for this England squad will have an immense desire to deliver that will fuel a performance. There are those that took part in the Rugby World Cup and that will wish to show the world that they are much better than their group stage exit indicated. These players are then combined with fresh faces that have been itching to prove themselves on the International stage. 

In terms of the style of rugby that we should expect Eddie has been clear that the philosophy will stem from the players selected. Now we have the names in front of us it is clear that looking at the type of forward, and indeed back, that he has selected this side will look to play with pace, physicality, tempo and width. 

These are exciting times for both fans and players, Eddie Jones has made it clear that he wants this squad to 'change history'. Since 2003 England are ranked fourth in the RBS 6 Nations performance tally and as he rightly says that isn't a reflection of the talent in this country. 

Look out for plenty more to come tomorrow at Out On The Full regarding Eddie's thoughts on this side's potential, mindsets and more. 

England Senior squad for RBS 6 Nations and Elite Player Squad

Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs) Jack Clifford (Harlequins) Jamie George (Saracens) Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints) James Haskell (Wasps) Paul Hill (Northampton Saints) Maro Itoje (Saracens) George Kruis (Saracens) Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs) Joe Launchbury (Wasps) Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) Joe Marler (Harlequins) Matt Mullan (Wasps) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints) Billy Vunipola (Saracens) Mako Vunipola (Saracens) 

Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens) Mike Brown (Harlequins) Danny Care (Harlequins) Elliot Daly (Wasps) Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) Owen Farrell (Saracens) George Ford (Bath Rugby) Alex Goode (Saracens) Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *injury replacement for Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs) Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby) Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs) Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby) Marland Yarde (Harlequins) Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) 

British & Irish Lions Welcome Standard Life Insurance as a 2017 Principle Partner

In 529 days the most iconic Northern Hemisphere touring side will run out at Eden Park and face the double World Champions as the Lions and New Zealand will meet for the first of three tests. 

At this moment in time we cannot be sure of any of the personnel that will be wearing the historic red jerseys on that day however what we do know is that there will be a sea of red in the crowd due to thousands of supporters making the 11,000 mile trip to New Zealand.

In the professional era the Lions is a concept that shouldn’t work, you are taking personnel  from four different nations, with four different playing styles and racing against time to take on the best in the world. However it does due to the calibre of individuals that are coming together and the fierce will and desire that they all have to do the iconic red jerseys justice. That said it isn’t easy, even those that we would consider to be unmovable, are pushed to their limits as Martin Johnson highlighted; 

“The Lions tour will find you out, like nothing else because it is very, very intense right from the first time that you get together. As a player, you have to be at your best, your toughest and your most resilient for only then do you have a chance of being successful.”

It is that chance that another former Lions Captain Keith Wood reaffirmed. The Irishman is an man that, like Martin, was a leader of his nation and someone that the greats around him truly respected. However he shared with me the almost overwhelming daunt that he felt prior to heading out on tour; 

"It is not until you look around the team room and see the quality that you have inside there and the amalgamation of that quality that you think you that have a chance. There it starts, you have a chance and then you have to work unbelievably hard to get to a test series to try and get a win and back up that chance. It is unbelievably daunting, but incredibly exciting in equal measure.”

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Of course the class of 2017 are heading into the challenge off the back of a successful 2013 series, whether that adds even more pressure or not we’ll have to ask one of the individuals following their selection? I expect that it won’t for touring New Zealand is an altogether different prospect to touring Australia. 

One concern, certainly from the outside, is that right now is that there is a gulf in output between the output of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. That is something that we witnessed during the Rugby World Cup and without question the home nations have some catching up to do. This must to be done first as individual nations before they then come together as one and it will be up to every single coach and player drive this improvement from hereon-in. 

The 2017 Lions coach will not be selected until the end of the summer and understandably so for there is so much to come between now and then. Lions 2017 Tour Manager John Spencer is very clear that ‘they have a totally open mind’ when it comes to selection, even in terms of whether or not it is a coach from the home nations. However you expect that it will, and what we do know is that whichever coach takes it would need to be solely focused on the Lions, essentially needing to take a sabbatical from their current role. 

At this moment in time Warren Gatland remains the favourite to take another tour and should he be selected he’ll need to use all of his experience and nous to unlock chinks in what appears to be a fairly indestructible All Blacks armour. 

For now we all have a little bit of waiting to do however as the season progresses and we move into next the players will start to allow themselves to think about the possibility of being a Lions tourist and it will bring out the very best in them. The 2017 Lions touring party will be facing the ultimate challenge however hen it time comes they’ll be ready and we will all be mesmerised and consumed by their progress. 

Martin Johnson, Shane Williams, Keith Wood, Gregor Townsend and John Spencer were all speaking at the launch of a new principal partner of the British & Irish Lions Standard Life Investments. View the full details of the new partnership here

Aviva Premiership Round 9 - Well That Was Intense...

Although Round 9 of the Aviva Premiership contained one less match than usual it was one of the most enthralling and captivating that we have witnessed this term. The Derby Days at Welford Road and The Stoop particularly caught the eye while London Irish and the Exeter Chiefs both held off second-half advances from their respective opponents to the victories. 

Eddie Jones will have been slightly concerned by a couple of the injuries that occurred, both before, and during the Round. Dylan Hartley was withdrawn prior to Saturday's Derby due to a rib injury, George Kruis was knocked out at The Stoop, Joe Launchbury suffered a head knock at the Ricoh and Jack Nowell limped off after being caught in a two man tackle. That said there was better news for England's boss, who is set to announce his EPS squad on Wednesday, with head turning performances from individuals including Chris Robshaw, Danny Care, Tom Youngs and of course we all witnessed the much anticipated return of Manu Tuliagi. 

Elsewhere in Europe Bath Rugby's performance against RC Toulon was the best of their season, by a country mile, and George Ford upped the ante in the 10 jersey. For now we'll stick with the Aviva Premiership action but look out for a Champions Cup article coming shortly.

The match at Sandy Park wasn't Exeter's most comfortable win of the season however it was another four-points to add to their growing collection. Gloucester Rugby arrived with the wind in their sails after two rounds of positive performances however left themselves with too much to do after a slower start than their hosts. Thomas Waldrom continues to press the 'full steam ahead' button as he recored another two tries and Olly Woodburn's first in a Chiefs shirt gave the home side their 19-0 half-time lead. It must be said that the conditions were not overly conducive to rugby, however neither side used them as an excuse for the parts of their respective games that they were unhappy with. That said, what it did mean thought was that the full eighty minutes weren't of the 'vintage' variety. Gloucester's resurgence in the game came after Greig Laidlaw slotted a penalty after the break and had they surged on after Charlie Sharples' try it could have been a grandstand finish. However the Chiefs saw out the victory and this will be one of those games that Rob Baxter secretly is pleased about because it shows how his side are progressing from last season. Last year they didn't grind out every victory as they should however this time around they are learning how to notch up the points even when the performances aren't always pristine. Key Man: You simply can't look beyond Thomas Waldrom for his impact on the scoreboard - Toot Toot!

At the Twickenham Stoop Harlequins became the first side to beat Saracens this season and in doing so finally broke their hoodoo over their London neighbours, having lost their last 14 competitive meetings against Saracens. By all accounts it was a pulsating fixture and one that contained plenty of drama. James Horwill went from Sinner to Saint in the space of eighty minutes. In the opening minutes the Australian was given a yellow card for his collision with George Kruis however he then went onto score the match securing try in the 80th minute. In between we saw Saracens' develop an early lead, courtesy of a dominant set piece, however Harlequins bounced back with character. Again Owen Farrell's boot was on song and Billy Vunipola carried hard however Saracens' discipline ultimately cost them as Rhys Gills' 65th minute red card turned the momentum against them. In the end a crucial Chris Robshaw turnover, followed by a Jack Clifford's break with just minutes remaining on the clock, secured the home side's territory and led to Horwill's late try. It was a thriller and if you've got a spare 80 minutes this week then do watch it online. Watch out for Harlequins' try from a first-half lineout for it is straight off their training paddock and then you've all of the monstrous collisions and tense moments to enjoy too! Key Men: Harlequins' Chris Robshaw & Danny Care - both held their hands firmly in the air for Eddie Jones!

(C) Paler Images

At Welford Road it was the 235th meeting between the Leicester Tigers and the Northampton  Saints and it was, yet another, Derby Day to remember. The home side enjoyed the perfect start to the match racing to a 21-0 lead after just 23 minutes however importantly the Saints kept their cool and Teimana Harrison's try just before half-time gave the second-half a different completion. George North's interception added to their comeback and as the match progressed the intensity continued to rise with every minute played. As has become customary with Derby Days there were talking points - the denial of Paul Hill's try of his life was one and then of course the final penalty against Courtney Lawes will both be debated by some Saints fans. However, from a neutral perspective I'd prefer to focus on the incredible rugby and physicality that we witnessed. Freddie Burns showed nerves of steel to nail the final penalty, quite possibly the most important of his club career, and across both sides we were privileged to witness immense individual performances. For the home side Lachlan McCaffrey was utterly colossal, Tom Youngs led by example and of course it was great to see Manu Tuliagi re-enter the Premiership after so long out. For the visitors Victor Matfield used every ounce of his experience, Tom Wood was stoic and George North showed more direction than we've seen from him in a long time. If you haven't yet seen it yet then I implore you to add this to the 'to watch' collection for the week', for it deserves 80 minutes of your life.  Key Men: Lachlan McCaffrey for his industry & Freddie Burns for that final penalty & handling the pressure of entering the fray for Owen Williams 

In spite of it being only January Sunday's match between London Irish and the Newcastle Falcons had high stakes and both sides knew it. To their credit neither caged up or wilted under the pressure instead the game developed as the eighty minutes unfolded and contained some enterprising rugby. After 46 minutes London Irish had a 20-0 lead, they exploded out of the blocks after half-time with Alex Lewington scoring immediately off the restart and then Topsy Ojo gained his first try since March 2014. However after that they slightly took their eye off the ball and Newcastle pounced. Nili Latu, Marcus Watson and the boot of Andy Goode drew the match back to within a single-score and as the time went into the red Falcons were pressing. Eventually, after what must have seemed like a lifetime to the Exiles' coaches and players, Luke Narraway gained the final penalty and with it another very important victory for the home side. Key Men: Alex Lewington's outstanding acceleration and Shane Geraghty's ability to remind the home crowd of his value!

The match report of Wasps hosting the Worcester Warriors at the Ricoh Arena will be en route shortly. I'm just waiting for the full match replay to pop up on Premiership Rugby.TV, and then the words will flow!!

Aviva Premiership Round 9 Preview - Derby Days & More

Round 9 of the Aviva Premiership promises to be one of the spiciest that we have had so far as it includes an East Midlands Derby, a top of the table clash between Harlequins and Saracens and a bottom of the table match up between London Irish and Newcastle Falcons. On Sunday Bath Rugby will be playing their postponed clash against RC Toulon in the Champions Cup so the Sale Sharks can sit back and relax however for the rest it will be a bruising weekend of action.

The Exeter Chiefs kick start proceedings at Sandy Park where they will be hosting Gloucester Rugby. On New Year’s Day Rob Baxter’s side were off colour against the Northampton Saints however I don’t expect them to be so again. Gloucester Rugby are unbeaten in their last five fixtures in all tournaments however have won just once away from in their last nine trips on the road in the competition. The Cherry and Whites' form, defensive strength and squad depth will be strongly tested by this fixture due to Exeter’s hardy home record, attacking threats and the recent injuries to Paul Doran-Jones, John Afoa, Henry Trinder and Jonny May. The Chiefs don’t give up points at Sandy Park easily, they are the top try scoring side in the competition and with the Aviva Premiership Forward of the Month in their ranks, the Tank Engine, I expect their healthy home record to continue. 

Back in London Harlequins will be welcoming Saracens to town in what should be an enthralling match up. This will be the acid test of Harlequins in terms of just how much they have developed since last season. For Saracens they simply have another opportunity to make yet another a statement against one of the big Premiership names! Without question Harlequins’ pack have to be on their game if the home side are to gain a foothold against the forwards that demolish opponents for fun. If they can do that then their back line must use every ounce of its International experience. Saracens will simply aim to continue where they left off against the Leicester Tigers and I’m fascinated to see how certain individuals get on; George Kruis and Maro Itoje will have James Horwill to deal with, Nick Evans taking on Owen Farrell and then there are some key England match ups. Danny Care and Richard Wigglesworth will face off against each other as will Mike Brown and Alex Goode. 

In Leicester Welford Road will open its doors for the most important day in its domestic calendar; Derby Day against the Northampton Saints. These fixtures never disappoint, they are always filled with drama, bite, a few cards and some sublime rugby. To use Richard Cockerill’s words Tigers were ‘done’ by Saracens last weekend while the Saints gained the important victorious platform agains the Chiefs. Of course I’m fascinated to see the Tom Youngs v Dylan Hartley dual and then you throw into the mix the form of Telusa Veianu, the breakdown skills of Brendon O’Connor, the experience of Victor Matfield and the ability of Courtney Lawes and we are just scratching the surface. Derby Days between these two mean more than all of the other domestic fixtures that they play combined… don’t be fooled by Saints’ slightly indifferent form they’ll be up for this one and it will be brutal, intense and utterly mesmeric. 

At the Madjeski Stadium there will also be a spot of bite to the fixture between London Irish and the Newcastle Falcons. Whenever two sides that are at the bottom of the table meet the pressure is on for neither are immune to what the result may mean in the context of their respective seasons. Of course this match has the added ‘Andy Goode’ factor and if his is selected to play then I doubt that the reception will be the warmest from Exiles’ fans. That said Andy would add greatly to Falcons’ XV as in spite of their Round 8 victory Craig Willis looked a little too green in the 10 jersey. Irish's Round 8 output was promising, but not for the whole game therefore Tom Coventry's side need to ensure they put their game on the park for 80 minutes, not 20 or 40, the full 80 and if they do I expect them to take the match. 

The final match of the weekend will be a the Ricoh Arena between Wasps and the Worcester Warriors. Dai Young’s side have found themselves in a spot of Premiership bother slipping to three straight domestic defeats and back on home soil must revitalise their output. The Warriors’ comeback at Sixways was noteworthy and had they started stronger they could have taken much more from the match, they’re focus will be starting quickly and not letting up. It will be interesting to see if James Johnston runs out for his new club, against the club he never player for however this game isn’t about one individual. Instead I hope that the weather gods look down kindly on this one and allow both sides to open up on the Ricoh turf.

Full KO Schedule

Sat 9th January - 3pm - Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby 
Sat 9th January - 3pm - Harlequins v Saracens 

Sat 9th January - 3.15pm - Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints (BT Sport)

Sun 10th January - 1pm - London Irish v Newcastle Falcons (BT Sport)
Sun 10th January - 2pm - Wasps v Worcester Warriors