It’s fair to say that Round 7 was quite an eventful one and that it certainly delivered after the highs of the European competition the week before. Across the country we saw individuals really stand up and pleasingly for Eddie Jones the majority of those are members of his squad heading to Portugal for their training camp.
Of course now it’s time for two weeks of Anglo-Welsh Cup and that provides us the opportunity to see a number of our Aviva Premiership clubs' squad players in action. It’s a competition that not all love but personally I believe that its place in the season is merited and required. More on that later but for now let's look back and review all of the Round 7 action!
Northampton Saints 23 - 20 Gloucester Rugby
Under the Friday Night Lights Northampton gained a domestic home victory that they so desperately wanted but it wasn’t an easy one to grasp. Ahead of kick-off a knee injury to Courtney Lawes forced them to reshuffle their options at second row and he will have a scan early this week to see the full extent of what’s going on. On the field itself it was a pretty nervy affair and Saints’ fans’ fortitude was tested when their side squandered a 10 point half-time lead. The try by Louis Picamoles to deliver that lead looked a little dubious, yet it was given and Saints had their cushion before the pressure hit. Gloucester’s resilience to come back fighting in the second half was admirable and throughout Charlie Sharples and Jonny May gave Saints plenty to think about but Tom Kessell was the man of the hour for Saints. David Humphreys pinpointed ‘too many penalties at the set piece’ as an issue and his side continue to have a spot of thinking to do while Northampton breathe a small sigh of relief. Key Men: Picamoles’ try was doubtful but his work around the field wasn’t. Three home matches and three man of the match performances. We're lucky to be able to watch the great man in action week in, and week out.
Saracens 24 - 10 Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers’ quest for a victory at Allianz Park continues as Mark McCall’s side gave us all another reminder of their physicality. Saracens were unrelenting in their output and dominated collisions but were frustrated with themselves that they couldn’t deliver the bonus point. After a third try on 44th minutes you’d have put your mortgage on the extra point arriving yet it did not! Once against Billy Vunipola was monstrous and let’s just take a moment to applaud Michael Rhodes shall we!? The back rower wasn’t particularly happy at having to move into the engine room and yet he did an outstanding impression of Maro Itoje and taking the man of the match champagne! Jim Hamilton was Saracens’ go-to man at the line-out but when required Rhodes delivered in that area. Also, he was strong at the set piece and a threat in the loose all day long. On the whole it was a match Leicester will park and Saracens will use the lack of bonus point frustration to continue to drive their standards. Key Men: The two men previously mentioned Michael Rhodes and Billy Vunipola with the latter making a staggering 24 carries. Yes, that’s 24!!
Harlequins 36 - 14 Worcester Warriors
At the Twickenham Stoop some key words from John Kingston were required at half-time to light the home side’s fire and as a result they gained their first bonus-point win of the new season. Over the course of the 80 minutes there were a number of standout performers that need mentioning. First Harlequins’ 20-year-old centre Joe Marchant looked sparky, sharp and very much like Jonathan Joseph with his outing. The centre bagged a try and by my reckoning it was one of his best Premiership outing in a Quins jersey. For the visitors another centre caught the eye and that was Ben Te’o. Te’o’s time, and indeed impact, in a Worcester jersey has been limited until recently but Saturday’s outing showed his worth. The Warrior scored one of his own, set up fellow centre Jackson Willison and was a threat throughout. Following the Anglo-Welsh Cup the challenge for Harlequins will be to deliver their second-half performance for the full eighty without their front line internationals while Worcester will continue to search for victories. Key Man: Ben Te’o finding his form well and giving Eddie Jones something to think about and potentially another option in England's mid-field.
Wasps 31 - 6 Newcastle Falcons
At the Ricoh Arena Wasps extended their home unbeaten record to a staggering 14 games in a row. It’s fair to say this wasn’t one of their most beautiful victories with the later tries putting a gloss on the scoreboard but not every match can be pristine. The injury to Marty Moore early in the first half was a concerning one as he had neck pains after a collapsed scrum. Thankfully the update from Wasps is that his CT scans were clear and that he’s retuned home from hospital. Simon Hammersly also picked up a knee injury and that blotted Falcons' copy book because as a whole their effort was strong and the scoreline didn’t reflect their endeavour. A first-half yellow and penalty try swung the early momentum but again Dean Richards’ side will want to up their conversion rate in terms of chances made to chances scored. Key Men: Personally I’m a great fan of the versatility and output of Jimmy Gopperth. He plays anywhere you ask him and does so with gusto and brilliance. Equally a hit tip to Joe Launchbury who should add greatly to England’s pack this autumn.
Bristol Rugby 13 - 31 Sale Sharks
Bristol have now lost seven in a row on their return to the Premiership and that’s tough to take. The West Country side’s woes were further compounded on Sunday as they lost Gavin Henson to a ‘serious shoulder injury’ after another all to brief cameo on the field. It’s a huge personal blow for Gavin and difficult for Bristol to take as his spark and invention was greatly needed. Sale Sharks arrived at Ashton Gate and did the job well. Mike Haley showed everyone that doubted his inclusion in England’s squad exactly what Eddie Jones sees in him and across the park their backs cut Bristol in two. David Lemi’s 50th league try for Bristol gave the hosts their consolation at the end but it wasn’t a match that they ever looked like winning. Key Men: The aforementioned Mike Haley who is described by Steve Diamond as having the ‘x-factor’ and he showed that.
Exeter Chiefs 10 - 13 Bath Rugby
When the half-time whistle blew at Sandy Park there was a fair amount of disgruntled opinions being put out on social media from individuals that hadn’t really enjoyed the 3-0 opening forty. Yet by full time those viewpoints had reverted 180 and the match in the West Country was being praised left, right and centre. It was a slow burner but for a neutral, and Bath fans, thrilling! At 10-6 up with eight minutes to play Exeter looked to have done enough then Bath decided otherwise. I’ll gloss quickly over the multiple reset scrums that, as Ugo Monye rightly said, were ‘longer than a Monday’ and head to the nerve of the visitors. George Ford’s pinpoint pass to Semesa Rokoduguni on the right wing was sublime and the finish of Rokoduguni phenomenal. If the Bath winger isn't starting against South Africa then I will be VERY surprised indeed. It was a result, and manner of defeat, that will take a few days for Exeter to recover from because they were so close to gaining the win that could have sparked their confidence and revival. For Bath it was pure elation and for the neutral a great reminder of the wonder of sport. Key Men: Ford and Rokoduguni. The former missed a few earlier kicks but still pushed Bath around the field with brilliant and Rokoduguni combined brilliant aerial skills with unrivalled power and pace. 