Time To Shine - Aviva Premiership Round 21 - Preview

So here we are, we have arrived at the penultimate round of the domestic season before the playoffs take centre stage. Prior to Round 21 only one playoff position has been decided however come sunset on Sunday evening we are likely to have much greater clarity on our playoff contenders. 

Last year's fixture sent Bath
out of playoffs

The round kicks off in London as The Twickenham Stoop hosts its second set of Friday Night Lights in as many weeks with Harlequins welcoming Bath Rugby to town. This fixture is set to be a feisty one, last season Harlequins were the side that denied Bath a playoff position with their final round victory and revenge will be on the minds of the visitors. Bath require just one win out of their final two fixtures to secure knockout rugby and with a four game domestic winning streak and the second best away record in the league they’ll be targeting this fixture. Harlequins may have stuttered over the course of the year however in Round 20 they started to re-find their groove. There are a number of intriguing match ups including Louw and Robshaw at the breakdownand Evans and Ford in the middle. Bath undoubtedly have more to play for and I expect them to turn up all guns blazing at The Stoop.

At the AJ Bell Stadium the Sale Sharks will be hoping that they can give Mark Cueto a joyous home send off with a victory over the Newcastle Falcons. Sale have only won one of their last five Aviva Premiership matches but according to Steve Diamond this week they have ‘got their ducks in a row’. The Falcons' motivation is clear, they have two games left to show that the strides that they have made from a performance perspective can be translated into victories. When Sam Tuitupou, Jonny Leota and Sinoti Sinoti are all expected to be on the field bruising runs and blistering breaks should be a given, this one could be a cracker, if the weather gods deliver. 

Further South, Gloucester Rugby will host London Irish in their first game since being crowned the 2015 European Challenge Cup Champions. Whilst David Humphreys stated directly after their victory that ‘they would work for every Premiership point possible’ I do expect a spot of squad rotation to occur. London Irish’s only win on the road since September was at London Welsh in February and as we all know Kingsholm isn’t an easy place to travel to. It is vital that Glenn Delaney has instilled a spot of confidence in his side since after their tough Round 20 loss at The Rec and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back. Referee Craig Maxwell-Keys will take charge of his first game since that intense night at Franklin’s Gardens and it will be another strong test for the young man in front of an audience that aren't afraid of voicing their opinions, The Shed.  

The only side to have qualified for the playoffs so far, the Northampton Saints will welcome London Welsh to Franklin’s Gardens. The Saints are in a fortunate position where a victory will secure them a home Semi Final and with all due respect to London Welsh I expect them to deliver one this weekend. At the Stadium mK Jim Mallinder’s men looked much more like themselves after their mid season wobble and now is their time to seal the deal. London Welsh’s output has been building game on game and prior to Chris Halau’fia’s red card at Welford Road they made the Tigers work. Welsh need to focus on continued improvement and it would be great to see Tom May lead them out for one of his last game ever at his former club.

Two critical men
for Wasps

The Ricoh Arena will host its first ever Derby Day fixture between Wasps and the Leicester Tigers in front of a full house as 32,600 tickets have been sold for the Round 21 match. It is a vital fixture for both sides, Leicester are precariously poised in fourth positions with Exeter and indeed Wasps close behind them. Wasps have the best domestic home record of any side in the league having lost just once at the Ricoh however against the Tigers they their record is less positive, with just one victory in their last five encounters. In Round 20 Leicester secured five points against London Welsh however they did so the hard way and if they are to take the spoils on Derby Day they must raise their game. The Ben Youngs versus Joe Simpson battle will be sublime to watch and it will be superb to see Joe Launchbury returning to the action from the bench after months out with a neck injury.  Derby Days always cause Leicester to raise their game, however Wasps have the upper hand based on recent performances, expect sparks to fly for the first of many derbies. 

The only Sunday fixture is at Allianz Park where Saracens will host the Exeter Chiefs. As the table currently stands a 5 point victory would guarantee Saracens a place in the playoffs and if other results work in their favour they may only need a victory however the Chiefs will provide stern opposition. Exeter’s season has surpassed all expectations however they’re hungry for success and know the Top 4 is within their grasp. Cool heads will be required from Rob Baxter’s side at Allianz Park and they’ll need to really exert their own game on Saracens as they struggled to do for the full eighty against Wasps in Round 20. Saracens love playing at home and haven’t lost domestically at Allianz Park since Round 8 however they picked up a few concerning injuries at the stadium mK and looked a little tired. The hope for all Saracens’ fans is that two weeks of rest and recuperation have revitalised their side and they will secure a playoff place for the sixth successive year.

Green Flag Forward of the Season Shortlist

Over the past eight months we have delighted in one of the most enthralling Aviva Premiership Rugby competitions in recent years and whilst it isn’t quite over yet the 2015 awards season is about to begin. 

Each year the Aviva Premiership Awards mark individuals that have shone over the course of the competition and there are a whole host of awards that are handed out in a few weeks time at the Aviva Premiership Awards Dinner. The list of awards span across all areas of the game, the shortlists and indeed overall winners for many of the categories and awards are decided by panels of judges containing representatives from across the world of rugby including former players and members of rugby's media. Last week I had the honour of being part of the panel to discuss and ultimately decide on the Green Flag Forward of the Season. 

This year the forwards across our twelve Aviva Premiership sides have really stood up and made their presence felt and it is a testament to their output that so many names were put on the table for discussion. Our panel was led by a man that knows exactly what it takes to be a World Class Forward, Neil Back and contained, alongside myself, BT Sport’s James Hopkins, The Rugby Paper’s Neale Harvey, Jack de Menezes from The Independent and ITV’s commentator Martin Gillingham. The task of keeping us all in order was handed to the ever experienced Paul Morgan, Aviva Premiership’s Communications Director and together we debated, at length, the candidates for this year's award.

The shortlist, as you may have already seen, comprises of Thomas Waldrom, Billy Vunipola, Nathan Hughes, Samu Manoa and Dave Ewers. As mentioned this was decided on after extensive discussion that included an initial vote and then a re-vote to decide the final member to the shortlist. The shortlist itself contains five back rowers and it must be said that, that wasn't purely down to the influence of Neil; we were united as a panel. Obviously the work of all of our Aviva Premiership sides’ front fives has been invaluable to date however Neil hit the nail on the head when he was explaining why the shortlist ended up with such a composition;

‘What transpired today is that we all know the front five put the team in the right places and put them on the front foot, but the back-rowers carry them there. Rugby is a team game and everyone contributes to success, but if you are looking for the Forward of the Year, someone that is going to be impressive and make an impact every week constantly with the work that they do the front five don’t always stand out.’

After twenty rounds of action the cumulated Opta Statistics are outstanding for each of the five nominees so to further showcase their worth allow me to pick a few highlights for you. Thomas Waldrom leads the way from a Forwards' perspective in the meters made list, he has 1237 in total with only Sinoti Sinoti, 1599, ahead of him. Nathan Hughes has beaten 12 more defenders, 88, than his lightning quick team mate Christian Wade and has made 36 offloads. Dave Ewers’ work rate is epitomised by his tackle count having made the most of any member of the shortlist with 219 to date and only Newcastle’s Mark Wilson has made more. Billy Vunipola’s carrying is central to Saracens’ game plan he has delivered 176 and Samu Manoa’s ability to keep the ball alive with his 27 offloads is essential for the Northampton Saints high tempo game. 

With a shortlist of back rowers it was a prime opportunity for hear Neil’s opinions on the back row depth that our Aviva Premiership sides and indeed England have when all of the players are fit at this moment in time;

‘Competition means that the players have to maximise their individual potential to get in the team and stay in the team. I remember myself being challenged by lots of people, many people talk about Dallaglio, Hill and Back but we had a Worsley, Corry and Moody trio that potentially were just as good so you need that competition. For me the Back Row is a unit, the players have got to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses within that, and make sure that the roles are really defined.’

All five members on the shortlist for the Green Flag Forward of the Season thoroughly deserve their places on the shortlist based on their performances to date and contribution to their clubs this season. As mentioned many other individuals were discussed, Jamie George and Tom Youngs, Nick Easter and Leroy Houston and more were all in the mix however ultimately decisions had to be made, as the video below highlights and I think that the majority of you will agree with our eventual winner that will be announced on 20th May.

Breakdown cover provider and proud partner of Premiership Rugby - Green Flag - has revealed the hotly-contended shortlist for the Green Flag Forward of the Season Award. To keep up to date with the latest news, visit www.greenflag.com, and follow @GreenFlagUK, facebook.com/GreenFlagUK or youtube.com/GreenFlagUK.

European Champions Cup Final - History Created

(C) Paler Images

In order to create history it takes something exceptional and last night at Twickenham Stadium we witnessed Toulon deliver the extraordinary against fearsome opposition, opposition that pushed them to their limits and opposition that would have also been deserving of the Champions Title. 

There was a concern that this Final wouldn’t live up to its very high potential, the concern was that both sides would tighten given the prizes on the line, however thankfully this view was lightyears from the reality. Clermont opened the match at a blistering pace, they looked comfortable and ready for this year to finally be their time. Nick Abendanon's sublime hands put away Napolioni Nalaga charging down the left wing, try line in sight... only the great Bryan Habana could deny the score. Lopez's boot put the opening points on the scoreboard and they pressed on playing the type of rugby that we love them for. In short it was perfect opening for a side that would have been riddled with nerves and their Yellow Army in the stands loved it. However with four World Cup Winners and seven hundred and fifty nine caps in their starting line up Toulon channeled their experience and slowly but surely began to wrestle the match back. Ali Williams’ led the charge, this work rate was phenomenal, he disrupted copious lineouts and you could be forgiven for thinking that you were watching his All Blacks debut and not his European swan song. Leigh Halfpenny’s boot inflicted the damage on the scoreboard and as the momentum shifted back the Yellow Army in the crowd fell into a nervous silence. 

It was a brutal and intense test match, it was a game that you couldn't take you eyes off for a second for fear of missing something however there were two moments of magic in the second half that eclipsed the rest and ultimately decided the Final. Clermont never found the fluid heights of their opening  minutes however they did resurrected themselves after the break and Nick Abendanon’s majestic chip and collect ignited their cause once again. Mercurial as ever few could criticise Abendanon for his efforts, his first half mistake that ultimately led to Bastareaud will haunt him however regardless he was mesmeric. The second magical moment came from a man that may well be back a Twickenham in a few months time for the Rugby World Cup, Drew Mitchell. Mitchell was studious throughout and his break that left six Clermont defenders clutching at thin air was one of the best that the competition has  seen this year, it was a dagger in the hearts of Clermont and the perfect final score to seal history for his side. 

As with all sporting finals the contrast of emotions between the victors and the losers at the final whistle was vast. As Toulon donned their winners medals and greats of the game, Heyman, Botha and Smith signed off their European accounts in style the tears rolled down the faces of the Clermont squad for once again they had fallen short and their hearts were breaking. The fact that it took a piece of sublime skill to finally put them to bed will do nothing to console the side and the disappointment that Brock James must have felt watching injured from the bench is too much to think of now, for we all know that James would have taken the game by the scruff of the next and managed Giteau better than his understudy. Clermont’s Head Coach Franck Azéma said they would move on quickly and not dwell on the result however I think that we all know that his side will take a long time to recover from such a defeat.  

There are some that believe Toulon's success isn't authentic as it has been built off the very deep pockets of Mourad Boudjellal however any player of the game will tell you that it takes more than money to achieve such continued and sustained success. As we have seen on many occasions, particularly in the round ball game, unless individuals have the desire to work for each other, better themselves and achieve together, the true heights of success can never be achieved. 

View the Out On The Full Photos from Twickenham here

European Champions Cup Final Preview

In the words of Bernand Laporte ‘Toulon have arrived’ and how could you argue with the man when his side are going for their third consecutive European title in a row and the starting line up contains no less than 759 caps. On paper, they appear untouchable, in practice it will be the role of the much celebrated and on fire Les Jaunards to tame the largest beast created in recent years.

Twickenham Stadium has the honour of hosting the first ever Champions Cup Final and anyone with a ticket or viewing on either Sky Sports or BT Sport, both have the rights, will be in for something special. The physical battles of the respective squads at any point in time would awaken the senses long before you add on the intense rivalry, silverware and indeed history that will be made this afternoon. Three consecutive European titles has never been achieved and for Clermont the dream of lifting the trophy that they have agonisingly watched others beat them to time and time again would evoke even the toughest of grown men to tears.

The question is how will this match play out? Who will gain the upper hand? Dare we predict that it will go to extra time? It is fair to say that most Finals usually have a clear favourite, one side that knows that they are in the driving seat and should take the title all things considered. However with the 2015 Champions Cup Final I genuinely believe that you could make a strong case for either here. At Toulon’s heart is the most discussed man in the land, Steffon Armitage, his ability to disrupt and win possession is unrivalled in the competition, is highlighted in the 19 turnovers he has achieved to date, over double Fritz Lee who is Clermont’s highest achiever. Out the back Matt Giteau will be central to unlocking proceedings; Giteau hasn’t played any minutes at 10 this season however his natural talent and experience will see him through with bells on. Let’s not forget the reason why Australia’s change in selection policy has been nicknamed ‘The Giteau Clause’ and it will be his service to those outside of him, Hernandez, Bastareaud, Habana and Mitchell that will generate the pace required.

In the Quarter Finals Clermont hypnotised us all, they were utterly ruthless and displayed decadent and effective attacking rugby to crush the Northampton Saints. A little while later under a mountain of pressure they pushed aside Saracens, in this match they had to show other side of their game as they were forced to play tighter, with less ball in hand and rely on taking their moment wisely. As we saw, they did so with proficiency and should be prepared for whatever Toulon choose to throw at them. Fofana, Nakaitaci and Abendanon must be at their igniting best and deliver consistent brilliance, Jamie Cudmore’s jousts with Botha and Williams will be mesmerising and must be fruitful for Clermont and Parra and James must channel their combined experience.

The amount of pressure on the shoulders of both sides is more than any of us could cope with, however given the talent, experience and prowess amongst the two squads I don’t expect there to be any signs of choking, to a man they have all dealt with intense Finals before and exceptional output is mandatory and not optional. From the outside it takes a brave person to look past the experience of Toulon, they have been there and done it before whilst Clermont have the cloud of previous defeats hanging over them. Toulon haven’t shone just yet however you know that on their day they can beat any side in Europe. Ultimately there are isn’t a clear cut answer as to today's result and the only certainty is that we will witness a truly great European Champions Cup Final. 

European Challenge Cup Final - Gloucester's Glory

(C) Paler Images

Last night Cherry and White eyes were smiling as Gloucester Rugby lifted their first piece of silverware since 2011. It was an emotional night for David Humphreys' and his side as they showed tremendous heart and character in the face of a valiant effort from Edinburgh Rugby. 

The talent housed in Gloucester Rugby's squad rivals some of the very best in the Aviva Premiership and last night, in spite of making life hard of themselves, they showcased their abilities on the largest stage of their year. The fact that a place in the European Champions Cup playoffs was at stake as well as there being a trophy on the line added an extra level of pressure and excluding the two moments of ill discipline, they handled this weight on their shoulders admirably. 

Ultimately last night's victory came down to the collective character of the side, defensively they worked themselves into the ground and in attack they paid a high tempo game. As always in memorable victories there were individuals that shone; the manner in which Grieg Laidlaw took charge to see out the final five minutes of the game, following a critical turnover, highlighted just one of the reasons why Vern Cotter trusts him with Scotland's Captaincy. Laidlaw's proficiency off the tee has been one of Gloucester's weapons this season and his cool delivery of fourteen points added to a polished and proficient performance. The Man of the Match, Jonny May, showed off his lightening pace and silky smooth skills going forwards and had it not been for one of the best tap tackles that we'll see all year from Cornell Du Preez, he would have scored the try of the tournament. That said he set up Billy Twelvetrees' score and was a constant threat throughout and as for Gloucester's Captain, he showed true leadership to guide the side throughout the eighty minute emotional rollar-coaster. 

As we all know Gloucester started this season on the back foot and victory itself means a huge amount to all concerned at the Club as David Humphreys' articulated after the game; 

'Over the last few weeks we haven’t made it easy for ourselves in any game, but we have shown real character, real determination, we’ve hung on in games that we could have so easily lost earlier in the season and there is no doubt that the team has evolved from that point of view. We were thrown together with 25 new players, a completely new coaching team and we probably naively at the start of the year thought that it might have been easier than it has proved to be but again a huge amount of work is rewarded with the victory tonight.' 

Rightly so the celebrations will have gone on long into the night and today I expect there to be a few fans and maybe even players nursing sore heads however as we all know this year there is little to no rest for the wicked. Gloucester's hard fought and gutsy victory  secured their place in the European Champions Cup playoffs and as we are all well aware the return of the final two rounds of the Aviva Premiership is just around the corner. However, right now, on the morning after the night before let us just take a moment to say 'Congratulations Gloucester', what a night and what a victory. 

European Spotlight; Nick Abendanon

At Bath Rugby Nick Abendanon delighted us all with his prowess, commitment and unwavering talent, when he signed off for the last time at The Rec tears were shed and now less than twelve months down the line he is adored by the Clermont Army in exactly the same way.

Currently in Europe, Full Back is a position of great strength across all of the nations with Kearney, Hogg, Masi, Spedding, Halfpenny and Brown showing their worth on an International stage whilst Abendanon, Goode, D Armitage, Dulin, and Foden pre injury are amongst those doing so on the domestic stage. The greatest of Full Backs calm their teams by never faltering as the last man in defence, being the safest of hands under the high ball and making scathing breaks that ignite the team going forwards. Abendanon does the lot, with bells on, he deserves his place on the European Player of the Year shortlist and it is this form that has induced lengthy discussions regarding whether or not he should be part of England's World Cup Squad. It is a debate that is rampaging around the country, opinions are strongly voiced everywhere however it is something the man himself gives little attention to as he shared at yesterday's pre-Final press conference; 

‘To be honest with you I know that there has been a lot of talk about it, but at the end of the day it has got nothing to go with how well Stef and I play. I think that we both have played our part, as players, to get our teams into this position and Stuart is going to be the only one that can make that decision and so I’m sure that we will just go out and do exactly the same as we have done throughout the tournament and it is out of our hands, it isn’t really something that we can change.’

The move to France was a brave one, we know that many players have found the transition tough and not quite as exciting as they imagined however the early signs are that Nick bendanon isn’t one of them. During the course of the European Competition Nick has made 761 meters, 165 more than any other player and he has shown time and time again how importance his presence is. It is Nick's electric talent that delightfully compliments so well the enigmas that are Wesley Fofana and Noa Nakaitaci in front of him. A strong sense of self awareness is key for all successful professional players and rightly so Nick knows that his performances have continued on an upward trajectory since his move across the channel, this is fact and not arrogance; 

‘I think I have improved as a player. I was very comfortable at Bath having been there for 10 years and playing every week for them… coming to a new team and getting coached by new coaches and playing with new players, some of the best that I have had the privilege of playing with, you learn new things, you pick up little slight intricacies and different things that are going to help your game. Therefore in that respect it has been something that has really helped my game and it is a great thing [moving to France] that I feel that I’ve done.’

Nick isn’t shy in saying that he headed to France in search of playing on the largest of stages and running out in European Finals, that was his motivation and today he will achieve it at the first time of asking, it is ‘a dream come true’. The pressure on Nick to perform is tremendous, he may not have the historical hurt that some of his team mates have regarding previous European knockout losses however the importance of breaking the Final curse hanging over the side will not be lost on the man. Toulon’s driver is making history however Clermont’s runs deeper for no team ever wants to hold the tag ‘the best side never to have won the trophy’ for too long. Today I expect to see Abendanon unleashed on the Twickenham turf and I implore you to sit back, relax and enjoy the show! 

European Challenge Cup Final

Tonight the first of two European Finals will be decided at the Twickenham Stoop as Gloucester Rugby and Edinburgh Rugby will go head to head in order that one can be crowned the 2015 European Challenge Cup Champions. If Gloucester Rugby are victorious they will gain a place in the playoffs for the European Champions Cup whilst if Edinburgh Rugby prevail they will have the pride of saying that they are the first Scottish side ever to achieve European Silverware, so the stakes are high.

This match promises to be a pacy and intense affair given the individuals across both of the starting XVs and benches. It is my great hope neither side tightens up due to enormity of the occasion and the prizes at stake and instead they play with the fluidity that they have both shown during the course of the competition. 

Gloucester’s back line is one of the most potent of all, on its day. Charlie Sharples has really blossomed in the Full Back shirt this season, the extra space that he has to play with in front of him allows him to make meters in a style akin to a man that calls The Stoop his home, Mike Brown. Their experienced half backs, Greig Laidlaw and James Hook, will be critical for their success this evening, as they have been all season. When they are firing, alongside Billy Twelvetrees, the shape and pace of their attack flows and their accuracy is vital in order to ignite their speedsters. If this were twelve months ago we’d be discussing Gloucester’s pack in a negative light, there would be words of concern and frustration at their lack of ability to provide the platform required, however this year the opposite is true. Nick Wood, Richard Hibbard and John Afoa will have their hands full with Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and WP Nel however it will be an area that they believe they can gain the upper hand. 

(C) Opta

Naturally in a World Cup Year these European knock out fixtures and Finals give International Head Coaches the chance to see if individuals can handle pressure that is akin to Test level and that is exactly what I expect Vern Cotter to be doing this weekend. Vern will have the pleasure of witnessing his Scotland Captain go head to head with a man that has impressed us all; Sam Hidalgo - Clyne. Hidalgo - Clyne makes rugby look effortless, like all of the great players do, he has scored 91 points to date in the competition more than any other man in the European Challenge Cup and I expect him to flourish in this Final and not shy away from the pressure on his shoulders. 

Both sides have worked incredibly hard to put themselves in contention for the silverware and both are well aware of how soul destroying it is to fall at the final hurdle. This match should have it all, the pace and precision of two dynamic back lines with Visser, Tonks, Sharples and May, two strong front three’s wrestling for supremacy and a breakdown of vital importance with Matt Kvesic wanting to continue to remind of his specific prowess at that area. If Gloucester put their game on the park, as they did so against the Exeter Chiefs then they will fancy themselves to take the victory however at this stage in the competition guarantees cannot be made.

Numerically Speaking - Aviva Premiership Table

As the domestic season takes its final pause for the denouement of the European competitions it is the perfect time to review the Aviva Premiership table in full glory and pull out a few points of interest from the wealth of data.

If we cast our eyes first towards tries scored and conceded there are a few numbers that jump out of the page at you from all areas of the table. Wasps lead the way in terms of tries scored, they have 72 to their name and it is fair to say that the calibre of those tries has been high and Joe Simpson’s sensational solo effort on Sunday reinforces that notion. London Welsh are at the opposite end of the spectrum, they have scored just 27 in total during the course of the twenty rounds of action and overall their statistics to date turn heads for all of the wrong reasons, I won’t dwell on them for the numbers speak for themselves. The ‘shock factor’ in terms of tries scored comes from the Leicester Tigers as they have amassed just 5 more than London Welsh with 32. Now obviously anyone that has been watching the Tigers this season knows that their attacking flair has been lost in the midst of their back line injuries and numerous centre partnerships however the fact that they remain in fourth position and with a chance of making the playoffs for the eleventh year in a row highlights the positive of ‘winning ugly’.

Defensively Bath Rugby lead the way having let in the least points of any Aviva Premiership side, 358 and indeed only Saracens have let in fewer tries, 35, than Mike Ford’s men. Bath have secured three try scoring bonus points in their past three matches and lead the way alongside Wasps with the most amassed so far with 8. If  you switch the bonus point focus to losing bonus points then Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs come out on top, they have gained 7 losing bonus points over the course of the twenty rounds, as have Dean Richards’ Newcastle Falcons. 

It isn’t surprising to see that once again draws have been few and far between in this year’s Aviva Premiership season, just three have graced us with their presence. There was the memorable Round 17 clash at Kingsholm between Gloucester and the Northampton Saints that ended 33-33, Wasps and Newcastle’s dogged 23-23 fight under the Friday Night Lights at Kingston Park and finally in the dismal November weather a far from classic 21-21 draw at Welford Road between the Leicester Tigers and Saracens courtesy of Owen Williams’ final minute penalty. 

An honourable mention must be made for the Newcastle Falcons in terms of the improvement in their overall performance levels this season. The step change is reflected greatly in the statistics, however the frustration for Richards and the side is that it isn’t then duly reflected in their position in the table. The Falcons have scored 49 tries during the course of the opening twenty rounds, they have three try scoring bonus points to their name and 7 losing bonus points. Last season they scored just 23 tries in total and the majority of those were after Christmas, indeed it took them until Round 4 of the domestic season to score a try whereas this year Richard Mayhew opened their account at Welford Road in Round 1. 

Now as we head into the final two rounds of the group stages almost everything remains up in the air, even with my dislike of arithmetic I understand that six does not fit into the three playoff places remaining. For the top six sides the majority of run ins are savage to say the least, the Tigers face two Midlands derbies in a row, the Exeter Chiefs take on Saracens and the Sale Sharks, Bath Rugby head to London to face Quins and then host their bitter rivals Gloucester at home on the last day of the season and only Saints and Saracens have the luxury of facing London Welsh. The fact of the matter is that this run in will be the most competitive, intense and enthralling ever. Already the table shows that it  has been a stunning season and you sense that the best is yet to come! 

Fast Tracks & Fearsome Encounters - Aviva Premiership Round 20 Review

In Round 20 the Aviva Premiership continued to deliver us with enthralling rugby, across the country we enjoyed points galore courtesy of the fast tracks and April sunshine. The Northampton Saints became the first team to secure an Aviva Premiership playoff place however behind them things domestically remain undecided going into the final two rounds of the regular season. 

At The Rec Bath Rugby delivered a head turning performance to secure their third bonus point victory in succession. Initially London Irish put up a stubborn fight and their never say die attitude handed them a single point lead at the break, courtesy of Tom Court’s try on the cusp of half time. However in the second half Bath blew away their opposition as they cranked through the gears and positively purred. Bath scored 26 points in 20 minutes thanks to their sublime handling and attacking rugby and delivered five second half tries. The manner in which Bath accelerated away was impressive, the conditions weren’t pristine and yet they made it look like a beautiful sunny day keeping the ball in hand and playing with ambition and tempo. Sam Burgess’ first ‘proper’ back row try was the icing on the cake of his Man of the Match performance although it was his 'unseen' work that will have pleased Mike Ford the most. Irish didn’t manage to shift through the gears in the same manner, they hardly had any of the second half possession and their consolation try after 79 minutes will have done little to brighten spirits. The comprehensive victory means that Bath remain firmly in the hunt for a home Semi Final spot whilst Glenn Delaney will need to console his team during the European break. 

Following a captivating and gritty Aviva Premiership encounter between Saracens and the Northampton Saints the Stadium mK should consider itself suitably warmed up for its three Rugby World Cup fixtures. The Saints weathered their dip in form and two early Chris Wyles’ tries to record four of the most important points of their season. Saracens were uncharacteristically ill-disciplined and their penalty count against them was a factor in their narrow loss, McCall's side looked like a team that had been through the European mill and the fixture provided some concerning injuries to Billy Vunipola and Jackson Wray. Overall it was Saints’ collective composure, cleaner execution and ability to match Saracens’ physicality will have pleased Jim Mallinder the most as they head into the final rounds in touching distance of that coveted home Semi Final. 

(C) Paler Images

Gloucester’s first league victory since February was delivered the hard way as they produced another stellar comeback on home soil and broke the hearts of the Newcastle Falcons. With more points than minutes played, 82 in total, this one was a breath-taking and emotional encounter at Kingsholm, something Gloucester fans should be used to by now!!! Dean Richards’ side put together an impressive opening half, their tries highlighted their much improved all-around game and Sinoti Sinoti was instrumental for two of their three. After the break Gloucester used their bench including Hibbard, Murphy and Afoa to great effect however it was an existing player that kick started the scoring, Dan Robson. Robson's half back partner, Billy Burns, also asserted himself with proficiency as he secured the decisive try in the last minute of the game as well as four conversions and three penalties. All in all the home victory will have provided a vital boost going into their European Challenge Cup Final and once again the Falcons will wonder how they could have let such a lead and indeed match slip.  

At Welford Road the Leicester Tigers were made to work much harder than they would have liked against London Welsh however they did manage to secure the bonus point victory that was expected. Welsh suffered at the hands of Chris Hala’ufia’s hot temper who received a red card following a high tackle on Laurence Pearce and a disgraceful display of ‘afters’ that there simply isn't a place for in our sport. Leicester's extra men allowed them to pull away and score twenty one points in the final fifteen minutes of the game however frustration will be their overarching emotion following Round 20. Handling errors and consistent pings from referee Tim Wigglesworth were two of the most concerning facets of their game and you feel a Top 4 finish would be one of the 'greatest get out of jails' ever should it occur. London Welsh's fans will be proud of their players for their application however competing with fourteen men simply isn't possible given their performance levels at this moment in time. 

In Manchester Harlequins achieved their first victory on the road in any competition since January as they kept hopes of reaching seventh place alive at the expense of their hosts. In the opening half Conor O'Shea's side looked more comfortable than we have seen them in a while, tries from Charlie Walker, Chris Robshaw, Marland Yarde and Danny Care secured their bonus point prior to the break however they didn't manage to continue to exert their dominance. There is no doubt about the fact that Steve Diamond would have gone crazy in the Sale Sharks' dressing room at half time and his team's second half was much improved, they took advantage of a yellow card to Dave Ward and Cirpriani's chip pass to Arscott and the resulting try ignited their comeback. Ultimately the home side left themselves with too much to do, the two late misses off the tee from Joe Ford will have hurt a lot and they head into the final two rounds just a point ahead of Harlequins with two very large games against the Newcastle Falcons and the Exeter Chiefs. 

For the final match of the weekend the Chiefs made their first trip to the Ricoh Arena to take on Wasps Rugby. Wasps started the fixture perfectly thanks to a try from Christian Wade that was made by the sublime arching run and offload from Nathan Hughes however the Chiefs bounced back with an easy try of their own from Will Chudley. The man we have praised to the hills for much of the season, Thomas Waldrom, received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on and that was the catalyst for Wasps to go into the break ten points ahead. After the break Wasps lost their way slightly, they looked nervous and the Chiefs knew it, Waldrom made up for his earlier indiscretion by adding to his Aviva Premiership try tally and it looked to be a tense finish for the home side. In moments of adversity you want your big game players to set up and that is exactly what Joe Simpson did as he scored what might just be the try of the season. As sensational as it was the Chiefs weren't finished yet as they went in search of the losing bonus point and in spite of an easy miss off the tee Steenson secured it with a well struck drop goal. After a slow middle it was a thrilling ending to the match and leaves everything hanging in the balance going into Round 21. 

Twenty Twenty Vision - Aviva Premiership Round 20 Preview

After the penultimate European break the Aviva Premiership is back for the final three rounds of the competition and what a run in we have ahead of us. One of the most well known, yet slightly cheesy lines, is that time flies when you are having fun, however I genuinely subscribe to this notion for it feels like only yesterday that we were casting our eyes towards Round 1. As has been the case for the past few rounds of domestic action the table is tightly congested and nothing is set in stone which will make for a scintillating round of action.

To kick start proceedings The Rec will turn on it's Friday Night Lights as Bath Rugby welcome London Irish to The Rec. Bath have won their last three Aviva Premiership matches in a row and have  positively purred in the process of doing so whilst London Irish’s victory over the Sale Sharks was one of the performances of Round 19. This fixture always has a little spice to it from an Irish fan's perspectives as so many former Irish men have made the journey down the M4 and both sides will be itching for a victory. Burgess Cam will continue with Sam likely to start on the flank again however should the weather gods be shining on us I suggest that you keep one eye on the back lines for both house men with serious speed and prowess; Lewington, Rokoduguni, Watson and co.  Bath must keep their foot on the gas to put themselves in the best possible position for a home Semi whilst London Irish will simply want to keep spoiling parties as they did so against the Sharks, an intriguing match awaits at The Rec. 

At the AJ Bell Stadium the Sale Sharks will be looking to bounce back after their defeat on the road and will wish to continue their quest to be in touching distance of that final European Champions Cup qualification spot. Harlequins’ win against Gloucester Rugby was one of their most important of the season in terms of igniting their confidence and continuing to fight for their possible European route in via seventh position, should Gloucester fail to win the European Challenge Cup. The Sharks’ Round 19 loss was on the back of positive London Irish play and Sharks’ mistakes so I expect that there will have been a number of stern words from Steve Diamond last week in Manchester. Harlequins must press forwards without Mike Brown who continues to suffer from symptoms of concussion, this is concerning for Mike however the wise handling of the situation, from both him and the Club, is music to all of our ears for a player’s safety and health is paramount. If both the Sharks & Harlequins play to their on paper potentials then it will make for a great contest with two experienced back rows contesting the breakdown, two powerful front rows getting stuck into each other and two sets of dynamic half backs... let’s hope that this one delivers to expectations!! 

A fair few miles south of Manchester, Kingsholm will play host it’s second game in as many weeks as the Newcastle Falcons arrive in town. Last weekend David Humphreys’ side showed us all what we have been waiting for as they dismissed an Exeter Chiefs’ side that had been in great form in the European competition and it was a performance that would have warmed the hearts of the Gloucester faithful. The Falcons found their last outing a tough one to swallow as Bath Rugby were clinical in the manner in which they inflicted victory over them in Round 19 however their progression this season remains impressive. Dean Richards and his side will target these final games of the season to cement their progress and should David Humpreheys’ choose to put out a less experienced side they’ll fancy themselves, even on the road. The question for the Gloucester Director of Rugby is how to play the selection game, should he pick a full strength squad and risk injury but gain valuable continuity or should be rest the main men he’ll need in their most important match of the year the European Challenge Cup Final? Only time will tell…

On Saturday afternoon the Leicester Tigers will welcome London Welsh to town. There may be 54 tabular points separating between the two sides but when you look specifically at the number of tries that they have scored things become interestingly for the Tigers have notched up just one more than London Welsh. This is an astounding statistic and one that goes a long way to explaining the criticism that has been put at the door of the Midland’s side however with just one loss in their last thirteen Aviva Premiership games at home, winning ‘ugly’ seems to be in fashion!!! Post Saracens Richard Cockerill confirmed to me that he would be putting out a full strength side against Welsh, I and indeed the entire country expects 5 points and it will be manner in which they are taken that will be most important. A confident performance, with a strong purpose in attack will be Tigers’ desire whilst Welsh will want to build on the two steps forward that they made against Bath and Wasps in the preceding rounds.

The televised match on Saturday will be broadcast from the Stadium mK where the Northampton Saints will face Saracens. It is safe to say that this is going to be an absolute belter of a fixture for there is so much at stake for both sides and you can guarantee that they will go at each other like men possessed. There are more unknown factors in this game than any other, the first is whether or not the Northampton Saints will have regained their mojo during the two week break? The second is whether or not Saracens will suffer from a Clermont hangover in the same manner in which their opponents did?? Head to head the match ups are intense to say the very least from the Wigglesworth/Fotuali'i or Dickson battle to the almighty clash of the front rows, there isn't too much else to say other than this will be an alright battle of wills and I suggest that you either purchase one of the last remaining tickets or find a television with BT Sport on it! 

The Final game of the weekend will be at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps Rugby will host the Exeter Chiefs in another fixture that has great importance for both sides. The Chiefs' can't afford to lose for the Leicester Tigers behind them have an almost certain 5 points from their clash with London Welsh and Wasps know they must continue to push ahead in terms of securing that final automatic European Qualification spot. The great news for the home side is that their Premiership record there is almost impeccable, bar that Round 17 defeat to Saracens. The Chiefs blip on their radar was last weekend against Gloucester and hopefully they'll have put that firmly out of their minds and used the loss to further fuel their desire for a playoff position. Nathan Hughes will be back and is expected to start in the Back Row, it will be interesting to watch his match up with Thomas Waldrom, for they are very different players but both have excelled for their respective clubs this year. Both sides enjoy free flowing rugby and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some phenomenal bits of individual skill and a fair few tries in Coventry on Sunday afternoon.