A Premiership Spotlight - Champions Cup Round 5

The level of rugby that the Aviva Premiership has delivered over the past few rounds has gone up a notch; it has been pulsating and dramatic and now our seven of our sides will continue to test themselves against the best that Europe has to offer. As expected at this stage in proceedings Round 5 of the Champions Cup is of huge importance to the majority of our teams competing and this weekend will have huge ramifications on their European aspirations. 

The action starts in just a few hours when the Leicester Tigers welcome the Scarlets to town, both sides need to win the game in order to keep their quarter final hopes alive however sensible, tactical rugby will win the game as opposed to going hell for leather and being too excited. The Scarlets could field a pretty nifty injured XV as their ranks have been hugely depleted; the prolific Michael Tagicakiabu, Liam Williams and Samson Lee are amongst the men not playing so it is up to Scott Williams to lead the side from centre. On the otherhand the Tigers are fairly fit... Brad Thorn and Logovi’i Mulipola return up front and with Niki Goneva and Seremaia Bai in the back line they’ll be eyeing revenge for their 15-3 defeat at Parc y Scarlets in October and a bonus point win.

On Saturday it is the turn of four of our Aviva Premiership sides to deliver on the big stage and I’ll start at Allianz Park for that is the earliest of the three kick offs. Mark McCall’s men will welcome Munster in what will be a clash of seismic proportions. Munster are behind the home side by just a point in Pool 1 however even Paul O’Connell is being realistic about the magnitude of the task ahead. Saracens will be on the bounce back after their gutting defeat to Gloucester and the memories of not fully equipping themselves at Thomond Park in Round 2 of the competition. It will be a fascinating clash, Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt are back for the home side and seeing the mighty Paul O’Connell in full flow is always a delightful sight to behold!

As the sun sets Sale will be hosting Clermont Auvergne at the AJ Bell Stadium for a 5.30pm in a game that they have titled 'Le Clash'. In real terms there is little that Sale can do to progress in the competition however after a huge win over the Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership last weekend this game will be all about continuing their performance levels and making people take notice. Clermont, like all French sides, often finding travelling away from home difficult however with Nick Abendanon, Aurélien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana and co in their backline and Jamie Cudmore facing off against his old buddy Nathan Hines in the forwards you expect them to turn up and deliver. Can Sale ruffle a few feathers... for the sake of a great game of rugby and a spot of patriotism you’d like to hope so!  

A few hours later underneath the floodlights Harlequins will host Wasps in what can only be described as a ‘do or die’ fixture for both need to win in order to continue to fight for a place in the next round. The rivalry between the two is potent enough already without adding this factor on top for they have spent many years a ‘local rivals’. There are fascinating match ups all over the park, from the scrum half talent Care versus Simpson to the back row battle... Johnson, Haskell and Hughes versus the young man Clifford, our England Captain Mr Robshaw and the ever present Nick Easter. Personally I can’t wait to see the sparks fly underneath the Saturday Night Lights.

On Sunday our heads turn towards two teams at the top of the Aviva Premiership table – Bath Rugby and the Northampton Saints. Bath are heading out to France to really show what they are made of against a hugely physical Toulouse side. Toulouse don’t lose at home, it just doesn’t happen, however the Glasgow Warriors showed that if you play the right type of game you can come close and I expect Bath to do just that. Personally I’m a huge fan of the Bath style of play and squad and cannot wait to see this game pan out in particular Ford versus Flood and a phenomenal back row clash with Nyanga, Dusautoir and Picamoles taking on Garvey, Louw and Houston. In short I cannot wait to see this game, and from the comfort of the BT Sport Studio I’ll get a great view combined with some expert back row analysis thanks to the legend that is Mr Lawrence Dallaglio! 

(C) Claire Jones

The final game that involves some Aviva Premiership representation is at the Liberty Stadium where the Northampton Saints go head to head against the Ospreys; the Saints are in pole position in Pool 5 however with Racing Metro hot on their heels they cannot afford to slip up because it could affect their route through the knock out stages. Dylan Hartley is back to Captain the side after his three week ban and thankfully for all Saints fans Christian Day returns from injury to partner Sam Dickinson in the second row. The Ospreys will be hoping that George North has a quieter game than the last time that they clashed in the competition for at Franklin's Gardens North was on another planet. Instead tthe Ospreys will want to get their own star men involved and make waves against the Premiership's best.

Home Is Where The Heart Is - Aviva Premiership Round 13 Review

Round 13 was the Aviva Premiership round in which the form book was thrown out of the window and home advantage was the name of the game as all 6 of the home sides were victorious. It was a round of rugby that had it all and it has left everything in the balance whilst we take a month off for Europe, the LV Cup & the start of the RBS 6 Nations.

The round started on Friday night at Kingsholm where the Cherry & Whites hosted Saracens. It was one of the most emotional games that Kingsholm has witnessed in a very long time, indeed David Humphreys wasn’t sure if he’d ever experienced anything quite like it. Saracens lost Owen Farrell to injury prior to kick off that put Alex Goode under the spotlight at 10, however as expected he delivered like a true professional. Gloucester equally lost Tom Palmer from the bench & Greig Laidlaw from the starting XV however the latter’s replacement, Dan Robson. played an absolute blinder and scored a sublime individual try. I must send the very best recovery wishes to Ben Morgan who suffered a horrible leg injury that puts him out for a long time and to Nick Wood who was stretched off with neck issues. Saracens’ never really looked truly comfortable during the game and a huge amount of Gloucester physicality and nerves of steel from James Hook stole the most memorable of memorable home victories.

On Saturday afternoon Wasps travelled to The Rec in search of their first double over Mike Ford’s side since the 2007/8 season however they left with a bonus point and a sense of thinking what if; as they took 60 minutes to really turn up. Bath on the other hand fired from moment one, the combination of Ford, Burgess & Joseph was delightful and crossing for his first Premiership try was nothing less than Burgess deserved, who looked much more comfortable on a union pitch. When Wasps arrived they looked impressive, Joe Simpson delivered on his 150th appearance for the Club and Alex Lozowoski ignited proceedings off the bench. In short, it was a cracking game of rugby. 

(C) Paler Images

At The Stoop Harlequins took things up a level as they dismissed a Leicester Tigers side that will feel that they should have done much better on the road. Last week Harlequins struggled against London Welsh however they were re-born thanks to the return of their big guns. Nick Easter’s man of the match performance showcased his seemingly timeless class on his 250th club outing and a superb off load to Danny Care was as good as you’ll see in any competition, anywhere.  Marland Yarde beautifully exploited a loose Tigers’ defence. Danny Care shot his hand up for 6 Nations contention with a display that said ‘Stuart… remember me, I’m your man’. All in all it was the type of day Quins fans live for and an all too familiar day of defeat for the Tigers.  

Further North on Saturday afternoon the Northampton Saints suffered from acute travel sickness as they struggled to compete with Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium. The Sharks meant business from early and their forwards must be given huge credit for the manner in which they took the game by the scruff of the neck and delivered. Will Addison and Josh Beaumont in particular both highlighted to us all that they are ones to watch both now and in the future. Another Shark that shone was Danny Cipriani, his decision making was first class and with Stuart Lancaster in the audience we will now wait with baited breath again to see if he is named amongst the EPS squad in 9 days time. The Saints missed a huge amount of bite without Courtney Lawes, Samu Manoa and Dylan Hartley and failed to help themselves with less than perfect precision. It was a physical and gutsy effort from Sale who beat the Saints at their own game… 

At Kingston Park the Newcastle Falcons were out to make a statement as they hosted London Welsh. As Mike Blair correctly pointed out before the game they aren’t used to being labelled ‘the favourites’ however clearly something out of the ordinary suits them! The Falcons stormed out the blocks and delivered the bonus point on 32 point thanks to tries from the sublime Sinoti Sinoti, Rob Vickers, Mike Blair & Will Welch. London Welsh put together a strong score of their own however it was their own imprecision and again personal performance levels that push the game away from them. In the second forty the match lost a little of its impetus and sting however Falcons didn't care one bit because their job was done; bonus point victory and a very loud statement made. 

(C) Paler Images

The final game of the weekend was at the Madjeski Stadium where London Irish aimed to secure their second Aviva Premiership home win on the bounce. Rob Baxter’s side arrived and meant business however Irish recovered from a 13-5 deficit to take the match. It was the boot of fan's favourite, Shane Geraghty that secured the result with the last kick of the game. It wasn’t the cleanest of contests on the green Reading grass however that will not matter one jot as, at the moment, wins are few and far between for the Exiles; this was their second in nine matches. Sadly Exeter suffered from a case of ‘last season-itis’ as they threw away a comfortable lead 13-5 lead however this European break is perfectly timed in order for them to regain their structure & confidence. The Chiefs need to tighten up, remember their basics and play like the confident side that we know they can be.  

Thirteen... Unlucky for Some? - Aviva Premiership Round 13 Preview

Round 12 delivered us some of the best Aviva Premiership action that we have seen during the competition so far however with the clashes that are on the cards this weekend I fully expect Round 13 to make last weekend look like a warm up! 

On Friday Night Gloucester have the unenviable task of taking on an in form Saracens side at home. Saracens’ Round 12 game against London Irish wasn’t pretty but it was sensible and showcased that their pack are back firing on all four cylinders and defensively they are stronger than ever. Gloucester’s performance at Sandy Park should have provided the home side a lot of confidence; it wasn’t squeaky clean but closing out such a tight game is exactly the type of positive experience that David Humphreys’ side needs to go through together to continue their development journey. Gloucester have lost their last three home games in the Premiership in a row and reversing that run will be tough against a side that they have only beaten once in their last nine encounters. 

On Saturday afternoon in Manchester the Sale Sharks have a rather large test on their hands as the Northampton Saints come to town. For the Sharks last weekend’s game at the Ricoh Arena didn’t go to plan, as they were outplayed in all areas of the field and they’ll need to considerably raise their game against the Champions. Selection wise I’d expect Steve Diamond to put Chris Cusiter and Danny Cipriani back in the half backs’ driving seats and the ever experienced, ever deadly Mark Cueto to be out the wing, but we will see. The Northampton Saints will have none of Sale’s headaches as to how to raise their game, for at this moment in time their performance levels are spot on. Mallinder’s men were a delight to watch last Friday night as they played their part in a thrilling game and on the road I’d expect them to be nothing less than a monumental handful. The ever brilliant Lawes, Manoa, Foden, Myler and co should have no problem delivering away from home.

At The Rec Bath Rugby host Wasps in what should be a cracking fixture; Bath will be out to gain revenge over Dai Young’s side after their Round 6 defeat away at Adams Park. Last weekend at Welford Road Bath never really found their feet in the game however in front of a capacity crowd at home I cannot see that happening again. At the moment Wasps are flying high on a spot of confidence having won their last five fixtures in all competitions and they seem to be gelling well as a complete unit. Haskell's men have a point to prove as they haven’t won at The Rec since 2010 and in 2014 suffered with quite acute travel sickness. In this game I cannot wait to see the two of the best back rows in the competition clash against each other, the foundations of ground better watch out for this fixture and that clash has the makings of being seismic!

Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins were another side that had a tough time in Round 12 as they squeezed their way past a spirited London Welsh outfit. This weekend they are back at home and hosting the Leicester Tigers, it will be Nick Easter’s 250th performance for the club and wouldn’t it be great if that landmark could be marked with a win?  O’Shea has selected an experienced side to take on the Tigers and it is great news that Chris Robshaw is back. The Tigers will be out to show that they turned a corner last weekend at home and exerting their dominance on the road is a must. After the announcement of three major contract extensions this week in Graham Kitchener, Owen Williams & Fraser Balmain they should have a spring in their step and be ready to deliver their first season double over Harlequins since the 20101/11 season.

At Kingston Park the Newcastle Falcons host London Welsh in a fixture that is huge for both sides. To put it simply the Falcons will wish to showcase how much further ahead they are on their development than Justin Burnell’s London Welsh, whilst for Welsh this is one they’ll have marked in the diary for a long time to finally get that big, fat W next to their names. The Falcons’ couldn’t have gained better preparation for the game than their hugely credible performance at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend, Tom Catterick and Chris Harris particularly impressed me and they’ll be critical again this weekend. London Welsh put their backs into it against Harlequins and they are sure to do the same on the road, defensively they’ll need to be on a par with their Round 12 performance as the Falcons are enjoying throwing the ball around a bit now. It will be a hugely competitive affair between two sides that have a lot of pride at stake... expect fireworks up in the toon.

The final game of the weekend is at the Madjeski Stadium where London Irish will endeavour to double their home wins against Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs. London Irish, like Bath at Welford Road, never really got into their Round 12 fixture against Saracens and will need to find a way to exert themselves on the Chiefs. Irish need to find a spot of direction and will look to the experience of Shane Geraghty to provide that on home turf. Exeter will feel that they handed Gloucester the victory last weekend at Sandy Park and that will hurt them for this season they have proved how much more efficient and clinical they can be. This week Haydn Thomas insisted that there is no reason to panic just yet however we all know that this is a must win game for his side to keep their positivity and early season momentum on course. If the Chiefs play with purpose and convert their possession into points then they should record a seventh straight Premiership victory over Brian Smith’s side.

Now That's What I Call Premiership Rugby - Round 12 Review

Across the country there were no signs of New Year’s hangovers as our Aviva Premiership sides delivered a superb round of rugby. From the try fest at Franklin’s Gardens to the jam packed Ricoh Arena and everywhere in between it was, quite simply, a delightful weekend of action. 

(C) Claire Jones

The Northampton Saints had the honour of kicking off domestic rugby in 2015 and just like in Round 1 of this year’s competition they did so in style, however the Newcastle Falcons pushed them all the way. The match delivered a try scoring bonus point a piece and a view of some of the best rugby that we have seen this season. Saints’ offloading game is a thing of rugby beauty, Ben Foden was majestic and Stephen Myler again stated his case for further International recognition. The Falcons were more than worthy opponents, physically strong in defence, asking questions of Saints at scrum time and potent in attack. Again Tom Catterick turned heads at fly half and in Chris Harris Dean Richard’s has unearthed a real gem of a player. It was a night that showcased the best of both sides and one that I suggest you watch if you haven’t had the pleasure of doing so yet. Stellar work all around in my book! 

On Saturday afternoon Allianz Park was the venue for Saracens' first game of the year as they entertained London Irish. Two David Strettle tries, a monstrous performance from Billy Vunipola and an accurate Owen Farrell boot sealed the deal for the home side as they dealt with the conditions sensibly and showcased their squad's depth. Historically London Irish have performed well at Allianz Park however a poor first half put them on the back foot, as Brian Smith told me after the game he had 'pretty strong words' with his side at half time and asked them to 'put their hands up'. Irish did so with Alex Lewington looking particularly strong however the solid brick wall that was Saracens' defence never fell. Sensible from Saracens whilst Irish didn't ever fully find their feet during the game. 

The Exeter Chiefs’ 100th game in the Aviva Premiership game didn’t end as planned as Gareth Steeson missed a conversion late on and the visitors stole the show. After witnessing only 6 points in the first half thanks to the boot of Greig Laidlaw the second sprung into life and delivered no less than 45 points. Jack Nowell played a blinder for the home side and his try on 49 minutes ignited proceedings whilst once again Greig Lawidlaw took the bull by the horns for the Cherry & Whites. Ben Morgan sealed his re-signing with what proved to be a winning try on and day in which neither side deserved to lose. Exeter will rue the lack of points in the first half for as Rob Baxter said they were putting a lot of good stuff together. Exactly like Friday night’s game, if you haven’t seen the game then I suggest that you switch on from half time and delight in a belting Aviva Premiership match.

Wasps continued to enjoy life at their brand new home as they brushed aside the Sale Sharks with ease and secured their second home bonus point victory. Dai Young's men inflicted the killer blows during the first forty minutes as Christian Wade ran circles around Sale and collectively they scored three first class tries. Sale weren’t allowed into the game, up front their forwards struggled and they didn't gain any true consistency going forwards. Joe Simpson’s second try of the day secured Wasps’ bonus point on 45 minutes and after that the game lost a little bit of it’s sparkle. Sale won’t take too much from their trip down to the Ricoh other than a few bumps and bruises, it a game to forget for Steve Diamond’s men. On the other hand Wasps move up to fourth in the table and will march on to Bath with a swagger in their step. 

(C) Paler Images

At Welford Road Leicester finally put to bed the nightmare that was Saturday 20th September at The Rec with a gutsy 17-8 win. Bath failed to adapt to the run of Matthew Carley’s whistle and that cost them dearly due to the accuracy of Owen Williams’ boot. The work rate and performance of one Tiger in particular must be noted, a certain Tom Youngs, for he was at the heart of a dominant set piece. For the visitors Sam Burgess was denied what would have been a memorable first Aviva Premiership try however it really wasn’t Bath’s day. Instead, it was a day in which Tigers’ spirit shone and even Richard Cockerill was satisfied as he described it as a ‘massive win and a great building block’. 

The final game of the weekend was at the Kassam Stadium where London Welsh endeavoured to gain their first win of the Aviva Premiership season over Harlequins. For strong periods of the game London Welsh led proceedings however eventually the confidence of Harlequins over took as Justin Burnell's men struggled to have to belief and power to finish things off. It was exactly the type of start that the home side needed with a Paul Rowley try on 21 minutes however when Harlequins did switch on they were more clinical and took their opportunities with both hands. It was a game in which London Welsh truly deserved to get something from for they are edging closer each week to that first Aviva Premiership win, the question is will it come next weekend away from home at Kingston Park?

Northampton Saints Photos © Claire Jones RedHatPhoto.com all proceeds raising money for the Leon Barwell Foundation. 

11 Premiership Rounds Down.... a few more to go! [Part 2]

After 11 rounds of action it is time to pause and reflect on our Aviva Premiership sides' achievements to date therefore the Out On The Full spotlight is back. This is Part 2, including the final 6 clubs; London Welsh, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Saracens, Sale and finally Wasps. 

After the high of the Championship play offs London Welsh have come down to earth with a bump as Premiership life has been hugely testing both physically and emotionally. ‘Being competitive’ that was the desire, however over 11 rounds of rugby unfortunately that wish hasn’t always materialised, as we have witnessed some large defeats. Since Round 1 Welsh have improved and their competitive Round 11 match against London Irish showed that and I have to give credit to all at the club for handling such testing times with courage and bravery. 

Mid Term Comment; Welsh have given it everything they have and will continue to do so, however long term Premiership life seems a step too far.

This year Dean Richard’s Newcastle Falcons are blooming, they are playing some exciting rugby and really starting to get their ducks in a row. The statistics show it all, they’ve scored 22 tries already this season whereas this time last year they were struggling to even reach double figures by the end of the season. Their basics are so much better and they are starting to execute some clean cut attacking rugby. This second half of the season is a superb opportunity for our Northern side to press on and really progress their Premiership cause. 

Mid Term Comment; Falcons are a world away from where they were last year… the next stop on the journey is recording some victories instead of just ruffling feathers 

A few eyebrows were raised at the beginning of the year when the Northampton Saints decided to keep signings to a minimum however from Round 1 they have proved that doing things their way pays dividends. Stephen Myler's boot puts them into all of the right places and with a back line that includes George North, the Pisi brothers and Ben Foden it produces that type of content that rugby dreams are made of. The words strength, power and precision define Mallinder’s men, their forwards are more than a match for any other set in the country and during the International window they flourished. If I was a betting lady I’d put their name on that Aviva Premiership final programme now.

Mid Term Comment; An Aviva Premiership side in great shape and one that won’t give up their title without a fight! 

This season it took Steve Diamond’s men a few weeks to settle back into the swing of things however now that they have done so the AJ Bell Stadium is becoming one of the most difficult places to travel to in the country. Sake are playing no frills rugby, they are grinding down sides and working extremely hard for every point.  However, experience counts for a lot though as their narrow losses to Munster in Europe and Leicester last weekend highlighted but make no mistake the Sale Sharks are on the right course. 

Mid Term Comment; Building nicely and a solid run in is expected but keeping their main men will be critical for seasons to come. 

Saracens had a nightmare end to the 2013/14 season with two killer blows however it hasn't affected them this year. Mark McCall still has an abundance of riches out the back with Goode, Strettle and co however up front they have been found out a little on a few occasions. Let's not be too picky here mind you for Saracens are currently third in the Aviva Premiership table and they still have another gear or two to shift into for the remainder of the season.

Mid Term Comment; Steadily building, working away with a huge amount of depth in their ranks. Always going to be in the mix...

It has been a huge season already for Wasps Rugby with all that was entailed with their move to Coventry however I'm going to focus solely on their on the field performances. Wasps signed well over the Summer and showed exactly what they could do with their signings when they beat both Saints and Bath early on. However one thing that Dai Young will be frustrated about is their travel sickness for wins on the road have been few and far between. If Wasps play to their potential they should secure the Top 6 position that they desire, for with individuals like Nathan Hughes, Elliot Daly and the ever reliable Andy Goode on their day they can't be taken lightly. 

Mid Term Comment; More to come from Dai Young's side... a colossal back row and dancing feet out the back, a side to watch if they get it right. 

11 Premiership Rounds Down.... a few more to go! [Part 1]

Before the season started the Out On The Full Spotlight was placed on every single Aviva Premiership team to summarise their signings and ambitions for the season ahead. Now after 11 rounds of rugby it is time to once again cast a 'mid term' eye over our Aviva Premiership sides. In part one I'll look at Bath, Exeter, Gloucester, Harlequins, Leicester and London Irish, then the rest will make up part two coming shortly!

During pre-season Toby Booth described Bath’s style in the following manner; "To be as positive as you can whilst being adaptable to what's going on around you. Ideally you love to play with the ball in hand all the time, but we've got to the smart about it.” In my opinion those two sentences describe exactly what Bath have done so far in the Aviva Premiership.  Mike Ford has two stellar front rows to choose from and an abundance of riches everywhere else including a certain Sam Burgess who is settling down nicely and getting to grips with the finer points of Rugby Union. Overall Bath are ruthless in their pursuit of victory and with their current form they should gallop nicely into the playoffs of our domestic competition.  

Mid Term Comment; A squad that is packed with talent and there is still a lot more to come... at this stage a certain title contender. 

The Exeter Chiefs have surprised us all in the manner in which they have attacked this season with gusto and their 4th place is nothing less than they deserve. It is often the case that teams talk a good talk during pre-season but then they fail to walk to walk come game time however that has not been the case for Dean Mumm and his men. The Chiefs have put away the tight ones, thanks to the boot of Steenson and played with flair thanks to the fans' favourite Thomas Waldrom. The Chiefs’ tempo and skill levels have been second to none however they must avoid any form of mid-season slump if they are to achieve their Top 6 goal. 

Mid Term Comment; Baxter’s men are proving that when you blend a lot of hard work and some precocious talents it is a recipe for success. 

Starting the season with an entirely new coaching set up and a whole host of new players was always going to be testing for Gloucester Rugby however I don’t think any of us expected Round 1 to be quite so difficult. Thankfully since that day the Cherry & White trajectory has been, mostly, in an upward direction although not as quickly as many fans would have liked. David Humphreys is still reviewing the personnel options available to him however when his side have got it right they have the talent to impress. There is no doubt that they have delivered much more solidity from their set piece however a little more potency in attack will really make things sing.  

Mid Term Comment; Gloucester must focus on the building blocks to success; squeaky clean discipline and clinically turning possession into points.

Conor O’Shea has faced a challenging first eleven rounds to the season as he has witnessed his Harlequins side fire and then mis fire on a regular basis. Overall Quins have looked a little out of sorts, they have lacked a spot of oomph up front and that sparkle out the back that we have come to expect from them. The Big Game 7 at Twickenham was undoubtedly their best Premiership performance of the season and if they deliver to that level consistency then they’ll climb up the table nicely. A new year should be treated as a fresh start for the London side and a year in which they deliver to their capabilities. 

Mid Term Comment; With the talent housed in their ranks you expect Harlequins to pick up the pace in 2015 and show us all exactly what they can do… 

Once again the Leicester Tigers have had more than their fair share of injuries to deal and I have to say that it hasn’t always been pretty however they have showed true Tigers’ heart to be poised in 5th position. Naturally the lowest point was at The Rec on 20th September however with many of their key men back in action the only way is up. Richard Cockerell is no where near a happy man when it comes to his side’s defensive efforts however I for one would not write off his side for someone called Manu might be back soon too! 

Mid Term Comment; With a clean bill of health Leicester have the experience and power to be right in the thick of it… but only if they pull their socks up. 

London Irish started the year with bright eyes and a brand new home however they haven't quite reached the heights that they expected of themselves. Brian Smith's men will be kicking themselves for it has been their mistakes that have pushed results away from them. Irish have an abundance of talent and power in their squad and precision must remain at the forefront of their minds throughout 2015, if they are to being to excite and delight. 

Mid Term Comment; A big second half of the season is required for Irish haven't delivered to their capabilities as yet...


Part Two is on the way shortly and will cast the spotlight on London Welsh, Northampton Saints, Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Wasps 

Let The Rugby World Cup Year Commence

This morning whilst South West London slept off it’s hangover I sat and reflected on the 365 days ahead. It is fair to say that this year will be the largest year that English Rugby has seen in a very long time, perhaps ever, for as you all know it is the year of a home Rugby World Cup. 

With 260 days left until the Opening Ceremony and the first match of the tournament the overarching emotion across the rugby community is one of excitement. England have always been a giant of the game in terms of the manner in which our Union conducts itself and the quality of the Domestic and Women’s games however in 2015 England Rugby must surpass anything it has done before and take things to the next level.

London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 were superb sporting spectacles and the 31st October arrives this year, the same must be said about the Rugby World Cup. This is something that the organisers are acutely aware of, already we have witnessed Dan Carter kicking a  rugby ball between Tower Bridge, Martin Johnson and Lewis Moody delivering the 'best half time team talk ever, 10,000 interviews occur for RWC Volunteers and the World Cup itself currently travelling the world. The landmark events to mark this historic tournament continued last night in Newcastle and Cardiff, Rugby World Cup logos were revealed on the Tyne Bridge and Cardiff Castle.

Revealing these lasting logos is just the first step on the 2015 road to the tournament, as Debbie Jones the Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015 highlighted their ambition is to ‘deliver a tournament that excites and inspires the nation’. Debbie also stated that the tournament organisers wish England 'feel like a rugby nation throughout 2015'. To those of us that are immersed in the world of rugby already that may sound like a null and void objective because to us it England is however it is critical for the health of the sport in this country that the tournament inspires those that have never been exposed to the sport before. Inspire a generation was the objective of the London 2012 Olympic Games and the greatest tournament of our sporting calendar must do the same. 

There is a huge pressure on Stuart Lancaster and his team to deliver, the greatest inspiration and event that England could host would be one in which Chris Robshaw lifts the Webb Ellis Trophy on the Twickenham turf on the 31st October. That is the dream which we will all hold on to until the tournament starts on 18th September from then on it is in the hands of rugby gods. What a year it will be for England and English Rugby… let the World Cup year commence. 

The Out On The Full Photo Diary of 2014

2014 has been quite the year in the world of Aviva Premiership Rugby and England Rugby so in the final few hours I thought that I'd look back at some of the most memorable moments on the year, in pictorial form. Below are a selection of memories from what has been an action packed year, from January to December we have witnessed a lot of highs and the occasional low so let's reminisce;

From an England perspective the year started with the RBS 6 Nations as over the course of 5 weeks our home nations and Italy battled it out for supremacy. England faltered in Paris however really matured and developed during the course of their other matches and delivered two outstanding performances at Twickenham Stadium. One performance that put to bed all of the demons from Cardiff last year against Wales and the other was inspired to beat Ireland on BOD's last trip to the home of England rugby. Stuart Lancaster's side showed a promise and maturity that we hadn't seen from them before and took their performance levels to new heights. Personally I think it was one of the best RBS 6 Nations campaigns that we have seen in a while... hopefully to be eclipsed by an even better one in 2015. 

The 2013/14 domestic season proved to be a fairly eventful one, we witnessed Harlequins' end of season surge to set up that memorial 'quarter final' fixture with Bath at The Stoop and then charged head on into the Semi Finals. The Leicester versus Northampton Semi Final at Franklin's Gardens was one of the best games of rugby of the season, only the final eclipsed it in my eyes. Northampton laid their Premiership Final demons to rest in that thrilling 100 minute encounter Twickenham Stadium against Saracens and cemented what was one of the greatest seasons in the club's history. 

The Final at Twickenham was also extremely special for another reason as an inspirational young man Luis Ghaut lead out the team with Tom Wood. Luis’ bravery and love for Northampton Saints warmed the hearts of the entire country and in particular those close to him. He taught us all to live life to the fullest in spite of adversity or odds staked against us. Luis sadly lost his fight with Osteosarcoma towards the end of September however he will forever be a Saint and was truly a hero to his heroes. Rest In Peace Luis the rugby community was proud to have you as such an inspirational member. 

During 2014 a number of legends hung up their boots; from Steve Borthwick at Saracens to James Simpson Daniel at Gloucester and a number of others in between changes of the guard happened at clubs across the country. On the International stage two giants of the modern era also hung up their boots, and in some style, Jonny Wilkinson and Brian O'Driscoll. Jonny's Heineken Cup and Top 14 double was nothing less than he deserved and the same must be said about Brian O'Driscoll's Pro12 victory and the RBS 6 Nations triumph in the emerald of Ireland. Both men defined the word professional and could do things with a rugby ball that so many of us can only dream about. On and off the field they were role models of the highest order and both are fast becoming two extremely distinguished pundits for their chosen broadcasters. 

2014 was the year in which Saracens delivered one of the best performances of their history as they annihilated Clermont Auvergne at Twickenham Stadium and Jacques Burger put in the ultimate shift with his colossal tackle count. I remember it well, sitting on the press bench pre game thinking whatever happens, whichever side wins this match it will be an epic adventure however I wasn't expecting what followed. 46 points to 6 was the final score and although some people may argue that Brock James' yellow card and the penalty try early on gave Saracens an unfair advantage I believe that on that day they could have beaten anyone, even Toulon, because they were in the zone. It is just a shame that 7 days later they couldn't reach the same heights in Cardiff. 

On a domestic front it was the year in which Wasps secured their own home and made the move to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Wasps have always made it very public that they have been searching for their own home for a long time and in 2014 Derek Richardson secured that for them and with it their financial future. Naturally it was a decision that took time to digest however when the facts were delivered and the clear message 'move or Wasps will cease to be a club' was delivered the overarching emotion changed from anger to understanding. Wasps are now approaching 2015 in the healthiest shape of their lives and both on and off the field the only way is up. 

Finally, it was a year in which England's Women delivered the game with the ultimate prize, a World Cup. Katy McLean's  side proved that hard work, exceptional talent and a huge amount of dedication  can secure your dreams. Gary Street and his squad headed to France knowing that they were in the shape of their lives and they were totally focused on their goal. The Women's World Cup was a huge triumph not only because of England's victory but due to the calibre of the competition and how much it thrust women's rugby into the spotlight. England Rugby are committed to developing the game and the legacy from 2015 will live long into the future. It was a honour to be at the World Cup Winner's Press Conference and to ask Gary and the ladies first hand exactly how they were feeling after achieving the ultimate prize and for England Women the only was is up. 

Naturally a lot more has occurred during the 365 days of 2014 in however if I covered every club and featured every event we would be here until next December. It has been a stellar year and the most exciting thing is that next year we will have all of this plus a home Rugby World Cup. I cannot wait to bring you all of the news through Out On The Full and do hope that you will continue with me during what will be one of the most exciting year's in the history of the game in England. 

To enjoy a few more 2014 pictures have a nosy through Out On The Full's flickr page where all of the pictures I've taken at every event this year are stored. Enjoy --> here