Aviva Premiership 14/15 Round 5: Review

If you are using the word 'predictable' to describe a competition, then you most certainly won't be talking about the Aviva Premiership. Round 5 delivered the unexpected and in doing so delighted us all.

The action started on Friday night with a fixture that was billed by many as the game of the round. Bath hosted Saracens at The Rec and it did not disappoint…

It was as impressive as it was physical and truly a great display of England’s domestic game. For 80 minutes we witnessed Saracens, the form team, stifled as Bath successfully blocked their way and created their own chances through the masterful feet of their backs.

The Jonathan Joseph and Kyle Eastmond pairing was majestic whilst Semsea Rokoduguni’s skills turned heads at all corners of the pitch. Rokoduguni continued to create spaces and opportunities for himself that no-one else could see.

For the visitors Billy Vunipola played like a man possessed and Kelly Brown was at his best as he caused havoc in the loose; however, it was out the back where they couldn’t quite reach the heights required.

A few missed kicks off his own boot will have annoyed George Ford, though, he shouldn't be too upset as his side made an almighty statement of intent against the one of the best in the business. 

Final Score: Bath Rugby 21 Saracens 11

 

At Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon it was all one-way traffic as Gloucester delivered their best performance of the season against a cowering set of Leicester Tigers. It was difficult viewing for Richard Cockerill and his coaching staff as almost every bit of endeavour that their side showed was erased within a few phases due to their own errors.

On the other hand, Gloucester's game was pacey and full of tempo, led first by the shared duties of their scrum-halves – Greig Laidlaw and Dan Robson. Ben Morgan gave us all a timely reminder of his form with a Man-of-the-Match performance and James Hook looked much more settled with his new team.

Leicester remain off-colour and stuttering; however, let us not forget that in this situation, context is everything with 21 injuries it is going to be an extremely testing time with Europe on the horizon too.

The six weeks that Gloucester always asked to be given to see where they are at are almost up and based on Saturday's performance the words 'moving in the right direction' spring to mind.  

Final Score: Gloucester Rugby 33 Leicester Tigers 16

   

At the Madjeski Stadium London Irish hosted the Northampton Saints in what was described by many of the media as 'not a game to write home about'. In their last 3 games the Exiles have picked up seven points, which is no mean feat when you add in the fact that they played Saints, Saracens and the Leicester Tigers.

The visitors were without leaders Dylan Hartley and Tom Wood and in fact up-front they missed four of their starting pack; however, their depth saw them through what was a potential banana skin.

Stephen Myler continued to go about his business quietly and efficiently as he notched up 14 of his side’s points and Jon Fisher returned to the Madjeski with a bang. Irish fans will feel aggrieved regarding the run of the whistle against them; however, Brian Smith talked about the fact that they have now earned the respect of their fellow sides and that will provide some consolation, for at this point last year they couldn't even dream of being on an even playing field with the likes of the Saints and co. 

Final Score: London Irish 12 Northampton Saints 19

    

Two minutes was all that it took for Harlequins to open their scoring account at The Stoop and eighty minutes later they closed it on 52 after a comprehensive day at the office. Across the board O'Shea's men looked much more comfortable in their own skin, led by the work rate of Chris Robshaw and a Kiwi masterclass from Nick Evans who scored 17 points and delivered 100% accuracy.

Once again, it was crushing for London Welsh as they struggled in every facet of the game against their fellow London rivals and with the scenes up at Kingston Park many are saying that already, in only Round 5, the writing is on the wall for Justin Burnell's side.

The squad is filled with fighters and fight they must do for at the moment they are breaking the points against record with their leaking defence. Harlequins must press on after regrouping well for their next opponents are Leicester at Welford Road, where they could gain a memorable victory if they are on song.  

Final Score: Harlequins 52 London Welsh 0

   

At the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester the Sale Sharks recorded a win over Wasps. Steve Diamond's men did it the hard way and it was their defence and the words 'there was no clear forward pass' that sealed the win.

Wasps struggled to really find their game away from home, they lacked a spot of precision and whilst Christian Wade's try was pleasing, the fact that he gave Sale theirs was less so. Dai Young's men dominated in terms of all of the major statistics except for the one that truly counts – the scoreboard.

Dave Seymour deserved his Man-of-the-Match award for his dogged work on the floor and it was the guts and heart of the whole squad that saw them through 161 tackles in order to finish the game victorious.

Question marks over Wasps' away form remain whilst Steve Diamond will hope that this victory kick-starts his side and provides a platform to work off for the coming rounds.  

Final Score: Sale Sharks 25 Wasps 14

  

The final match of the weekend was at Kingston Park where fans were treated to a match filled with drama and one that went down to the wire. The Newcastle Falcons last won in the Aviva Premiership on the 23rd October 2013 and since then have struggled to get over the line with their noses in front. 

Exeter's early season form has been strong and that showed in the tries that they scored. Gareth Steenson's boot and hands were on song as were Slade's; however, the Falcons have been building for a number of weeks now and stayed in touch well, something they've previously failed to do.

The moment of the match for Falcons, bar the final whistle, was Alex Tait's sublime offload to set up what turned out to be the winning try. The Falcons were pushed right until the clock went red, showing almighty resilience and mental strength to finally record that W.   

Final Score: Newcastle Falcons 29 Exeter Chiefs 24