History shows the London Double Header delivers double the drama

The London Double Header has been a firm fixture in the Aviva Premiership calendar since 2004 and has consistently been decided by dramatic game changing moments.

This season, as a partner of Premiership Rugby, Ricoh is encouraging fans to share and discuss these moments using the hashtag #ImagineChange on Twitter and at Imagine Change UK on Facebook.

In order to get into the mood for the weekend’s London Double Header TRU takes a look back at some of the recent moments and results from at previous London Double Header fixtures.

Last year’s London Double Header delivered 97 points in total across the two fixtures and the first match saw Saracens taking on the then titled, London Wasps. It was a man that is now excelling in France, David Strettle, that took the match by the scruff of the neck for Saracens scoring three tries in their 34 - 28 victory.

The second match was a much tighter encounter as the Twickenham crowd witnessed a battle of the boots between Shane Geraghty and Nick Evans. At half time Harlequins looked comfortable with a 6 - 20 lead however a 41st minute yellow card for Joe Marler swung the momentum and allowed the Exiles back into the game. Following that moment Conor O’Shea’s side were a little rocky and a 72nd minute penalty from Geraghty made them work until the very end however their two converted first-half tries and two Nick Evans’ penalties proved to be just enough.

The year prior, LDH 2013, Saracens’ Jamie George scored two outstanding tries in the opening forty minutes and the accuracy of Owen Farrell’s boot with five penalties and two conversions blew London Irish away by 42 - 20. The second fixture delivered one of the most dramatic moments of all as Andy Goode’s last minute touchline conversion hit the post. Agonisingly it caused Wasps’ second less than two point loss, 15 - 16, at Twickenham Stadium against Harlequins in as many seasons and was an excruciating way for their then new signing, Andy Goode, to start his Wasps career.

The year prior, in 2012, Nick Evans celebrated his 100th game for Harlequins in style by nailing the 77th minute penalty that pushed Harlequins to a 42 - 40. victory over Wasps. The match contained a staggering 10 tries and saw Harlequins come back from a 40 - 13 deficit to take the make. It remains the highest scoring LDH fixture in history and one that defies belief after Wasps cruised to an early 20-0 lead after just 12 minutes.

LDH 2015 will see Saracens take to the Twickenham turf unbeaten, in the Premiership and Europe, since the last time that they ran out there for the Aviva Premiership Final. Saracens will take on Dean Ryan’s Worcester Warriors, a side that have never played competitive XVs at the stadium before however a team that have exceeded all of our expectations in the opening four domestic rounds.

In the second fixture of the afternoon London Irish will face an in form Wasps side. It is only the second time in the fixture’s history that they will meet and after dispatching the European Champions with ease Dai Young’s side are heading into the match as firm favourites.

As the history shows the London Double Header always packed with plenty of drama and with a dry day forecast in South West London we should points galore at the home of England Rugby. 

London Double Header Stats & Facts

Mike Catt made his debut for London Irish in the 2004 London Double Header fixture against Harlequins. London Irish recorded a 18 - 12 victory on that day and Catt went on to perform for the Exiles until the 2009 when he called time on his 18 year playing career.

Saracens have scored 238 points at London Double Header matches since their first back in 2004 and have been an ever present fixture performing there every year since the beginning.

Five of Wasps’ last six London Double Header fixtures have been decided by fewer than five points, only last season’s match against Saracens was decided by more, six, 34-28!

As a proud partner of Premiership Rugby, Ricoh is encouraging fans to share and discuss the game changing moments of the Aviva Premiership Rugby season and at the London Double Header, using #ImagineChange. Fans that take part in the #ImagineChange conversations are in with the chance to win a Ricoh Theta S – the industry’s most advanced
fully spherical portable camera that allows fans to get a 360 view of the game in one single shot. For more information visit: www.imagine.change.co.uk. Follow @ImagineChangeUK and Imagine Change UK on Facebook.