Aviva Premiership Round 15 - Review

This weekend we were treated to 480 minutes of top quality Aviva Premiership Rugby… the matches were tense, the tries numerous and the hits were as hard as ever.

On Saturday afternoon fans at The Rec enjoyed a thrilling 55 point encounter; with an action-packed match from start to finish as neither team let-up for a moment.

Bath’s backs shone – as they have been doing all season – providing the platform to ensure that their unbeaten home record remains.

Wasps struggled to start off with, particularly from the restarts. However, once they got into their stride they did played some confident, running rugby themselves.

It was the home side that emerged victorious, though, with an extremely close-fought 32-25 victory.

The result means that both teams continue to cement their places in the Aviva Premiership table and are constantly putting pressure on those directly above them.

Elsewhere, Kingsholm hasn’t been a happy place this season with more home defeats than any player or coach would care to admit to; however, on Saturday afternoon the smiles returned...

Gloucester’s 25-20 win over Harlequins was a fitting goodbye for their legend Andy Hazell, who led the team out and was honoured at half time. Also, Captain Mike Tindall celebrated his 200th Premiership appearance.

Performance-wise it wasn’t pristine, but it was an important confidence booster for Nigel Davies’ squad.  Harlequins have been looking a little off-colour without their international talents; however, they won’t use that as an excuse and won’t be happy with their own performance on Saturday afternoon.  

At Sixways it was the visitors who took the spoils, as once against the Warriors came out on the wrong side of the score sheet. Sale emerged eventual 24-12 victors.

The home team didn’t start well; they let Sale race to an early lead and from then on had to play catch up. Whilst the Warriors did assert themselves for periods of the match, in the end it was Sale’s confidence and pack steered them to victory.

Both teams now head down to the London for Round 16, Worcester visiting Harlequins whilst Sale are off to Adams Park and Wasps.

The Madjeski witnessed an emotional encounter as London Irish hosted the Leicester Tigers.

Irish’s recent run of form has been superb; however, this weekend they faltered and will be frustrated with their efforts.

James O’Connor had a rare off-day and left points begging; though, on a brighter note for the Exiles, Marland Yarde came off the bench and looked as if he had never been away.

Once again the Tigers didn’t look polished or comfortable, Irish pushed them all the way; but, like the Champions that they are they stood strong and once again won ugly by 20 points to 15.

Rob Baxter had asked for a reaction from his players after last weekend and he certainly got one in the first 10 minutes of the match at Allianz Park; unfortunately, though, it didn’t last for the full 80.

Once Saracens had weathered the early storm they muscled their way to victory and gave Allianz Park the best first birthday present possible – a win.

Overall the Chiefs looked more frustrated than ever and after the 23-10 loss their Top 4 dream looks to be out of their reach. 

In the final match of the weekend it was a hearty tussle up at Kingston Park between Newcastle Falcons and the Northampton Saints.

The Saints raced into the lead thanks to three first half tries; however, like so many others before them this weekend, they were made to work until the bitter end to secure the victory.

The Falcons reward for their never-say-die attitude was a losing bonus point at 16-22, and it is a point that could be a particularly important for them and their survival hopes.