Aviva Premiership Round Five

by **Ozzy3213** Tue 30 Sep 2014, 7:46 am

First topic message reminder :

Four rounds gone, and there has been no let up in the entertainment served up in the Aviva Premiership this season. Round four began at the Kassam Stadium on Friday night, where London Welsh were in the game for an hour before capitulating and giving up another big score to a Gloucester side who barely got out of second gear. Saturday afternoon saw three games, with Saints vs. Bath being the TV pick. The champions showed why they are the champions in this one, dominating the early part of the game against a Bath side buoyed by the result the week before, and by the time Bath got into the game, it was a little too late and a losing bonus point was all they could muster. Slightly earlier in the day, Saracens marked their first game of the season at Allianz Park with a try bonus point win over Sale, and London Irish backed up a good performance last week against Saracens by beating a beleagured Tigers team at Welford Road for just the second time in the last 91 years. On Sunday, Exeter Chiefs maintained their good start to the season, living off of numerous errors from and out of form Quins side to pick up a comfortable win at home, and Wasps bagged a try bonus point against a Falcons side who showed plenty of endeavour, but lacked in the execution department.

Prediction wise, it was a bumper week for me, with 6 from 6, which meant my acca with the man at Corals came in, and I picked up a couple of yellow caps in the SuperBru leagues. So here's the table after round 4:-

POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	DIFF	TF	TA	TBP	LBP	PTS
1.	Saracens	4	4	0	0	149	79	+70	14	10	2	0	18
2.	Northampton Saints	4	3	0	1	135	60	+75	17	6	3	1	16
3.	Bath Rugby	4	3	0	1	151	77	+74	17	10	2	1	15
4.	Exeter Chiefs	4	3	0	1	133	59	+74	13	6	1	1	14
5.	Wasps	4	2	0	2	106	94	+12	12	9	1	2	11
6.	London Irish	4	2	0	2	89	93	-4	7	9	1	2	11
7.	Gloucester	4	2	0	2	108	115	-7	12	14	1	1	10
8.	Leicester Tigers	4	2	0	2	79	104	-25	7	10	1	1	10
9.	Harlequins	4	2	0	2	59	113	-54	5	9	0	0	8
10.	Sale Sharks	4	1	0	3	112	111	+1	15	10	2	1	7
11.	Newcastle Falcons	4	0	0	4	63	126	-63	8	14	0	1	1
12.	London Welsh	4	0	0	4	44	197	-153	6	26	1	0	1

So, on to this weeks fixtures, and here they are;-

Friday 3rd October 2014 19:45 Bath Rugby vs. Saracens

What should be the game of the round is first up this week, and it's likely to prove to be a fiesty affair. Going by last seasons meetings between these two sides there is clearly no love lost and I'll be amazed if there aren't a few cards in this one. If there are, those 10 minute periods where one team is not at full strength could be crucial, and it will be the most clinical of the two sides who will win. Saracens will want to protect their unbeaten record, but Bath, having lost to Saints will have a point to prove and are at home. This is a massive test for them, and will tell us a lot about whether they are genuine title contenders or not. I think they'll pass the test, and pick up a narrow win, with Saracens bagging a losing bonus point.

Saturday 4th October 2014 15:00 Harlequins vs. London Welsh

Quins are desperate for a cohesive performance, to give them something to build on, and Welsh are just desperate for anything they can get from games right now. It's no good Justin Burnell whinging about referees and level playing fields, he needs to sort out that defence, which has been quite frankly appalling and barely Championship standard so far this season. His team will need to show real heart and desire against a Quins side who will undoubtedly be targeting 5 points here. I just can't see it to be honest, and thing Quins will cruise to victory in this one and leave Welsh rooted firmly to the bottom of the table.

Saturday 4th October 2014 15:00 London Irish vs. Northampton Saints

As ever with my own team I don't know who to call this one. Heart as always says 'we got this' but the head says Saints are the strongest side in the league and this one could well be a struggle. Having lost away at Wasps, Saints will not want a second slip up in the opening block of games, and will be very focused going in to this one. Irish will be confident having taken 6 points from the last two games against Sarries and Tigers. Tactics will have to be spot on for Irish, as the game plans deployed against their two previous employments will not get the job done against Saints. Almost as an emotional insurance I am going to tip Saints here, with us getting a losing bonus point, but on SuperBru and in my acca, I have to back my team.

Saturday 4th October 2014 15:15 Gloucester vs. Leicester Tigers

I heard someone say yesterday that Kingsholm is the last place Tigers will want to be going at the moment, but I actually think the opposite. Yes it's an intimidating atmosphere and tough place to go, but actually in their current plight, other than running in tries for fun against Welsh, a tough one like this is just what they need. They will have to front up, and for all that Gloucester have improved on last season, they have been a little hit and miss so far, and are work in progress rather than the finished article. James Hook will need to improve on Fridays performance, and if he does they have a sparkling back line that can hurt Leicester, but the Tigers back line is none to shabby either, and there pack has enough in it to compete. It's a tough call, but I can't see Tigers losing 3 on the bounce, and I think they'll nick this one on the road.

Sunday 5th October 2014 14:00 Sale Sharks vs. London Wasps

Sale haven't played terribly this season, but results haven't gone their way. Wasps have looked decent both in victory and defeat, and will have genuine ambitions to finish in the top 6, if not the top 4. The breakdown will be the key here. Wasps back row have been excellent, and given quick ball to Simpson and Goode and with the pace they have outside of them they will hurt teams. Sale have to slow this down and make this a dog fight, as they don't have the firepower to win a shootout. Steve Diamond is no fool though, and he will know exactly how he wants his team to play. Wasps are probably favourites, but I'm going with Sale to dig this one out at home, Wasps to get the losing bonus point.

Sunday 5th October 2014 15:00 Newcastle Falcons vs. Exeter Chiefs

Exeter are my surprise package this season. I genuinely thought their recruitment hadn't be great and they would be in that 7th to 10th group in the final shake up. So far, new boy Thomas Waldrom, and academy graduates Sam Hill and Henry Slade are putting in performances that mean their sights will be set a whole lot higher than that. Falcons are struggling. In some ways, it's difficult to see why, as there is definitely some talent there. They are very difficult to predict on this early in the week, as nobody has any clue what side Dean Richards will send out, and this has to be part of the issue. I think it's 20 games without a win now, and they know they need to break that sequence soon if they are to put some distance between them and Welsh. On paper, this is a Chiefs win, but I just have a feeling that Falcons might up it for this one and cause an upset. There, I've said it, Falcons win, losing bonus point for the Chiefs!

Ozzy's redicted table after round 5:

Northampton Saints 20, Bath Rugby 19, Saracens 19, Exeter Chiefs 15, Leicester Tigers 14, Harlequins 13, Wasps 12, London Irish 12, Sale Sharks 11, Gloucester 11, Newcastle Falcons 5, London Welsh 1.

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 3:25 pm

17-0 now 22 gone

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 3:37 pm

Worryingly Marler's just gone off with an injury, hopefully nothing too bad though

by Sgt_Pooly Sat 04 Oct 2014, 3:45 pm

Tigers..... Erm

by HammerofThunor Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:01 pm

Indeed

by TJ Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:02 pm

I wasn't expecting that - what has happened to Tigers?

by Sgt_Pooly Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:05 pm

They tend to play their best rugby when the pack is on top.....it's a long way from being on top.

Centres look like they've just met each other, defensive organisation is all over the place. I'd fancy Falcons beating this side (maybe a touch too far).

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:16 pm

31-0 for Quins, tbp picked up by Yarde and Hopper 4 mins in to the second half. Good for Yarde to get his first for us as well.

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:28 pm

Oh joy and ANOTHER mention of Tigers injuries!
What a great way for BT to go about talking down Gloucesters performance.

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:46 pm

Odd to go for the 3 at 30-9 not sure why they didn't take the line out or 5m scrum there...

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:50 pm

"Leicester were still within 3 tries of us" bloody hell Tigers will be lucky to get one at the moment, really odd comment.

by HammerofThunor Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:51 pm

Why don't they listen to what the refs actually say? Goneva went to the bin for a second no-arm tackle. It was NOT mistaken identity. Benjamin's tackle was deemed acceptable (by the AR)

by Cumbrian Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:52 pm

Welsh ship 50 again, being nilled too...

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 4:58 pm

Yarde hot two as well which'll give him a boost

by TightHEAD Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:06 pm

Tigers are dreadful.

by nathan Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:10 pm

Yep, we are!

Wondering if our defence will ever improve, what is this new defence coach being paid for!!

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:11 pm

Poopie it's lucky Glos kicked that penalty now! tigers are a third of the way back in this...

by Welly Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:11 pm

Well we won the second half 7-3.

and stopped the TBP.

Oh god I sound like a Falcons supporter.

Wink

that was a bad joke.

Nathan the D coach started after the Exeter game and has had a 10 @ 12 and a wing @ 13 to train with hardly ideal to teach a new system.

by nathan Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:29 pm

All very true welly

by HongKongCherry Sat 04 Oct 2014, 5:43 pm

There is something strangely satisfying about being bitterly disappointed in not picking up the TBP against Tigers. Bizarre 2nd half performance, but I'd have bitten your hand off for a 33-16 win at the beginning of the day. Great to see Morgan play so well.

by ChequeredJersey Sat 04 Oct 2014, 7:16 pm

Well done Bath and Glaws

I know it doesn't mean much vs Welsh but happy from what I've heard about how Quins played. Hope that gives us confidence and doesn't paper over a any cracks

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 04 Oct 2014, 8:43 pm

Tough old game today. 1 defensive lapse cost us. Other than that both defences excellent and chances were at a real premium.

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 9:09 pm

What was the Irish score?

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 04 Oct 2014, 9:20 pm

Lost 12-19 yappy. Was a close game, really physical, and a bit niggly. Both teams got their defensive tactics spot on to negate the opposition. We gave up a soft try just before half time which ultimately was the difference.

by yappysnap Sat 04 Oct 2014, 9:37 pm

Losing bp isn't bad though, could have been worse. You guys definitely seem to be on an upward curve.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 04 Oct 2014, 9:51 pm

We'd have got nothing from this game last season. Saints came hard at us first half and we were defensively solid bar the one lapse. Last year we'd have conceded 2 or 3 tries, so we are definitely much improved. Second half we dominated territory and possesion but couldn't break them down. We had one spell of sustained pressure and knocked on in the tackle a couple of yards out, and knocked on inside the 5 metre line with time up, which is what ended the game. Overall there were positives, just need to work on execution and not switching off at any point.

We also really missed Scott Steele. TOL's speed of service from the back of the ruck was noticably slower than the youngsters hs been and significanlty conytibuted to us not being able to break them down or really pressurise their defence.

by DaveM Sun 05 Oct 2014, 12:59 am

London Welsh continue to struggle. Interesting quote from Justin Burnell though about the quality of the AP in the BBC write up:

"I am still confident we can survive but we will have to learn quickly as this league is the best club league in the world and is going up in levels each year."

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 8:20 am

I reckon next weekend Welsh vs. Falcons is pretty much a relegation decider, in round six!!! I just can't see where Welsh are going to pick up any points from. You have to think that Bristol would have made a better fist of things and made the Premiership more competitive.

by DaveM Sun 05 Oct 2014, 10:30 am

Or Worcester.

One of the problems the AP has it is tends to have 10 decent or good sides, but there are 12 sides in the league. Maybe they should consider two-up, two down.

by Bathite Sun 05 Oct 2014, 10:33 am

On another note. Sam Burgess currently playing the ARL final with a completely smashed face. Broken cheekbone in the first minute, has played the whole game, made 20 tackles since. Ridiculous specimen.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 10:53 am

Any indications on how long he'll be out for?

by HammerofThunor Sun 05 Oct 2014, 11:51 am

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Any indications on how long he'll be out for?

Couple of hours?

by **Rugby Fan** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 12:10 pm

I mentioned on the thread in the international forum that a fractured cheekbone meant six weeks for Ferris and Henson. I think it depends in whether an operation is needed. Manu Tuilagi also got six weeks out when he broke his cheekbone.

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 1:42 pm

Best results for us today would be sale to win by 8 without a bonus point, and Falcons to win. Come on the northerners!!!

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 1:47 pm

We'll try our best! I have a good feeling about today (although I've had a good feeling for the last 20 matches)

by **LondonTiger** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 1:48 pm

Exeter are better away from home than at home, so..........

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 2:48 pm

Sale leading 12-7 with a couple of minutes to go until half time.

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 2:55 pm

Just watching last weeks game vs. Tigers now.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:08 pm

All Exeter.....and a try

by **LondonTiger** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:12 pm

Ozzy3213 wrote:Just watching last weeks game vs. Tigers now.

I suspect you will, after watching, agree that LI played better against Sarries. Had you played to that level against us you would surely have got a TBP.

What was the quality of the game vs Saints? Were LI able to attack the spaces often available between Burrell and Pisi?

by **LondonTiger** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:14 pm

With farrell being an injury doubt, Ford and Cipriani chose the wrong week to have poor days from the tee.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:16 pm

Falcons playing some fantastic attacking rugby but final pass missing. 6-5 to Falcons

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:33 pm

Socino has found his kicking boots, 14-10 Falcons. Exeter will score more tries with our poor defence tho

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:40 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Ozzy3213 wrote:Just watching last weeks game vs. Tigers now.

I suspect you will, after watching, agree that LI played better against Sarries. Had you played to that level against us you would surely have got a TBP.

What was the quality of the game vs Saints? Were LI able to attack the spaces often available between Burrell and Pisi?

Both defences were well on top yesterday. We lapsed once and they scored, they lapsed twice and we knocked on, once a yard out and once on the five metre line. Wasn't a classic and we missed Scott Steele. TOL took two steps every time from the back of the ruck and allowed Saints the time to close down the space. Was a really niggly game as well, with handbags after almost every ruck and maul. both teams were guilty of holding oppo players in and plenty of blocking and Carley never got to grips with it. Made it a poor spectacle, although the second half was better than the first.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 3:48 pm

Falcons 14-15 Exeter HT

Shocking tackling from Falcons allowing Exeter 3 simple tries. There's no excuse for it. We're playing ok but Exeter make metres every break. What do they coach??

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 4:33 pm

Exeter have hammered us this half! But it's 24-24......dare we dream of a win?

by stnick88 Sun 05 Oct 2014, 4:37 pm

Hope u do pooly! Come on falcons.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 4:40 pm

29-24 Nick!

Hogg & Tiesi have been outstanding.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 05 Oct 2014, 4:47 pm

We've done it!!!!

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 05 Oct 2014, 5:06 pm

Told you Falcons would win this week.

by Heaf Sun 05 Oct 2014, 5:16 pm

And probably next ...

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