Aviva Premiership - Round 3

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Table

POS	TEAM	-PL-	-W-	-D-	-L-	-PF-	-PA-	-DIFF-	-TF-	-TA-	-TB-	-LB-	-PTS-
1	Saracens	2	2	0	0	69	16	53	9	1	2	0	10
2	Bath Rugby	2	2	0	0	76	19	57	8	3	1	0	9
3	Wasps	2	2	0	0	59	42	17	7	4	1	0	9
4	Northampton Saints	2	1	0	1	46	28	18	6	1	1	1	6
5	Sale Sharks	2	1	0	1	36	29	7	3	2	0	1	5
6	Leicester Tigers	2	1	0	1	60	65	-5	7	8	1	0	5
7	Harlequins	2	1	0	1	31	38	-7	3	4	0	0	4
8	Newcastle Falcons	2	1	0	1	24	75	-51	2	10	0	0	4
9	Gloucester Rugby	2	0	1	1	54	61	-7	6	8	1	1	4
10	Worcester Warriors	2	0	1	1	26	58	-32	3	6	0	0	2
11	Bristol Rugby	2	0	0	2	29	53	-24	4	6	0	1	1
12	Exeter Chiefs	2	0	0	2	33	59	-26	3	8	0	1	1

Fixtures

FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2016

19:45 Sale v Gloucester BT Sport
The organised, but dare I say it slightly dull, Sale Sharks entertain the more mercurial but also much more dysfunctional Gloucester. Both teams had influential back rowers flattened by opponents subsequently receiving their marching orders last week. Sale especially would like skipper Beaumont to have passed the concussion protocols and be ready to play. In the end I suspect that Sale’s organisation and teamwork will win the day as they grind out a win.


SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 2016

15:00 Bath v Worcester
Having failed to score a try in Round 1, Bath ran in a whopping 8 in their crushing victory over Falcons in round 2. George Ford won the plaudits from opposing DoR Dean Richards, but special mention must be given to Max Clark, whose direct running and good hands allow time for the internationals either side of him. It is hard to say how well Bath played as by all accounts Falcons capitulated, but the tight 5 went well, back row better than expected and Fotuali’I looked a lot more like the 9 that Ospreys fans will remember (rather than Saints fans).
Worcester were perhaps unlucky to only draw last week, yet with the amount of mistakes made by Gloucester in that game they have only themselves to blame. They need players like Hougaard and Heem back. They need a better 10 than Ryan Lamb. With Bath’s back row still in disarray, even with Houston returning, someone is going to capitalise. Cannot see it being Worcester though.

15:00 Exeter v Harlequins
Having started the season with the worst two fixtures possible, last season’s runner up find themselves at the bottom of the table. Two defeats is not unexpected, but Rob Baxter will have been unhappy about the way the matches were lost and the number of tries conceded. Something is not quite working both in the pack and behind in the backs – but Baxter will be analysing everything in great detail to come up with an answer.
Quins fans are in despair. A squeaky win over new boys Bristol was followed by defeat away to Sale. That they lost in Salford is no surprise, but the manner of defeat with apparently a number of players looking almost disinterested is the main reason for the fans dissatisfaction. Travelling down to Devon is probably not the ideal trip – but maybe going as underdogs will allow Quins to relax and play their own game?
Exeter should, despite misfiring, have too much for Quins.

15:00 Saracens v Northampton BT Sport
Heavyweight clash in Barnet this week. George v Hartley, Mako v Brookes/Hill, Itoje v Lawes, Billy v Louis. Some contests to savour – but this match will be won by the collective not individuals. Sarries are slowly grinding their way into form, while pulverising opponents as they do it. Saints should not fold as Worcester and Exeter did but can they match the Allianz Juggernaut?
Having played poorly for most of the game in Round 1, their defence has largely stayed intact. Like their hosts just 1 try conceded in the two games so far is testament to their hard work. However can they create enough to truly scare Sarries? Gut feel is Saints will need the champions to be a touch off-colour if they are to get anything from this game.


SUNDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2016

14:30 Wasps v Bristol
Wasps host Bristol with two wins already under their belt. Dai Young will know that they are some way below their best so far but he will be pleased that the results are coming anyway. Last season they usually lost when not at their best.
Bristol are likely to make this a 3rd defeat in a row and despite showing early promise need to actually start getting results. Maybe next week.

15:00 Newcastle v Leicester BT Sport
Two teams who were happy after Round 1 and distraught after round 2. Two teams who need to play a lot better, show more application and dedication if they are to achieve their potential. Both sets of players should be truly embarrassed by their performances last week.

Are bath not playing as good as last week or are Worcester just better than us...

Saints have challenged Saracens, but just didn't have the game to exploit their momentary dominance.

The A game of power is not enough it seems?

Don't know the answer that one Geordie!

I suspect Bath are a bit inconsistent ...

Worcester get nothing from that although they didn't play badly and some of the players lower down the pecking order gave a good account of themselves. They couldn't contain Bath in the second half and the game was lost from that point on. Shame, a losing bonus point or a try bonus point would have been great. Bath looked creative and incisive when they got the ball. Ford, Rocko, Bannahan and Watson caught the eye. Perhaps Baths tackling and defence was a bit suspect in the first half.

So in the first couple of rounds we've seen clearly forward passes allowed based on the direction of the hands supposedly going backwards (even when in some cases that was nonsense) - so what was wrong with the last non-try from Saints - the replay seemed to show in this case the hands clearly had gone backwards.  Yet again we can't get any consistence in refereeing.

I agree, that wasn't a forward pass. But it was Waller's stupidity that cost us the match.

Ah so looks like bath found their feet in the second half. Maybe we won't be the only one to come a croppa down there!

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ah so looks like bath found their feet in the second half. Maybe we won't be the only one to come a croppa down there!

Yes I reckon they look a very dangerous team and will I'm sure cause other teams problems as well. Worcester attacked hard for most of the first half which seemed the most effective way of containing bath.

Scottrf wrote:I agree, that wasn't a forward pass. But it was Waller's stupidity that cost us the match.

Yes but had the try been allowed that would have been a better result for me on Superbru

Bath looking very dangerous this season, even with what appears to be  long list of absentees.

Ashton accused of biting, Waller binned - and only save from worse by pesuasive Tmo. Wigglesworth lucky not to be binned. Typically fractious game between two sides who seem to actively dislike each other.

LondonTiger wrote:Typically fractious game between two sides who seem to actively dislike each other.

Shame we have to wait until the middle of April for the return fixture between these two.

Ashton cited. Hope when decision guilt they judge the incident not the man. If guilty, sure Throw the boom at him, but hope they are fair when reacher a decision.

Ayerza pulls out of his role on the bench and so Mulipola comes in. Logo was a second half sub in the A league on Monday so we can't afford to lose Genge early doors.

Poor start from McGuigan. Lazy tackle allows a Falcons break through the middle and then that lineout was nowhere near straight but he gets away with it.

Good start from Falcons, can we keep it up?

Tigers defensive organisation seems to be missing. Stop the Falcons maul and then Takalua snipes past a suicidal rushing out BOC to put Socino under the posts.

Agghhh! Got to convert chances like that!

Dozen phases of pick and go from Falcons five metres out but it never tests the Tigers defence unduly. Could have been pinged for sealing off before knocking on. Should have snipped more as their scrum half looks lively.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Dozen phases of pick and go from Falcons five metres out but it never tests the Tigers defence unduly. Could have been pinged for sealing off before knocking on. Should have snipped more as their scrum half looks lively.

Newcastle were in at the side too just before it was knocked on.

We are absolutely crap again, no defence at all

Oh their feet?

That penalty was a touch harsh but we're making all the errors and giving Falcons easy opportunities to pressure. It's an easy game for them.

Tait as captain means we're never going to challenge the ref and try to get him onside.

7 Newcastle out you go, goes straight back in lol

If we hadn't scored there it was three penalties and a yellow card for Falcons. They got off lightly woth us scoring in the corner, particularly if Burns misses a tough kick which he does.

Tigers dominating the maul on attack and defence.

Newcastle will have someone in the bin within the next 10 minutes

Blatant obstruction by the 12!!!! Missed by the ref!!!

Ridiculous decision, that was a Falcons penalty not Leicester's!

I agree, but you've had a few lucky calls already

It's a question of perspective, I feel Leicester have their fair share...

Then you'd be wrong

And another blatant obstruction!!!!!

The ref has let us off with at least two clearly not straight lineouts in or around the Falcons 22.

Blast ant crawling along the fall

Ref has been lenient with both sides!

No arms tackle by the Newcastle 12....


...yeah ok I'm stretching it a bit there

nathan wrote:Then you'd be wrong

Well I would be, I am disagreeing with you...

Glad you understand!

Can't keep leaving these points on the pitch, we'll get punished for it.

Everyone just needs to accept JPD is a poor ref ...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Ref has been lenient with both sides!

He has been generous in that regard. Great work by Lawson who asks the ref to maintain the gap even after the throw. As he throws it down his own line it completely takes out Kitchener who has been pressuring the Falcons jumpers. Means Falcons get a good maul set and win a pen.

Should we drop Tait? He's continually making the wrong decision so far this season

40 minutes of my life I'll never get back

nathan wrote:Should we drop Tait? He's continually making the wrong decision so far this season

Should have been dropped last week. How he's playing and captain is beyond me.

We are far too lateral. Betham looks barely interested and not keen to run a straight line, Tait coming in to the line has no effect but give the Falcons a chance at a turnover and Williams is playing like a 10. Oh if only Smith was fit. Maybe we should bring Thompstone on at 13, he's always committed and has no problem carrying into contact. Move Betham to the wing and TV to 15.

We need some ball carriers, bring logo on for the second half

Falcons never 10 yards then

Surely he wasn't behind the line?

Correct - another poor miss by Doyle - the guy is woeful

We are so easy to play against, I have a feeling we are going to be awful this year

nathan wrote:We are so easy to play against, I have a feeling we are going to be awful this year

It's not hard to believe that given the displays so far. We've managed one good half of attacking rugby so far.