Aviva Premiership Round-Up - Round 14

The Aviva Premiership exploded back into action this weekend. Despite missing internationals away with the Six Nations, there were edge of your seat games across the weekend as teams aimed to hit the ground running into the next group of fixtures. Having been on hiatus for over a month with European and Anglo-Welsh fixtures there were plenty of eye watering fixtures and crucial games at both the top and bottom of the league.

Bath Rugby 32-30 Northampton Saints – 10/02/17

                Bath reignited their fight for the play-offs with victory against a Northampton team who have been struggling to find form this season. Despite Bath building an early lead the second half opened up with the lead changing hands several times within the last twenty minutes to create a nailbiting finish. A moment of individual brilliance from replacement Chris Cook still wasn’t enough to repel Northampton fighting back to lead by a point. A missed kick from the tee by Rhys Priestland looked to have given Northampton the victory, but a misplaced clearance and penalty from the breakdown gave him a second chance at the full-time whistle. A chance he slotted between the posts to the delight of Bath faithful at the Rec.

Sale Sharks 26-24 Newcastle Falcons – 10/02/17

                Sale put an end to a six game losing streak in the Aviva Premiership with a nervy victory of Newcastle at the AJ Bell.  Explosive wingers created ample opportunities with Denny Solomona scoring one and setting up another, but Vereniki Gonevea went better getting a hat-trick including two 50 metre intercept tries. Sale looked to have thrown the game away with a clinical Newcastle making the most of their opportunities. With minutes to go it was Sale’s set piece dominance that came to the rescue as Will Addison’s penalty gave them the victory.  A crucial victory sees Sale drag themselves away from the relegation battle they were slowly falling into.

Bristol Rugby 8-42 Harlequins – 10/02/17

                Bristol may have been hoping to capitalise on a Harlequins side with players missing through both international and injury and a terrible away record in the league this season, but it wasn’t to be as Harlequins easily beat a lacklustre Bristol side. However there was history on the Bristol side as Tom Varndell became the leading Premiership try scorer with his 91^st try, overtaking Mark Cueto. A yellow card just before half-time proved to be somewhat of a turning point as the visitors ran in a total of four tries in the second half. The Premiership break doesn’t seemed to have helped Bristol as they conceded 40 points for the fourth time this season having begun to look more competitive in their last few Premiership outings.

Worcester Warriors 24-18 Saracens – 11/02/17

                Worcester will be delighted to have made the most of a Saracens side missing a few notable names away on international duty with an impressively controlled performance at Sixways. Despite outscoring the hosts two tries to zero, Saracens had to settle for a losing bonus point with a penalty in the closing stages of the game.  Worcester were the beneficiaries of 24 points from the boot of Ryan Mills that gave them a vital victory after Bristol’s defeat the night before. Worcester will be pleased with the manner of the performance against the champions with a huge team effort for the entire 80 minutes. The win sees them move 5 points clear of Bristol at the bottom while Saracens will be hoping the pick themselves up quickly as the chasing pack moves closer at the top of the table.

Leicester Tigers 34-9 Gloucester Rugby – 11/02/17

                Leicester earned their first league win under Aaron Mauger with a powerful performance against Gloucester. The Tigers forward pack dominated proceedings from start to finish with three tries earned by the forwards and one for Adam Thompstone giving them a bonus point victory. With Freddie Burns being replaced early, Owen Williams got the chance to show his future employers at Gloucester what they’re getting next season with decisive kicking both from the tee and in open play. The victory for Leicester will keep their hopes alive of chasing down the top four positions before the end of season while Gloucester continue to struggle with getting the job done on the road this season.

Exeter Chiefs 35-35 Wasps – 12/02/17

                Another real classic between these two sides saw points shared in a thrilling game at Sandy Park. In a game that had everything, including 10 tries, two penalty tries, two yellow cards and a red, there were huge levels of power and skill in both sides. Wasps threatened with their explosive backline through Wade and Eastmond, but Exeter weren’t to be outdone with their skills in handling shown throughout the squad. A red card for Exeter’s Jonny Hill early in the second half still didn’t dissuade either side from going for the victory but in the end Joe Simpson’s late try was enough for a draw. With Saracen’s loss Wasps extend their lead at the top to five points and Exeter also close within five of last season’s Champions.

Round 15 Preview

Gloucester Rugby v Saracens – 17/02/17
                Gloucester will be hoping their home form can start to see them crawl up the Premiership table as they host a vulnerable Saracens side. Saracens, on the back of their loss against Worcester, will be keen to right the wrongs of last weekend and prove the real strength in depth they possess.
Prediction: Saracens by 4

Leicester Tigers v Bristol Rugby – 18/02/17
                More of the same will be asked of Leicester as they’ll be targeting another big victory in front of the Welford Road crowd as they welcome bottom of the table Bristol. Bristol will be hoping to correct those defensive errors against Harlequins and put in a performance to show they may be down, but not out.
Prediction: Leicester by 18

Bath Rugby v Harlequins – 18/02/17
                After securing a late victory of Northampton, Bath will look to continue to put distance between them and the chasing pack as Harlequins are the visitors. Quins will be buoyed by their first win on the road but will still be without a number of key squad members and will have it all to do.
Prediction: Bath by 8

Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs – 18/02/17
                Worcester, coming off the high of beating last season’s champions, will look to win their third successive home game in the league against a dangerous and exciting Exeter. Exeter, having played in a thrilling draw against top of the table Wasps on Sunday, won’t want to let their fight for a home semi-final stutter and will seek a big performance on the road.
Prediction: Exeter by 6

Sale Sharks v Wasps – 19/02/17
                Sale, having done enough to see off Newcastle on Friday night, have a long turnaround as they welcome top of the table Wasps to the AJ Bell on Sunday afternoon. Wasps, with such a threatening backline, will look to exploit any defensive frailties in Sale and cement their place at the top of the table.
Prediction: Wasps by 11

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints – 19/02/17
                In what could be a season defining game for both teams, there is a lot on the line at Kingston Park. Newcastle will look to exploit their home field advantage against a Northampton side who will be hurting after being beaten in the last play against Bath. Victory for either side could see them looking up the table at the top 6 positions and a fight for top flight European rugby next season.
Prediction: Newcastle by 3