Aviva Premiership Review

Player of the weekend – Richard Wigglesworth – This man martialled his side at a blustery Sandy Park to guide them to victory. His game management and kicking was excellent.

Bath 11 – Gloucester 15

With most of the focus on the Six Nations, the West Country derby made sure the focus was solely on the Aviva Premiership on Friday. Bath went 8-0 up through the boot of Homer and a Dom Day try, it was 11-6 at the break. In the wind and rain, James Hook slotted three more penalties to give Gloucester their first win at the rec since 2012. Bath sit ninth and are running out of excuses, Matt Kvesic was also great when he came on.

Harlequins 23 – Northampton 27

Harlequins unbeaten run at home came to an end with a last gasp Ben Foden try. Northampton led 14 – 17 at the break through a Myler penalty, with Day and Burrell crossing in reply to Merrick and Chisholm scores for the hosts. Two Evans penalties gave Quins the lead before the aforementioned Foden score. Northampton are hard to keep up with this season and that’s two defeats in a row for Harlequins.

Wasps 9 – Newcastle Falcons 8

Three Jimmy Gopperth penalties cancelled out a Latu try and a Goode penalty to give Wasps a narrow win in a game will be easily forgotten. Newcastle are showing real signs of improvements and Wasps are showing that even when they don’t play well, they can win.

Leicester Tigers 3 – Sale Sharks 10

A Burns penalty was cancelled out by a Beaumont try and the rest from the boot of Cipriani to give Sale a continued unbeaten 2016. Both teams were indifferent but Sale took their opportunities better. Sale are up to seventh and Leicester are third.

Exeter 11 – Saracens 14

Saracens came from 11 points down to remain top of the Premiership at Sandy Park. Two Steenson Penalties and Short try gave Exeter the lead at the break after a Vunisa score for Saracens. The boot of Charlie Hodgson won the game for Saracens in the second half and they are now five points clear at the top having lost once in their last 20 games.

London Irish 20 – Worcester Warriors 13

London Irish pulled out a crucial win at home to move off the bottom of the Premiership. Ciaran Hearn’s delightful try gave the hosts a 10-3 lead at half time. Bryce Heem scored just after returning from the sin-bin after the break, shortly after Topsy Ojo had a try ruled out in his 250th London Irish game which was an emotional occasion for him. Andrew Fenby and Warriors prop Val Rapava-Ruskin both scored for either side before Shane Geraghty’s late penalty shot. Warriors are one point above Irish in tenth and are really in the relegation battle now, if they play like they played at the weekend they will surely go down as they were flat.

By Jack Pitt

Writing for www.TheRugbyPod.com