Gallagher PREM Review – Week 3

It was derby weekend in the Gallagher PREM with local passions brought to the boil, and some magical rugby played. At the end of the round though, Bath remain top and Newcastle Red Bulls bottom.

Here’s how ATR saw the action…

Sale Sharks 57-5 Newcastle Red Bulls

Did this really need to be on Friday night? On Derby Weekend, which by its very nature means teams are based close to each other, why chose the teams with the biggest distance between them? It is over two hours between Sale Sharks and Newcastle Red Bulls, plus throw in Friday night traffic, and you have to wonder why the East Midlands derby, London derby, or the Bath v Gloucester west country derby (all about one hour travel) weren’t chosen.

Rugby league’s Super League Grand Final, across the Manchester Ship Canal at Old Trafford, meant Greater Manchester Police would have objected to the match being played on Saturday, but wouldn’t Sunday have sufficed?

Those who did go saw an impressive home showing, with reserve hooker Nathan Jibulu impressing again, with a try and a memorable run and pass to set up Arron Reed’s second try.

For Red Bulls, it was another miserable evening with very little to cheer their fans. The one shining light was Argentina scrumhalf Simon Benitez Cruz, who came on with 24 minutes to go and immediately injected pace and direction to their attack. They desperately need others to follow his lead.

Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs

With a growing injury list, the last thing Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam needed was another international being ruled out for the next few weeks, but that is what will happen after Tom Jordan was sent off for a high shot on Chiefs’ number eight Ross Vintcent.

There are continuing concerns over their defensive line, which was anything but flat and offered Exeter gaps galore which they were happy to run at. That said, Lam will be pleased with how they rallied, and it was indicative of their endeavour that flanker Fitz Harding, hooker Gabriel Oghre, and number eight Bill Mata led the way in ball carrying.

With Jordan likely to face a suspension and AJ MacGinty already injured, more will fall on young flyhalf Sam Worsley, but he showed great composure to nail two late kicks that gave Bears victory.

Exeter will rue their inability to capitalise on their numerical superiority, but Ben Hammersley showed up well alongside Henry Slade in the centres, so director of rugby Rob Baxter can be pleased that his backline is starting to develop a familiar look and shape.

Northampton Saints 32-26 Leicester Tigers

It is no understatement that Northampton were happy to see their Lions tourists back. Flyhalf Fin Smith scored a try, two penalties, and a conversion, while his score came from a trademark blindside break from scrumhalf Alex Mitchell.

Wing Tommy Freeman was quieter, and went off after 43 minutes, while flanker Henry Pollock emerged from the bench just before the hour mark. However, another reserve made the biggest impact. Anthony Beleau came on early after fullback George Hendy picked up an injury and slotted in at fullback as if to the manner born with two tries.

Then there is Edoardo Todaro, who scored his third try in three weeks. With Freeman having expressed an interest in moving inside to centre, the young Italy wing’s emergence means that there will be less of an issue over who takes Freeman’s wing slot if Saints try the change.

The Tigers stayed in contention throughout, and head coach Geoff Parling spoke about giving the Saints too many chances to attack. Parling will pleased with Freddie Steward’s improved performance. The fullback scored a try, led carries with 18, made three line breaks, and was in belligerent mood all match.

Bath 38-17 Gloucester

What more to say about the champions? Probably the most notable fact is that the return of Lions flyhalf Finn Russell could be met with a shoulder shrug and the suspicion that it made little difference to the outcome.

Their biggest flex came with just over 20 minutes to go, when Bath brought on Santiago Carreras and centre Chris Harris. Last year they were regular starters in the Gloucester backline. In the pack Lions prop Will Stuart was replaced by Springbok tighthead Thomas du Toit. No one else has depth like them, and they are using it well already.

Gloucester’s bright spark came from Will Joseph, who brings speed, power, and directness to their centres. He scored a try and set Ben Loader free to score in the corner. Without him the next few months could be very challenging.

Harlequins 20-14 Saracens

Lions tourist Marcus Smith made the headlines on his return with a try, two conversions, and two penalties, but if Harlequins want to improve on last season’s underwhelming performances a quick look at their pack will give their supporters hope.

England loosehead prop Fin Baxter went up against Italy tighthead Marco Riccioni, and he impressed with two scrum penalties as well as 11 carries and two dominant tackles. With Alex Dombrandt on the bench, Chandler Cunningham-South took his chance to show what he could do as a number eight. He made 10 carries and seven tackles. England coach Steve Borthwick has used Cunningham-South as his hybrid forward, and adding another position to his CV will further secure his England place.

Saracens were off their best, and Ben Earl took time to get going on his return from Lions duty. By the second half, he was back to his usual self, cheering every tackle, turnover and penalty in his puppy dog way, and collecting Owen Farrell’s crosskick to score in the corner and secure a losing bonus point. With doubts over the Ben and Tom Curry, Borthwick will be pleased that Earl appears locked in for one of the back row places this autumn.