Gallagher PREM Review - Round 9

Gallagher PREM Rugby reached the halfway stage with three teams jostling for top spot, and a three others involved in a chasing pack for fourth place, which will guarantee a playoff spot come May.

It produced some thrilling rugby, magnificent play, and tries that went from the spectacular to the type that would have a front row forward wiping their tears away.

As a cold snap hit England, the rugby on display warmed the soul, not least at the bottom, where the traditional whipping boys are starting to stir. However, it will be another fortnight before they show if they can go again, with the PREM on hold for two weeks as Investec Champions Cup and EPRC Challenge Cup action takes over.

Here’s how ATR saw the action…

Bristol Bears 19-17 Sale Sharks

Bristol Bears have been very good over the last 18 months, and at home to Sale Sharks, they were a long way from their best, but, but they won. It isn’t something they’ve done too often and with memories of losing 38-0 to Sale at home this time last year, they did what champion teams do and won despite playing ugly.

They weren’t at their fluid best with passes going to no-one or just dropped as runners failed to hit the anticipated lines. The lineout was iffy too, and as they laboured to overturn a five-point deficit, Matias Moroni shinned a kick to touch, and Noah Heward knocked on after Tom Jordan flung a pass his way.

Thankfully, they had the spirit, best summed up by second row Pedro Rubiolo who led the way with 19 tackles, and captain Fitz Harding who won a vital turnover to relieve the pressure just after the hour mark. From there the Bears set up camp in the Sale half and Kalaveti Ravouvou’s winning try came soon after.

Sale were solid, which considering their form only a couple of weeks ago is definitely an improvement. They kept coming in defence, and when they had the chance they attacked well, but with better balance. The challenge now is to build on their consistency, and they will hope Raffi Quirke will be available, after he limped off after 56 minutes.

Newcastle Red Bulls 25-19 Gloucester

A new year, and finally a new feeling at Kingston Park. That first PREM Rugby win is something Red Bulls have been waiting for and now they can enjoy that feeling. They had to guts it out, but when Gloucester poured on the pressure with the clock ticking down, their composure was rewarded with fine work from centre Sammy Arnold and flanker Tom Gordon to bring on the final whistle.

As they have done as the team has improved, is make a strong start. It meant that when Gloucester, unpowered but poor and missing Tomos Williams, did find their rhythm there was enough of a buffer to keep themselves clear.

Victory is another step in Newcastle’s growth and another sign things are being turned around. It came following news that Josh Hodge is signing from Exeter Chefs, while Ethan Grayson is the latest to sign an extension. The big question now, is with the Challenge Cup holding sway over the next couple of weeks, can the Red Bulls make it three wins in a row for the first time this season?

Bath 33-26 Exeter Chiefs

A curious performance from Bath, but a result they needed after losing at home to Northampton Saints last week. Still, while it doesn’t appear to have been their best performance, it is one that screams that they can be mightily pleased with.

First, the stone in the shoe. All but their late winner came when the Chiefs were down to 14 men, with Campbell Ridl off for a 20-minute red card. Why couldn’t they do it when Exeter had their full complement? More to the point, why did they crumble when the Chiefs stepped up their intensity.

In basic statistical terms, Bath were the better. The top three carriers? Bath’s Alfie Barbeary, Ted Hill and Santiago Carreras. The top three tacklers? Exeter’s Daffyd Jenkins, Greg Fisilau, and Tom Hooper.

Of course, that doesn’t fully reflect the nature of the match. For Exeter, there will be regret that they didn’t complete the comeback, but they are still a work in progress. It also underlines why Bath could win so late. It is something that champions demonstrate, and after last week’s horror show, the look much more like their usual selves.

Northampton Saints 66-21 Harlequins

If winning away to the reigning champions with an understrength team was act one, then act two was piling the misery on a desperate Harlequins at home one week later. It means Saints are sitting pretty at the top of the PREM and is a testament to how Director of Rugby Phil Dowson and his coaches have juggled their resources to be top of the PREM and unbeaten in the Champions Cup.

There’s only so much praise to pour on Northampton, and this week it was good to see summer signing Callum Chick boss the forwards from number eight with 11 carries and 11 tackles. He has had to be patient for his chance, but he has shown he is another smart piece of business and someone who can swap in for Henry Pollock when the need arises.

For Harlequins, it was another horror show, with few redeeming features. Compared to previous weeks though, there was at least a sign that the team were prepared to show some fight. As he has often done, the returning Alex Dombrandt helped and led from the front. He scored two tries and was a bustling presence with nine tackles and 10 carries. They need the rest to follow.

Leicester Tigers 36-28 Saracens

Two teams who have been lacking in consistency this season, and Tigers have their fast start to thank for giving them the edge. Freddie Steward’s and Olly Cracknell’s tries, both converted by the effervescent Billy Searle, meant Saracens were chasing, rather than controlling the match.

Searle was excellent again, and his kick for Adam Radwan’s (another to be enjoying a purple patch) first try showed the confidence flowing through him right now. Then there was Ollie Chessum, who has now played back-to-back 80 minutes since picking up a foot injury that cut his autumn international campaign short. He carried nine times and made 11 tackles to show he has lost none of his appetite for work.

Saracens welcomed back Maro Itoje for 50 minutes action off the bench. They have definitely missed him and the direction he gives the team. He made four carries and six tackles, and while that shows he isn’t back to his best yet, Saracens still need him if they are to avoid their season unravelling.