Gallagher PREM Review – Week 1

The Gallagher PREM started life on a Thursday, and Sale Sharks can be pleased with their turnout, and there were impressive attendances at Newcastle Red Bull and Bristo Bears.

It may be early days, but here’s who what we learned…

Set Sale for the final? Sale Sharks 27-10 Gloucester

Yes, it is the first weekend, but boy did Sale Sharks lay down a marker. Tom Roebuck will score flashier tries through the season, but his opener was a simple affair that mixed a powerful forward drive with simple passing to set him up.

Even so, Gloucester certainly made a match of it and were ahead with 30 minutes left, but Alex Sanderson’s side stepped on the gas and that was that. Nathan Jibulu’s try came off the back of a classic lineout catch and drive, then two mesmeric, George Ford passes set up the tries for Joe Carpenter and Hyron Andrews.

For Sale, Tom O’Flaherty was a ball of energy, Jacques Vermeulen slipped straight into the backrow, and Ernst van Rhyn looked to the manor born as captain. Gloucester had their moments, and it was good to see Tomos Williams back to his best after limping out of the Lions tour.

Champion Performance: Harlequins 31-47 Bath

It was about the understudies, rather than the leading men as the champions returned. Chris Harries showed his arrival from Gloucester will help fill the Ollie Lawrence hole when he’s away injured or on international duty. Likewise, with Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper interchangeable on the openside.

However, Max Ojomoh’s showing at flyhalf with Finn Russell on post-Lions rest, was eye-catching, most notably his fizzed pass over three heads to put Harry Arundell in for his first try since swapping Racing 92 for Bath.

Harlequins showed they can attack like no-one else, but there is still an André Esterhuizen

Shape hole in their defence. That said, Will Evans will not forget the night in a long time after showing great number 7 instincts to pop up on someone’s shoulder to score a hat-trick.

Back in the Old Routine: Newcastle Red Bulls 17-39 Saracens

Just like old times for Saracens, with Owen Farrell back in the midfield, and Max Malins at fullback. Mark McCall’s team showed noteworthy pluck to not falter after Nathan Mickelow’s early red card, and Alex Herle’s early try.

Farrell linked well with flyhalf Fergus Burke, and alongside Nick Tompkins, set their defence well. Theo Dan put in an impressive shift after starting at hooker, and all in all, it was a very Saracens performance. Nothing spectacular, but all five points were secured.

Red Bull had their moments, and it is a sign of the excitement around them that it was their first full house since 2018. Soon enough, they will have wins to cheer.

Some Good, Some Bad - Northampton Saints 33-33 Exeter Chiefs

Who will be happier, who will be more disappointed after Exeter Chiefs scored 25 unanswered points before halftime to reign in the 2024 Prem champions? Sure, Exeter fought back superbly, but they can’t be happy they were 33 points down, but then it’s the reverse for Saints, great start, but what did they have in their halftime drinks?

Northampton can point that their eight Lions tourists – Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Henry Pollock, and Tommy Freeman - weren’t available, nor their captain George Furbank. That said, it was good to see Tom Pearson play well in the backrow, after injuries hampered his progress in previous seasons.

Expect Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada to take an interest in the rematch later in the season, after four of his test charges showed up well. Ross Vintcent impressed at number 8 with a try, scrumhalf Stephen Varney enjoyed a lively 75 minutes, and Danilo Fischetti played the second half for Northampton.

Then there is Edoardo Todaro, the Saints wing who scored two tries. He’s just turned 20, played Under-18 level when he was 16, and was part of the under-20 set-up this year. More of this form and he may win his first cap in the November internationals.

All About Lou: Bristol Bears 42-29 Leicester Tigers

It had to be him who put the icing on the cake. Louis Rees-Zammit marked his first Prem match in 18 months, by scoring the last of Bristol Bears’ fifth of four tries to wrap up a strong opening showing. He raced in from just outside his 22 and left three defenders in his wake as he scooted down the right wing.

Pat Lam’s side were their usual mix of adventurous play, though they had to show their mental strength after the Tigers went three tries to one ahead with Handre Pollard’s replacement Orlando Bailey looking sharp, and Adam Radwan a handful on the wing with two tries.

Tigers will be disappointed they allowed the match to slip away, especially as they were muscled out in the forwards on occasions, but they, like the hosts, suggested a playoff place should be expected, not hoped for.