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With the England training squad announced this week, there were plenty of players out to prove Eddie Jones right or wrong.
Week 4 in the Aviva Premiership provided some more high quality rugby. Here is a wrap of what happened.
Bristol 0-39 Saracens
Each week it is looking like a longer, harder season for Andy Robinson’s men. They entertained a Saracens outfit that were smarting after being handed their first loss in six months the previous week by Harlequins.
Bristol defended gallantly to only be 13-0 down at half time due to fly half Alex Lozowki’s converted try and two penalties from Ben Spencer, but the fact was Saracens were not challenged and got nowhere near playing to their full potential as they reclaimed top spot from Wasps before their game on Sunday.
Bristol now look to Newcastle next week hoping to pick up their first win of the season whereas Saracens have a blockbuster against fellow high flyers Wasps
Northampton 20-19 Exeter
Another nail biter at Franklins Gardens with this time the home team coming out on top. After going 13-0 down to the Cornishmen, Northampton got back into the game with powerhouse winger George North crashing over for his second try in two games. Things were to immediately get better for the Saints, as buoyed by that try, North collected the restart and crashed out of his 22.
He found his scrum half inside him who in turn put 20 year old centre Rory Hutchinson under the posts for a two minute double salvo to turn this game on its head.
Two Gareth Steenson penalties in the second half looked to be enough for Exeter to record a hard fought victory but after knocking over a penalty with a little over ten minutes to go Henry Mallinder kept his nerve to kick the Saints to victory with barely a minute left on the clock.
This win leaves Northampton a point behind Exeter whose stuttering start to the campaign continues.
Sale 34-30 Leicester
For the second game in a row Sale scored 34 points, this time it was enough to see them collect a maximum five to go up the ladder.
Will Addison was the hero this week, converting all four of the Sharks’ tries as well as kicking two penalties. Peter Betham scored two tries for the Tigers and Owen Williams scored 15 points from the tee but it was not enough for fourth placed Leicester who lost some ground on the leaders.
In a topsy turvy game, Sale took a 7-0 lead before Leicester shocked them with 17 unanswered points.
Anything Leicester could do, Sale could do better and they returned the favour with Paolo Odogwu and Johnny Leota scoring converted tries and Addison adding a penalty to give the Sharks a 24-17 lead.
Two Williams penalties brought Leciester back to within a point but a Halani Aulika try again stretched the lead to eight. Adam Thompstone ensured a nervy end to the game but a final Addison penalty secured a fine win for Steve Diamonds men before their Friday night encounter with Bath.
Gloucester 6-15 Bath
A feverish Kingsholm witnessed Bath defeat Gloucester in the first West Country derby of the season. England wing Anthony Watson and forgotten man Matt Banahan scored for the visitors whereas all Gloucester could manage were a James Hook and Greg Laidlaw penalty.
Laidlaw missed three other shots at goal that proved costly as a game that is always eagerly anticipated never caught light. Torrential rain in the lead up to the game did nothing for the spectacle but on this showing neither team look like worrying the big boys at the top of the table.
Bath have an intriguing game against free scoring Sale next week whereas Gloucester really need to beat Exeter to breathe life into their disappointing season so far.
Worcester 11-9 Newcastle
Worcester put a W in the win column for the first time this season with Wynan Olivier scoring the game’s only try despite perfect conditions. With both teams infringing frequently, there was no chance for the game to get a flow to it with the pressure on both teams to pick up points clear for all to see.
Both would have earmarked this one as a game in which they could win but neither could produce enough good rugby to break clear and win the game. Olivier’s try came from a mistake in the Newcastle midfield as Dom Waldouck received a hospital pass and was hit by Jackson Williams which dislodged the ball that allowed Tom Heathcote to get the ball to Olivier to score.
Newcastle did make sure they went home with a bonus point as two late penalties brought them to within two points but the Warriors held on for a vital win.
Wasps 47-18 Harlequins
This game gave the argument for making rugby a summer sport in the UK huge validity. Harlequins, fresh from defeating champions Saracens last week, went to the Ricoh Arena to play rugby.
Unfortunately they came up against a Wasps side that is in irresistible form at the moment. Their first of seven tries came within three minutes of the game’s opening, and even though Jamie Roberts did bring Quins right back into it shortly after, there was only going to be one winner.
Wasps had the four-try bonus point wrapped up inside 32 minutes as Guy Thompson, Dan Robson and Elliot Daly all touched down. James Chisholm scored a superb try right on half time to make the score 26-18 that had forwards and backs interlinking but that was as good as it got for ‘Quins.
After dominating the first 20 minutes of the second half, Wasps hit them with the classic sucker punch as Christian Wade finished off a fine move.
Kyle Eastmond got his first try for the club and the scoring was rounded off after Josh Bassett received an inside ball from Jimmy Gopperth after the latter had made a break down the wing.
Gopperth scored six from seven conversions to continue his fine start to the season as Wasps moved back to the summit. Next week they travel to Saracens in a game that has the potential to be an all time classic. Harlequins host Northampton hoping to move up the table.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.