*New Series, World in Union: Aviva Rugby Premiership round-up for week 13.

Welcome to our new series. Thanks to our friends at Aviva, we bring you World in Union, our weekly look at the Aviva Premiership. We start just over the half way stage at week 13, but its a start. Aviva, not on any comparison website, but on the Pulse. Visit they website for all your insurance needs.

ROUND 13

Round 13 saw another fierce east-midlands derby produce one of the most entertaining games of the season so far. It was the first chance for revenge for all clubs as the opening day league fixtures were reversed.

This week, the January Sale starts on Thursday, where tickets for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final will be on sale from just £12. This is a one-off chance to book tickets for a world class rugby match for a knock-down price. Anyone planning on having a great day out at the Final this year should be ready to book from 9am on Thursday. The quicker you book, the cheaper your ticket will be.

On Friday night at Kingston Park Sale Sharks seemed in control of the match when they were leading 19-9 against Newcastle Falcons halfway through the second half, and the boot of Charlie Hodgson looked to have done the job. However Jimmy Gopperth’s fourth penalty and a late try from Swinson and Gopperth’s subsequent conversion gave Newcastle a vital draw in the closing ten minutes. Final score: Newcastle Falcons 19 Sale Sharks 19.

On Saturday at The Recreation Ground a spectacular Nick Abendanon try straight after half-time helped earn Bath their second win on the bounce at the expense of Leeds Carnegie. It was a frustrating afternoon for Leeds, who had plenty of possession and territory. But the game turned when Abendanon latched onto a cleverly disguised inside pass from fly-half Butch James and outpaced the cover, rolling over to touch down as he was caught on the line. Olly Barkley converted and added three penalties. Final score: Bath Rugby 16 Leeds Carnegie 13.

At The Twickenham Stoop Harlequins leapfrogged London Wasps to move into fourth position in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with victory in a fast-moving, fiercely-contested London derby watched by a sell-out 14,282 crowd. England attack coach Brian Smith watched Quins run in three first-half tries courtesy of an impressive Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Nick Easter just days before Martin Johnson names his squad for the RBS Six Nations Championship. London Wasps replied with a try from Richard Haughton converted by Mark van Gisbergen and a penalty slotted by Dave Walder. Final score: Harlequins 17 London Wasps 10.

Gloucester avenged their opening weekend defeat against Aviva Premiership Rugby newcomers Exeter Chiefs by claiming a bonus point victory at Kingsholm on Saturday. Tries came in abundance from Olly Morgan, Charlie Sharples, James Simpson–Daniel and Rory Lawson for Gloucester and from Tom Johnson and Sereli Naqelevuki, who ran in two tries for Exeter but it was most definitely Gloucester’s day this time. Final score: Gloucester Rugby 37 Exeter Chiefs 23.

At Welford Road Leicester Tigers extended their lead at the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table with a 27-16 win over Northampton in a pulsating Midlands derby. Northampton made a dream start taking the lead after only 55 seconds. From a ruck 40 metres out they moved the ball wide to Ben Foden, who sold a dummy, to race away for a simple try converted by Stephen Myler. Leicester hit back with some sizzling attacking moves but it was in the final quarter that the Tigers pack motored and the Saints line-out fell apart. Leicester’s tries came from Marcos Ayerza and Craig Newby. Final score: Leicester Tigers 27 Northampton Saints 16.

On Sunday at Vicarage Road Brenden Venter signed off from Saracens with a win over local rivals London Irish. The match was decided by the boot, with young fly-half Owen Farrell kicking four penalties for Saracens and Chris Malone responding with just two for London Irish. The win means Saracens move up to second place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table, six points behind leaders Leicester Tigers. Final score: Saracens 12 London Irish 6.