Harlequins were the only team to come through the first six rounds unscathed, with six wins from six before they head into the first round of the LV= Cup. It's been a different story for Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons as they'll look to consolidate after a difficult start that's seen them win just one game each. The LV= Cup competition should provide a welcome break for many clubs, as teams will be welcoming back players from the Rugby World Cup and also looking to explore the depth of their squads.
Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins maintained their unbeaten record with their first league win at Welford Road since 1997, and Leicester’s third consecutive home defeat. Harlequins fought back from an early 5-0 deficit to keep their 100% record in the league this season, with tries from Sam Smith, Seb Stegmann and Joe Marler, combined with 12 points from the boot of Nick Evans, earning the visitors the spoils. For Leicester, Boris Stankovich and replacement Scott Hamilton crossed for tries and fly-half Jeremy Staunton contributed the remaining eight points but it was not enough to secure a win. Final score: Leicester Tigers 18, Harlequins 27.
At Franklin’s Gardens, fly-half Ryan Lamb produced an impressive individual performance as Northampton Saints ended a run of four Aviva Premiership Rugby defeats with a comprehensive win over Exeter Chiefs. Saints’ opened up a 20-3 half-time lead courtesy of tries from centre James Downey and wing Paul Diggin. Both were created by Lamb, who finished with a 16-point haul by slotting two conversions and four penalties. Wing Scott Armstrong rounded things off in the final moments with the hosts’ third try. Exeter, who had been third in the table entering this game, could only register an Ignacio Mieres penalty as they came off heavily second best at the breakdown as Saints’ forward power proved too much to handle. Final score: Northampton Saints 33, Exeter Chiefs 3.
Over at a rain-soaked Edgeley Park, Sale Sharks held off a spirited fightback from Gloucester to claim their fourth win from six Aviva Premiership Rugby outings after edging a hard-fought encounter. Sharks’ skipper David Seymour crashed over the line in the first half and a conversion and a penalty from fly-half Nick MacLeod helped the hosts into a 10-0 half-time lead. Two penalties from Tim Taylor got Gloucester off the mark after the restart, followed by another penalty from MacLeod for Sale before a late try from Gloucester centre Henry Trinder set up a grandstand finish. Final score: Sale Sharks 13, Gloucester Rugby 11.
On Sunday, London Irish, without five injured first-choice players, racked up a comprehensive win over Worcester Warriors at the Madejski Stadium. Tom Homer was on form for the Exiles, converting four of his side’s scores, adding a couple of penalties and also crossing for a touchdown himself. Centre Steve Shingler, number eight Chris Hala’ufia, wing Adam Thompstone and centre Jonathan Joseph also scored tries for Irish, while wings Marcel Garvey and Miles Benjamin touched down for the Warriors. Final score: London Irish 42, Worcester Warriors 24.
Over at Adams Park winger Christian Wade, this season’s Aviva Premiership Rugby leading try scorer, grabbed his sixth of the campaign as Wasps overcame visitors Bath in a close match. Tom Varndell, on the opposite wing, scored Wasps’ other try with Nicky Robinson kicking five penalties and a conversion. Tries for Bath came from Kane Palma-Newport and two from Guy Mercer, with three penalties and a conversion from Tom Heathcote. Final score: London Wasps 27, Bath Rugby 24.
And finally, at Vicarage Road Saracens kept up the pressure on Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins by securing their fifth win of the season at the expense of Newcastle Falcons as they moved back into second place in the table. Joe Maddock, Alex Goode and James Short crossed for Saracens, with Charlie Hodgson adding two conversions and two penalties, while the Falcons’ only points came through Luke Fielden’s 17th minute try. Final score: Saracens 25, Newcastle Falcons 5.
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