premiership rugby 10-10-16

FRIDAY

BATH 30-3 SALE

BANAHAN TRY SET UP FOR BIG BATH WIN

Matt Banahan powered over early on for the hosts at The Rec - the wing's 50th try for the Blue, Black and Whites - as Bath took a 10-3 lead into the break.

Bath then struggled before Kahn Fotuali'i raced clear for a second try and Kane Palma-Newport bundled over.

Co-captain George Ford landed a 100% record from the tee as Bath closed to within a point of leaders Wasps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554344

As unhappy as Bath might be in mot getting the bonus point the should be happy in winning a match like this so easily as Sale are definitely not an easy team to get rid of. I think that at least at the moment Bath should reach the d of the season

SATURDAY

NEWCASTLE 19-14 BRISTOL

HODGESON TRY PUTS NEWCASTLE IN 6^TH POSITION

 Juan Pablo Socino, Will Welch and Joel Hodgson's first-half tries had given Newcastle a 19-point lead.

But Bristol - who are yet to win since returning to the Premiership - crossed through John Fisher and Mitch Eadie to cut the deficit to five points.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554765

Newcastle are definitely the surprise package of this season and but purely because of this they could be a bit disappointed that they did not get the bonus point from this game. Bristol look to be in a lot of problems but can improve but there does seem to be a gap now between 121th and 12^th if they let that get bigger they could be in a lot of pain.

LEISTER 34-14 WORCESTER

KITCHENER TRY SEALS BONUS POINT FOR LEICESTER

After Owen Williams kicked two early penalties, Tom Brady and Telusa Veainu crossed to make it 20-0 at the break.

Ryan Lamb's two penalties reduced the deficit before Logovi'i Mulipola scored Tigers' third try.

Jaba Bregvadze then scored Warriors only try and his first for the club before Kitchener touched down late on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554690

Getting the bonus point against a team like this could be the difference between 4^th and 5^th in the table for Leicester this season at the fact that they made look easy also helped as they are showing signs of being ready for Europe next week.

QUINS 20-9 NORTHAMPTON

ALOFA ONLY TRY IN TIGHT QUINS WIN

Alofa Alofa's first try for the club and a Nick Evans penalty gave the hosts an early 8-0 lead.

Northampton pulled it back to 8-6 at the break through Stephen Myler's boot.

But Quins substitute Tim Swiel made an impact after replacing Evans, adding four penalties to Harlequins' tally, and Saints struggled to respond.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554606

Northampton are normslly a big team when it comes to English rugby this has definitely been a bad season for them so far and they must show senses of improvement when they battle in Europe next week. As for quins it is not that much better but you do not know how important a win

EXETER 27-27 GLOUCESTER

WELSH TRY SAVES CHIEFS FROM DEFEAT

Damian Welch's late try for Exeter Chiefs denied Gloucester victory in the Premiership at Sandy Park.

Gareth Steenson could have won the game for the hosts with a difficult, touchline conversion, but it went wide.

Matthew Scott, Charlie Sharples and Ben Morgan's tries had given Gloucester hope of a second win of the season.

But Chiefs - who crossed through Thomas Waldrom and Ian Whitten in the first half - battled back with Whitten's second try and Welch's last-gasp score.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554512

Exeter last season had a good year in Europe but a result like this could dent their confidence going into them matches as for Glouester a draw from the hands of a victory in the last couple of minutes cannot be a good thing. There is little positive to take from this match for both sides.  

SUNDAY

SARACENS 30-14 WASPS

GEORGE DOUBLE ALLOWS SARACENS TO FLY INTO EUROPE

Sarries led 13-8 at the break through tries from Mako Vunipola and Mike Ellery, with Josh Bassett replying.

Two penalties from Wasps fly-half Jimmy Gopperth pulled the score back to 16-14 but Jamie George's converted try gave Sarries breathing space.

After Wasps winger Bassett was sent to the bin, George powered over again to secure a bonus point for the hosts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554830

2 things that have come from this week Saracens ruined Wasps 100 per cent record and the second is the fact they got the bonus point and I would worry about whoever has to play Saracens in the next match in Europe as they look on fire at the moment

pro 12 10-10-16

FRIDAY

OSPREYS 46-24 BLUES

WALKER DOUBLE ALLOWS OSPREYS TO SHINE

Blues started well and led 10-3 after Kristian Dacey's try, but shipped 19 points after full-back Dan Fish was yellow carded for a professional foul.

Two tries by Eli Walker and scores by Alun Wyn Jones and Dmitri Arhip secured a bonus point before half-time.

Further tries by Ben John, Dan Evans and Josh Matavesi hammered home Ospreys' dominance, with Tom James and Rey Lee-Lo replying for Blues.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37552736

This was a very convincing welsh derby win for the Ospreys and with this much of a gap between the sides I think that Ospreys might be ready for the next challenge of European Rugby. I think that a result like this can put a downer on your season being the team on the other end of it. 

EDINBURGH 45-10 TREVISO

HOYLAND AND BROWN DOUBLE MAKES THINGS SIMPLE FOR SCOTS

Wing Damien Hoyland sprinted from his own 22 to score the opener and Hamish Watson stormed over for the second.

Hoyland exchanged passes with Michael Allen for his second before Magnus Bradbury exposed more slack defence.

Marco Fuser crossed for Treviso but Tom Brown grabbed his own brace, with Blair Kinghorn adding a seventh late on.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37575931

Little can be learned when you take control against an Italian side and get the bonus point before half time. I think that this was too easy for the Scot’s and that a Challenge would have been a good thing for them to have as challenges like this are way too easy

CONNACHT 30-25 ULSTER

ULSTER GET LEVEL BUT KELLEHER KILLS THEM OFF

The visitors were made to pay for poor tackling as fly-half Jack Carty, winger Cian Kelleher and flanker James Connolly scored first-half tries.

Ulster winger Craig Gilroy touched down for the visitors but they trailed 22-8 at the interval.

Tries by hooker Rory Best and full-back Jared Payne brought Ulster level but Kelleher got Connacht's clinching try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37574003

Where were the Ulster side that we had seen all season in the first half as I think that they were thinking a week ahead when they go into their European competition which the coach should have brought them back to earth they could not do enough in the second half and lost their undefeated record

SATURDAY

LEINSTER 25-14 MUNSTER

NACEWA DOUBLE SECURES LEINSTER WIN

 Nacewa scored two tries for last year's beaten finalists, with Jamison Gibson-Park also touching down.

Man-of-the-match Johnny Sexton added two penalties and two conversions.

Peter O'Mahony marked his first start for Munster since May 2015 by crossing for his side, while replacement Jaco Taute grabbed a late consolation try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37588591

Leinster have shown why they are the best team in the pro 12 with a simple win over Munster as this is normally considered a derby before the ages and this game was played hard and a good win for Leinster going into Europe next week

ZEBRE 28-33 GLASGOW

VENDETTI TRI MAKES THINGS EASY ENOUGH FOR GLASGOW

Tries from wing Sean Lamont and hooker Fraser Brown helped the Warriors lead 18-11 at half-time, Oliviero Fabiani replying for the hosts.

Further scores from Lamont and replacement Leonardo Sarto, against his old club, extended the lead to 30-11.

But tries from Giovanbattista Venditti and Andries van Schalkwyk left Glasgow defending before Rory Clegg's penalty.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37585144

Glasgow would definitely consider it a disappointment that they did not get the bonus point from this match as they were leading this match by 30 point to 11 at one stage and it did look like they were bin a different class but I wonder whether that sense of desperation was what led the Italians into the game

SCARLET'S 31-27 DRAGONS

J EVENS SECURES SCARLET'S BONUS POINT BUT DRAGONS GET 2

A try by Hallam Amos and two by Adam Warren saw the visitors take a 20-7 lead after 35 minutes.

Liam Williams' score just before half-time changed the momentum and Scarlets upped the intensity after the break.

Jonathan Evans scored a superb solo try and Steff Evans added a second to his first half score to secure the bonus point just after the hour.

Sarel Pretorius' try made for a nervy finish and earned Dragons two bonus points.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37552730

This match was an epic derby where you could not be sure who won the match at any point and I think that matches like this can only be a good thing for Welsh rugby as it will get people into the game who are not normally into it as there are not to many games where both teams get the try bonus point. 

premiership rugby 7-10-16

PREMIERSHIP

BATH V SALE

Bath: Homer; Rokoduguni, Joseph, Banahan, Brew; George Ford (co-capt), Fotuali'i; Catt, Dunn, Thomas, Stooke, Attwood, Garvey (co-capt), Ellis, Mercer.

Replacements: Batty, Auterac, Palma-Newport, Ewels, Mercer, Cook, Hastings, Williams.

Sale Sharks: McGuigan; Addison, James, Leota, Odogwu; MacGinty, Phillips; Lewis-Roberts, Briggs, Mujati, Evans, Mills, Neild, Seymour, Beaumont (capt).

Replacements: Harrison, Aulika, Ostrikov, Lund, Pearce, Mitchell, Mugford, Haley.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37554344

I think that this game will be very interesting and I think that Bath will win it but by no more than 10 points

SATURDAY

EXETER V GLOUCESTER

Both of these teams would be playing below their expectations with Gloucester in 9^th and Exeter in 6^th but I do think home advantage will do the damage for Exeter as they will win but I would not be surprised if Gloucester got the loosing bonus point

HARLEQUINS V NORTHAMPTON

I think Northampton will win and win easily as Harlequins are having a disaster of a season

LEICESTER V WORCESTER

Both teams are where they should be and I would think this should be an easy home win for Leicester  

NEWCASTLE V BRISTOL

This is a relegation 8 pointer and I think that this is a match Newcastle must win comfortably to stay out of that relegation dogfight and I think that they will  

SUNDAY

SARACENS V WASPS

Top 2 I think this could be a draw with both sides getting a try bonus point 

PRO 12 WEEK TEAMS AND PREDICTIONS 7-10-16

PRO 12 TEAMS

FRIDAY

CONNACHT V ULSTER

Connacht: T O'Halloran; N Adeolokun, B Aki, C Ronaldson, C Kelleher; J Carty, C Blade; F Bealham, D Heffernan, C Carey, U Dillane, A Browne, E McKeon, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt).

Replacements: S Delahunt, R Loughney, JP Cooney, L Stevenson, J Connolly, S Kerins, S O'Leary, S Ili.

Ulster: J Payne (capt); T Bowe, L Ludik, D Cave, C Gilroy; P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Best, R Ah You, R Diack, P Browne, I Henderson, C Ross, R Wilson.

Replacements: R Herring, A Warwick, R Kane, K Treadwell, S Reidy, D Shanahan, B Herron, R Lyttle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37574003

I would be very surprised if Ulster do not win this but a bonus point might not be as easy to get as people think. I say Ulster by 8

OSPREYS V BLUES

Ospreys: Dan Evans; Jeff Hassler, Ben John, Josh Matavesi, Eli Walker; Sam Davies, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Dmitri Arhip, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones (Capt), James King, Justin Tipuric, Dan Baker.

Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Paul James, Ma'afu Fia, Rory Thornton, Dan Lydiate, Tom Habberfield, Dan Biggar, Ashley Beck

Cardiff Blues: Dan Fish; Blaine Scully, Garyn Smith, Rey Lee-Lo, Tom James; Gareth Anscombe, Lloyd Williams; Gethin Jenkins (capt), Kristian Dacey, Taufa'ao Filise, Macauley Cook, Josh Turnbull, Josh Navidi, Ellis Jenkins, Nick Williams

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Rhys Gill, Scott Andrews, James Down, Cam Dolan, Tomos Williams, Steven Shingler, Matthew Morgan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37552736

I would go more for the Ospreys as I think that this match will be very close and neither team will take control of it and I do not think either team will lead at any stage by more than 7 points.

EDINBURGH V TREVISO

Edinburgh: Blair Kinghorn, Damien Hoyland, Michael Allen, Chris Dean, Tom Brown, Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy; Rory Sutherland, Ross Ford, Ewan McQuillin, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist (capt), Magnus Bradbury, Hamish Watson, Nasi Manu.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Allan Dell, Murray McCallum, Lewis Carmichael, John Hardie, Nathan Fowles, Glenn Bryce, Solomoni Rasolea.

Benetton Treviso: Luke McLean, Angelo Esposito, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi (capt), Andrea Buondonno, Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Alberto de Marchi, Ornel Gega, Simone Ferrari, Filo Paulo, Marco Fuser, Francesco Minto, Marco Lazzaroni, Braam Steyn.

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Matteo Zanusso, Cherif Traore, Filippo Gerosa, Andrea Pratichetti, Tito Tebaldi, Ian McKinley, David Odiete.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37575931

I think that Edinburgh will win this match but Treviso are picking up points so this game could be a lot closer than even the Italians think as there could be as little as one kick between the sides when the final ball is kicked out.

SATURDAY

LEINSTER V MUNSTER

This is without a doubt the match that sells the pro 12 to the public and I think that this again could be a battle for the ages especially as Munster are near the top of the table and the European Cup starts next week and with what happened last season to the Irish sides that was not a good year. I think that both coaches will see this match as good prep for next wee3k and anything could happen. I would go for a Leinster win as I think they have more in their side

ZEBRE V GLASGOW

Glasgow will win this match with a bonus point anything less would be considered a disappointment

SCARLET'S V DRAGONS

I do not see this match as the most attacking game in the world I think home advantage will give the Scarlet's the edge 

1-10-16 Pro 12

SATURDAY

TREVISO 6-22 SCARLET'S

EVENS TRY GETS WIN BUT DISAPPOINTINGLY NO BONUS POINT

Tommaso Allan's penalty was the only score of a first half when Scarlets failed to capitalise on Alberto de Marchi's yellow card.

After the break, Rhys Patchell and Allan exchanged penalties before Werner Kruger crossed for the opening try.

Further touchdowns by DTH van der Merwe and Steff Evans saw the Welsh region pull away and move into seventh place.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37516384

A win is so important in the league but to not take a bonus point from an Italian team could be the difference between 7^th and 8^th in the table and the money that this all means. We still have not seen the improvement that the Italian sides joining the pro 12 should help. The Scarlet's have got the quality to get bonus points from this type of match but they did not

BLUES 13-16 LEINSTER

RUDDOCK SHOWS LEINSTER CAN GET WIN WHERE GAME SEEMS LOST

A virtuoso display by fly-half Gareth Anscombe - including a wonderful solo try - had Blues in charge.

But Leinster hit back with a try by Rhys Ruddock, and Johnny Sexton's 70th-minute penalty edged them ahead.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37516113

Going into Europe in a couple of weeks this is a very good lesson for Leinster to learn as they show that payers like Ruddock and Sexton can change a game in an instant. As for the Blues they will see this result as the one that got away but they are doing so well this season.

ULSTER 9-7 OSPREYS

USTER GET LAST MINUTE KICK TO KEEP 100 PER CENT WINS RECORD

Ospreys controlled the opening 20 minutes and Nicky Smith rumbled over for a converted try.

Ulster gained a foothold in the game with Jackson's penalty leaving the visitors 7-3 ahead at the break.

Jackson added a penalty but Ulster failed to capitalise on their dominance and an excellent Ospreys defense held out until Jackson's winning kick.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37486576

Ulster has shown that they can get themselves out of tricky situations and are able to win games that they deserve to loose. I think that there is little to say about this match for Ulster moving forward but defensively they looked very strong. Jackson does need a little bit of kicking practice. I feel that Ulster is ready for Europe.

MUNSTER 49-5 ZEBRE

DOUBLE STANDER TRIES GIVE MUNSTER BONUS POINT

Munster secured a bonus point by half-time as Darren Sweetnam, Conor Murray, CJ Stander and Simon Zebo all touched down.

After a further penalty try and Stephen Archer score, Stander notched his second try after the break.

Peter O'Mahony came on for his first game since the World Cup before Gabriele Di Giulio's late reply

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37521597

Munster have shown in this match that they can win a match without really putting their foot down as this result was too easy for them but you have got to remember that this was an Italian side and they can be beaten quite easily sometimes. 

30-9-16 pro 12

FRIDAY

CONNACHT 28-15 EDINBURGH

ROBB GIVES CONNACHT VITAL BONUS POINT

The hosts got off to the worst possible start as Kelleher had to come on for injured wing Matt Healy in only the third minute, and Jason Tovey put the visitors ahead with a penalty from close range two minutes later.

But Pat Lam's men were not in the mood to lie down in front of an expectant Galway audience, and after their forwards earned a penalty on halfway from an Edinburgh scrum, Connacht were able to build the phases before Adeolokun pinned his ears back and charged over the whitewash.

Jack Carty made no mistake with the extras to make it 7-3, before adding the game's second penalty inside the Edinburgh 22 moments later.

Gilchrist hit back for his side in an end-to-end opening to the clash, after Tovey made a half break and set up his skipper to score a well-worked try.

Fly-half Tovey levelled the scores temporarily with the conversion, but that lasted all of two minutes as the visitors were penalised for coming in at the side and Carty struck his third kick from the tee through the posts

Roux finally breached their defences to go over in the right corner to make their pressure count - although Carty missed his first attempt of the evening to leave eight points between the sides at the interval.

Connacht came out flying after the break, winning a penalty at the breakdown to kick to the Edinburgh 10-metre line, and Carty's delightful one-handed offload saw Kelleher over for his first try for the club.

Great handling from the Edinburgh backline bought Allen the space out wide to run in, although crucially Tovey's conversion from out wide hit the post to keep Connacht eight points clear.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37508367

For Connacht I think that this win could be the start of something a lot bigger as we can see that the Irish side have had potential but have not shown it. I think that this might be a good base to work from moving forward but for this season they might need to set their ambitions a little lower.

DRAGONS 17-26 GLASGOW

ALLAN TRY GIVES GLASGOW VITAL WIN

The visitors led 16-3 at half-time thanks to hooker Corey Flynn's try from a rolling maul and three penalties by Finn Russell.

Dragons fought back strongly to lead through early second-half tries by Sam Hobbs and Jack Dixon.

But prop Alex Allan's solo score restored Glasgow's advantage before a late Russell penalty sealed victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37478096

Glasgow have shown this season that they need to improve as this has definitely been a disappointing season for them so far. I think that the Scots have got the potential to beat anyone and are showing signs that that they can get back to that level of quality. As for the Scarlets this is a disappointing season as for the seasons before it. 

PRO 12 TEAMS AND PREDICTIONS 30-9-16

PRO 12

CONNACHT V EDINBURGH

 Connacht: Tiernan O'Halloran; Niyi Adeolokun, Bundee Aki, Peter Robb, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion; Denis Buckley, Tom McCartney, Conor Carey; Quinn Roux, Ultan Dillane; Eoin McKeon, Jake Heenan, John Muldoon (capt).

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Ronan Loughney, Finlay Bealham, Lewis Stevenson, James Connolly, Caolin Blade, Shane O'Leary, Cian Kelleher.

Edinburgh: Glenn Bryce, Damien Hoyland, Chris Dean, Solomoni Rasolea, Michael Allen, Jason Tovey, Sean Kennedy; Rory Sutherland, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Ben Toolis, Grant Gilchrist (capt), Magnus Bradbury, John Hardie, Cornell Du Preez.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Jack Cosgrove, Allan Dell, Lewis Carmichael, Hamish Watson, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Sasa Tofilau, Blair Kinghorn

PREDICTION

Connacht are not doing that well right now I think Edinburgh will win but not by that much

DRAGONS V GLASGOW

Dragons: Carl Meyer, Pat Howard, Sam Beard, Jack Dixon, Hallam Amos; Nick Macleod, Sarel Pretorius; Sam Hobbs, Thomas Rhys Thomas, Brok Harris, Matthew Screech, Rynard Landman, Nick Crosswell, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans (capt).

Replacements: Rhys Buckley, Thomas Davies, Craig Mitchell, Cory Hill, Harrison Keddie, Charlie Davies, Angus O'Brien, Tom Prydie.

Glasgow: Peter Murchie; Tommy Seymour, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Rory Hughes; Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos (co-Captain); Alex Allan, Corey Flynn, Sila Puafisi, Rob Harley, Jonny Gray (co-Captain), Lewis Wynne, Fraser Brown, Josh Strauss.

Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Djustice Sears-Duru, D'arcy Rae, Robert McAlpine, Matt Fagerson, Ali Price, Rory Clegg, Leonardo Sarto.

PREDICTION

I think that Glasgow will have too much for the dragons and win with a bonus point

MUNSTER V ZEBRE

I think that Munster can get the try bonus point from this match

ULSTER V OSPREYS

I think that Ulster will win this but by no more than 7

BLUES V LEINSTER

I think that this match will be a closer than people think but Leinster have a habit of winning close games

TREVISO V SCARLETS

I think that Scarlets can win but the way this season is going I’m not so sure