Our Premiership contributor Felix McCabe has a look at how the clubs are warming up for the new campaign.
Pre-season is upon us which means there are only a couple of weeks before we're back up and running. Last weekend the pre-season friendlies kicked off with mixed fortunes for the twelve Premiership sides. On the Thursday night, Premiership champions Harlequins met Top14 side, Castres in France to no avail. The French outfit managed to cross the line four times; two tries coming from wing, Marc Andreu and another from ex-Sale Shark, Karena Wihongi. The game finished 31-15 to the home side but Quins insist that they played some good rugby against a strong Castres side without some of their own top players. Ollie Lindsay-Hague and Pete Browne both scored for Quins.
Friday saw four more Premiership teams in action as we went to Bedford where Saracens would successfully start their season. A couple of tries from Charlie Hodgson and Will Fraser followed by a penalty try was enough to seal the victory. London Irish fought a close game with Nottingham but two tries and a conversion were enough to see The Exiles come away with their heads held high. A great performance from Shane Geraghty; the highlight of the game. Wasps travelled to Italy for a hammering they won't soon forget as 17 points separated the teams at full-time. The London side looked strong in the first half but kickable penalties, that were never converted, cost them dearly. Treviso were a different team in the second half scoring two tries early on; one the result of a Wasp's knock-on. They remained strong for most the half and almost scored a fifth try in the closing minutes. The game finished 32-15 to the home side.
The Saints came marching home with little but the bruises they picked up against new Pro12 side, Zebre. The Italians trailed at the half 21-13, but managed to turn the tables with a strong second half performance; fly-half Orquera notably good for them. A lot of personnel changes may have cost Northampton as they seemed so comfortable in the first half. Ryan Lamb performed well with the boot; one to watch this year in the Premiership. In Dublin, the Heineken Cup champions defeated Gloucester 33-22. Not the greatest day for the European champs with their second-string team conceding three tries; one at the game's death. Offensively however, they were superb and superior; outscoring the Englishmen by five tries to three. Gloucester did get to blood their new fly-half, Rob Cook, who scored his first points from the kicking tee.
It was a case of front up, rise up when Exeter and Connacht met (main pic). Only two points separated the sides as Fetu'u Vainikolo's try saved the day for the Galway men; 8-6 it finished. More exciting rugby was being played elsewhere with Tom Brady touching down on four occasions to help Sale overcome Fylde 38-26 at Woodlands. Ollie Frost's last-minute try for Worcester was enough to seem The Warriors edge past a convincing Cardiff side. The no.8, new-signing, Semisi Taulava, also crossed the line for his first try with the club.
Leicester Tigers put six tries by a Jersey outfit that could only frustrate a coach. Having lead Italy to two victories during the summer, Martin Castrogiovanni captained the Tigers for the first time. His side scored four tries in the opening 40 minutes and Jersey seemed down and out of this one for sure. But the resilient islanders came back within eight points during the second half, only to concede another two tries to the superior Tigers. Jordan Crane scored two of the six on his return from injury - way to show the management that he's not going to be looked over during selection. Pat Phibbs, Adam Thompstone and Matt Cornwall all made their debuts for Leicester on the day.
The last two Premiership teams in action last week were pitted against each other. London Welsh had to prove that they can play top flight rugby whilst Bath Rugby need to hit the ground running in what will be a touch season for all. Gavin Henson, everybody's man to watch, made an appearance after the half and managed to get three conversions to his name. Unfortunately the Welshman couldn't spur his team to victory as Bath were too strong at The Rec and took the game 40-31. Their victory was overshadowed by a nasty knee injury to their fly-half Tom Heathcote who limped off the pitch halfway through the firsts half.
Well there you have it; six wins and six loses. Our teams are all back in action and we're hungry for more. The important thing to remember is that this is only pre-season and these are only friendlies. This is a time for ironing out the creases and putting the finishing touches onto the last month's preparation. Next time I'll be looking at more pre-season matches and taking a look ahead at the first round of this year's Aviva Premiership.
Results Summary
Castres 31-15 Harlequins
Bedford Blues 12-24 Saracens
London Irish 13-0 Nottingham
Benetton Treviso 32-15 London Wasps
Zebre 30-28 Northampton Saints
Bath 40-31 London Welsh
Leinster 33-22 Gloucester
Exeter Chiefs 6-8 Connacht
Cardiff Blues 25-30 Worcester Warriors
Fylde 26-38 Sale Sharks
Jersey 21-34 Leicester Tigers
Felix (@lightningrust): Blogger, eternal student of business & law, sunshine rugby player with a passion for music and fitness. Coffee is essential. Leinster fan and Irish proud.
