Premiership Rugby: UR Weekend Review

Premiership Rugby: UR Weekend Review

The opening weekend of the 2017-18 Aviva Premiership campaign certainly started with a bang. The six fixtures produced 374 points scored, with a record of 50 tries and a average points total of 62 in each game.

Gloucester v Exeter Chiefs

Gloucester kicked us off on Friday night in fine style as they secured a pulsating victory at a packed Kingsholm Stadium against the reigning champions, Exeter Chiefs, to the surprise of many. New head coach Johan Ackerman and Ed Slater - a fine addition to the pack - provide the look of perfect fits to the Gloucester setup. Summer signing Jason Woodward scored a last-minute winner with the clock deep in the red as the home crowd erupted! The post-match scenes in the home dressing room suggest there is a strong belief in the squad following the sudden exit of Jonny May to Leicester Tigers.

Newcastle Falcons v Worcester Warriors


The second game from Friday night's double dose saw Newcastle Falcons host Worcester Warriors in a one-sided affair at Kingston Stadium. The home side secured a bonus-point victory following a second-half onslaught where they yielded 25 unanswered points. Fresh off a lengthy contract-extension, Sonatane Takulua was once again Newcastle's most effective player. New recruits Josh Matavesi and Sami Mavinga enjoyed a run-out for the victors as Dean Richards began the campaign with a clinical display.


Saracens v Northampton

European Champions Saracens began their season in style with a nine-try victory over Northampton Saints at Twickenham. Sean Maitland scored a first-half hat-trick as Sarries clicked into gear with the minimum of effort, stand-in fly-half Alex Lozowski, captain Brad Barritt, Richard Wigglesworth and Vincent Koch took Saracens' first-half total to 7 in their first outing of the season. Saints hit back in the second-half with tries through Tom Wood (2) and Lewis Ludlum but tries from Schalk Brits and Ben Spencer kept Saracens well clear on the scoreboard.

Wasps v Sale Sharks 

Last year's beaten finalists' Wasps scored seven tries in an exciting attacking display against Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena. Scrum-half Dan Robson became the second player in Aviva Premiership history to score four tries in a game since 2000. The boot of last term’s Aviva Premiership Rugby player of the season Jimmy Gopperth also played a key role – the Wasps man kicked six conversions and a penalty. The away side launched a valiant comeback in the second-half to secure a losing bonus-point with tries through Byron McGuigan, Ben Curry and the debutants Josh Strauss & Faf de Klerk 

Great start to the season 👏 pic.twitter.com/4szisjjcXl

London Irish v Harlequins

The Exiles returned to the top flight with a bonus-point victory over Harlequins at Twickenham. Tommy Bell scored a try and added a further 19 points off the kicking tee as Irish secured an impressive win in their first Premiership outing after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Former England wing Topsy Ojo finished off a magical team score that helped inspire Irish to victory. The stand-out performer for Nick Kennedy's men was the combative display from former Scotland flanker Blair Cowan, disruptive at the breakdown and bullish in the carry througout his 80 minute shift - Cowan relished the return to the top-tier of English domestic rugby.

Leicester v Bath 

Bath managed to survive a spell of indiscipline that saw three of their players shown yellow cards to notch a first away win at Welford Road since 2003. England centre Manu Tuilagi opened the scoring on his return to Premiership action, his first try since the opening round of the 2016-17 season. George Ford started his second spell with the Tigers after originally coming through the club's academy system, however his dream start was short-lived as Max Clark touched down twice and a Semesea Rokoduguni breakaway before the interval established a comfortable lead for the visitors. High-profile debutant Jonny May grabbed two tries in the second half for Matt O'Connor's charges but Leicester came away failing to win their season opener for the first time since 2011.





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