Premiership Rugby Derby Weekend Was On Fire

Gallagher Premiership Rugby was back with a bang as huge crowds poured through the gates for Derby Weekend: The Rematch.

There were tries galore at Ashton Gate, an unlikely double at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and a statement performance in the East Midlands.

Bath Rugby continue to lead the way as they edge towards a home semi-final, but behind them, the race for The Play-Offs is as tight as ever.

Here are three of the big takeaways:

Quins comeback capped by bright new star

It had been 13 years since Harlequins last won away to London rivals Saracens, and their last trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ended with a 50-point hammering.

But having won the reverse fixture earlier this season, Quins travelled to north London with confidence, even if Marcus Smith was not involved following his England exertions.

When Sarries led 12-0 at half-time, it seemed as though Harlequins’ hopes of a double would come to nothing, but the introduction of Jamie Benson changed all that.

The 22-year-old has caught the eye in Premiership Rugby Cup action, and with his degree from Cambridge University now complete – along with three Blues for appearances in the Varsity Game – Benson seized his opportunity.

It was another pair of youngsters, Oscar Beard and Ben Waghorn, who started the comeback with a breakaway try, before a hat-trick of long-range Benson penalties made it 16-12 to the visitors.

Quins completed the comeback in style, with Benson converting Nick David’s try to cement a spot in the top four.

Smith will return, and Jarrod Evans is one of the most entertaining attacking fly-halves around, but in Benson, Quins might just have another gem on their hands.

Great entertainers strut their stuff

After Quins had battled past Saracens, Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs put on a record-breaking show, with their combined 10 tries and 64 points in the opening half setting new records in Gallagher Premiership Rugby.

By the end, Bears had triumphed 52-38, even after playing more than half the game down a man, following Santiago Grondona’s red card.

Pat Lam’s team know exactly how they want to play and for those who show up to watch, a great spectacle is guaranteed.

Jack Bates scored three of their 10 tries, while Chiefs earned a try bonus of their own after crossing six times.

Then on Sunday, another West Country derby was almost as free-scoring, Bath and Gloucester combining for 10 tries in a 42-26 win for the league leaders.

Johann van Graan’s side led 28-26 at the break but showed they know how to see games out as they held the Cherry & Whites scoreless in the second half.

Bear in mind that Gloucester have conceded 30 points in the league just once since the first meeting of these teams, and Bath’s offensive showing starts to look even more impressive.

Now 11 points clear of third, they are well on their way to a home semi-final.

Tigers shutout leaves Saints on the brink

There is always a little extra bite when Leicester Tigers play Northampton Saints, and you can be sure that Michael Cheika and his team enjoyed completing the double over the reigning champions.

Even more than that, a 33-0 victory at cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens will go down as one of Tigers’ greatest-ever derby performances, keeping them right in the thick of the race for The Play-Offs, as they sit third.

The same cannot be said for Saints, who are now in eighth spot, eight points behind seventh and a full 10 off The Play-Off places.

You can never say never, but Phil Dowson’s team need to respond immediately and their next test is about as tough as it gets, travelling to Sale Sharks, who have lost once at home all season.

With England first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell absent for Northampton, Jack van Poortvliet starred for Tigers, scoring a brilliant solo try, as well as running the game like clockwork with Handre Pollard.

Tigers welcome a wounded Saracens to Mattioli Woods Welford Road, knowing that after seriously hurting one of their rivals’ title hopes, they could inflict similar damage to another next weekend.