LAST WEEKEND WAS much more successful for the Irish provinces as all four recorded wins, in contrast to the first set of games where Connacht were the only victors. But Connacht’s win aside, the victories for Munster, Leinster and Ulster were all expected so there isn’t really a whole lot to be gained from them, power rankings wise.
Toulon were top of our list last week but there has been a lot of upheaval since then.
8. Leicester (last week: not ranked)
Leicester easily saw off Newcastle in week one, but it was their 24-20 road win in Exeter on Saturday that really showed off their credentials.
Exeter had put 52 points on London Welsh the week before and they play a great brand of rugby, and are particularly fiesty at home. But the Tigers have quality all over the field and have a really dynamic backline with players like Youngs, Burns, Goneva, Allen and Tuilagi.
Their pack are always going to be physical and it looks like Richard Cotterill has his side nicely primed for another run at domestic glory.
Next up: away to Bath on Saturday at 15.15.
7. Connacht (last week: 8)
Connacht have two wins from two despite not hitting particularly lofty heights, but it is refreshing to see them pick up four pointers in this manner when traditionally they would be the plucky losers on the wrong end of narrow defeats.
Loosehead prop Denis Buckley continued his strong start to the season in Edinburgh while Niyi Adeolokun continues to show promise on the wing.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Their next game is against Leinster at home and if they were to get a win there, the buzz around rugby in Galway would explode even further.
Next up: home to Leinster on Friday at 19.35.
6. Northampton (Last week: 2)
There is no great shame in losing a close game away to Wasps, but after hammering Gloucester last week, Saints fans probably expected a little more cohesion from their side.
Wasps can be pleased with their start after following a close loss to Saracens with the big home win, but Northampton will be very disappointed that their only try came in the game’s dying moments. It is just a small setback for Northampton though, and they should recover this weekend.
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Next up: away to Newcastle on Sunday at 14.00.
5. Bath (last week: 6)
There wasn’t a whole lot we learned from Bath’s 53-26 win over London Welsh that we didn’t know already; mainly, that their backline is really dangerous and they have a very able conductor in George Ford.
Their match against Leicester is very important for the home side if they want to challenge for a playoff spot. Leicester have done well at the Rec under Cockerill but with all the quality Bath have, they should be expecting a home win.
Next up: home to Leicester on Saturday at 15.15.
4. Glasgow (Last week: 5)
Cardiff Blues might not have as much talent as they once did, but Glasgow’s 33-12 away win is still very impressive. For this game, Niko Matawalu seemed to only harness his good impulses and pitched in with two tries while Sean Lamont was impressive on his return, and also scored a five-pointer.
Glasgow have looked good so far and it will be interesting to see if their domestic form translates onto the European stage in a few weeks time.
Next up: away to the Dragons on Saturday at 14.40.
3. Toulon (last week: 1)
I was tempted to drop Toulon further after their home loss to Stade Francais but putting them behind Glasgow just didn’t feel right. Toulon were in control against Stade until an injury to out-half Freddy Michalak caused them to kick away 20 possible points in a 28-24 defeat.
But they also lost a home stunner to Grenoble last year so they should recover from last Saturday’s setback pretty quickly.
Next up: away to Brive on Friday at 18.00.
2. Clermont (last week: not ranked)
Toulouse are a busted flush now, but winning there is still a tough task. The size of Clermont’s achievment is even bigger when you conisder that last Saturday’s 13-9 win was their first ever victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
Clermont have recovered well from a home loss to Montpellier in week two. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Clermont might have missed their window to win the biggest prizes, but as long as they keep pumping money into the squad, they will still be competitive.
Nick Abendanon, Zac Guildford and Jonathan Davies have added a lot of power and pace to supplement the talent that was already there, and if Toulon slip up, Clermont are best placed to reap the reward.
Next up: home to Lyon on Saturday at 18.00
1. Saracens (last week: 3)
Saracens and Harlequins came into last Friday’s clash having both won impressively in week one. Here are the important notes from Saracens’ dominating performance:
39 points scored. Zero conceded. 16 points in the first half. 23 in the second half. Three tries scored. Utter annihilation.
Some wondered how Saracens would bounce back from losing two finals last year and I think they gave their answer last Friday.
Next up: away to London Irish on Saturday at 15.00.
And now for the losers in brief:
Touloue’s stock has fallen so low that against Clermont Toby Flood kicked a late penalty to make a losing bonus point safe rather than go for the draw and risk leaving with nothing. This season is not going to have a happy ending for the aristocrats.
The aura of invincibility around Toulouse is gone. PA WIRE
PA WIRE
Sale Sharks had Gloucester on the ropes on Saturday as they lead by 11 points at half-time. They promptly gave up three second half tries and despite Danny Cipriani scoring 12 points, they were defeated 34-27. They have started their campaign with two disappointing losses but don’t worry Sale fans, you have London Welsh at home next weekend.
The Scarlets played some great rugby in week one and despite letting a late lead slip to draw with Ulster, they had a lot of reasons to be hopeful. After playing Leinster reasonably close for the first half, they folded completely once the home side scored a few tries. Their second half performance was particularly tame and they will hope to rediscover their week one magic at home to Treviso this Saturday.
What the hell happened to Harlequins? Conor O’Shea couldn’t explain it anyway. To lose 39-0 at home when you have title aspirations is shocking, and Wasps will travel to the Stoop this Saturday full of confidence after their win over Northampton. O’Shea will need to use all of his coaching experience to pick his side up off the floor before Saturday.
Here’s your definitive Pro12, Aviva Premiership and Top 14 power rankings
LAST WEEKEND WAS much more successful for the Irish provinces as all four recorded wins, in contrast to the first set of games where Connacht were the only victors. But Connacht’s win aside, the victories for Munster, Leinster and Ulster were all expected so there isn’t really a whole lot to be gained from them, power rankings wise.
Toulon were top of our list last week but there has been a lot of upheaval since then.
8. Leicester (last week: not ranked)
Leicester easily saw off Newcastle in week one, but it was their 24-20 road win in Exeter on Saturday that really showed off their credentials.
Exeter had put 52 points on London Welsh the week before and they play a great brand of rugby, and are particularly fiesty at home. But the Tigers have quality all over the field and have a really dynamic backline with players like Youngs, Burns, Goneva, Allen and Tuilagi.
Their pack are always going to be physical and it looks like Richard Cotterill has his side nicely primed for another run at domestic glory.
Next up: away to Bath on Saturday at 15.15.
7. Connacht (last week: 8)
Connacht have two wins from two despite not hitting particularly lofty heights, but it is refreshing to see them pick up four pointers in this manner when traditionally they would be the plucky losers on the wrong end of narrow defeats.
Loosehead prop Denis Buckley continued his strong start to the season in Edinburgh while Niyi Adeolokun continues to show promise on the wing.
Their next game is against Leinster at home and if they were to get a win there, the buzz around rugby in Galway would explode even further.
Next up: home to Leinster on Friday at 19.35.
6. Northampton (Last week: 2)
There is no great shame in losing a close game away to Wasps, but after hammering Gloucester last week, Saints fans probably expected a little more cohesion from their side.
Wasps can be pleased with their start after following a close loss to Saracens with the big home win, but Northampton will be very disappointed that their only try came in the game’s dying moments. It is just a small setback for Northampton though, and they should recover this weekend.
Next up: away to Newcastle on Sunday at 14.00.
5. Bath (last week: 6)
There wasn’t a whole lot we learned from Bath’s 53-26 win over London Welsh that we didn’t know already; mainly, that their backline is really dangerous and they have a very able conductor in George Ford.
Their match against Leicester is very important for the home side if they want to challenge for a playoff spot. Leicester have done well at the Rec under Cockerill but with all the quality Bath have, they should be expecting a home win.
Next up: home to Leicester on Saturday at 15.15.
4. Glasgow (Last week: 5)
Cardiff Blues might not have as much talent as they once did, but Glasgow’s 33-12 away win is still very impressive. For this game, Niko Matawalu seemed to only harness his good impulses and pitched in with two tries while Sean Lamont was impressive on his return, and also scored a five-pointer.
Glasgow have looked good so far and it will be interesting to see if their domestic form translates onto the European stage in a few weeks time.
Next up: away to the Dragons on Saturday at 14.40.
3. Toulon (last week: 1)
I was tempted to drop Toulon further after their home loss to Stade Francais but putting them behind Glasgow just didn’t feel right. Toulon were in control against Stade until an injury to out-half Freddy Michalak caused them to kick away 20 possible points in a 28-24 defeat.
It hasn’t been a good few days for last season’s double winners as Michalak is out for a few weeks with a dislocated shoulder and owner Mourad Boudjellal says he might cancel Leigh Halfpenny’s contract because of the Welshman’s injury problems.
But they also lost a home stunner to Grenoble last year so they should recover from last Saturday’s setback pretty quickly.
Next up: away to Brive on Friday at 18.00.
2. Clermont (last week: not ranked)
Toulouse are a busted flush now, but winning there is still a tough task. The size of Clermont’s achievment is even bigger when you conisder that last Saturday’s 13-9 win was their first ever victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon.
Clermont might have missed their window to win the biggest prizes, but as long as they keep pumping money into the squad, they will still be competitive.
Nick Abendanon, Zac Guildford and Jonathan Davies have added a lot of power and pace to supplement the talent that was already there, and if Toulon slip up, Clermont are best placed to reap the reward.
Next up: home to Lyon on Saturday at 18.00
1. Saracens (last week: 3)
Saracens and Harlequins came into last Friday’s clash having both won impressively in week one. Here are the important notes from Saracens’ dominating performance:
39 points scored. Zero conceded. 16 points in the first half. 23 in the second half. Three tries scored. Utter annihilation.
Some wondered how Saracens would bounce back from losing two finals last year and I think they gave their answer last Friday.
Next up: away to London Irish on Saturday at 15.00.
And now for the losers in brief:
Touloue’s stock has fallen so low that against Clermont Toby Flood kicked a late penalty to make a losing bonus point safe rather than go for the draw and risk leaving with nothing. This season is not going to have a happy ending for the aristocrats.
Sale Sharks had Gloucester on the ropes on Saturday as they lead by 11 points at half-time. They promptly gave up three second half tries and despite Danny Cipriani scoring 12 points, they were defeated 34-27. They have started their campaign with two disappointing losses but don’t worry Sale fans, you have London Welsh at home next weekend.
The Scarlets played some great rugby in week one and despite letting a late lead slip to draw with Ulster, they had a lot of reasons to be hopeful. After playing Leinster reasonably close for the first half, they folded completely once the home side scored a few tries. Their second half performance was particularly tame and they will hope to rediscover their week one magic at home to Treviso this Saturday.
What the hell happened to Harlequins? Conor O’Shea couldn’t explain it anyway. To lose 39-0 at home when you have title aspirations is shocking, and Wasps will travel to the Stoop this Saturday full of confidence after their win over Northampton. O’Shea will need to use all of his coaching experience to pick his side up off the floor before Saturday.
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Aviva Premiership Guinness PRO12 Top 14 Connacht Power Rankings Clermont Saracens Toulon