Leicester v Wasps – The Verdict

By Paul Morgan, Editor of Rugby World Magazine

Leicester 34 Wasps 8

Wasps have problems, big problems up front as for the second time in a week they have been undone by a far more powerful front row.
This time – against Leicester – it was the turn of Dan Cole (who’ll find himself in the Saxons squad this week), the 22-year-old local lad from Leicester to turn the screw and send Wasps on the retreat. He was quite rightly named man of the match as Newcastle’s Jon Golding was last week, when the Falcons beat Wasps.
Leicester are however motoring nicely and with a hard core of young English players it is easy to see how they just might be heading for a period of English/European dominance they enjoyed at the start of the last decade.
Wasps took a shock third-minute lead when Danny Cipriani opened up the Leicester defence but after the first scrum (in the 23rd minute!) when Cole was penalised for dropping a scrum, against Tim Payne, it was all one-way traffic at the set piece.
The Leicester pressure finally cracked the Wasps rearguard in the 38th minute when Payne was yellow-carded for dropping yet another scrum and while he was off the field the 8-3 Wasps lead turned into a 17-8 Leicester advantage. Game set and match.
In fairness to Wasps they do have some big injury problems in the front row, missing both Phil Vickery and Jason Hobson, but then Leicester were missing their first-choice tightheads too in Julian White and Martin Castrogivanni.
On the bright side Sakaria Taulafo is looking to be a good signing, from Samoa. He has played on both sides of the front row in the last two weekends.

Louis Deacon: Great captaincy from the second row ensured this comfortable win. He kept going for the corner, keeping the pressure on when a kick at goal would have been the normal Leicester-way. When he did this at the end of the first half it led to Payne’s yellow card and the match was won.
Danny Cipriani: Another classy display from a young man running right into form. His pace off the mark will worry any defence and his passing is simply world-class.
Lote Tuqiri: Leicester need to do all they can to hold on to this guy when his contract runs out in the summer. I know it is tough to balance the books inside the salary cap but his effect on and off the field could be decisive. Who would you rather have in your side in a Heineken Cup final or Guinness Premiership final?
Geoff Parling: Another young English lock who should cheer Martin Johnson up. Should find his way into the Saxons this season and then the world’s his oyster.

But what do you think? Were you at the game? Do you agree with me making Dan Cole man of the match? Perhaps you would have picked someone else?

Guinness Premiership Previews

By Rugby World reader, Kate Bamber

London Wasps vs Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle have never won in eight previous visits to Adams Park, whilst the Falcons only previous win on Wasps soil was 33-30 at Loftus Road on 11 November 2001. London Wasps have won their last four encounters in all competitions since losing 6-22 at Saracens in the Guinness Premiership on 22 November. Wasps’ only defeat in their last 18 home games was 9-15 against Leeds on 1 November. Newcastle Falcons have slipped to three successive defeats in the Guinness Premiership since their 15-11 victory at London Irish on 22 November, most notably against basement boys Leeds at home in the last round. Wasps have won their last six encounters with Newcastle in all competitions since the Falcons were victorious 37-11 at Kingston Park on 23 February 2007. With Wasps’ coming to the boil nicely I predict a home win.
My prediction: Wasps by 8.

Saracens vs Leicester Tigers
Another week, another juicy fixture for Saracens, however after last week’s away loss to London Irish, this week they have home advantage over the Tigers. Leicester have won their last three matches against Saracens but the Fez heads continue to be the pacesetters in the Guinness Premiership despite losing their unbeaten record at London Irish on Sunday. Sarries only home defeat in any competition since November 2008 came when today’s opponents Leicester visited Vicarage Road in the Premiership in April!
Leicester Tigers have won just once on the road in the Guinness Premiership this season: 15-9 at Harlequins on 12 September but have picked up at least one league point from every Premiership game since they visited Sale in November 2008.
My prediction: It’s going to be close, but Sarries to edge it by 5 points.

Northampton Saints vs London Irish
This round of the Guinness Premiership is certainly throwing up some tasty treats, and this game between second place Irish and third place Northampon is no exception. The last six encounters between the two clubs have all been won by the home team on the day, whilst London Irish’s last win at Franklin’s Gardens was 21-20 in the Guinness Premiership on 13 November 2004. Northampton Saints are the best team in the Guinness Premiership on current form, having secured 20 league points from their last six matches. The Saints have won their last eight matches in all competitions, and have suffered only one defeat at Franklin’s Gardens since March 2007. London Irish are unbeaten in their last five encounters in all competitions and handed current Guinness Premiership leaders Saracens their first defeat of the season on Sunday. The Exiles are the Premiership’s best away side and amazingly have not lost a game on “opposing” soil since their most recent visit to Northampton in April.
My prediction: Probably the first humdinger of a game for 2010. London Irish to win by 6.

Leeds Carnegie vs Bath Rugby
Bath did the Premiership double over Leeds when they last met in season 2007/08 but how fortunes have changed for the West Country boys since then. Currently languishing in a lowly 11th place, Steve Meehan’s men are slowly getting their Guinness Premiership campaign on track. Leeds Carnegie are the only team in the Guinness Premiership yet to win at home this season but they have won their last three games in all competitions and are out to record a second successive Premiership victory for the first time since November 2005. Bath Rugby’s 24-8 defeat of Gloucester on Sunday brought to an end a seven game winless run in the Guinness Premiership. Bath have not won away from home in the Premiership since a trip to Sale on 18 September.
My prediction: An early relegation dogfight with Leeds coming out on top by 3.

Gloucester Rugby vs Worcester Warriors
Worcester have won their last three clashes against Gloucester. Gloucester’s last seven matches have all been won by the home side on the day. Gloucester have won their last three encounters at Kingsholm since Cardiff Blues won there, 26-25, in the LV= Cup on 8 November. Worcester Warriors are winless in their last seven games in all competitions, whilst their most recent victory in the Guinness Premiership was 24-18 at home to Sale on 26 September. The Warriors are the only side in the Premiership yet to record an away win this season.
My prediction: A home win with Gloucester starting to pick up some form. Gloucester by 7.

Sale Sharks vs Harlequins
This game will be the third between the two sides in the last 20 days, with Sale winning both clashes in the Heineken Cup in December. Quins have won just once at Edgeley Park: 19-13 in the Guinness Premiership on 19 November 2004. Sale Sharks have slipped to back to back defeats in the Guinness Premiership, but at Edgeley Park the Sharks have won their last four matches in all competitions.
Harlequins have lost their last three games in all competitions since their 30-27 victory at Leeds in the Guinness Premiership on 4 December.
My prediction: Looking at their Heineken Cup clashes, it’s got to be Sale by 8.

So what do you think? Am I going to beat last week’s five out of six correct predictions or have I indulged in too much festive cheer?

Who will win the Guinness Premiership?

By Rugby World reader, writing from Australia

It was only a few months ago that the English rugby public united to support the British and Irish Lions. But come September, a divided front will descend down England as we welcome in the new Guinness Premiership season, and with that, our individual teams.

You’d be hard pressed to look beyond last season’s top four- Leicester, Harlequins, Bath and London Irish- to once more claim those elusive final berths. And with the tightest and toughest campaign set to kick-off in 09/10, the Tigers again look the team to tame.

There is no doubt Irish have one of the best counter-attacks in the competition and look menacing with ball in hand. But I’m yet to see the same threatening approach at scrum time.

Having won less scrums than any other side last season, their task will be further hardened by the reintroduced of Unions focal point, the rolling maul. This means forward dominance is even more crucial, and failing in the tight five will only hinder their chances when coming up against the brutal nature of a Leicester or Wasps forward pack.

And while you can possess the speed of an F1 car out wide in Ojo, Armitage and Tagicakibau, if you don’t have the dominance in the scrum…then the Premiership title will once again become another eluted piece of silverware! 

Whilst Bath may not have the quivers in the scrum, they instead have cracks in their mentality. Supporters would have felt a sense of frustration last season after watching their side…on four separate occasions…turn a lead into a loss with only 10 minutes remaining!

Surrendering control of the match in one of the most crucial periods of the game is a cause of concern for Steven Meehan and his men; with the mental facet of rugby as integral as the physical aspect. 

And I believe having farewelled joint captains; Lipman and Crockett, the mental toughness and strength of character needed to be imbedded within the Bath culture will be even more hindered.

For me, it doesn’t matter if you can conjure up the most metres, or have the competitions leading try scorer. What is of upmost importance is the ability to stop a defensive line from being penetrated to concede ‘easy’ tries, and doing so, especially when fatigued.

I was about to start pressing my claims for Harlequins; a destructive back row unit, their ability to execute variety game plans, and a settled side that’s come off last season with improved performances and a growing mentality.

But on popped the computer and up boomed the news of Dean Richards future (or lack of it) at the club. And then all my thoughts started to lose their bearings. 

With the controversy still sure on rearing its head for much of the season, things are beginning to look even more challenging for The Stoop outfit. Amid a resigned Director of Rugby, suspended player, appeals and hearings, you’d have to wonder how the players can remain entirely focussed on the season ahead. 

So, whilst Harlequins may have that damaging back row, with a tight five to match and a back line to compliment, it seems to me their season’s chances hinge more on the off field commotion than what’s happening on it.

As Harlequins go into the new season facing turbulence, Leicester came through their own troubles last season after losing Director of Rugby Heyneke Meyer. Yet, they still managed to claim that converted trophy!

If the Tigers are intent on winning their 9^th title then they’ll need to break from the starting blocks quicker than Usain Bolt. As they face the unenviable task of taking to the road four times in the first six weeks. 

Not to mention, three of those four away matches are against last season’s three other finalists- Bath, Harlequins and Irish.

Though the season may begin with a mountain to climb for Leicester, the ending becomes a little easier with three of their last four games at Welford Road.

Plus, I couldn’t think of anything better than playing at home when you know bodies will be injured and tied. Most definitely amongst the Tigers team who will have close to five players on International duty for half the season.

And yes, whilst Richard Cockerill may have lost some big name players, he still has international class from positions one to 15, as well as a squad with the mental edge and the capacity to play any style of rugby.

That’s why I can sit here and picture Leicester trudging out on the Twickenham surface next May on grand final day; ready to defend their Champion status. With any of Irish, Bath or Quins ready to dethrone the Tigers, and prize the Guinness Premiership cup from the Welford Road trophy cabinet.

Rugby union: Leicester v London Irish verdict

From Paul Morgan, Editor of Rugby World Magazine

Leicester turned in a streetwise performance at Twickenham to beat London 10-9 and become the champions of England. It was finally sealed by a Jordan Crane try ten minutes from time.

A couple of things I noted:

* It was magnificent to see a new side in the final. This will be the first, not last time we’ll see them in a final.

* I’m delighted to see a non-international player, Toby Booth coach London Irish. Just pushing past players into coaching jobs doesn’t always work and it is great to see you can make it with hard work and talent, and not because of who you know.

* Leicester never looked like losing this game. I never felt anyone but they would win, especially when London Irish failed to capitalise on the chances they created in the first half.

* When London Irish had three penalties 10 metres from the Leicester line at the end of the first half they should have kicked one of them, instead of taking three scrums. The score was 3-3 at the time and would have meant they led at half-time. In the normal season it would have been the right call, but in a final take the points!

* Leicester will have to play much better next week to beat Leinster and do the double

* London Irish got the upper hand in the scrums, but still failed to get clean possession!

* The game was won and lost at the breakdown and this could mirror the Lions tour.

* If Alan Quinlan is to be replaced on the Lions tour my vote would go to Lewis Moody. He’s experienced, tough and a breakdown specialist.

But what does everyone else think?

Paul Morgan – Editor, Rugby World Magazine, the world’s best-selling rugby magazine

If you’d like to get 32 per cent off a one-year subscription to Rugby World magazine go to the home page of http://www.rugbyworld.com 

Leicester turned in a streetwise performance at Twickenham to beat London 10-9 and become the champions of England. It was finally sealed by a Jordan Crane try ten minutes from time.

A couple of things I noted:

* It was magnificent to see a new side in the final. This will be the first, not last time we’ll see them in a final.

* I’m delighted to see a non-international player, Toby Booth coach London Irish. Just pushing past players into coaching jobs doesn’t always work and it is great to see you can make it with hard work and talent, and not because of who you know.

* Leicester never looked like losing this game. I never felt anyone but they would win, especially when London Irish failed to capitalise on the chances they created in the first half.

* When London Irish had three penalties 10 metres from the Leicester line at the end of the first half they should have kicked one of them, instead of taking three scrums. The score was 3-3 at the time and would have meant they led at half-time. In the normal season it would have been the right call, but in a final take the points!

* Leicester will have to play much better next week to beat Leinster and do the double

* London Irish got the upper hand in the scrums, but still failed to get clean possession!

* The game was won and lost at the breakdown and this could mirror the Lions tour.

* If Alan Quinlan is to be replaced on the Lions tour my vote would go to Lewis Moody. He’s experienced, tough and a breakdown specialist.

But what does everyone else think?

If you’d like to get 32 per cent off a one-year subscription to Rugby World magazine go to the home page of http://www.rugbyworld.com

Rugby union: Leicester v Cardiff verdict

Sport is cruel that’s for sure and perhaps we saw it as its most cruel at the Millennium Stadium in the Heineken semi-final. Leicester and Cardiff were locked at 26-26 at the end of 80 minutes and again at the end of a further 20 minutes of extra time, so it was left to rugby’s first penalty shoot out. Now this is ok in football because all the outfield players can take a penalty.

But in rugby union can all the players be expected to take a penalty. I say no! In the match it was left to the one of the most consistent players in the last decade of north hemisphere rugby, Martyn Williams to take the 8th penalty, as the penalty shoot out score was 6-6. As an openside flanker he has never taken a penalty before in his left, but stepped up all the same. He missed and up stepped Leicester Jordan Crane to slot his over and win the game.

Anyone with half a percent of rugby sense would never blame Williams for the defeat and while I am about it I could have done without Crane’s football-style celebration at the end.

My solution would be for each side to nominate five kickers and for them to kick five penalties from various parts of the field, from which we would get a result.

It is cruel and undignified to ask a forward to take a penalty. ERC got this one very wrong.