The first half of this rugby season has provided great entertainment for many rugby fans. A few teams have flourished and others have had a few shockers. Here's my review of the premiership teams so far.
1. Exeter Chiefs
Top of the premiership at the moment with 10 points separating them from Saracens in second. The in form team at the moment have evidence for their achievements as many of their players have had call ups from Eddie Jones to play for England. With the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Sam Simonds and two front row players Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams, Exeter must be a strong favorite to win the league this year. The only disappointment was that Leinster were able to 'out Exeter' Exeter by keeping possession and get the victory over them in the Champions Cup. Despite this, sitting comfortably at the top of the prem gives them 9/10.
2. Saracens
Champions of England and Europe not long ago. Has their style been figured out? For a team that lost seven games in a row in all competitions, they are still a formidable force with the ability to topple over any of rugby's giants. Back to their winning ways with a victory over Leicester last weekend, it seems like the Sarries of old are back. With such a strong world class squad there is no doubt that they will bounce back and really give Exeter a fight for the title. 8/10
3. Wasps
A team of pure skill and ability. Winning seven out of eleven in the premiership has put them in third only one point behind Saracens. A very strong team in a position to really fight for silverware coming into the second half of the season. The team looks completely different when Danny Cipriani is playing and with the likes of Christian Wade out wide, they have a real attacking threat. 7/10
4. Gloucester
A team that is definitely on the up. Having come 9th in the premiership last year, they will be very pleased being fourth currently. Ackerman is doing a great job and has really helped the club to develop and it is great to see them in such a competitive position. Although losing Johnny May last season and Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard also leaving this season, the team have a real structure and I believe will continue to get stronger next season as well. 8/10
5. Bath
With 6 wins in the premiership Bath are having a good season. The team is playing well but just lacks the consistency to maintain a spot in the top four. With a series of some big games against Toulon, Bath will be looking to put the loss from Sale right this Friday when they invite Wasps to the Rec. Blackadder has done a great job with the Bath squad and they still have the ability to compete for titles come the end of the season. The fact that they are competitive in both europe and domestically could be a reason for their lack of consistency, therefore they get a 7/10.
6. Leicester Tigers
The Tigers are a formidable force and I was very excited to see Manu Tuilagi return from injury. A team that has such an exciting backline which unfortunately does not get the ball it deserves due to the lack of grunt up front. The pack needs some investment either in the back row or in the second row to give the backs good quality ball to do their thing with. A player like Courtney Lawes would be a great player to join the club and could be possible if Northampton don't improve quickly. Leicester still able to get a space in the playoffs so therefore get a 6/10
7. Newcastle Falcons
A mid table team who have actually been making some good progress this season. Sitting in 7th with an equal 28 points to 6th placed Leicester, there is a real chance that they could impress and finish in the top four at the end of the season. With a big victory over Harlequins last weekend, Newcastle have proven that they are capable of winning big games. A team on the rise with great potential. 7/10
8. Sale Sharks
Sale have started to build up a group of some really talented players with the likes of James O' Connor, Denny Solomona and Faf de Klerk. With a big victory over Bath last weekend they have shown that they have the attacking ability to defeat some of the big names in the sport. 6/10
9. Harlequins
A disappointing season so far for Quins. They will be happy though to have found the gem of Marcus Smith, a real quality youngster. Danny Care has been a stand out player for the team so far this season with immense footballing skill leading to many tries for wingers like Visser. Harlequins will be disappointed with where they are at the moment and will be looking to turn things around in the second half of the season. Overall disappointing. 5/10
10. Northampton Saints
It has been a tough season for the Saints. Having sacked Jim Mallinder there has been a real negative vibe around the club. Many fans have not been attending the matches, and the results have been poor as well as their performances. The team will be looking to Dylan Hartley as he has returned from injury for leadership. In their loss against Exeter however, their performance, in my opinion, improved. Harry Mallinder is a great player and really shone on the weekend despite the hard time that he has been faced with. The club needs to improve and it is sad to see such a historical club do so badly. 4/10
11. Worcester Warriors
A team that has now surely done enough to stay up. 10 points ahead of London Irish and putting an impressive display on against the bottom of the league rivals Worcester are another club that seem to be on the up. Josh Adams is a stand out player, true class. With only four points behind Northampton, there could be a real battle at the bottom of the league as well as at the top. 6/10
12. London Irish
London Irish has shown some promise so far this season. They beat harlequins and had close games against Leicester and Bath. It looks likely that they will go down but hopefully they will have some good games in the second half of the season. 4/10
Do you agree with me? Let me know what you think.
1. Exeter Chiefs
Top of the premiership at the moment with 10 points separating them from Saracens in second. The in form team at the moment have evidence for their achievements as many of their players have had call ups from Eddie Jones to play for England. With the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Sam Simonds and two front row players Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams, Exeter must be a strong favorite to win the league this year. The only disappointment was that Leinster were able to 'out Exeter' Exeter by keeping possession and get the victory over them in the Champions Cup. Despite this, sitting comfortably at the top of the prem gives them 9/10.
Champions of England and Europe not long ago. Has their style been figured out? For a team that lost seven games in a row in all competitions, they are still a formidable force with the ability to topple over any of rugby's giants. Back to their winning ways with a victory over Leicester last weekend, it seems like the Sarries of old are back. With such a strong world class squad there is no doubt that they will bounce back and really give Exeter a fight for the title. 8/10
A team of pure skill and ability. Winning seven out of eleven in the premiership has put them in third only one point behind Saracens. A very strong team in a position to really fight for silverware coming into the second half of the season. The team looks completely different when Danny Cipriani is playing and with the likes of Christian Wade out wide, they have a real attacking threat. 7/10
4. Gloucester
A team that is definitely on the up. Having come 9th in the premiership last year, they will be very pleased being fourth currently. Ackerman is doing a great job and has really helped the club to develop and it is great to see them in such a competitive position. Although losing Johnny May last season and Ross Moriarty and Richard Hibbard also leaving this season, the team have a real structure and I believe will continue to get stronger next season as well. 8/10
5. Bath
With 6 wins in the premiership Bath are having a good season. The team is playing well but just lacks the consistency to maintain a spot in the top four. With a series of some big games against Toulon, Bath will be looking to put the loss from Sale right this Friday when they invite Wasps to the Rec. Blackadder has done a great job with the Bath squad and they still have the ability to compete for titles come the end of the season. The fact that they are competitive in both europe and domestically could be a reason for their lack of consistency, therefore they get a 7/10.
The Tigers are a formidable force and I was very excited to see Manu Tuilagi return from injury. A team that has such an exciting backline which unfortunately does not get the ball it deserves due to the lack of grunt up front. The pack needs some investment either in the back row or in the second row to give the backs good quality ball to do their thing with. A player like Courtney Lawes would be a great player to join the club and could be possible if Northampton don't improve quickly. Leicester still able to get a space in the playoffs so therefore get a 6/10
7. Newcastle Falcons
A mid table team who have actually been making some good progress this season. Sitting in 7th with an equal 28 points to 6th placed Leicester, there is a real chance that they could impress and finish in the top four at the end of the season. With a big victory over Harlequins last weekend, Newcastle have proven that they are capable of winning big games. A team on the rise with great potential. 7/10
8. Sale Sharks
Sale have started to build up a group of some really talented players with the likes of James O' Connor, Denny Solomona and Faf de Klerk. With a big victory over Bath last weekend they have shown that they have the attacking ability to defeat some of the big names in the sport. 6/10
9. Harlequins
A disappointing season so far for Quins. They will be happy though to have found the gem of Marcus Smith, a real quality youngster. Danny Care has been a stand out player for the team so far this season with immense footballing skill leading to many tries for wingers like Visser. Harlequins will be disappointed with where they are at the moment and will be looking to turn things around in the second half of the season. Overall disappointing. 5/10
It has been a tough season for the Saints. Having sacked Jim Mallinder there has been a real negative vibe around the club. Many fans have not been attending the matches, and the results have been poor as well as their performances. The team will be looking to Dylan Hartley as he has returned from injury for leadership. In their loss against Exeter however, their performance, in my opinion, improved. Harry Mallinder is a great player and really shone on the weekend despite the hard time that he has been faced with. The club needs to improve and it is sad to see such a historical club do so badly. 4/10
11. Worcester Warriors
A team that has now surely done enough to stay up. 10 points ahead of London Irish and putting an impressive display on against the bottom of the league rivals Worcester are another club that seem to be on the up. Josh Adams is a stand out player, true class. With only four points behind Northampton, there could be a real battle at the bottom of the league as well as at the top. 6/10
London Irish has shown some promise so far this season. They beat harlequins and had close games against Leicester and Bath. It looks likely that they will go down but hopefully they will have some good games in the second half of the season. 4/10
Do you agree with me? Let me know what you think.
Bit of a Wasps fan are you?
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