Preview - Barbarians v British & Irish Lions

It's here.  No more talk, no more brags, no more outrageous predictions – just the Lions taking the field once again after 4 years as they embark on their Tour to Australia…in Hong Kong.  Yes, it seems a little odd that the first match of the Tour Down Under will take place an Asian city with weather conditions resembling that of a sauna, but that's the nature of professional beast these days – there are sponsors to appease, shirts to flog and tickets to sell.

But don't let all that artificial garbage put you off.  This is still the real deal – with arguably the two most iconic sides in World Rugby coming together for only the second time in history.  For the Lions, this is their opener before their 9 game tour of Australia, but for the Barbarians, this is their last game after a 2 match stint that opened with an embarrassing hammering against an inexperienced England side.  If the Baabaas "give it a go" playing philosophy is legendary, then so is their "if you can gulp it, drink it" mantra in the build up to their games in order to assist with team bonding – but I suspect they overdid it at Twickenham as half of them still seemed borderline smashed as the game kicked off.  Dropped passes, missed easy tackles – this didn't look like an invitational side of the World's finest.  But the Baabaas are a proud lot, and resolved to restore their honour by focusing on the Lions this weekend and, to prove it, launched a self imposed drinking ban.  Which lasted for 2 hours before shots of Jim Hamilton, Schalk Brits and Marco Wentzel  glugging wine emerged on the internet.  It turns out the drinking ban only applied to beer.

 

That said, you'd be a fool to write off the Barbarians – especially when you consider this is probably one of the strongest sides they've had in years.  Guys like Martin Castrogiovanni, Sergio Parisse, Dimitri Yachvilli and Nick Evans are all world class operators and intelligent players, whilst the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Elliot Daly, Takudzwa Ngwenya and Schalk Brits all provide some serious speed and X-Factor, with the ability to make a play out of nothing.  This side does not lack for inventiveness and pace and, if the Lions let them play, they could be ripped apart before they even land in Australia.  Plus, for probably the first time ever, the Baabaas have actually had more preparation time than their opposition.

Yes, the Lions have been together for over 2 weeks now – but only a 'shell' of the squad with a large proportion still involved in club finals, including 6 players each from the Tour's biggest contributors, Leinster and Leicester.  It means that this side will have even more of a Welsh flavour to it than the squad as a whole, with no Welsh sides competing for silverware, but every nation is still represented in the first Starting XV of the tour.  And there is no shortage of firepower for the men in red either, with experienced campaigners Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts all capable of packing a punch and the new-Lion back 3 of Sean Maitland, Alex Cuthbert and Stuart Hogg all possessing bag-loads of speed and footwork.  But perhaps it's up front where the Lions, led by the permanently-angry Paul O'Connell, will have the real advantage.  Warren Gatland is renowned for getting his side to aim for physical dominance, and that's what this big pack will aim for – and it will be particularly interesting to see if Richie Gray and Dan Lydiate can hit the heights they are capable of.

In terms of game plans, the Barbarians will, as usual, offer a shrug and a maverick "Whatever we like", but the Lions will be focussing on getting some basic patterns into play.  That means structuring line-out drives, organising a kick chase and working through some basic 3 phase-moves – all highly compelling stuff I'm sure you'll agree.  Jamie Roberts should be expecting to put in a big shift and take some basic pops from young fly half Owen Farrell and Gatland tries to encourage the Saracens 10 to attack the gainline and be more aggressive in his decision making, and the likes of Faletau and Tipuric would do well to be on the big man's shoulder in the event that he wriggles his arms out of the tackle.  Of course, tactics may well be determined by the fact that the conditions are akin to those found inside of an obese marathon runner's jockstrap – there will be 2 water breaks per half for the players in the 30 degree heat and 80% humidity – and I should imagine that, with the amount of sweat out there, there will be a few defenders slipping off tackles and several attackers sliding off shoulders. 

Gatland has previously been quoted in saying that he wouldn't mind dropping a couple of tour games for a Series victory – which is understandable really.  But if the Lions lose to the Barbarians – that rabble of wonderfully talented but disorganised individuals – there may be quite a fallout.  It is absolutely essential that the tour gets off to a winning start and develops that positive mentality.

The wait is over.  The Lions haven't travelled across the world to this sweatbox just to lose.

 

Barbarians Team News

Only four players - centre Elliot Daly, wing Takudzwa Ngwenya, centre Casey Laulala and lock Marco Wentzel - survive from the side hammered by England last weekend. Parisse captains a side featuring ex-All Blacks Joe Rokocoko and Nick Evans, France scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili and former Springboks hooker Schalk Brits. Wales loose-head prop Paul James and Italy tight-head Martin Castrogiovanni are also included as is USA Eagles international Samu Manoa and uncapped Wasps flanker Sam Jones.

Starting Line up: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Elliot Daly, Casey Laulala, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Nick Evans, Dimitri Yachvili; Paul James, Schalk Brits, Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Wentzel, Dean Mumm, Samu Manoa, Sam Jones, Sergio Parisse (capt).

Subs: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Duncan Jones, Andrea Lo Cicero, Jim Hamilton, Imanol Harinordoquy, Kahn Fotuali'l, James Hook, Mike Tindall/Rowan Varty.

Key Player

Sergio Parisse.  Captain for the day, there is no other forward in the world who is more suited to the Barbarian rugby mentality for the great Italian.  The number 8 was sensational for Italy this Six Nations and has been at the forefront of a mini-resurgence for Stade Francais too, displaying his wonderfully soft hands and brilliant rugby brain alongside his ferocious carrying and defensive work.  With an ability to pick gorgeous lines and chuck physics-defying offloads, an open game will suit him just fine – but he will have to make sure he leads the way with his usual accuracy, or else the Barbarians may well produce another mistake-ridden debacle like last Saturday.

 

British & Irish Lions Team News

Eleven players in the starting side at the Hong Kong Stadium will make their Lions debuts as Gatland begins the process of sifting through his options ahead of the three-Test series starting in Brisbane on 22 June.  Only Adam Jones, Paul O'Connell, Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts have appeared for the Lions before – although they were standouts 4 years ago in South Africa.  O'Connell will captain the side in the absence of the injured Sam Warburton, whilst Scottish trio Sean Maitland, Richie Gray and Stuart Hogg all get on the pitch at the same time, which probably causes some sort of heavy fine on all variations of the Lions Drinking Game I've seen.

Starting Line up:  Stuart Hogg, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts , Sean Maitland; Owen Farrell, Mike Phillips; Mako Vunipola, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Richie Gray, Paul O'Connell (capt), Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau.

Subs: Tom Youngs, Cian Healy, Matt Stevens, Alun Wyn Jones, Jamie Heaslip, Conor Murray, Jonathan Sexton, George North.

Key Player

Dan Lydiate.  In my view, he was the second most controversial selection for the Lions in this Tour, behind the human bean-bag that is Matt Stevens.  Gatland said he would base his selection on form in international matches or club games "of a similar standard to internationals" – i.e. European games and high pressure league matches.   Unfortunately, Lydiate filled neither of these criteria having been injured thought the Autumn Internationals and the Six Nations, and only returning to play for the Dragons in – with all respect – a bunch of meaningless kickabouts with nothing riding on the outcome.  That said, there is no doubting the big Welsh blindside's class.  In the 2012 Six Nations he was a one-man wrecking ball of a 6, destroying opposition carriers on the gain line and making strong yardage with ball in hand too.  If he can find that form, he'll be a dead cert for the test side – but he needs to find it quickly, with Tom Croft and Sean O'Brien looking in ominously good nick as well.  This will be a big test for the Welshman.

Key Battle

Nick Evans v Owen Farrell.  The Harlequin Kiwi may look like he should be rocking out for a vets side in the South Yorkshire merit league, but the fly half is still one of the smoothest operators around with quick feet, swift hands, an accurate boot and a sharp rugby brain.  That the experienced number 10 is one of a few players seemingly held in universal high regard is in contrast to the Lions' own chief playmaker for this outing, Owen Farrell.  The young Saracen endured a torrid end to the season, with doubts about his temperament and his attacking threat all coming to the fore, but there can be little doubt that, on his day, Farrell is a quality fly half with vision and superb technical ability.  He'll need to find his form quickly against the razor sharp Evans and ensure that he gives the talented backs outside him a chance to have a run on the gainline.

Prediction

Despite the preparation time, this should be a comfortable win for the Lions in their first ever Asian outing.  The pre-match talk has been dominated by the weather and what effect the equivalent to playing in a natural sauna will have on the players, but hopefully it won't have an effect on the pace of the game – especially as water breaks every 15 minutes have been approved.  The Barbarians looked shambolic last week and, although it's a completely different side this weekend, it's hard to see them coming much closer together in that short period of time.  Lions by 16.

What Lies Beneath...The Opposition Down Under - Part 2 - The Tour

So, with the Wallabies’ hopefuls having had the rule run over them in Part 1 of RuckedOver’s guide to what awaits the Lions in the barbaric country of Australia, let’s take a look at the other sides the Lions will be playing in the non-Test games and who are the likely dangermen – keeping in mind that they’ll be shorn of their Wallaby stars for the build up games. Of course, RuckedOver will be doing full previews – but here’s a little taster...

 

BARBARIANS – HONG KONG – 1 JUNE

Who are they?  You don’t know who the Barbarians are?  Get out.  Imagine if the A-Team played rugby and drank everything within a 1km radius – there, you have the Barbarians.

Key Player?  Obviously dependant on who they pick on the day, but with speed merchant Tagudzwa Ngwenya in their ranks, you know that they won’t be lacking for wheels out wide.

Chances?  Good – the Barbarians are probably the only side in the world who would be more disorganised than the Lions in the early stages of their tour.

 

WESTERN FORCE – PERTH – 5 JUNE

Who are they?  Perth’s very finest and a relatively new addition to Super Rugby, having only joined in 2006.  They’re currently bottom of the Australian conference but are capable of giving anyone a game on their day.

Key Player?  Ben McCalman.  The big number 8 is an experienced Wallaby and one of the most physical defenders around – useful if you fancy a free chiropractic session.

Chances?  As long as the Lions have got over jet lag and have settled into some basic patterns, this should be a game the tourists will win.

 

QUEENSLAND REDS – BRISBANE – 8 JUNE

Who are they?  The Queenslanders are one of the strongest Super Rugby sides around and one the tournament as recently as 2011.  Currently 2^nd in the Australian Conference but they remain brilliant in patches.

Key Player?  Chris Feauai-Sautia.  Think Manu Tuilagi but without the 2 years of exposure to the international game.  This kid is raw speed and power, but is prone to the odd howler.

Chances?  This is the first real test for the Lions but, shorn of their Wallaby stars, the Reds looked vulnerable at the beginning of the season.  It may be enough to tip the scales in the hosts favour.

 

COMBINED NSW-QUEENSLAND COUNTRY – NEWCASTLE – 11 JUNE

Who are they?  I’ll be honest.  No idea.  I assume some invitational side filled with some half-decent players who fancy a game against the Lions and a truck load of free grog.

Key Player?  Er...the most sober bloke they can field.

Chances?  These invitational games are usually just fillers but the Lions should pay heed to 4 years ago when they were given a scare by a ‘Presidents XV’ in South Africa.  Should still be easy pickings for the tourists though.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES WARATAHS – SYDNEY – 15 JUNE

Who are they?  The Yin to the Red’s Yan, the Tahs are NSW’s provincial side who are currently undergoing a renaissance following a disappointing few seasons.  3^rd in the Aussie Conference but pushing the top 2 pretty hard, they’ve got the capacity to blow teams away through speed and power.

Key Player?  Bernard Foley.  The relatively unknown playmaker has been a genius this year and should not be underrated – his eye for a gap and ability to pick out opportunities with his hands or feet make him a real danger man.  Plus he’s called Bernard.  Worth watching.

Chances?  The Lions should be in full swing by the time this one comes around and, although I can see it being close, a full strength side should turn over a Waratahs side denied it’s international contingent.  It’ll be entertaining even if there is no Duncan McRae nowadays.

 

ACT BRUMBIES – CANBERRA – 18 JUNE

Who are they?  A team full of kids from Australia Capital Territory...who are ripping it up in Super Rugby this year.  Top of the Australian conference, their explosively fast brand of rugby has seen them take some huge scalps this year.

Key Player?  Jesse Mogg.  He may well get picked for the Test squad but if he doesn’t the Lions should beware.  Despite looking like an accountant, the young full back has serious wheels and a glorious Geordan Murphy-esque running style that bamboozles defenders at every turn.

Chances?  I genuinely think this will be the most difficult non-Test match for the Lions.  With the first test looming, this will very much be the ‘extras’ who will be trying to piece together their confidence in the knowledge they won’t be getting a Test spot.  That, coupled with the fact that the Brumbies aren’t really a team full of stars and as such won’t be missing too many key individuals to Wallaby call ups, makes the exciting young hosts favourites in my opinion.

 

MELBOURNE REBELS – MELBOURNE – 25 JUNE

Who are they?  Australia’s last addition to Super Rugby are the Rebels, and they’ve spent big on star names since their inception in 2011.  It seems to be slowly having an effect – despite suffering from inconsistency, the Rebels are 4^th in the Australian Conference and have turned over some big names this season.

Key Player?  Assuming the magician that is Kurtley Beale hasn’t come back from his sabbatical, the Lions could do with keeping an eye on lock Hugh Pyle.  The 6 foot 7 lock has used his powerful frame and inspector gadget arms to wriggle over for 3 tries already this year and is a pest in the lineout.

Chances?  Depending on which Rebels side shows up, this should be a game the Lions win.  The Melbourne outfit have looked in trouble when under physical pressure at times this year, so that would be the way for the Lions to go.

 

And the Tests?  Ha, you’ll be getting no predictions out of me.  What’s that?  Did somebody say 2-1 to the Lions?

What Lies Beneath...The Opposition Down Under - Part 1 - The Wallabies

And so the weekend has finally arrived and the Lions Tour of Australia 2013 will kick off...in Hong Kong.  Against the Barbarians.  Weird, right?  Well, that’s the nature of the professional game these days, but I’m sure everyone is getting excited about Wednesday when the Lions will launch their first assault on Australian soil in Perth against the Western Force.  Of course, this weekend marks the last round of matches in Super Rugby before an effective Lions break, so it’s the last chance many potential Wallabies will have to impress that egotistical scrotum Robbie Deans before the extended squad is announced. 

In Part 1 of RuckedOver’s 2 part guide to the Tour, we take a look at who are the chief contenders to pull on that green and gold jersey in less than a month’s time...

Front Row

The Aussie front row often gets a bad rep – perhaps spearheaded by the appearance of Matt Dunning, who looked like drunk pub landlord and couldn’t scrummage, but was talented at useless prop forwarding skills such as this:

 

But the truth is, aside from the very odd shocker, the Aussie scrum has improved dramatically over the last couple of years and regularly stands up to pressure in the Rugby Championship – which, when you consider that they’re up against scrum-lovers Argentina and South Africa, is a pretty solid achievement.  I’m not saying they’re world beaters, but one of the easiest mistakes to make would be to assume that, just because renowned scrummagers Adam Jones and Dan Cole are in the squad, the Lions are going to walk the set piece.

The loosehead side of the scrum is one of the easiest calls to make, with Benn Robinson proving during the autumn – aside from a nightmare against France – that he is more than capable of causing a few problems of his own in the scrum, with great performances against England and Wales.  He may not be the most mobile, but at least he looks in marginally better shape than Dunning and his set piece ability gets him the nod from me...plus, having the powerful carrying ability of Sekope Kepu on the bench is a useful option later on in the game.  On the tighthead side, it’s a close call between Ben Alexander and James Slipper, but the older Brumbies prop just gets the nod because of his big-game experience and slightly stronger work in the set piece – although the mobile and versatile Slipper is no slouch in the tight and offers some serious pace around the park too.

At hooker, the Wallabies have tried several options with varying success – Tatafu Polota-Nau is powerful but not the greatest thrower (and is now crocked) whilst Saia Faingaa is enthusiastic but pretty much a liability in all set-pieces – so once again I’m going to go for the experience and technical excellence of the human egg, Stephen Moore.  The Brumbies man is a solid scrummager – which, if you haven’t guessed from my selections, is an area I think needs to be beefed up – and has a great engine on him.  He’ll be chomping at the bit to get stuck into the Lions, so he starts and Faingaa benches.

Second Row

Following in the footsteps of great second rows like John Eales and Nathan Sharpe isn’t easy, but one man’s done such a good job that – injuries permitting – he is another shoe-in for the side.  James Horwill, Reds captain, gets the nod as skipper of the Wallabies from me – a statement that the Wallabies will be up for the physical battle the Lions will be bringing.  The big guy is a powerful presence in the loose and a smart operator in the lineout, and he’ll be relishing the thought of throwing himself into the touring behemoths.  Partnering him, I’m going to go for his Queensland buddy Rob Simmons.  The gangly lock has come on in leaps and bounds over the last couple of the years and is quickly becoming an ‘enforcer’ in the pack – he loves to get stuck into the opposition forwards, getting under their skin and he is a decent carrier as well.  Having the raw physicality of Sitaleki Timani is not a bad option to have on the bench either.

Back Row

As ever, this is a pretty competitive spot – although a little bit of the gloss has been taken out of the occasion by the knowledge that David “which way’s the beach?” Pocock and George “Evergreen” Smith won’t be fit in time for the Test Series.  They’re two world class operators at openside but, luckily for the Wallabies, it’s not really a position where they’re lacking in depth.  Michael Hooper and Liam Gill are both great young options who will have to deal with a lot of responsibility, but the Waratah’s performances in a green and gold jersey in the Autumn series and his physical carrying for the NSW side this season puts him in pole position for the 7 shirt, with Gill providing the pace injection off the bench.  On the blindside, Scott Higginbotham is, in my opinion, one of the best flankers in the southern hemisphere despite looking like he’s just walked off the set of Crocodile Dundee.  Superb technique with and without the ball make him a real danger man and he’s an absolute certainty to start at 6 or 8 – he’s been a one man wrecking ball for the Rebels.  That leaves the number 8 spot to be filled by the intimidating figure of Wycliff Palu – the Waratahs number 8 is a colossal ball carrier and guaranteed metres maker, and it’s that ability to give his half backs front-foot ball that gets him the nod over the hard-working Brumbie Ben Mowen.

 

Half Backs

Where do the Wallabies get their 9s from?  As soon as one magician retires, another steps straight in and steps it up another notch – Nick Farr-Jones, George Gregan and now Will Genia.  The Queenslander is probably the easiest pick in the side with his lightning service and sharp eye for a gap...and he’s not afraid to get stuck into the nasty stuff as well, which will be useful if the Lions try to bully him via the ever-friendly Mike Phillips.  Nic White will prove a useful back up after a great season impressing with the Brumbies, although he will be hoping not to run into any more brick walls like this:

 

At fly half I’m going to ignore the moronic Robbie Deans and pick Quade Cooper.  Why?  Well, aside from his umbilical-like connection with Genia, on his day he’s the best attacking fly half in the world and he, above anyone else, can bring the best out of the supremely talented backs outside him.  Sure, he may be about as popular as a fart in an elevator, but I’d want my 10 to be both cocky and have the tactical nous to manage a gameplan – something Cooper does very well indeed.  I’ll be picking James O’Connor elsewhere and I’ve avoided Kurtley Beale on account of there probably being coach travel and alcohol involved in games (see here for an explanation), so the Queenslander starts at 10.

 

Centres

It may not be the strongest position for the Wallabies but there’s still some real class in the ranks.  At 12, I’m going to go for a second playmaker in Berrick Barnes.  The Waratahs man has the experience and calmness to take control if Cooper does decide to flap and will relieve the pressure on his flyhalf, plus he’s been in great form since his return from injury – a fantastic solo display against the Brumbies being a particular highlight.  In my opinion, he’s the Toby Flood of Australia – perennially underrated in an international shirt, despite nobody really recalling a poor game.  Christian Leali’ifano is very unlucky but I think he’ll provide a great bench option and will be able to exploit space when the game opens up.  Outside Barnes I’ve picked another Waratah in Adam Ashley-Cooper, one of the most reliable and effective runners in the game.  The experienced centre has the wheels of a wing and line-picking ability of a full back, as well as being a rock in defence – Wallaby fans will have no worries about him dealing with the physical threats of Tuilagi and/or Roberts.

 

Back 3

There’s no shortage of depth in the back 3 as once again there’s a plethora of quality Australian wingers just waiting to follow in the footsteps of greats like David Campese.  Actually, perhaps that’s a bad example...

 

On the left wing I’ll be going for the electric and powerful Digby Ione – injury permitting of course as he seems to be made of glass at the moment (not that I can talk).  The Queenslander has experience at scoring tries against top opposition and has the ability to create a try out of absolutely nothing, and for that X-Factor he just gets into my side ahead of the ultra-physical and hard-working Nick Cummins, who earns a place on the bench.  On the opposite side, I’ll be picking James O’Connor in the number 14 jersey – where he’s played his best rugby for the Wallabies.  I’m unconvinced of his playmaking abilities at 10 but the Justin Bieber lookalike has the acceleration and strength to excel in the open spaces outwide – especially if, as expected, he’ll be against bigger men.  His ability to come off his wing and throw wide passes is also an attractive option for the Wallabies, and overall the Rebels star just has too much quality to leave out.

At fullback, I’m going to fold and go for Israel Folau.  Yes, I’m a victim of Izzy Fever – the NRL/ARL convert has got better and better with each game, looking solid under the high ball and offering serious speed, footwork and power when joining the line in attack – not to mention his counterattacking ability when running the ball back from deep.  He shades it ahead of Brumbies fullback, Jesse Mogg, but either of these 2 could do a stunning job in the 15 shirt – it all depends, as debutants, who will handle the pressure of winning a first test cap against the Lions...

 

RuckedOver’s Wallaby Squad for the First Test

Starting Line up: Robinson, Moore, Alexander, Horwill, Simmons, Higginbotham, Hooper, Palu, Genia, Cooper, Ione, Barnes, Ashley-Cooper, O’Connor, Folau.

Subs:  Faingaa, Kepu, Slipper, Timani, Gill, White, Leali’ifano, Cummins.

Super XV Big Match Preview - Cheetahs v Bulls

Predictions…who'd bother hey?  Prior to the season I, and many others far more educated in South African rugby, predicted with the utmost confidence that the battle for the South African Conference would become a 2-way dogfight between the Sharks and the Stormers, but inconsistency and key injuries has left us with egg (or is biltong more appropriate?) on our faces.  Instead of riding high, the 2 favourites are languishing in the mid table of the Super Rugby standings, whilst the fairly-unfancied Bulls and Cheetahs are pushing for a wildcard spot at the very least – and leading the South African conference pretty comfortably.

Aside from the Kings though, who were never really expected to challenge, should we be surprised at any of the South African sides impressing?  Well, yes, to put it bluntly.  Looking down the Cheetahs' roster, unless you're a diehard fan you'll need ESPN's excellent scrum.com website open next to you so you can identify who half the players are and, whilst the Bulls have some pretty impressive names in their ranks (in the forms of Pierre Spies and Morne Steyn), we haven't seen a whole lot of form from them for a good few years.

The hosts on Saturday, the Cheetahs, have almost been like the Exeter Chiefs of Super Rugby.  What they lack in out-and-out star quality is made up for with intelligent game plans and a great team spirit and inventiveness that often catches sides off-guard – and a fiercely competitive pack of course.  The Bulls meanwhile, have really snuck up on the competition.  Chugging away quietly, picking up wins here and there, the men from Loftus have been impressive with their consistency and ability to grind out results on a regular basis – and part of that has been due to the resurgence of Morne Steyn, who is back to his metronomic best with the boot after an indifferent season last year.  Of course, it was Steyn's boot that proved crucial when these 2 last met, just over a month ago in Pretoria - the fly half kicked 16 points, including a late conversion following a dramatic try from replacement hooker Callie Visagie, to seal a 6 point win.  It was a suitably narrow margin for an incredibly tight contest.

So what happens when 2 underdogs go head to head?  We know it's not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it's the size of the fight in the dog – but we'll see on Saturday which one of these 2 has the meanest bite.

 

Cheetahs Team News

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has made one change to the team that beat the Kings, naming Springbok winger Raymond Rhule in his starting line-up after the youngster was relegated to the bench for last week's game against the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth.

Starting Line up:  Hennie Daniller; Willie Le Roux, Johann Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule; Elgar Watts, Piet van Zyl; Philip Van der Walt, Pieter Labuschagne, Heinrich Brussow; Francois Uys, Lodewyk de Jager; Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Coenie Oosthuizen.

Subs: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rynard Landman, Boom Prinsloo, Sarel Pretorius, Riaan Smit, Rayno Benjamin.

Key Player

Heinrich Brussow.  The South African openside has had an injury-plagued few years – like a certain teammate, Juan Smith (must be a Cheetahs curse) – but has started to return to the type of form that saw him mentioned in the same breathes as David Pocock and Richie McCaw 3 years ago.  Low to the ground and incredibly strong, the flawless technique of Brussow makes him a key weapon when pilfering opposition ball.  He’ll need to be at his disruptive best if he’s to stop this powerful Bulls pack.

 

Bulls Team News

Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made four changes to the team that beat the Sharks last weekend, with young guns Arno Botha and Jan Serfontein and the experienced Werner Kruger and Lionel Mapoe all included in the starting team.  All four were on the bench last weekend when the Bulls beat the Sharks in Durban, but they now replace Dewald Potgieter, Wynand Olivier, Frik Kirsten and Akona Ndungane respectively.

Starting Line up: Jurgen Visser; Lionel Mapoe, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson; Morne Steyn, Francois Hougaard; Pierre Spies (captain), Arno Botha, Deon Stegmann; Juandre Kruger, Flip van der Merwe; Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling.

Subs: Callie Visagie, Frik Kirsten, Grant Hattingh, Dewald Potgieter, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouche, Zane Kirchner.

Key Player

Pierre Spies.  All too often last year the ridiculous athlete that is Pierre Spies went missing – but he's back with vengeance now.  A huge hulking brute of a man with pace to burn, when he gets fired up he's very hard to stop.  He'll be up against a Cheetahs pack that has outmuscled and outran more than their fair share of opponents this season so he'll have to be at his explosive best if he's to get the Bulls that all-important front-foot ball.

Key Battle

Petrus van Zyl v Francois Hougaard.  These are 2 scrum halves who are very much attacking threats in themselves, as well as being sharp passers of the ball off the base.  With their rocket boots on, both men love nothing more than to motor through a gap around the fringes themselves and, whilst Hougaard probably has more upper body strength, van Zyl also has a smart a kicking game.  In a key battle for supremacy at the top of the South African conference, taking opportunities (which will be at a premium) will be critical – so they will need to pick their moments and not get caught in the heavy traffic of a defence that will have been briefed about the dangers posed by these 2.

Prediction

With the 2 form teams in South Africa going head to head, this one should go down to the wire.  The Cheetahs have been a revelation this season – we’ve always known they can pack a punch up front but it’s their inventiveness out wide that’s impressed me, whilst the Bulls’ big name players such as Morne Steyn and Pierre Spies have finally found the form that deserted them last year.  When in doubt, go with the home side – but it could go either way...Cheetahs by 3.

 

Where else will the points be won in Super Rugby this weekend?

Crusaders v Waratahs:  Both sides face pivotal games if they are to push for wild card places at the end of the year – especially as they both suffered disappointing defeats last week (the Tahs in particular).   At home I think the New Zealand powerhouse may just have too much for the speed and ambition of the Waratahs – Crusaders by 6 points

Brumbies v Hurricanes:  The Brumbies picked up a morale boosting win against the Crusaders last week to solidify their place atop of the Aussie conference – but they will need to ensure they keep themselves there by dealing with a tricky but inconsistent Canes outfit.  I think they’ve got the skills at home to manage.  Brumbies by 9.

Highlanders v Blues:  This year’s biggest disappointments, the Highlanders, will not find it any easier against a Blues side who have exceeded all expectations this year.  Despite a loss to the Brumbies last week, the Blues still look good and I can see the Auckland side taking this one fairly comfortably.  Blues by 8.

Reds v Rebels:  The Rebels will be on a high after 2 straight wins – without their star players James O’Connor and Kurtley Beale as well – whilst the Reds are smarting after a couple of losses on the bounce.  But at Suncorp the Reds should show too much class and get themselves back to winning ways – they need to, because the Waratahs are closing in.  Reds by 11.

Stormers v Kings:  The Stormers have had an odd season – getting turned over in games they should win and vice-versa, but they claimed a great win against the Reds last weekend and there should be little doubt about the result against a stubborn but limited Kings side.  Stormers by 16.

Super XV Big Match Review - Chiefs 28 - 19 Crusaders

There’s a theory that once you’ve tasted success, your appetite and drive to succeed actually diminishes – the logic being that it loses some of its mystique because you know it’s attainable.  I think this is a load of garbage.  I seem to be constantly on a diet in order to maintain my fine chassis of a physique (I have low standards) and I can categorically say that if I hadn’t tasted chocolate, a quarter pounder with cheese or a Harvey’s Best Bitter (try it, it’s superb), I wouldn’t give a flying fig about not eating them; I wouldn’t have cravings because I wouldn’t know what I’m missing.

That’s why I think that it’s the teams who have won before and have been, or have realised they might be, denied since their victory.  One you’ve tasted the smooth, malty and deep-hopped flavour of success (sorry, that’s the Harvey’s again), you never want anything else.  It explains why Leicester, Leinster and, in fact, the Crusaders have all been so dominant at various points over the last 10 years.  And on Friday night, we not only had two sides who had tasted success previously (the Crusaders 5 years ago, the Chiefs last year) and were desperate to get their hands back onto the trophy, but we also had the added bonus of two sides who can both, on their day, play ‘Total Rugby’.

The game started as you would have expected it to between these 2 sides – explosively.  After a well struck penalty from Tom Taylor got the visitors on the board, the hosts struck straight back in the 10^th minute – although it wasn’t in the free-flowing, enterprising form we’re used to from the Chiefs.  Instead, perhaps inspired by their defensive shut out of Wellington last weekend, the hosts grabbed a 5 pointer through pressure, with Aaron Cruden getting one up on his All Blacks rival to charge down Dan Carter’s laboured clearance, regather the ball score.  A simple conversion made the score 7-3, before the Crusaders made their own statement.

Long gone are the days of a Canterbury side throwing the ball about with reckless abandon – this is an intelligent side that recognises that whilst they may not have the out and out firepower anymore, they do have some smart rugby players and some damned good forwards.  With Kieran Read leading the way, the visitors charged their way towards the hosts’ line, and eventually impressive openside flanker Matt Todd powered his way over from close range.  Taylor added the extras to give the men in red a 3 point advantage after 20 minutes.

It didn’t last long though – 3 minutes in fact.  Firstly Cruden added a penalty for an offside before lightning struck for a second time in the not-so-lightening-quick form of Chiefs captain Craig Clarke, who got a sizeable paw to Tom Marshall’s clearance kick and touched the ball down just before it went dead.  Although Cruden missed the tricky conversion and Taylor nudged over another penalty on the cusp of half time, the hosts held a slender lead at the break.

That seemed to spur the visitors on, who must surely have known that this is becoming make or break time in terms of their championship ambitions.  The powerful pack was rumbling well with the Whitelock brothers particularly impressing, and 2 penalties from Taylor in the first 10 minutes gave the Crusaders a 4 point advantage, swiftly reduced to one with another successful attempt from Cruden.

The hosts finally woke up in the second period with 15 minutes to go and started pounding at the visitors’ line, but this Crusaders’ defence has been tough to breach all season and a combination of tough tackling a sloppy handling kept the reigning Champions out before Charlie Ngatai was denied a score by the TMO, citing obstruction by centre Bunde Aki as the reason.  Was that the chance to remain top of the Super Rugby standings gone?  Not quite. 

This had been a real arm-wrestle and, as you would expect, had a couple of extra twists in store for the 22’000 fans in Waikato Stadium.  With 10 minutes remaining, Bunde Aki made amends for his earlier transgression by hitting a great line to go over for the score following Lelia Masaga’s powerful charge.  Cruden added the conversion before, cruelly, knocking over another penalty on 80 minutes to deny the Crusaders even a losing bonus point in a match that they had fought tooth and nail for.

But such is the nature of the beast.  The Crusaders leave with nothing, and the Chiefs have everything.  Well, not everything – they have a Super Rugby title to chase down.  And boy do they look hungry for it.

 

What else was happening across Super Rugby last weekend?

Rebels 24 – 22 Waratahs:  The Rebels claimed a historic and surprise win against the inform Waratahs with a dramatic victory in Melbourne.  Tom English scored both early and late in the game to seal the win whilst that man Israel Folau scored again for the NSW side with an interception.

Blues 13 – 20 Brumbies:  The Brumbies overcame a powerful Blues fightback to claim a critical win in Auckland.  The visitors raced away to an early lead thanks to a try from Nic White but the hosts clawed their way back into things, with the impressive Rene Ranger going over for a 5 pointer.

Force 19 – 18 Highlanders:  The Highlanders cemented their status as the league's most disappointing side with a loss to fellow strugglers the Force in Perth.  The Force scored the only try of the game in first half through Sias Ebersohn, whilst the visitors could only get their points from the boots of Hayden Thomas and Colin Slade.

Kings 22 – 34 Cheetahs:  The Kings were comfortably beaten at home by rivals the Cheetahs, despite a late effort from substitute Nicolas Vergallo.  The visitors were rampant though, clocking up four tries from Johann Sadie (2), Petrus van Zyl and Willie Le Roux.

Stormers 20 – 15 Reds:  Jean De Villiers' try was the difference in an incredibly tight game at Newlands.  The captain went over early in the second half, whilst the rest of the hosts' points came courtesy of Joe Pietersen.  Quade Cooper kicked all 15 of the Reds' points.

Sharks 16 – 18 Bulls:  A late Morne Steyn penalty sealed a dramatic win for the Bulls in Durban.  The Sharks scored the only try of the game through Charl Mcleod, with Pat Lambie kicking 11 points, but the boot of Steyn was enough to seal an away win for the South African conference leaders.

Aviva Premiership - the Final Word

The end of another year of English Premiership rugby has arrived, and I would probably echo the thoughts of Austin Healey – this has been one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory, stuffed so full of tries, big hits and pieces of skill that even Matt Stevens would turn his nose up at a second helping.  In RuckedOver's final piece on the Premiership this season, let's take a look at how each club did, and who's picked up our coveted awards…

Player of the Season:  Will Fraser.  The young Saracen has been a revelation this season and with his chiselled jawline has won fans of both sexes for a variety of reasons.  He has a useful knack for scoring tries and is a strong runner who hits great lines – but it is in defence where he is exceptional, making big tackles and effecting turnovers.  This guy is the lead wolf in Sarries' Wolfpack.

 

Young Player of the Season:  Christian Wade.  Teammate Joe Launchbury was also impressive but Wade wins it with his ability to get you on your feet and wondering "How the hell did he do that?" on a regular basis.  Absolutely electric in attack and underrated in defence, I can't wait to see how he gets on for England this summer.

 

Try of the Season:  Some great contenders (see below) but I've had to go with the popular choice of Dan Bowden's effort against Saracens.  It's got everything – footwork, speed, strength, hands and skill – and is an example of the talents of George Ford.  Bath fans will be hoping to see far more of these moments than Leicester fans have seen over the last year.

 

The Danny Care Sh*t Haircut Award:  Goes to…Danny Care.

 

The Jim Henson Muppet of the Year Award:  Danny Cipriani, for getting run over by a bus on a night out on the sauce with his teammates.  I'm glad you've decided to work on your defence, Danny, but I'd suggest starting with something smaller…

 

Villain of the Season:  Dylan Hartley made a late run at the award with his choice vocabulary, and I'm sure some Saints fans may put Wayne Barnes' name forward, but in truth there was only ever one winner.  Step forward, Mike Scott, London Welsh Team Manager.  Unfortunately, as a club you can't really prepare yourself for the eventuality of a key member of your support staff going absolutely, Charlie Sheen-esque mad and forging passports and other documents to try and show an innocent player is another nationality.  Scott's bizarre antics cost London Welsh 5 points and arguably a place in the Premiership.

 

RuckedOver's Team of the Year:  1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Tom Youngs, 3. Halani Aulika, 4. Ed Slater, 5. Joe Launchbury, 6. Will Fraser, 7. Francois Louw, 8. Samu Manoa, 9. Danny Care, 10. Gareth Steenson, 11. Christian Wade, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 14. Tom Varndell, 15. Mike Brown

Bath

What happened:  A pretty slow start to the season eventually picked up a bit of pace in 2013, with some decent home victories – including a dramatic win against Leicester.  On the last day of the season they were still in the hunt for a Heineken Cup place but were just pipped to the post by Exeter.

Season grade:  4/10.  With the amount of investment at the Rec over the last 3 years, expectations have been high and owner Bruce Craig would have expected – at the very least – top flight European rugby to be a suitable return on his substantial cash injections.  They have some top flight players in the shapes of Francois Louw, Matt Banahan and David Wilson, but they have occasionally looked bullied in the close exchanges up front.  Some smart recruiting for next year – with the likes of George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Matt Garvey coming in – should ensure Bath remain a team of great potential…and therefore a team under pressure to produce the goods.

Player of the season:  Francois Louw.  David Wilson continues to impress at club level and Kyle Eastmond has been a revelation, but the Bath captain has been an inspiration this year.  Smart on the ball and possessing that inherent 'South African-ness' in defence, he's been the driving force behind the majority of Bath's good performances this year.

 

Exeter Chiefs

What happened:  Rob Baxter's men confirmed their reputation as an exciting and growing top-tier rugby club by snaffling the last Heineken Cup spot in the last 2 games of the season.   They had a pretty up and down season before coming good on the home straight, picking up a great win at the Stoop against the reigning champions, Harlequins, in the process.

Season grade:  7/10.  The top-6 finish should now become a minimum expectation for the Chiefs – although they may lack the celebrity names of other sides, they possess some great club players and are capable of turning over anyone, especially at Sandy Park.  The slight disappointment is that Chiefs fans may have been hoping to kick on to a top-4 finish, kicking on from last year's top-6 placing, but a year of solidifying their position is just as important.  And with the side looking like it will be predominantly the same next year, there is every chance that the Chiefs may be able to take the next step.

Player of the season:  Gareth Steenson.  The diminutive fly half just shades Richard Baxter and James Scaysbrook because of his match-winning contributions towards the end of the season.  We've always known he has a freakishly accurate boot but he also seems to have uncovered an unnerving scuttling ability that has seen him find holes in opposition defences, making him a far more dangerous attacking threat.  He'll be some player if he continues to develop next season.

Gloucester

What happened:  After last season's miserable run, new Director of Rugby Nigel Davies got the Cherry and Whites playing some scintillating stuff at times – as well as finally getting that much-maligned pack to pull their weight up front.  Although it wasn't quite enough for a playoff spot, Kingsholm fans will be pleased that they'll be watching their side in the Heineken Cup next year after a comfortable 5th place finish.

Season grade:  7/10.  The much vaunted Gloucester backline, at times, was unplayable, with the 10-12 axis of Burns-Twelvetrees happily living up to expectations and the likes of Jonny May and Charlie Sharples also impressing.  The pack, as well, looked great in patches with Akapusi Qera, Tom Savage and Sione Kalamafoni all bringing some real grunt to proceedings – but the problem, with the whole side, is that they were as consistent as a Bill Clinton response to an allegation of sexual deviance.  Being great in patches meant they won games they weren't expected to (such as against Leicester at home) and lost ones they were (with their humbling at Sale being a notable example).  The side is still young and may be set for great things next year – but they need to find a consistent level of performance…and a decent front row…

Player of the Season: Akapusi Qera.  Burns was great at the start of the season and Kalamafoni was magnificent, but the sheer match-winning impact this bloke can have on games is second-to-none in the Premiership.  A brute with slick hands and an eye for a gap, he is a superb asset to the club and a great example for the Gloucester pack to follow.  His display against Leicester at Kingsholm was up there with one of the best displays of the season.

Harlequins

What happened:  An LV Cup triumph was as good as it got for this exciting Harlequins side.  They started the season in fine fettle and looked well placed for another serious assault at the title, but a wobbly end to the season saw them slip to the third and end their hopes with a humbling at the hands of Leicester at Welford Road.

Season Grade:  6/10.  A disappointment not to make the final, but a decent showing to solidify their position in the upper echelons of English rugby nonetheless.  It looked as if some blokes (most notably Chris Robshaw) were suffering from playing too much rugby as the season wore on, but to their credit it didn't stop them from playing some top notch, entertaining stuff – with their game at Gloucester being one of the matches of the season.  There is still a nagging suspicion that they could do with being a bit nastier when the chips are down but, aside from that, are one of the best exponents of 'Total Rugby' on their day.  With a little more squad depth, they should be challenging again next season.

Player of the Season:  Danny Care.  Mike Brown, Chris Robshaw and Nick Easter all impressed for the London side but Care was in consistently superb form for his club all season.  Unfortunately he was unable to transfer that onto the international stage, but his electrifying acceleration and threat around the fringes meant that he was regularly on the Harlequins' score sheet and keeping defences nervous throughout the season.

 

Leicester Tigers

What happened:  Same old Leicester.  Despite plodding through the first half of the season with some average displays, the Tigers still found themselves towards the top of the table at Christmas – and they solidified this by turning up the power and pace in the home stretch to reach a 9th successive Premiership Final, before beating East Midlands rivals Northampton to claim an unprecedented 10th league title.

Season Grade:  8/10.  Obviously, they get a high mark for winning the thing, but Leicester still aren't the finished article and are often infuriating to watch – they have the players to tear anybody apart (as they did to Harlequins in the semi-final) and often look on the cusp of doing so but, for the first half of the season in particular, seemed to be content to chug along in 3rd gear, picking up wins without actually hitting their stride.  However, perhaps that's all part of the plan and, at the end of the day, they are the champions yet again.  It was particularly pleasing to note though that this is now a very young and exciting Leicester side – their oldest player in the Premiership Final was Geoff Parling at 29, and they topped the Premiership try-scoring charts once again – and with the likes of Mat Tait, Tom Youngs and Ed Slater all showing tremendous development this season, you wouldn't want to bet against them getting their hands on the trophy again next year.

Player of the Season:  Ed Slater.  Tom Youngs, the Premiership player of the season, ran him close, but the understated second row takes the gong for me after a storming season that has seen him solidify his place in the Leicester pack.  A great mix between old school and new school – a giant lump who loves the grunt and a gallop in equal measure – it surely can't be long before he's pushing for international honours.

 

London Irish

What happened:  Eesh, not a fun season for the Exiles.  Following an off-season exodus of some of the club's top players, the Irish had a nightmare start to the campaign, only bettered (or should that be worsed) by Sale.  Thankfully, they turned in some good displays towards the end to pluck themselves up to a creditable 9th, but miles away from the top pack.

Season Grade:  4/10.  It's easy to claim this season was a complete shocker but actually, with all the disruption of losing so many players and their head coach, the end result was actually fairly decent.  They did produce some good rugby – in particular in a home win against Saracens – and George Skivington proved to be a great piece of business in the pack, but Irish's defence was positively porous at times and they lacked accuracy in attack.  It's good to see that they picked up some form this season, but they'll be losing Jamie Gibson, Matt Garvey and Jonathan Joseph over the summer so any hopes of an improvement next year may be optimistic.

Player of the Season:  Halani Aulika.  Matt Garvey continues to impress, as does Jonathan Joseph in patches, but when your number 3 runs in 11 tries during the season you have to take note.  A solid scrummager and a superb runner, he may need some refinement to his game in the set piece but the sight of the big man in full flight and 'sidestepping' puts all those doubts to the back of your mind.

London Wasps

What happened:  A magnificent improvement from last year was only halted by a bad run of losses in the final stretches of the season; with 5 games remaining, the London side who avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth the previous season were within touching distance of the playoffs.  Unfortunately, they ended up in 8th spot, but still very much in the 'top pack' and a huge step in the right direction from Dai Young's boys.

Season Grade:  8/10.  If not for their end position, for their style of play and recovery from a nightmare year the previous season.  The fact that both wingers topped not just the club's scoring charts but the League's one as well tells you how these guys like to play, and when you throw exciting talents like Elliot Daly and Joe Launchbury into the mix, you end up with a side who can hit you with brutally fast strikes up front and out wide.  In the backrow, Billy Vunipola and Ashley Johnson were the chief sources of front foot ball, but questions still remain over the grunt of that tight five – a concern highlighted by Northampton's crushing victory at Adams Park.  And with Billy Vunipola off to Sarries next year, Wasps need plenty more beef if they are to get quality ball to their quick men next year.

Player of the Season:  Christian Wade.  Joe Launchbury was colossal before suffering a tad from 'burn-out' whilst fellow winger Tom Varndell has also shown why he is the most dangerous finisher in the Premiership, but Wade just has that unplayable quality of creating something out of nothing.  His acceleration and footwork is sensational and, although he needs some work on the positional side of things, I fully expect to see him in an England shirt before long.

 

London Welsh

What happened:  A superb start to the season had the critics dumbfounded, winning 4 times before Christmas to leave the Welsh Exiles sitting comfortable in lower-mid table, well clear of London Irish and Sale.  But a combination of no wins in 11 games and a 5-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player saw their fate at the bottom of the Premiership sealed, with a place in the Championship awaiting them next season.

Season Grade:  5/10.  It seems harsh to give such a middling mark to a side that won many a fan over with not just their collective heart and determination, but also their quality of play as well.  In the first half of the season especially, Welsh played some great stuff with Tom Arscott proving to be especially dangerous, and Sonny Parker providing a stabilising influence in the backs.  Even Gavin Henson looked decent on the rare occasion he played.  Up front, Lee Beach and Tom Bristow impressed, but all their hard work was ultimately undone by team manager Mike Scott's fraudulent registration of Tyson Keats – the points deduction and distraction proved an unclimbable mountain for the Premiership newbies.

Player of the Season:  Tom Arscott.  The lively wing/full back was always full of running and proved himself as one of the League's best finishers with several impressive scores – especially when you consider the fact that he wasn't playing off quality ball all that often.  A great runner in broken play, it's a shame that his side are the ones to take the plunge to the Championship.

 

Northampton Saints

What happened:  Well, what a topsy-turvy season for the Saints.  A mid-season collapse in form had many doubting whether they would even make the playoffs, but they pulled their season back with a couple of displays brimming with brutal power – firstly against Wasps, and then against Saracens in the semi final – before falling at the final hurdle to their old nemeses, Leicester.  And who knows, if Dylan Hartley was a little more well-mannered, then maybe there would be a new name on the Premiership trophy this year.

Season Grade: 7/10.  Saints finally took that step from being semi-final losers but they couldn't overcome the last hurdle in the final.  The power of that pack got them out of many a hole and some of their displays – their literal mauling of Wasps in particular – were breathtaking in their physicality and technical accuracy.  But out wide it wasn't always rosy – Jamie Elliot and Luther Burrell have come on in leaps and bounds this season but there are still questions over Myler's ability as a 10 at the highest level and the general balance of the backline.  But with, amongst others, the large figure of George North hulking his way over to the East Midlands next year, there may well be a significant amount extra away from the scrum – enough, perhaps, to push them to new heights?  We'll see.

Player of the Season:  Samu Manoa.  Jamie Elliot and Tom Wood also had impressive seasons but the big American stole the show (as usual, bloody Americans) with some frightening displays of power, particularly in defence, where he made a habit of rearranging ribcages on a regular basis.  The frightening thing is that he and his coaches still claim he's "learning the game" – what will he be like next year?!

Sale Sharks

What happened:  After a pre-season of big name signings and heaps of expectation – with many, myself included, expecting this Sale squad that had impressed last season to be pushing for a playoff spot – the end result was a nightmare run of 7 consecutive losses to open the season.  Although the Sharks found 2013 more fruitful, they were always playing catch up and ended up 3rd from bottom – largely thanks to severe slumps in form and point deductions for London Welsh and Worcester.

Season Grade: 2/10.  A good recovery, of sorts, but they should never have been in that situation in the first place.  The way the side played this season actually made very decent players look poor – Richie Gray was shockingly anonymous during his spell and Rob Miller was nowhere near as electric as he had been the previous year.  The emergence of Henry Thomas and the odd flashes of class from James Gaskell, Mark Cueto and Danny Cipirani provided some positives, but overall this was a season riddled with inconsistency and sub-standard performances.  Some changes may be needed – on and off the pitch – if they are to challenge for Europe next year.

Player of the Season:  Dwayne Peel.  The experienced Welsh number 9 was in sublime form in an otherwise stagnant and uninspired side.  His controlling presence and sharp mind were the key factors behind Sale's late season renaissance and, when you chuck a few tries into the mix, it's easy to argue that Sale might have been staring at the plunge without Peel's interventions.

 

Saracens

What happened:  So close and yet so far.  The Champions from 2011 finally got their new home at Allianz Park and played a very un-Saracen brand of rugby there – fast paced, accurate and with lots of tries – before being undone in the semi-final by 4th placed Northampton.  They finished the regular season top of the pile and were playing some decent rugby, but another semi-final loss may start to cause a bit of concern.

Season Grade:  8/10.  Finishing top is a great achievement, even if the league has been bastardised by the Playoff system.  I still don't particularly enjoy the way Saracens generally play – they only came 7th in the try scoring charts, 15 behind Leicester – but they did show some real flair and invention at Allianz Park, with David Strettle, Chris Ashton and Ernst Joubert all looking really at home on the artificial pitch.  Couple that with the emergence of guys like Mako Vunipola, Joel Tomkins and Will Fraser, and you can see why there is so much optimism around the club.  There's no need to reinvent the wheel for next year – they just need to make sure they don't get rattled at the key moments!

Player of the Season:  Will Fraser.  The young flanker was majestic throughout the season and Sarries keenly felt his loss in both the Heineken Semi-Final and the Premiership playoffs.  Athletic in stature and with an incredible engine, he was more than capable of chucking a couple of big hits and turnovers into the mix as well.  Not too shabby with the ball in hand either, and it looks like he has a very promising future ahead of him.

Worcester Warriors

What happened:  Worcester aren't renowned for pushing for honours but this was disappointing by their standards.  One win in their last 11 games proved to be their undoing after a decent run in the build-up to Christmas, meaning that the Warriors finished 2nd from bottom – a result that cost likeable Director of Rugby Richard Hill his job.

Season Grade:  3/10.  Everything seemed to go downhill around Christmas time for the Warriors – after a controversial home loss to the Tigers the west country outfit really struggled to put together an 80 minute performance.  It wasn't all doom and gloom – Matt Kvesic continues to underline his talent, Josh Drauniniu is always dangerous and Andy Goode is still a quality fly half – but there are far too many average players in their squad and not enough who can take the club forward that next step.  Signings like Jonathan Thomas and Ignacio Mieres are a positive mood but, even with Dean Ryan at the helm next year, it looks like the Warriors may be involved in a relegation battle once more.

Player of the Season:  Andy Goode.  Yes, he is often the subject of ridicule thanks to his close resemblance to a space hopper, but the experienced fly half is still a quality playmaker and a phenomenal points-scorer.  Usually behind the majority of good work from the Warriors' backs, the rest of the league were so impressed that he was linked with a move away from Sixways (notably back to Welford Road) towards the end of the season.