The Gallagher Premiership returns after the Six Nations next weekend (20th March), with reigning champions Bath currently sitting second in the table at the halfway point of the season, two points behind surprise leaders Northampton Saints, who finished eighth last year.
Week one – Huge Scores and Comebacks
The season started back in September with some cracking games, with some massive comebacks, as Exeter Chiefs overturned a 33-7 deficit at half-time to score 26 points in the second half to draw 33-33 with Northampton Saints at Franklin’s Gardens. Exeter also had Josh Hodge sent off for head-to-head contact on Sam Graham, as well as a last minute try by Henry Slade ruled out for a forward pass in the build up. Last season’s champions Bath also score 26 unanswered second half points to beat Harlequins 47-31 at the Twickenham Stoop. Louis Rees-Zammit made his return to rugby after a stint playing American Football to play for Bristol Bears, as the Bears won 42-24 against Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate. Other results saw Sale Sharks beat Gloucester 27-10 and Saracens won 39-17 at Newcastle Red Bulls.
Week two – Northampton continue to thrill
Northampton continued to excite crowds with another thrilling game, this time against Gloucester. The Saints were 31-7 up at half-time but four second half tries put Gloucester ahead 35-34 when a late Saints penalty was converted by Anthony Belleau to secure the win. Leicester picked up a win against Harlequins 29-19, despite being 16-0 down at half time with Will Wand scoring two tries. Saracens were the biggest winners as they ran in seven tries against Bristol to win 50-17, Owen Farrell scoring 16 points with his boot. Bath made it two wins out of two with a 28-16 defeat of Sale, and week one comeback kings, Exeter beat Newcastle 38-15.
Week three – Two sides start to stand out
Bath continued to defend their champions title with a 38-17 win against Gloucester, with 13 points from the boot of Finn Russell. Sale were the big scorers after running in nine tries in a 57-5 demolition of Newcastle. Harlequins picked up their first win of the season with 15 points from Marcus Smith in a 20-14 win against Saracens. Northampton had their biggest win of the season so far with 32-26 win over Leicester, with Fin Smith scoring 12 points and Bristol overturned a six point deficit at half time to beat Exeter 18-14.
Week four – Bath suffer defeat
Bath suffered their first defeat of the season as they lost 22-20 at Leicester, after being 17-12 up at half time. Northampton continued their fine start to the season with 36-19 win over bottom side Newcastle, despite playing 30 minutes of the game with 14 men as JJ van der Mescht received a yellow and a red card. Five tries from Noah Caluori and 15 points from Owen Farrell’s boot secured a 65-14 win for Saracens over Sale. Exeter shut out Harlequins 38-0, with 23 points coming from Henry Slade. Sam Worsley scored 19 points as Bristol won 49-34 at Gloucester.
Week five – Saints continue to shine
Northampton remained unbeaten after Tommy Freeman ran in four tries in a 43-31 win over Saracens. Second place Bath got back to winning ways with a 40-15 win over Bristol, with 10 points from Finn Russell. Harlequins picked up their second win of the season against winless Newcastle 52-14, Marcus Smith converting six of the eight tries for 12 points. Leicester nearly threw away 15-point lead, with 20 minutes to go, but held on 36-35 against Sale, Luke James scoring a hat-trick for the Sharks. Exeter continued to improve on their ninth-place finish last season, winning 39-12 against Gloucester, Henry Slade scoring 22 points, following on from the 23 points the week before.
