The Six Nations took a back seat this week, as domestic rugby took centre stage. Far from being dull, it allowed a few fringe players from the opening two weeks to stake their claim. Here are five things we learned this weekend…
Exeter producing England’s Chiefs of the future
Those in the know appear convinced that Jack Nowell will be given the nod for England ahead of Jonny May against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.
It was pleasing therefore to see the giant wing in fine form – albeit in the centre – as Exeter blew away Harlequins in west London despite going down to 13 men at one, early stage.
Nowell does not always score the tries that maybe someone with his frame and talent should, but his sheer size and speed mean that defences cannot afford to take their eyes off him.
On Saturday it was from his break that the impressive Henry Slade scored the try that ultimately turned the tide of the contest, and Stuart Lancaster will be hoping for more of the same in Dublin.
Four @premrugby Academy stars took centre stage at the weekend @nowellsy15 @elliotdaly @Calumclark89 @Sladey_10 – production line is strong
— Paul Morgan (@PaulMorganrugby) February 23, 2015
And while Nowell’s elevation back into the senior side would appear to be imminent, England may well come to rely on another product of the Chiefs’ conveyor belt.
Slade, just a few weeks older than Nowell, was the architect of the win over Quins, scoring 27 of his side’s 32 points in an assured, accomplished display.
His try highlighted the attacking instinct that puts him on a par with the likes of George Ford and Danny Cipriani, while his 22 points from the tee displayed his cool head.
With Ford, Cipriani, Owen Farrell and Stephen Myler all well ahead of him in the international pecking order, Slade is going to have to be patient. But his run-out for the Saxons in the No10 shirt shows the England management does have him in their thoughts, and his ability to play across the midfield could yet move him up the queue.
England’s riches in midfield mean Burgess’ World Cup hopes are fading
Although there was always caution surrounding Sam Burgess’ arrival at Bath from rugby league, there had also been a hope that he would have an irresistible impact on his new code.
Unfortunately the switch has proved more difficult than he had imagined and on Saturday he was outshone by Tom Stephenson as Northampton Saints won comfortably at the Rec.
There remains a clear development path for the former South Sydney Rabbitoh, as there should, but there is absolutely no need to rush him, especially when there is considerable depth in that area of the field.
Saw @nowellsy15 playing well at #13 – then @elliotdaly of @WaspsRugby performance v @FalconsRugby – @EnglandRugby centres coming out of ears
— Will Greenwood (@WillGreenwood) February 22, 2015
Stephenson’s performance in Bath came less than 24 hours after Elliot Daly had shown his own significant qualities to set up one try and score another in Wasps’ 23-23 draw with Newcastle at Kingston Park.
Daly has spent most of his career playing full-back for Wasps, but is beginning to have an impact in midfield and played outside of Burgess for the Saxons in Cork.
His progression to senior recognition is being blocked not only by the in-form Jonathan Joseph and Luther Burrell, but Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt and Kyle Eastmond.
All of which means there is no point putting undue pressure on a player with less than half-a-season’s experience in the sport. Burgess needs time to adjust, and unfortunately for his own World Cup ambition, England can afford to give it to him.
Horne stakes his claim for Scotland
With the Scottish Rugby Union’s appeal over Finn Russell’s suspension still pending, Peter Horne used this weekend to allay his country’s fears should they lose their fly-half.
It was at fly-half that Horne made his Scotland debut on the 2013 summer tour of South Africa, and with Russell’s availability for the game against Italy on Saturday up in the air, his performance in Glasgow’s 19-16 win over the Ospreys was a timely fillip.
Horne converted five kicks from six attempts, and also displayed his ability at the breakdown in the build up to Pat MacArthur’s try.
The 25-year-old faces competition from Greigs Tonks and Laidlaw should Russell lose his appeal, but playing Horne at No10 would allow Vern Cotter to maintain an all-Glasgow midfield.
Scotland should comfortably beat Italy at Murrayfield, but Horne’s performance on the weekend – not to mention the returns of Chris Cusiter, Moray Low and David Denton – is another sign that the squad is moving in the right direction under Cotter.
Gregor Townsend: “Peter Horne did very well. He put a lot of pace into the game & had a brilliant ruck clear leading to Pat MacArthur’s try”
— Glasgow Warriors (@GlasgowWarriors) February 21, 2015
Roberts’ time in France could be nearing an end
The Wales management would have been delighted to see Jamie Roberts left out of Racing Metro’s 13-13 draw with Clermont, but it is a decision that appears instructive about where the centre’s long-term future lies.
With more than a year still to run on his contract, Roberts’ omission has led to fresh stories in the Welsh media suggesting he could be released in the summer.
The 28-year-old has made just 26 appearances for Racing since moving to Paris in the summer of 2013, during an injury troubled spell.
There have been bright spots, and Roberts played a pivotal role in the win over Northampton in the European Cup earlier this year. However, with Racing set to lose him for much of the World Cup this autumn they may decide to cut their losses, as they did with his international colleague, Dan Lydiate, a few months ago.
Such a move would open the door for a return to Wales on one of the new central contracts, a move sure to be backed by Wales coach Warren Gatland.
It would certainly be a significant boost for Gatland to have his prized asset back under his control, at a time when the likes of Alex Cuthbert are making noises about leaving the Principality.
Dog ate my prop
International coaches would have watched much of the weekend’s action in Europe through their fingers as some key players took to the field.
But while Gatland and Joe Schmidt were happy to see their players emerge unscathed, it was not only on the pitch that Six Nations stars were in danger.
Indeed, Italy coach Jacques Brunel’s plans to beat Scotland may well lie in tatters after prop Martin Castrogiovanni needed 14 stitches following an altercation, with a dog.
Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni is out of the game against Scotland because a friend’s dog bit him on the nose and he required stitches!
— Simon Thomas (@simonrug) February 22, 2015
Italian media have reported the 109-times capped prop was bitten on the nose by a friend’s pet, and is now a serious doubt for the Murrayfield clash.
Italy had pin-pointed the game as one they could win, following back-to-back defeats, with the scrum sure to feature heavily in their game plan. Oh dear.
Bonus Point
Danny Cipriani continued his renaissance on the weekend, playing a pivotal role in Sale’s 14-10 win over Saracens. Victory lifted the Sharks to within a point of the top four, and ensured Cipriani finished a week that included a new contract, on a high.
Relive his audacious offload for Sam Tuitupou’s try from around 30 seconds into this clip…
