Rugby union: talking points from the weekend's action
1) Sale’s defeat belies a quiet success story
Sale will qualify for the European Champions Cup if they defeat Leicester at home and Gloucester fail to beat Saracens. The results in the latest round of France’s Top 14 mean that Gloucester will be in Europe’s elite club tournament next season having reached the Challenge Cup final and, not having to worry about holding on to sixth place, can rest players ahead of the clash against Cardiff Blues in Bilbao. The Sharks’ director of rugby, Steve Diamond, was bullish about his side’s prospects, saying that he hoped he would be given the means to spend the same on wages next season as other clubs. Exeter, who have awarded 14 first-team contracts to 14 academy players next season, only pulled away from pugnacious and resourceful opponents at the end to seal first place on course for a likely final with Saracens, their conquerors in 2016. Sale’s aspirations are not as lofty but success would be no less notable. Paul Rees
Exeter 34-19 Sale
2) Richards relishes winning return
Dean Richards sat in the familiar surroundings of the media room at Welford Road on Friday night for once struggling to contain emotions. His normal deadpan expression was replaced by a grin he could not control as he reflected on Newcastle’s first league win at his former club for more than 20 years, one which by the following evening would seal a first play-off place. It was the Falcons’ seventh win on the road in the Premiership this season, more than any other club, and was reward for their tenacity and opportunism having been overpowered up front and 10 points behind with 11 minutes left. They have the chance to finish third with Wasps visiting Kingston Park on Saturday, which would leave them with a semi-final at Saracens and a familiar artificial pitch. A quest for Richards but another inquest for the Tigers. PR
Leicester 23-25 Newcastle
3) Riveting final leaves us wanting more
Anyone unaware of the rising standard of women’s club rugby should seek out the highlights of Saracens’ 24-20 win over Harlequins at Ealing Trailfinders in the inaugural Premier 15s final. The final quarter in particular made for a genuine thriller and a tremendous showcase for the commitment, technique and desire of players who, for the moment, have to fit training around their full-time jobs. It is hardly radical to foresee, in the not-too-distant future, women’s games being staged as double-headers with mens’ Premiership games and the profiles of the best female players increasing significantly. Not before time many would say. RK
Robert Kitson: Saracens beat Harlequins on historic afternoon
4) Gloucester’s no-show continues bizarre away-day trend
This is the sixth time in eight Premiership matches between these two that victory has gone the way of the away side. For what is meant to be the most ferocious of derbies, it’s a curious anomaly. Perhaps it is best explained by the infuriating inconsistency of both clubs in recent years. The higher expectation is ramped up on either side the more confident one can be they will flop. Gloucester’s flakiness is particularly pronounced. The last time they beat Bath at Kingsholm in a meaningful fixture was five and half years ago. This time, we thought, confident, in form and at home, surely Gloucester will perform. They did not. Michael Aylwin
Gloucester 20-43 Bath
5) Incoming Quins boss faces daunting task
Harlequins, it is understood, are getting closer to identifying their new director of rugby, with further interviews due to take place this week. There are one or two interesting names in the frame – not all of them presently employed overseas – but whoever takes the job will inherit a squad which urgently needs resurrecting. Saturday’s latest 44-13 hammering at Worcester leaves Quins with just one win in their last nine games and without an away league win since September. The Warriors will also do well to find a more whole-hearted lock than the retiring Donncha O’Callaghan, capped 94 times by Ireland, who has now hung up his boots. Rob Kitson
6) Facer rails against ringfencing talk
With London Irish’s relegation still raw and the possible ringfencing of the Premiership continuing to be the subject of much speculation, it was refreshing to hear Brian Facer, chief executive of the Exiles, talking up the Championship and outlining his belief that a pathway must be maintained. Facer said: “The Championship will be more competitive than it has been for a number of years next season, with more clubs pushing themselves forwards to be contenders. I don’t thing ringfencing will happen. There’s a status quo now and, for me, promotion and relegation is important to the two leagues. What we need to do is stabilise the two leagues and close the gap.” While acknowledging the challenges Irish must meet, Facer remains hopeful over his club’s chances, especially if talks over a move back to London reach a successful conclusion. “We’ve been in talks with Brentford FC and it’s good to see them breaking ground on their new stadium. We’ll be leaner in some areas next season, but there’ll be announcements over the next few weeks which will show our intent, not just for in the Championship but to ensure we stay in the Premiership when we get back there.” Neale Harvey
London Irish 14-51 Saracens
7) Stage set for showdown between England rivals?
With Exeter and Saracens having secured home semi-finals in the play-offs, their respective opponents will now be decided by Wasps’ trip to Newcastle on the final weekend. Wasps might marginally fancy Exeter, despite having enjoyed very little recent luck against the Chiefs away from Coventry, but more interesting from an England perspective might be a semi-final involving the in-form Danny Cipriani opposite Saracens’ Owen Farrell. Although England’s tour squad for South Africa will already have been selected, Cipriani reminded everyone during his side’s 36-29 defeat of Northampton that he remains a rare talent. RK
8) Edinburgh stride into play-offs
The regular season ended with a round of derbies that saw Edinburgh defeat Glasgow in front of a record crowd at Murrayfield to secure a play-off place, but the Scarlets’ bonus-point victory over the Dragons at the Millennium Stadium means Richard Cockerill’s side will be away to Munster in the quarterfinal next weekend with the winner travelling to Leinster in the semifinal. The Scarlets will host the Cheetahs with the prize a trip to Glasgow. The addition of the two South African sides and a split into two conferences spawned an extension of the play-offs without lengthening the season, but while Leinster have a Champions Cup final ahead of their semi, Glasgow will go two weeks without a match, something that prompted the Premiership to rejig its play-offs in the 2000s after the team that finished top and enjoyed a rest suffered a cold start in the final. PR