Impressive Harlequins offer hope to rugby union’s have-nots
THAT was certainly a big weekend for rugby union! Harlequins defied all expectations (I’ll admit, including mine) by putting together a second consecutive massive performance to beat hot favourites Exeter for the Premiership title.
The result gives everyone hope because the London club are definitely not one of the haves in terms of money in the league, and to beat Bristol, whose resources are enormous, and Exeter, who have all the experience, was a truly special achievement.
It might also be noted that the late season version of Leicester Tigers comfortably beat the new champions, so there is good evidence that the Tigers are not far away from returning to the very top.
Meanwhile, the Lions beat Japan in a warm up game for the upcoming tour to South Africa, but in the process lost captain Alan Wynn Jones with a dislocated shoulder.
At the same time the hosts, South Africa, had to cancel their game against Georgia due to an outbreak of Covid.
Interested parties might have noted that the Welsh RFU website had reduced Lions shirts to half price. Do they know something? Will the tour actually take place? If it doesn’t, remember you heard it here first!
In other news, the eagerly-awaited England A international at Mattioli Woods Welford Road also fell victim to the virus, after positive tests in the Scottish camp.
A number of points: Both Dan Kelly and Joe Heyes would have been locked into England with the game and hopefully they won’t have to wait too long to be secured for England honours. Qualification for other home nations needs to be considered and both these talented players could be important for the future.
The rest of the Tigers contingent deserved their call-up and the (albeit reduced) Welford Road crowd would have loved to see them in international jerseys. From a parochial perspective, it would have been genuinely fantastic to see a return of international rugby to the home of Leicester Tigers. The current management deserves all the praise going for taking the steps to bring this back to Leicester.
For a number of years we were told that it was too much trouble and not profitable to host this type of game – presumably the management team are now willing to put in the work to make it feasible. Well done indeed!
It might be noted that the late season version of Leicester Tigers comfortably beat the new champions