As we reach the halfway point of this seasons prem it seemed appropriate to review the runners and riders, my predictions for the playoffs and of course a preview of the best rugby championship in the world, The 6 Nations.
The English Rugby Premiership
The table as it stands
The top 4
The Champions in waiting?
Leicester at this stage of the season have a healthy but not unassailable lead at the top of the table. After a dominant if not a little unexpected start to this season. They have looked a little more fallible in the last 2 rounds (13 and 14) losing to Wasps and Sale respectively. The Tigers have found the right balance between attack and defence under the tutelage of Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield. And the teams self belief has finally returned after 2 seasons of misery for Tigers fans. They will be tested over the next few weeks as they have a number of key players on International duty. I absolutely expect them to retain their position as league leaders. They will be in the top 4 at the end of season.
The Naughty Boys step
Saracens are will be under ownership for the 2nd half of the season. Francois Piennar’s (the former Springbok captain) consortium have taken a majority stake in the group https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60408132 . A mixed start to the season as they try to find the form that has made them champions 4 times in the last 10 seasons. Their squad is strong and being added to. They will be in the top 4 for the playoffs in May.
The Champions
The mighty Quins had a fantastic start to the season beating nearly everyone that came before them with style, flair. They have a penchant for leaving it very late in the game to score the winning try. The team spirit is on show for everyone and that seems to work whether your South African Andre Esterhuizen or Tyrone Green or an Italian in the shape of Tommaso (Tommy) Allan they all gel seamlessly. I think they’ll have a have a little bit of a tougher 6 nations period. As they will almost certainly lose Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt to the national team. Probably both in the top 10 most influential English players in the Prem and key to the Harlequinesque style of rugby. In the top 4 this season unless injuries to key players.
The Pack
When I entitled this, the top 4, what I should have said this is my predicted top 4 for the playoffs. The last place must got to……. wait for it, I haven’t got a clue. And why’s that I hear you shout? It’s a very cluttered field with anyone of the 6 teams vying for that final place in the top 4. Exeter in there with a shout as always. The new latching rule introduced at the start of this season still seems to be causing them issues. In the new premiership era I think you must have an exceptional running game, set piece and particularly a maul that score tries up to 10m out.
Gloucester, Exeter’s West country rivals are looking sharp in all the areas mentioned above. If they stay injury free, an issue for them in the past I think the place might just be theirs. Then there’s Wasps, who have had the worst injury problems of any Premiership club. However they are still in the mix. With the likes of Jack Willis due back I think they might be an outside bet to pip everyone to position 4. So who’s going to miss out? Bristol, Newcastle, Bath and Worcester are just too far off in terms of points at this stage in the season to be contenders. The 2 which will be unpopular choices are London Irish and Northampton. For me Irish will will tail off post 6 nations and Northampton just simply lack grunt up front.
Jody’s blog part 4 follow Rugby Union Weekly Podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0974hdk
Jody’s predictions
As we are mid season it would seem churlish not to predict my final top 4 and winners. So here goes: Top 4 Leicester, Saracens, Harlequins and Wasps. The winner: Saracens. Why? Simply put it’s written in the stars and by stars I mean there old stars, the Vunipola brothers. I think they are both close to retirement and with Eddie Jones excluding them from the England set up this is their only chance of glory this season. I think them along with a resurgent Jackson Wray will drive this team on to win the big prize.
Jody’s blog part 4 written by: Jody Wheelhouse