The opening weekend of the Guinness Premiership set the tone for what should be a very competitive, hard-fought season.
There were defeats for the two bookies’ favourites, Wasps and Gloucester, Northampton made a winning return to the league by beating Worcester at Franklin’s Gardens, Harlequins beat London rivals Saracens in a narrow victory at Twickenham, whilst there were away wins for Sale and Bath at Newcastle and Bristol respectively.
The biggest surprise was probably Wasps’ lethargic capitulation at Twickenham against a much more enthusiastic London Irish side and Lawrence Dallaglio would have been tearing his hair out (!) at the lack of determination.
Heyneke Meyer’s Leicester Tigers came from behind to beat Gloucester at Kingsholm – the Cherry and Whites face Bath next week and defeat at The Rec could leave them languishing at the foot of the table.
We’ll have a full round-up later on, but feel free to leave your comments on the first round of action. Did anyone catch your eye? Are there new contenders for the title?
I was at Twickenham to see the Quins victory and i think they could go all the way this year, especially with wasps and glawster losing there first matches. Good start to the season, roll on next weekend!
Does anyone know why the double header wasn’t on TV? I had booked the afternoon in front of Sky and was gutted!
I’m sure that in Lol’s absence, Shaun Edwards and his new captain Ibanez will both be tearing their hair out too!
I’d imagine the four London clubs would not be in favour of the double header being shown on TV for impact on ticket sales for Twickenham. Not sure how much hair Shaun Edwards has got to tear out but I think Dean Ryan has got more reason to, given Gloucester’s ability to blow try scoring chances. Hopefully Newcastle will go down and Jonny will go to a decent club.
As well as losing 40 stone on the slimfast, I can’t stand B**h. It is a travesty that they beat Bristol. Bristol R Gert Lush. B**h R the Great Satan