Rugby week in review: England injury glut could have silver lining; Shervington shelves farming and acting ambitions; Bath make their Exeter schlep worthwhile; and Gloucester face tough times
England widening the net
Not so long ago if England lost their first-choice hooker, both locks and an established international open-side, the resultant pack might have come up second best against Richmond’s third XV.
With Courtney Lawes, Dave Attwood and Joe Launchbury able to plug the gaps at No4 and No5, Nathan Hughes a real option in a re-jigged back row, and try-scoring machine Jamie George becoming ever more impressive, England might even have an embarrassment of riches.
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They will face a robust examination in the weeks to come, but the prospect of further caps for a widening squad must be a source of optimism ahead of the Six Nations and more distant goal of a successful World Cup in 2019.
Bristol’s concerns mount
Bristol have been consistent since returning to the Premiership, with the most recent 13-31 drubbing delivered by a tricky Sale side.
The Sharks are a difficult proposition with England prospect Mike Haley, the irrepressible David Seymour, and imposing prop Eifion Lewis-Roberts.
Bristol fielded their strongest XV this season, including David Lemi and debutant fly-half Shane Geraghty, who contributed all of the home team’s points.
In addition to bringing Geraghty into the fold last week, Bristol hauled hooker Edd Shervington out of a brief retirement, during which he had been establishing himself as a poultry magnate in the Welsh borders.
Prior to the off-season Shervington announced that he was calling it a day at Wasps to pursue an acting career, although the boards he has recently been treading have been in the hen-house, not the West End.
Bath secure a rare away win in Exeter
When it comes to Premiership away slogs, Newcastle, Sale and Exeter form the three prongs of Lucifer’s pitchfork.
The first two have become more bearable in recent years; Newcastle replaced their peat bog with a synthetic surface and Sale Sharks relocated from Stockport County’s shambolic Edgeley Park.
Exeter, however, remains the greatest schlep of all despite its impressive facilities, and few sides enjoy the combination of a lengthy coach trip followed by a tete-a-tete with one of the most resolute and cohesive teams on the circuit.
A powerful maul to which most Chiefs had added their weight looked to have sealed the result with 10 minutes to go, before Semesa Rokoduguni later crossed the whitewash to seal a 10-13 rare away victory.
Where next for Gloucester?
Friday’s Northampton-Gloucester clash saw a match-up of underachievers, one recent and one perennial.
The Saints are feeling some pressure given the quality of their squad, not least since the addition of Louis Picamoles, who was again central to all things good as Northampton emerged 23-20 victors.
Just a couple of shrewd acquisitions could supercharge their proposition.
Conversely, Gloucester need a complete overhaul. For the past few seasons it has been the same old sour cherry and whites, the same old jibes hurled from The Shed, and the same old “lots to work on” message repeated by the coaching team.
Gloucester, although showing some bright glimpses, again came up short, and with forthcoming fixtures against Saracens, Saints and Wasps, it is difficult to see how confidence might be forged.