Aviva Premiership - Semi Finals Wrap

While the Celtic-Italian League Semi Finals were taking place and the Final round of the French Top 14 Saturday afternoon was a massive day for English rugby with the Semi Finals of the Aviva Premiership taking place. With both home sides winning their matches the Aviva Premiership Final has been confirmed to be contested between the Leicester Tigers and the Harlequins. The Tigers are the most successful team in the history of English rugby and the sides Semi Final win was against last seasons champions. The Quins, in contrast, are very much the underdogs and will be contesting a first ever final. The London based club, nevertheless, finished top of the table in the regular season and has a host of international players to enter the final in confidence. The Quins win came late in the match with a try four minutes from fulltime. The Final will be played at the home of English Rugby, Twickenham Stadium on May 26.

The Semi Finals matches were further reasoning for why Argentina 2023 is such a good idea as players from Argentina were involved in both Semi Finals and the United States of America was also represented, showcasing the Americas´ contribution to the global game. Come Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, the Americas will be the final frontier - all other IRB defined regions will have hosted the Rugby World Cup at least once. 

Leicester Tigers 24-15 Saracens
Outgoing winger, Horacio Agulla played right wing with the Puma playing the full match. Marcos Ayerza played loosehead prop, similarly playing the full 80 minutes. While Argentine-Italian Martín Castrogiovanni came on in the 59th minute as a replacement for the Tigers. USA Eagles´ fullback, Chris Wyles played left wing for Saracens and Argentine-Italian prop Carlos Nieto was a replacement, coming on in the 61st minute.

Harlequins 25-23 Northampton Saints
Argentine secondrower Tomás Vallejos Cinalli was on the bench for the Quins. His USA counterpart, Samu Manoa did not feature for the Saints. 

Aviva Premiership Semi Finals - The Road to Twickenham

The Aviva Premiership is down to four with the Semi Finals of England´s premier rugby competition to be played on Saturday in Leicester and London. The two winning sides will qualify for the final to be played at the home of English rugby, Twickenham Stadium on May 26. The same venue will host the Heineken Cup Final one week earlier between Leinster and Ulster. It will also be the central venue for Rugby World Cup 2015 with the RFU having said the venue will open the tournament as well as host the final.

The Aviva Premiership Semi Finals will be a further case in point for Argentina to host Rugby World Cup 2023 due to the involvement of Pumas players in both Semi Finals. No other country yet to host a World Cup will have players in both Semi Finals. The case for Argentina to host is also supported by the involvement of the USA with the North American country having a player involved in one of the two Semi Finals. With Japan hosting Rugby World Cup 2019 the Americas will be the onl region yet to have hosted a World Cup. The same region is the only to have produced a World Cup Semi Finalist yet to host a tournament.

Leicester Tigers vs Saracens

Saracens won the 2011 Final while Leicester won in 2010. In 2012, however, they will play at the Semi Finals stage. Leicester enter as heavy favorites having dominated the Aviva Premiership inr ecent times. Since the completion of the Six Nations no team has come close to playing the kind of rugby that Leicester have. 

Players from the Americas: Horacio Agulla and Marcos Ayerza (Argentina),  Chris Wyles (USA), Martín Castrogiovanni and Carlos Nieto (Argentine players who are Italian capped)

Prediction: Tigers to win by 12 points.

Leicester15 Geordan Murphy (captain), 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 George Skivington, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza

Bench: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Logovi'i Mulipola, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Craig Newby, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Scott Hamilton

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.

Bench: 16 Jamie George, 17 John Smit, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 George Kruis, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Adam Powell, 23 James Short.

Harlequins vs Northampton Saints

The Quins dominated the first half of the season and were well out in front in the Premiership before other clubs closed the gap following the return of players from World Cup duty. Northampton were the final team to qualify for the Semi Finals but are no weak opponent. The match could go either way with the sides being of similar abilities.

Players from the Americas: Tomás Vallejos Cinalli

Prediction: Harlequins to win by 3

Harlequins

15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson,
4 Olly Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler

Bench: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Tomás Vallejos Cinalli, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Matt Hopper.

Northampton15 Ben Foden,14 Chris Ashton, 13 George Pisi, 12 James Downey, 11 Paul Diggin, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Lee Dickson (captain), 8 Roger Wilson, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 James Craig, 5 Christian Day, 4 Mark Sorenson, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Andy Long, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha

Bench: 16 Ross McMillan, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Ben Nutley, 20 Teimana Harrison, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Tom May.

2010 Final 


2011 Final 

Aviva Premiership - Round 22 Wrap

Agulla scores try number seven of the season for Leicester

Round 22, the final round of the season´s regular play took place this past weekend in England, confirming the Top Four who will play in Semi Finals as well the two two other sides who have qualified to be England´s six teams in next seasons Heineken Cup. The Semi Finals will be contested by three of the same four teams from last season. Gloucester´s horror season means the team misses out not only on a Semi Final´s place but has also failed to qualify for the Heineken Cup. London based side, the Harlequins replace Gloucester in the top four and finished top of the table after being greatly advantaged in the early stages of the season due to other sides missing large numbers of players to World Cup duty.

The Harlequins will host the Northampton Saints in one Semi Final while the Leicester Tigers will host Saracens in the other. Both will be played this coming Saturday at the home venues of these clubs. Such is the lack of quality organization in English rugby that one of the Semi Finals will be played at a 12,000 capacity venue. It coincides with the RFU´s lack of international matches outside of London as Twickenham has hosted every home match over the past decade. The only match that England has played at a different venue was at Old Trafford in 2009 when the UAR moved the match from Buenos Aires to Manchester in an attempt to make a large profit from the fixture. The Greater Metropolitan area of Manchester is home to the Sale Sharks and now the club is the Northern most team in the Aviva Premiership following the Newcastle Falcon´s win over the London Wasps which sees the Falcons relegated due to the Wasps´ winning a bonus point. 

Both Newcastle and Manchester are to host World Cup matches in 2015 in big stadiums. yet these venues never host Aviva Premiership or Heineken Cup matches. The RFU needs to show vision here to collaborate with clubs so that there can be matches played at the likes of Leeds, Liverpool, Coventry and Southampton  between now and 2015. Tests should also be played in these areas. November 2012´s home test vs Fiji would be a good one to be played at Coventry. 

It is not yet clear who will be replacing Newcastle in the English Top Flght but it is likely to be Bristol who have been in the second division since being relegated in 2009. Bristol replacing Northampton is bad news for World Cup organizers just like Worcester replacing Leeds was last season. Bristol´s neighbour, the Exeter Chiefs made history on Saturday in finishing fifth in the Aviva Premiership to qualify for the Heineken Cup. The Chiefs and the sixth placed Sale Sharks will join the top four in next seasons European competition.

Leicester Tigers 28-3 Bath

Pumas winger Horacio Agulla continued his sublime season, which has earned him Leicester player of the year and try of the year as he scored a try in the Tigers win vs Bath. Agulla played the full match and was joined by fellow Puma, Marcos Ayerza who played 64 minutes at loosehead prop. This weekend the Buenos Aires pair were also named in the Aviva Premiership Dream XV by English World Cup Winning centre, Will Greenwood. While a third Argentine player started, with the Italian international Martín Castrogiovanni playing tighthead prop.

London Irish Exiles 52-18 Gloucester

Canada´s Jebb Sinclair did not play and nor did Argentina´s Matias Cortese. The former Pumas hooker will not be saint at Gloucester next season. The match was overshadowed by a fight between David Paice and Scottish international Jim Hamilton. 

London Wasps 10-14 Newcastle Falcons

USA centre Paul Emerick missed the match for the Wasps.

Northampton Saints 42-14 Worcester Warriors

USA secondrower Samu Manoa did not play for the Saints nor did USA hooker Chris Biller. 

Sale Sharks 10-24 Harlequins

Secondrower Tomás Vallejos Cinalli was on the bench for the Quins but departing inside back, Benjamin Urdapilleta was left out of the match day 23. Young Argentine wniger, Joaquin Tuculet did not play for the Sharks. 

Saracens 40-22 Exeter Chiefs

USA Eagles fullback, Chris Wyles played outside centre for the home side and was joined by the Argentine-Italian Carlos Nieto. Gonzalo Camacho missed the match for the Chiefs due to injury while Ignacio Mieres was on the bench.

Aviva Premiership Standings

1 Harlequins 75

2 Leicester 74

3 Saracens 73

4 Northampton 65

5 Exeter 59

6 Sale 49

7 L Irish 45

8 Bath 44

9 Gloucester 44

10 Worcester 36

11 L Wasps 33

12 Newcastle 32

* Qualified for Semi Finals and next seasons Heineken Cup

*Qualified for next seasons Heineken Cup
* Relegated 

Wasps vs Newcastle


Northampton vs Worcester


London Irish vs Gloucester Fight


Sale vs Harlequins


Saracens vs Exeter

Aviva Premiership - Round 20 Wrap

Horacio Agulla scores vs Northampton

Sale Sharks 16-9 Bath

A good win for the Sale Sharks sees the team move back into the top six and back into contention for a place in the 2012-2013 Heineken Cup.The teams chances of making the Aviva Premiership Semi Finals are remote, however, as the gap between fifth and sixth positions is too large for Sale to qualify. Bath sit in eighth position, five points behind Sale and look to be bound for a place in the Amlin Challenge Cup next season. 

Northampton Saints 21-35 Leicester Tigers

The match of the round proved to be a one-sided affair as the Leicester Tigers dominated the Saints at Franklin Gardens. The bonus point win sees the Tigers move into second place in the standings while the Saints drop out of the top four. The Tigers claimed the bonus point in the 53rd minute with a try to winger Horacio Agulla. The Puma continued his fine form, underling his player of the month award handed to him last week, his second of the season. In addition to scoring a try, Agulla set up Leicester´s second time with a well timed kick over the top down the touchline which he, himself regathered before putting Alesana Tuilagi over for a try. He also impressed in defence as he saved a certain try by putting in a text-book tackle on Paul Diggin which send the Saints winger into touch when a try looked certain. Marcos Ayerza started for the Tigers at loosehead prop and had a solid day in the frontrow, being awarded penalties as the Saints scrum buckled. USA secondrower, Samu Manoa started for the hosts, playing 67 minutes. 

Gloucester 20-29 Newcastle Falcons

A vital away victory for the Falcons means the only surviving team from Northern England in the Aviva Premiership may well stay on in the competition for next season. With the bottom of the table club being automatically relegated either Newcastle or the London Wasps will not be in England´s Top Flight next season. The two teams will meet in the final round and the match looks like it will determine who will be staying and who will be leaving the Aviva Premiership. Newcastle´s win in Gloucester cuts the gap to four points, or one win. 

London Irish 19-28 Saracens

Saturday´s first all-London clash was another forgettable match for the London Irish Exiles as the clubs dreadful season continues. The club is just looking forward for the season to end and then start again in August. Saracens, despite winning, drop behind the Leicester Tigers who scored a bonus point win. The match featured the three World Cup 2011 countries from the Americas with Argentina, Canada and the United States of America all having players involved in the contest. Canada´s Jebb Sinclair played the final quarter for the hosts, USA fullback Chris Wyles played the full match at outside centre and Argentine-Italian prop Carlos Nieto played 13 minutes from the bench. 

Worcester Warriors 26-31 Exeter Chiefs

Another away victory for the surprize team of the season sees the Chiefs all but guarantee a Heineken Cup place next season and move closer to securing a second first - a place in the Aviva Premiership Semi Finals. Exeter are two points ahead of the Northampton Saints who they will face in round 21 at home. The teams final nmatch will then be an away fixture against Saracens in London. Both will be tough matches but the way things have been going for the Chiefs it would appear that the club will, indeed, qualify for the Semi Finals. Should the club defeat Northampton then it will secure a top four placing. Both of the Chiefs´ Pumas started the match in Worcester with Gonzalo Camacho playing 70 minutes, with 10 minutes on the sidelines for being yellow carded. Ignacio Mieres played 66 minutes, landing nine points thanks to three penalties. He set up the Chiefs´ first try with a nice kick over the top. His success with the Chiefs is a double-edged sword as while he is playing himself into Los Pumas he will not play against Italy should Exeter make the Aviva Premiership Final as the match is seven days before the Pumas take on Italy in San Juan. 

Harlequins 33-17 London Wasps

The second all-London clash was not the result the visitors were looking for as the Wasps have been going through tough times on and off the field recently. With the Falcons having upset Gloucester the Wasps are now going to need to dig deep to stay in the Aviva Premiership. The Harlequins, in contrast, are top of the table after another victory but are hardly comfortable as a the style of play that Leicester are producing has the Tigers looking like heavy favorites to win the title this season. The Quins won with two fringe Pumas players coming on late in the match as centre Benjamin Urdapilleta and secondrower Tolás Vallejos Cinalli both came on for the final eight minutes of play. The USA´s Paul Emerick did not play for the Wasps as the centre continue to recover from injury.

Aviva Premiership Standings
1 Harlequins 71
2 Leicester Tigers 65
3 Saracens 64
4 Exeter Chiefs 58
5 Northampton Saints 56
6 Sale Sharks 45
7 Gloucester 43
8 Bath 40
9 London Irish Exiles 37
10 Worcester Warriors 36
11 London Wasps 31
12 Newcastle Falcons 27 

* Semi Finals Places
* Threatened with Relegation

Sale Sharks vs Bath


Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers


Gloucester vs Newcastle Falcons 


London Irish v Saracens


Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs


Harlequins vs London Wasps

Heineken Cup - Quarter Finals Wrap

Edinburgh 19-14 Toulouse

Patricio Albacete

A record breaking crowd and an unlikely victory at Murrayfield as the favorites, Toulouse were unable to play any rugby due, in large part, to the selection of Lionel Beauxis in the pivotal position of flyhalf. The former Stade Français flyhalf made a mess of things while being the leading number 10 for the Parisians and since he left the club it has been playing a significantly better brand of rugby and winning much more matches with Felipe Contepomi replacing him in the position. France´s recent Six Nations performances were hardly impressive with Beauxis unable to create opportunities for the backline after he was selected at flyhalf over François Trinh-Duc. Edinburgh have been struggling to win a match in the Rabo Direct Pro 12 and if the competition was the same as the Top 14 Orange then the Scottish team would have no chance of playing in the 2012-2013 Heineken Cup. The team which defeated Toulouse, nonetheless, was packed with stars and was close to being the Scottish international team with the likes of Ross Rennie, David Denton, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Allan Jacobson, Mike Blair, Greig Laidlaw, Nick de Luca and Lee Jones all in the team. Tim Visser was in the team too with the Dutch winger certain to debut for Scotland this June with the Scot´s touring Australia, Fiji and Samoa. Edinburgh´s Argentine players did not feature while Patricio Albacete played the full 80 minutes in Toulouse´s secondrow. Edinburgh will play a Semi Final at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Leinster 34-3 Cardiff Blues

The second Quarter Final was over by the 30 minute mark as Leinster dealt with Welsh region, the Cardiff Blues easily in front of a near fullhouse at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Despite being known as the Blues the side was in fact playing in a pink strip. The teams downfall was its lack of response time to Leinster´s counterattack and the lack of creation with Scottish international Dan Parks kicking away too much ball. His opposite, Jonny Sexton had a solid match in creating opportunities for his backs. The return of Brian O´Driscoll to Heineken Cup rugby was a success and he scored one of Leinster´s four tries. Leinster´s reward for winning is a Heineken Cup Semi Final match in France. Cardiff are set to lose a number of players who are to take up offers from other clubs. As such the teams chances of playing in the Quarter Finals next season are remote. 

Munster 16-22 Ulster

USA Born Ronan O´Gara

History was made in Limerick as for the first time in history Munster lost a Quarter Finals match at Thomond Park. Ulster´s victory was set up from the get go as the Northern Irish province went to a 19-0 lead after only 31 minutes. From there it was just a case of playing out the remainder of the match and this is, indeed, what Ulster did. When Munster finally started to play rugby it was too late. The USA born Irish international flyhalf Ronan O´Gara played at 10 for the hosts while fellow USA born player, Callum Black was left out of the team for Ulster. Having both provinces plus Leinster in the Heineken Cup Quarter Finals appears to suggest that Irish rugby is strong at the moment and that the recent Six Nations performances will not be repeated. The worrying thing for Ireland, however, is that Munster has dropped away from where it was several years ago and Ulster´s return to the Heineken Cup knock-out stages comes due in no small part to its imported players, particularly South Africans. Munster also fielded its share of imports in the loss vs Ulster.

Saracens 3-22 Clermont Auvergne

Canadian Jamie Cudmore

The contribution of the Americas to the global game featured in the final quarter final with Canada´s Jamie Cudmore starting in the secondrow for the French side. USA Eagles fullback, Chris Wyles started for Saracens on the left wing and the teams Argentine-Italian prop, Carlos Nieto was on the bench. Cudmore played 58 minutes, Nieto entered for the final 12 minutes and Wyles played the fullmatch. The Clermont hero was Australian Brock James who contributed 17 points with the games only try being scored by Wales´ Lee Byrne for the central French side. James had not been in the starting lineup but replaced former French international, David Skrela in only the 3rd minute of play. The result is a kick in the face to the tournamewnt organizers who have arranged for Twickenham to host the Heineken Cup Final but there will be no English teams even in the Semi Finals. Clermont will have the luxury of playing its Semi Final in France but it will not be a home encounter, ratrher the match will take place in Bordeaux. It will be Clermont vs Leinster.

Edinburgh vs Toulouse (Toulouse Try)

Leinster vs Cardiff Blues


Munster vs Ulster


Saracens vs Clermont

Hayden Smith trades London for New York

The big news of the week for USA rugby was the confirmation that Australian born USA international secondrower, Hayden Smith, will be leaving Aviva Premiership club Saracens to take up a contract playing American Football for the New York Jets. It is to be his third different sport at a high level after previously having played College Basketball in Denver, Colorado for Metro State. Following the announcement of his departure from Saracens he was interview by the club.