Fixtures
Fri 1 November: Bristol Bears v Harlequins, 19.00
Sat 2 November: Exeter Chiefs v Saracens, 13.00
Sun 3 November: Gloucester-Hartpury v Sale Sharks, 14.00
Leicester Tigers v Trailfinders Women, 15.00
The central question is who will qualify for the semis. For the moment I’m taking it for granted it will be the same four as last year (yawn if you wish). If other clubs want to be added to the mix, bonus points may well be crucial.
As we study the table, we notice how tight competition is in positions 3-5. The unevenness of games played will remain, but at present Bears have that game in hand to add another welcome five points. It’s Lightning’s turn to sit out. Clubs are getting used to these enforced breaks, but that’s not to say they enjoy them. The authorities may term them ‘Rest Days’, but coaches and players know when they need rest and when they don’t.
Table P W B Pts
Saracens 4 4 4 20
Exeter Chiefs 4 4 2 18
Glos-Pury 4 2 4 12
Bristol Bears 3 2 3 11
Quins 4 2 3 11
Lightning 4 1 3 7
Trailfinders 3 1 2 6
Tigers 3 0 1 1
Sharks 3 0 0 0
This week’s big encounter is at Sandy Park, where Sarries will want to capitalise on their hard-earned win over Glos-Pury. Chiefs lost ground in Round 1 when they hoisted only eight points against Quins. They recovered to beat G-H away, but failed to secure a bonus for the second time.
If the competition is becoming more dog-eat-dog, then we can discount these minor hiccups; each of the top four is likely to suffer indigestion in the odd match, but it hasn’t happened to Sarries yet.
The remaining games look more predictable. If Tigers manage a first win against Trailfinders, that wiil mark a turn of the tide. But TF put 29 points on Sarries, then 25 on Chiefs.
Afterthought
We await with bated breath Fi Tomas’ chat with Radio Wales on the allegations she makes in the Telegraph against the WRU. She alleges they threatened to withdraw the women’s team from next year’s RWC if players did not sign new contracts, The words “bullying” and “blackmail” appear too.
