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Exeter and Saracens make it three wins from three

Saracens’ David Strettle

Exeter Chiefs and Saracens maintained their unbeaten starts to the new Premiership season to make it three wins from three.

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The Chiefs and Sarries, who met in last year’s final, are both on 15 points after respective victories over Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints on Saturday.

Exeter, beaten by Saracens in two of the past three finals, ran in five tries in a 35-18 success over the Sharks, while Alex Lewington and David Strettle both scored two tries apiece as the defending champions beat Northampton 38-27.

The Chiefs were able to turn their narrow one-point advantage at the break into a victory as Jack Maunder, Alex Cuthbert and Tom Lawday crossed to add to first-half scores from Santiago Cordero and Jonny Hill.

At Franklin’s Gardens, England international Dylan Hartley, starting a competitive game for the first time since March, was one of the try-scorers for Northampton, who were leading heading into the final eight minutes.

However, Strettle’s late double maintained Saracens’ 100 per cent start.

Bath edged a high-scoring affair at the Stoop to claim their first victory as they beat Harlequins 37-32.

Wing Joe Cokanasiga impressed for Bath, dotting down either side of the interval, while Zach Mercer also contributed two tries as the visitors went 37-18 ahead.

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Semesa Rokoduguni’s sin-bin gave Quins hope and Joe Marler and Charlie Mulchrone went over to reduce the deficit only for Bath to hang on and claim a bonus-point victory.

Newcastle Falcons also claimed their first success of the season, 23-20 against Worcester Warriors, who are now propping up the table as the only remaining winless side.

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DarstedlyDan 51 minutes ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

Italy have a top 14 issue too, that’s true. I doubt SA are overly pleased by that, although it’s countered somewhat by the fact they would expect to thrash them anyway, so perhaps are not that bothered.


The BIL teams are (aside from Ireland) A/B teams - still with many A team players. I would rather the England team touring Argentina be playing the ABs than this French one.


France could have reduced the complaints and the grounds for such if they had still picked the best team from those eligible/available. But they haven’t even done that. This, plus the playing of silly b@ggers with team selection over the three tests is just a big middle finger to the ABs and the NZ rugby public.


One of the key reasons this is an issue is the revenue sharing one. Home teams keep the ticket revenues. If the July tours are devalued to development larks then the crowds will not show up (why go watch teams featuring names you’ve never heard of?). This costs the SH unions. The NH unions on the other hand get the advantage of bums on seats from full strength SH teams touring in November. If the NH doesn’t want to play ball by touring full strength, then pay up and share gate receipts. That would be fair, and would reduce the grounds for complaint from the south. This has been suggested, but the NH unions want their cake and eat it too. And now, apparently, we are not even allowed to complain about it?


Finally - no one is expecting France to do things the way NZ or SA do. We oddly don’t really mind that it probably makes them less successful at RWC than they would otherwise have been. But a bit of willingness to find a solution other than “lump it, we’re French” would go a looonnng way.

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