Premiership power rankings: Exeter hit ‘new low’ with Northampton Saints and Newcastle on the up
Bath and Leicester remain top of the Premiership power rankings this week
Following the conclusion of Round Five of the Premiership season, here are our power rankings based on the teams’ results and performances from their respective fixtures.
10. Exeter Chiefs (-1)
Exeter’s defeat to Newcastle has seen them hit a new low, as they come 10th in the Premiership power rankings. The Chiefs just look so devoid of any confidence at the moment, and that came to the fore against Newcastle on Friday night. They lacked any real attacking intent, minus their two tries, and struggled to handle Newcastle in defence too. It’s incredibly tough going for the Devonians at the moment, and you think they need the shift of focus to the Premiership Rugby Cup more than anyone.
9. Newcastle Falcons (+1)
How good is it to finally see Newcastle Falcons secure a win? It’s been incredibly hard for the Falcons in the past year, however, they looked a changed beast in Friday night’s win over Exeter. Steve Diamond has said he wanted to strip things back to basics at Kingston Park, and the victory over Exeter was based on this; they just did the basics very well. The lineout could do with a fix, but Jamie Blamire was playing a shoulder down in fairness.
The challenge for them now is if they can turn one win into two.
8. Gloucester (-)
Gloucester’s attacking intent is both refreshing to see and also pleasing to watch, however, it’s not getting them wins. The Cherry and Whites held a healthy 19-8 lead going into the sheds at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, but for whatever reason they just let off the gas and Leicester capitalised. Their defence is causing them to lose games, and it needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.
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7. Sale Sharks (-2)
Following their dismantling by Northampton Saints at the weekend, Sale Sharks are our biggest fallers this week. Alex Sanderson’s side simply couldn’t handle the onslaught the hosts put them under, which is quite worrying for them considering they pride themselves on big efforts like that. It’s also the second time it’s happened this season, but it’s likely just a blemish given what they’ve done to teams like Newcastle, Harlequins and Gloucester already.
6. Harlequins (-)
Another decent performance from Quins, but the last-gasp try from Bath’s Francois van Wyk keeps them sixth in the power rankings. Quins seem to be building on both sides of the ball, but it’s their defence and work up front which should get the most plaudits. Again, they did eventually lose, but six months ago they wouldn’t have been able to compete with Bath for that long in the tight exchanges, and they gave as good as they got in the contact area. They might have lost, but Quins are certainly growing. Also, how good was Rodrigo Isgro on debut?
5. Northampton Saints (+2)
Potentially THE sign we needed from Northampton that they mean business this season. They were utterly fantastic in that first-half against Sale Sharks, where they had serious shades of their form from last season. The Saints looked so crisp and fluid in attack again, but importantly they didn’t rush things through like they have at some points this campaign. Phil Dowson will certainly be pleased with what he saw from his side, and hopefully, it’s the true start of their season.
4. Bristol Bears (-1)
If they’d have held onto the win, they’d potentially be top of the pile, but the last-minute defeat sees them slip down a spot. At times, Bristol were simply brilliant against Saracens, and at points looked better than the infamous 2021 group that finished top of the table. They just seem to be playing with a new-found attacking freedom that has long been missing at Ashton Gate, however, they still are yet to fully put in an 80-minute performance and that again cost them against Saracens.
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3. Saracens (+1)
Speaking of Saracens, their late comeback sees them leapfrog Bristol into third place. The six-time champions looked down and out after 50 minutes, but they somehow clawed their way back into the contest and ultimately ground out a win. Importantly, they also went toe-to-toe with arguably the best attacking side in the league, which again highlights the change in them this season. Are they the full package?
2. Leicester Tigers (-)
At half-time, you would have been excused for thinking the game was done; but Michael Cheika’s hairdryer treatment did its job as Leicester clawed their way back to win. The Tigers have been praised for their return to ‘the Leicester way’ this season, but the way they ran away from Gloucester was anything but. Leicester looked incredibly clinical in attack but also had an intent to spread the ball wide and play at speed. They too are showing they are capable of winning in different ways, and they are looking like title challengers this year.
1. Bath (-)
Once again sitting pretty at the top of the power rankings are Bath, after their dramatic victory against Harlequins. Bath have shown they are capable of staying in games, no matter how challenging things get, and it was certainly tough going at the Stoop. They managed things superbly well when reduced to 14 men – twice, may I add – and just never let Quins run away with things. This ability to stay in the tussle is a true sign of a champion team, and Bath have this in bag-fulls at the moment.