Who’s hot and who’s not: Bath, Nathan Hughes, Siya Kolisi, Covid concerns and Exeter

Colin Newboult

It’s time for our Monday wrap of who has their name in lights and who is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the weekend.

THEY’RE ON FIRE!

Bath and Nathan Hughes: What an outstanding and gutsy performance from the Premiership’s basement side on Friday. Yes, Harlequins were missing a few key players such as Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt, but Bath were far from full strength too as they dug in to beat the reigning champions 21-17. It has to be said that they probably would not have won this game if the deal to bring Hughes to the club on loan had not been completed last week as the fired up number eight was superb as he carried and tackled with purpose and looks a shrew signing.

Ospreys and CardiffIt’s been a difficult few years for the Welsh regions but these two sides brought some much-needed joy to the country ahead of the Six Nations. Going into the weekend, Edinburgh and Leinster were the top two sides in the United Rugby Championship, but they went down to the Ospreys and Cardiff respectively on Saturday. Despite their Six Nations absentees, the Irish province still fielded a strong side, but Dai Young’s men were excellent and won the game via Jarrod Evans’ late three-pointer. Their Welsh rivals were equally impressive and overcame the league leaders 23-19 for their sixth URC victory of the campaign.  It meant a lot to both teams and hopefully they can kick on and challenge in the latter stages of the competition.

Joe Launchbury‘s injury return: After nine months out following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, the England second-row returned to the Wasps team in their impressive victory over Saracens on Sunday. He only played 40 minutes in their 26-20 triumph but, according to head coach Lee Blackett, it was a pre-planned decision. Launchbury has had his fair share of injuries over recent years but hopefully this can be the start of a long run without his body letting him down. The lock is an exceptional player and could maybe play a part in the Six Nations should he get back up to speed quickly.

Exeter abandon Native American imagery: They’ve taken their time but finally the club have chosen to drop their Native American branding, which many people have been calling for over the past 18 months. Once the indigenous North American people decided it was disrespectful to their culture, it should have been immediately altered, but credit must go to Exeter for listening and eventually making an alteration. The ‘Chiefs’ name will stay but instead will be aligned with the Celtic Iron Age Dumnonii Tribe, who were based in Devon prior to Roman occupation in 43AD. Well done, Exeter.

More recognition for Siya Kolisi: After a stellar year, in which he captained the Springboks to a series win over the British & Irish Lions and a victory against the All Blacks, Kolisi has deservedly been named SA Rugby’s Player of the Year. Following the flanker’s – and South Africa’s – landmark moment in 2019, where he became the Boks’ first black skipper to lead them to World Cup glory, the 30-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength in 2021. As well as his impressive leadership qualities, Kolisi’s on-field displays have been outstanding and we look forward to seeing what he can do in 2022.

COLD AS ICE!

Injury rules Owen Farrell out of the Six Nations: It was confirmed last week that the Saracens star will miss England’s campaign after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury. It is hugely unfortunate for the Red Rose captain, who was set to return for Sarries’ game against London Irish having missed the previous two months but suffered a setback in training. As a result, Eddie Jones will not have the services of his skipper, which will be a big blow to their Six Nations title hopes. Some have described it as a blessing in disguise, and perhaps in the long run it will help England, but in the short-term it certainly makes Jones’ side weaker.

Covid concerns for England and France: Another issue for the Red Rose to deal with is the positive Covid tests for Joe Marler, who will spend a few more days in isolation after doing the same during the Autumn Nations Series, and Joe Marchant. For one, it means the centre is a doubt for the Scotland clash but, two, England will hope it has not spread to other members of the squad. France have also had their problems, with nine players absent through either Covid or injury, which has disrupted their preparations. Let’s hope this is not a theme during the tournament and it is safe for spectators, players and coaches.

Exeter’s performances: A second appearance for the Chiefs this week. What many would consider a blip has now turned into serious concern after yet another defeat for the 2020 double winners. Admittedly, London Irish are a difficult outfit to predict – they vary between the brilliant and abysmal – but these are the sort of matches Exeter always used to win, and do so comfortably. The players and coaches know that they aren’t playing well but nothing has really changed in their performances. The Chiefs have been physically outmuscled on a regular occurrence, which is surprising, and as a result they just haven’t been able to be as effective in attack. Plenty for director of rugby Rob Baxter to ponder.

All the best to Mark McCall: Saracens revealed on Friday that their director of rugby will take a “short break” from rugby due to “medical reasons”. Understandably, no further details have been disclosed with the club releasing a statement, saying: “People will always come first at our club and Mark will be given all of the support and time he needs. We would ask that everyone respects Mark’s privacy.” McCall has already received plenty of messages of support from around the game and hopefully he will be back in the sport sooner rather later but, ultimately, he should take all the time he needs to get himself right.

DragonsThe Welsh region do have a few players out because of the Six Nations but this was an opportunity for them to claim their second URC victory of the season, especially against a Benetton side that were decimated through international call-ups, but they produced a poor display on Friday. They could only draw 13-13 as a number of mistakes let them down. If Dean Ryan’s men can’t defeat a severely hampered Benetton outfit, you rather question where their next win is coming from.