Danny Cipriani: 'Kelly, I told you to stay at home'
Bristol 16-23 Saracens
Leicester 29-19 Northampton
London Irish 26-3 Sale Sharks
Wasps 23-27 Bath
Who?
Danny Cipriani. How could he do that to Jonny? He’s been doing it all year.
Yeah but not when Jonny gets injured. That's his bread and butter. How else is he going to afford those medical bills?I'm sure the RFU will help. Or Hackett, or Adidas. He's got bags of cash anyway....
Didn’t SKY, the BBC and ITV send all their camera crews down to Adams Park?Cipriani got a little stage fright but settled back into his groove with a 51-minute cameo... Not that it helped
Did Bath spoil his comeback?
Cipriani made a hash of a high-ball for Michael Claasens' first score while Matt Stevens brought the brunt up front epitomising a thuggish Bath performance. In form Nick Abendanon full-back did his utmost to further impress England coach Brian Smith with an acute line to set up Joe Maddock for the game clincher leaving Cipriani with an 80% kicking success but no dream return.
Steve Meehan must be dead-chuffed to be back on top. What about the chasing pack?London Irish ended Sale's unbeaten record, breaching the previously impenetrable line on four occasions. Peter Hewat directed operations shrewdly while England U20 prop Alex Corbisiero, who scored his second try of the season, put in a stellar shift at prop overshadowing senior statesman Andrew Sheridan with an athletic display.
Did the Tigers recover from their defeat to Wasps?Leicester's forward power reaped reward as Northampton blew a half-time lead for the third time in succession. Late tries from Toby Flood (19 points) and Dan Hipkiss did the business for the tenacious hosts who had the bit between their teeth.
Speaking of teeth, did Bristol find some?Richard Hill can't wait for the six week break from the Guinness Premiership. An 11th consecutive defeat compiled by Glen Jackson's boot and Kameli Ratuvou's barnstorming running secured a third straight win for Eddie Jones' Saracens. Oh and Adrian Jarvis' less than reliable boot.