ContinueWell it hasn't taken long for the Aviva Premiership to kick in and after a packed and pulsating third weekend of rugby action it is time to draw breath and observe the latest twists and turns on and off the pitch.
On it Harlequins continue where they left off last season, with three wins out of three, and three added bonus points to boot. True, they' ve had a relatively gentle opening three fixtures - although their stunning comeback against Wasps at Twickenham proves how winning a title can instill unshakeable belief in a team - and this Saturday night at Welford Road may tell us a little more about where both Quins and Leicester are, but you cannot do any more than garner 15 maximum points in three games.
The Tigers and Saracens, meanwhile, slugged out a 9-9 draw at Wembley where I was among the 41,000 crowd. Both teams nullified each other and although the game had a lot to be desired for in terms of a spectacle, both will feel pleased that they avoided defeat against a main title rival, especially Leicester who were the "away" team. Northampton, my tip for a place in the final in May, also made it three wins out of three, but lie second in the table behind Quins having claimed just one bonus point. Their Friday night win at Bath, however, suggests that the Sainst will be another top four finisher once again.
Further down the league Wasps appear to be getting it right this season, Sale need a win with a team that should be faring much better, and London Irish need a defence. Three games, three defeats conceding 40-plus points, and already 123 points conceded. The much-vaunted Shaun Edwards is the Exiles new defence coach. He may need to burn the midnight oil.
Talking of Exiles the whole of rugby - save for Exeter supporters - will be delighted to see newly-promoted London Welsh claim their first win of the season, a gutsy 25-24 win over the Chiefs having been 14-0 down after just 11 minutes. Nobody wants whipping boys in the Aviva Premiership, and Welsh are clearly not whipping boys.
Off the pitch the rugby TV row rumbles on, with the Premier League bolting with their BT Vision deal and the ERC counter-punching with their own deal with Sky. There is a lot of bicep-flexing and brinksmanship going on here but they all meet tomorrow in Dublin to talk about revamping the European Cup competitions and may discover their goals are pretty similar.
Chris Ashton, meanwhile, was glassed on Saturday night whilst out with his teammates and girlfriend. Luckily he escaped with just a cut or two. By all accounts he showed commendable restraint and was, in no terms, the provocateur. Glassing someone is cowardly and unbelievably dangerous. Ashton could have been blinded. I'd like to see the perpetrator charged with ABH. Better still, lock in a changing room for 15 minutes with the Saracens pack. No questions asked!
