Saints’ victory over Bath should not be underestimated in the context of their ambitions this season.
With Gloucester sneaking a win and Wasps slipping up against Irish, which was unexpected, it has made the battle for the fourth play-off spot very interesting.
All three teams have tough run-ins and play some or all of the teams in the top three above them, so there will be some moving and shifting of the chess pieces before the end of the season.
But that result has kept Saints well in the mix.
If the performance against Worcester was all about the forwards, it was pleasing to see the backs answer some of their critics with a much more assured display and hopefully their confidence will be growing.
It was great to see the crowd so passionate and behind the team once again, it’s the kind of thing that sends a shiver down my spine.
There is no surprise that the Gardens faithful were in better voice last Saturday, there seems to have been a shift in mindset from the management to encourage the players to go out and thank the fans.
It was noticeable at Worcester a week earlier.
It was something we used to do as rule, win, lose or draw when I played, and I think it’s important to recognise the fans that have travelled long distances to support you, and also spent not inconsiderable amounts of money doing so.
Give a little and you will get a lot back.
Saints fans are a loyal bunch and just want to feel respected and valued, sometimes these things are overlooked.
With Gloucester and Wasps playing tonight (Fri), there is chance for them to put some pressure on Saints before their game against Irish on Saturday.
However, as they are both away from home against tough opposition there could be every chance they slip up to allow Saints to pile on the pressure on Saturday.
One thing is for certain, there are plenty of dramas yet to come before the semi-final spots are decided.
Impressive England closing in on Grand Slam glory
If it was being whispered quietly in the build up to the French game last week, you can guarantee that the volume will get louder and louder over the next fortnight.
England are in pole position to win their first Grand Slam for 10 years, that it is definitely something worth shouting about if you consider where this England team were in December, 2011.
But it will not be straight forward as the evidence of Saturday’s clash with France highlighted. If anyone had any doubt as to which French team were going to show at Twickenham last weekend then they would have quickly known within the first hits of the game.
France, for 50 minutes, played like the team we know they are capable of being, disciplined, direct, razor sharp in attack and with lethal runners that are the envy of many other teams.
Their back row was excellent pretty much the whole game, with Louis Picamoles arguably the man of the match even in defeat. He had a monumental game for them.
But and there is a big but coming here, the changes they made at half-back shortly into the second half totally changed the game.
I simply could not understand why Phillipe St Andre took the decision to first replace Francois Trinh-Duc and then shortly afterwards Morgan Parra. They had been the key difference for me in the first 50 minutes, giving France the shape and structure to play from.
The introduction of Freddie Michalak was a huge gamble that backfired, and St Andre will be facing the music for a few weeks to come.
Michalak is a mercurial player who in the past has shown some real flashes of brilliance, but Saturday was not the occasion for that. It need a more pragmatic approach, more measured and controlled and that’s what Parra and Trinh-Duc were giving France.
Until those changes, England were very much second best in most departments, their doggedness as a team, and the boot of Owen Farrell, were keeping them in the mix, but France looked the more dangerous and the team most likely to win. After St Andre’s moment of madness from the bench the whole momentum shifted, and although Stuart Lancaster wouldn’t be drawn on the issue after the game, it was clear they were delighted to see Michalak enter the fray.
France now face the ignominy of taking the wooden spoon in this year’s championship, it will be tough for them in Ireland next weekend, and their biggest hope of avoiding an unthinkable whitewash will be their final game at home against a resurgent Scotland.
Who would have predicted that back at the start of the tournament?
So England move onwards and upwards and it was another character building performance from them. They will take nothing for granted against Italy, and Lancaster quite rightly out of respect for Italy will not allow the Grand Slam chat to start to build up. Italy will find it tough at Twickenham next weekend, but if England show any signs of complacency they could slip up. But as with France I do not believe this current squad will allow themselves to fall into that trap.
Scotland, believe it or not, are still in with a shout of winning this year’s championship after their win against all odds and statistics against Ireland.
I don’t think I have ever watched a more one-sided game from a stats point of view and that team still end up losing. It was a classic example of taking your points when they are on offer, and also highlighted the importance of a top class goal kicker at this level. That is harsh on young Paddy Jackson who did a lot of things well, but his missed kicks at goal were very costly.
Ireland now have to try and pick up the pieces of two subsequent losses that will have dealt a massive blow to their confidence and also to the future of coach Declan Kidney who is now on borrowed time.
With that in mind, don’t be fooled by Quins boss Conor O’Shea ruling himself out of the running for the Ireland job. If he is approached he will find it very difficult to turn down.
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