Sportblog | The Guardian — Pro12 RSS

May 22, 2017

Rugby union: Premiership, Champions Cup, Pro12 and Top 14 talking points

Exeter still on the up, Wasps feel the noise, Scarlets in nod to Super Rugby and Leigh Halfpenny provides good news for Lions and Richard CockerillThe Premiership semi-final victory over Saracens was another coaching triumph for Rob Baxter and his management team at Sandy Park. It was not so much revenge for last year’s defeat in the final at Twickenham as confirmation that the Chiefs have improved since then, learning from each new experience in their remarkable rise this decade. Saracens have become the most proficient team in Europe at attacking from set pieces, able to create space out wide and score tries, a quality that helped them defeat Munster and Clermont Auvergne in the latter stages of the European...

May 15, 2017

Premiership, Pro12 and Top 14 rugby union play-off pointers | Michael Aylwin

Wasps and Exeter are the neutrals’ favourites, Leicester the underdogs, while Saracens need to maintain their intensityThere’s always that horrible, sceptical feeling when considering sides high on flair. Wasps have earned the right for us to wish them well as they chase down a first title since the era of Lawrence Dallaglio. Their attack is truly something to behold, layers of runners at any given time, most of whom, certainly among the backs, are capable of taking a turn as playmaker whenever required. It’s incredibly hard to defend against. They’ve averaged more than four tries a game but they’ve also conceded nearly three and more than anyone else in the top seven. Memories of Leinster in Dublin last month still...