Midway through the pool stages of the tournament, clubs of the Gallagher Premiership continue to demonstrate the ability to outpoint their opponents at a favorable rate. One of the finalists from 2023 is at the top of its group while t’other is one, “la loss,” from elimination. The weekend, By the Numbers: Pool 1 Clubs (league pos.) w l d +/- table points Bordeaux (7) 2 0 0 55 10 Lyon (12) 1 1 0 -1 7 Bulls (3) 1 1 0 10 5 Saracens (4) 1 1 0 8 5 Bristol (8) 1 1 0 -17 5 Connacht (8) 0 2 0 -55 1 4 the measure of separation midway, 21-17, for Saracens over Connacht, was enlarged considerably after halftime as homeboys touched down a handful in the final forty for a 55 – 36 result at a rockin’ StoneX Stadium; doubles for number 2, Jamie George, and 12, 21 years young Ollie Campbell, who features imposingly, while squad leader, Owen Farrell knocked 15 true the sticks on 3-and-3 shooting; 14 for Bordeaux-Bègles 9, Maxime Lucu, on a 3-1-1 triple and the Chaban-Delmas faithful were rewarded with 36 – 17, 5-point joy after the home side always led and Bristol Bears fell from second to fifth in the group, which would put those travelers out of extra time should they remain in that position; 5 points adrift at the half, 12-17, not a problem for Lyon as that home XV returned for 17 in the second stanza, while Bulls only made 10 and 29 – 27 that record; 13 for traveling 10, Chris Smith, on 2-and-3 from his tee in the loss; Pool 2 Clubs (league pos.) Toulouse (6) Bath (2) Ulster (7) Harlequins (3) Racing 92 (1) Cardiff (12) 4
11
17
w 2 2 1 1 0 0
l 0 0 1 1 2 2
d 0 0 0 0 0 0
+/73 30 -7 -25 -19 -52
table points 10 10 5 5 2 2
first forty lead changes and one instance of drawn scores had Cardiff Blues only just ahead of Bath midway, 25-24, at the Arms Park in a lively affair; a further converted try made for a comfortable, 3224,two-score lead, but visitors got three enroute a 39 – 32, 5-point comeback; 13 for 10, Tinus de Beer, on 3-and-2 off his shoe and a double for the flying Josh Adams in the loss, while replacement 8man, Jaco Coetzee, got a late brace for the win; for Ulster 9, John Cooney, on 4-and-1 from the gun and Ravenhill’s finest jumped out to a 21-5 midpoint advantage past Racing 92 before closing out the 31 – 15, 5-point happy-happy; double for 92’s 2, Jan Tarritt, in defeat; for Toulouse 10, Thomas Ramos, on half dozen conversions and a try as homeys throttled Harlequins at Twickers, 47 – 19; doubles for the homeside’s 13, Pierre Barrassi, and Quins engine, Irné Herbst;