World Rugby Weekend Review

Aviva Premiership

After threatening relegation last season, London Wasps have had quite a turnaround this campaign. After their 29-15 win over Bath, they have now climbed into fourth in the table and a playoff spot. The match was all Bath early as they picked up first minute try from Nick Abendanon and a later try from Michael Claassens, but through the foot of Stephen Jones Wasps began to crawl back and when Christian Wade scored a try in the 39th minute the Wasps were firmly in control. The top of the table remains Harlequins after squeaking out a 31-26 win over London Welsh. The Saracens are second, two points behind Harlequins with 44 points on the season. The Sarries beat bottom-dwellers Sale 32-12. David Strettle and Charlie Hodgson each picked up tries while Owen Farrell hit six penalties and two conversions. The loss, couples with London Irish's 18-12 win over Gloucester has Sale firmly at the bottom of the table. The loss for Gloucester sees them drop to sixth. Northampton remain in fifth place after they defeated Exeter 30-19. Ken Pisi, Soane Tonga'uiha, and GJ van Velze each scored tries for the Saints. Lastly, Leicester reamin in third place after defeating Worcester 19-14. Click here for the full table.
Top 14

The Top 14 weekend saved the best for last as Racing Metro inflicted a surprise 19-15 defeat to table leaders Toulon on Sunday. It was a kicking battle most of the match with Jonny Wilkinson and Jonathan Wisnieswski trading penalties. The only breakthrough came in the 43rd minute with Henry Chavancy scored a try to give Racing Metro the lead for good. Clermont's 36-18 win over Montpellier means that they have now moved within four points of Toulon for first place. Clermont got tries from Wesley Fofana, Jean-Marcellin Buttin, and a penalty try. The only other team really left in the title chase is Toulouse, who beat last place Mont-de-Marsan 16-12. Castres are the best of the rest despite losing to Grenoble 14-12. Biarritz have made it two in a row with their 16-11 win over Agen. Each team scored a try a piece but it was Julien Peyrelongue and his three penalties that gave Biarritz the edge. Other winners over the weekend include Stade Francais 21-13 over Bayonne and Perpignan 26-16 over Bordeaux. Click here for the full table.

RaboDirect Pro12

Ulster returned to winning ways after suffering their first loss of the season last week. They romped over Scarlets 47-17. Glasgow have climbed to second in the table after defeating Benetton Treviso 41-7. Stuart Hogg scored two tries while DTH van der Merwe, Tommy Seymour, and Nikola Matawalu picked up one a piece. Treviso were hurt early on after Manoa Vosawai was sent off in the sixth minute. Leinster have remained steadily in third place after they beat Edinburgh 31-16. The Scottish-side has now dropped to ninth place. The Ospreys surprised a scare from Zebre to pick up a 16-15 win. The Ospreys got up early thanks to Dan Biggar but then let in a try from Tito Tebaldi late in the game to put the result in doubt. The Dragons continue to suffer after losing 30-11 to Connacht. Lastly, Cardiff beat Munster 17-6. Click here to see the full table.

Top League

It was the last week regular season in the Top League and Suntory Sungoliath finished the season a perfect 13 out of 13. They defeated the Kobelco Steelers, who they will play in two weeks in title playoffs. Kobelco finished fourth in the able. Tobshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus will host the other title playoff semi-final after they beat the Kintetsu liners 50-30. They will meet third place Panasonic Sanyo Wildknights who beat the Canon Eagles. Entering the wildcard playoffs with a first-round bye, which determine the final two berths for the All-Japan Championship, are Yamaha Jubilo, who beat the Ricoh Black Rams 46-21 and Toyota Verblitz, who beat the NTT-Docomo Red Hurricans 31-24. In the first rounds are the NEC Green Rockets, who beat the Fukuoka Sanix Blues 55-36 and the NTT Shining Arcs, who beat the Kyuden Voltex 28-27 thanks to a last minute try from American Todd Clever. The other two first round teams are the Kintetsu Liners and the Ricoh Black Rams. The relegation playoffs will consist of the Canon Eagles, Kyuden Voltex, NTT-Docomo Red Hurricanes, and the Fukuoka.

RFU Championship

It's a new year but not much has changed in the RFU Championship as Newcastles have won once again to top the table with a perfect record. This team they defeated Doncaster 28-10. The Rovers now sit at the bottom of the table along with Jersey, who lost to Moseley 23-19. Nottingham are second in the table with a 32-12 win over Rotherham while Bedford are third despite losing to London Scottish 26-23. Other winners include Leeds 34-16 over Plymouth and Cornish Pirates 32-17 over Bristol.

Super 10

Cavalieri Prato have maintained their one-point lead at the top of the Super 10 table after defeating Mogliano 33-3 on Sunday. Viadana are second after a 16-9 win over Petrarca and Calvisano are third after beating Rovigo 34-23. Other winners include Reggio 29-26 over Crociati, San Dora 20-6 over L'Aquila, and Fiamme Oro Rom 19-17 over Lazio.

Pro D2

The Pro D2 was off this week.