Gallagher Premiership Roundup – Exeter Chiefs start title defence with a win

After the shortest break in the history of the Gallagher Premiership, the brand-new season kicked off at the weekend.

Current holders Exeter Chiefs sent out an early message to the rest of the teams that they won’t be letting go of their title easily after defeating Harlequins 33-3 at the Stoop on Friday evening, thanks to four tries in eight minutes.

Sam Simmonds scored a hat-trick for Chiefs as Exeter began the defence of their crown with a comfortable victory.

Dave Ewers and Stuart Townsend also went over as Chiefs claimed the bonus point win. Harlequins could only muster a single Marcus Smith penalty that put them ahead early in the first half.

Sale Sharks started their Premiership campaign with an opening try bonus point win 32-23 against Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday.

Sale raced into a 17-0 lead with tries from Akker van der Merwe and Dan du Preez. The visitors responded when Tom Collins went over, but Simon Hammersley and AJ MacGinty scored to give Sale ahead 29-13.

Despite Piers Francis crossing for Saints, Sale held firm for victory.

Tom Howe’s try helped Worcester Warriors edge past London Irish 11-10 in a scrappy encounter at Sixways on Saturday.

A penalty apiece is all that both sides had to show for their efforts in the opening forty minutes.

The opening try of the match went to Nick Phipps of London Irish who crossed on the hour mark. But Howe’s try five minutes later proved enough for the Warriors.

Leicester Tigers made a winning start to life under new head coach Steve Borthwick after beating Gloucester 38-15 at Welford Road.

Three first half tries from Kobus van Wyke, Tom Youngs and Richard Wigglesworth and Charlie Clare’s late try was enough to see of the West Country side, despite tries from James Hanson and Joe Simpson.

Newcastle Falcons marked their return back to the Premiership with a stunning 19-12 win against Bath at the Rec.

The hosts led when Joe Cokanasiga crossed, but two Gary Graham tries gave Falcons a 12-7 half time lead.

Josh Matavesi levelled for Bath, but Ben Stevenson slid over for in the corner to increase Falcons margin to seven points, which proved enough for Dean Richard’s side.

Tom Willis’s late try helped Wasps to an opening day 23-20 victory against Bristol Bears at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday.

Wasps took a narrow 6-3 lead heading into the break before Harry Randall powered over for Bears. After Willis’s try had given Wasps the lead, Bears captain Siale Piutua crossed to set up a tense finish, but Willis touched down with only two minutes left for the win.