We have now reached
the exciting time of the season where the pressure really tells and
we see who has the metal to go on and lift the trophy. After twenty-two rounds we have our four semi-finalists: Northampton Saints, Bath
Rugby, Leicester Tigers and Saracens. Whilst league winners
Northampton and second place Bath always seemed odds on to get those
home semi-finals, the race for third and fourth position made the
last few weeks of the regular season in particular very exciting to
watch. But what else has made this season one of the best yet?
There have been some
outstanding team performances over the course of the season, some we expected,
others we may not have. One team in particular is Exeter
Chiefs, who have had a phenomenal season. Their meteoric rise has
been witnessed by the rugby community for a few years now, but they
have absolutely shined this year. With superb performances by the
likes of Dave Ewers and Henry Slade, who recently won the Land Rover
Discovery of the Season Award, the Chiefs have been able to really
push those teams at the top of the Premiership. They did the double
over the current Champions, and almost got into the top four, losing
out in the final round on points difference. Having managed to secure European Champions
Cup rugby for next season, they can only go from strength to
strength.
