Prem Rugby Cup round 2 review

Two trebles and a double hat-trick were scored in a blockbuster second round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Eight of the 10 Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs secured a win with seven of them boasting a perfect record after the opening two rounds.

Let’s take a look at the weekend’s key takeaways.

Saracens and Bath win big

The story of the weekend emerged from StoneX Stadium where hooker James Hadfield scored six tries in Saracens’ 99-27 victory over London Scottish.

Hadfield was only on the pitch for 62 minutes but crossed the line three times in each half to become the first Sarries player since Ryan Constable against Bedford in April 2000 to score six for the club in the professional era.

The 26-year-old seems to revel in this competition, having scored 10 tries from just six appearances – only two of which were starts – but he stayed humble post-match, insisting much of the credit lies with his fellow forwards.

“You can’t beat a maul try, throw the ball in, let the boys do the work and take the glory,” said Hadfield.

“You never expect to get that many and it was a real dominant forwards performance so it was nice to be on the back end of some of them."

The other game in Pool C saw Harlequins beat Ealing Trailfinders 38-33 with fly-half Jamie Benson scoring 15 points in their Friday night win at The Stoop.

Bath Rugby made it two from two in another of the weekend’s derbies with an emphatic victory over Bristol Bears at The Rec.

No fewer than four players crossed twice in their 78-19 triumph, with youngsters Will Parry, Tom Carr-Smith and Louie Hennessey all enjoying memorable afternoons while veteran wing Ruaridh McConnochie bagged a brace for the second game in a row.

Johann van Graan's side scored 12 tries in all to take their total for the campaign to a whopping 23 – with the last of those scored by first-team debutant Tyler Offiah, the 18-year-old son of former England rugby league star Martin.

Chiefs mean business

Rob Baxter named a strong side for the visit of Hartpury and his charges were at their ruthless best in a 54-3 success at Sandy Park. 

That was despite conceding the first points of the game to former University of Exeter playmaker Harry Bazalgette, before the first of Greg Fisalau’s hat-trick of tries got the 2023 winners up and running.

Josh Hodge continued his fine personal start to the season with two more tries and seven conversions while Tom Wyatt made his first appearance on home soil since January following his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. 

Speaking after the game, full-back Wyatt said: “The running game is slowly getting there, I'm just getting that confidence back, it’s nearly there, so I’m pleased.

“We’re not in the best of places, you don’t need to be a genius to work that out and we need to put the work in whether that be on or off the field, so it’s important we keep on top of ourselves physically and come back for Gloucester firing.”

Chiefs travel to Kingsholm in a fortnight’s time in a clash between the two undefeated sides in Pool E.

The Cherry & Whites were pushed hard in their 36-28 win over Cornish Pirates, only making sure of victory thanks to Rory Taylor’s penalty at the death.

Pool B bringing the drama

Coventry were the only Championship side to claim a top-flight scalp in Round 2, beating Leicester Tigers 33-19 in front of more than 15,000 fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

First-half tries from Aaron Hinkley, Tom Hitchcock, Jordon Poole and David Opoku put the Championship leaders in command and they withstood Tigers pressure to secure a bonus-point victory which took them top of the group.

That leaves last season’s runners-up with work to do heading into Round Three where they will face fellow winless side Nottingham.

Nottingham themselves appeared on for a win at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens before an inspired Northampton Saints comeback.

Phil Dowson’s side trailed 26-5 at half time but debutant Toby Cousins launched the comeback before Archie McParland, Fyn Brown and Craig Wright crossed to clinch a thrilling 31-29 turnaround.

Ene and Sharks flying

Obi Ene scored four tries in a standout display as Sale Sharks beat Caldy 40-7 at Salford Community Stadium.

The Newcastle University graduate single-handedly carried Sharks to their bonus point, tries in the fifth and 40th minute bookending a clinical first half on just his fifth senior appearance.

The pick of Ene’s tries was his first, the wing combining with Rouban Birch to retain a Gus Warr cross field kick before beating two scrambling defenders to dot down.

Sharks lead the way in Pool A but only on points difference from Newcastle Falcons who were given a scare by Doncaster Knights in a 31-28 win at Kingston Park.

Falcons led 28-0 at the interval but had to defend their own line to make sure of victory at the death, surviving 30 or so phases of Doncaster pressure.