Rugby fans, brace yourselves! The Premiership is heating up with some jaw-dropping performances and unexpected twists. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Henry Arundell’s resurgence a sign of Bath’s dominance, or just a fleeting moment of brilliance? Let’s dive in.
Henry Arundell’s Redemption Arc: A Star Reawakens
Cast your mind back to a chilly December night in Sale, where Henry Arundell’s last appearance in England was nothing short of a nightmare. Playing for Racing 92, the young winger looked like a shadow of his former self—lacking confidence and pace, he was outshone by Tom Roebuck in a crushing 29-7 defeat. Fast forward to now, and Arundell, still just 22, is lighting up the Premiership with Bath. His performance in the 38-17 victory over Gloucester was nothing short of electric, showcasing top-tier speed and basketball-esque offloads to set up tries for Tom de Glanville and Ollie Lawrence. And this is the part most people miss: Despite his dazzling form, Arundell faces stiff competition from teammates Will Muir and Joe Cokanasiga, meaning an England recall isn’t a given—yet.
Bath’s Depth: A Warning to the Premiership
Arundell’s heroics were just one highlight in Bath’s stacked lineup. Ewan Richards, who stepped up last season when frontline stars were rested, bagged two tries in a powerhouse display. Meanwhile, Santiago Carreras, making his Bath debut against his former team, seamlessly filled roles at both full-back and fly-half in a 20-minute cameo. With three wins and a maximum 15 points, Bath are already pulling away from the pack. Bold question: Can anyone stop them?
Marcus Smith’s Tactical Shift: Harlequins’ New Playbook?
Over at The Stoop, Marcus Smith is rewriting the script. Eight minutes into the Harlequins vs. Saracens clash, Smith—fresh from British and Irish Lions duty—opted for an old-school up-and-under instead of his signature flair. The result? Max Malins fumbled, Chandler Cunningham-South pounced, and five phases later, Smith himself dotted down. Harlequins’ 32 kicks for 923 metres (compared to Saracens’ 27 for 678m) raised eyebrows. Controversial take: Is this a one-off, or are Harlequins abandoning their free-flowing DNA?
Bristol’s Backline Crisis: Scraping the Barrel
Meanwhile, Bristol are in full-blown crisis mode. With 15 backs sidelined—including AJ MacGinty, Harry Randall, and Louis Rees-Zammit—the Bears are down to the bare bones. Tom Jordan’s red card for a reckless shoulder charge and head knocks to Josh Carrington and Jack Bates only deepened the misery. Yet, they scraped a 18-14 win over Exeter, thanks to stand-in fly-half Sam Worsley, who nailed a monster penalty in the dying seconds. Thought-provoking question: How long can Bristol’s forwards carry the team before the backline crisis becomes insurmountable?
The Forgotten Three: A Talent Pool Untapped
This weekend also served as a bittersweet reminder of the talent lost when Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish folded. A combined XV from these teams would be a force to reckon with: Henry Arundell, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ollie Lawrence, and more. Bold statement: The Premiership is poorer without these clubs. What could have been?
Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
As Bath and Harlequins soar, Bristol cling on, and the ghosts of Wasps, Worcester, and London Irish linger, one thing’s clear: this Premiership season is far from predictable. Over to you: Which team or player do you think will surprise us next? And is Bath’s dominance here to stay, or will the chasing pack close the gap? Let’s debate in the comments!
