Weekend round-up: We should have semifinals every week

The northern hemisphere was the place to be this weekend as the Aviva Premiership and Pro12 semifinals and Top 14 barrages set an impossibly high bar for next week’s finals.

Pro12: Leinster vs Scarlets

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The history books say away sides do not win Pro12 semifinals. Scarlets set out to prove history is bunk with a stunning performance at the RDS – as they touched down three times in the opening half. But then they were forced into full-on defensive mode as a fully Lions-loaded Leinster started a fightback after the Welsh visitors had lost Steff Evans to a red card.

Top 14: Toulon vs Castres Olympique

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Mourad Boudjellal said after this game that the refereeing of Alexandre Ruiz had driven him 10 years closer to the grave. Both sides had reasons to be upset at some of the decisions, but they somehow duked out an encounter at Stade Mayol that, on more-than-several occasions, nudged the tensionometer into the red.

Aviva Premiership: Exeter Chiefs vs Saracens

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Do you remember that scene in The Usual Suspects, when conman Verbal Kint graphically describes Keyser Soze’s ‘willpower’ to FBI agent Dave Kujan? Yeah. That one. This match was that scene played out over 80 minutes in the form of a rugby battle of Sandy Park. It was no tryfest – but there was brutal beauty in its sporting savagery.

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Top 14: Montpellier vs Racing 92

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Not even the die-hardest of Racing fans gave their side much of a chance of beating brutal and direct Montpellier on their home turf – especially after the last meeting here between the two sides ended in a 54-3 humiliation. But, clearly, no one in the ciel-et-blue camp had read the script for the match. Or, if they had, they’d Brandoed it in favour of something better. Joe Rokocoko and Leone Nakarawa were both outstanding. Then, there’s the sheer comedy joy of seeing a wayward rugby ball smack referee Romain Poite in the unmentionables.

Aviva Premiership: Wasps vs Leicester Tigers

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Exeter vs Saracens was always going to be a tough game to follow. After the two sides at Sandy Park had ramped the Premiership semifinals intensity all the way up to 11, matching it seemed almost impossible. But, Wasps and Leicester more-than managed it with a dogfight at the Ricoh that barely paused for breath. The second half, in particular, was extraordinary. For the second time in as many 2017 Premiership semi-finals, the outcome remained in the balance until beyond the death.

Pro12: Munster vs Ospreys

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Truth be told, this encounter was a mostly cagey, defensive affair. But a moment of magic from the hosts’ back three lit up Thomond Park midway through the second half. It would grace just about any rugby highlights package. Meanwhile, departing centre Francis Saili bade farewell to the Limerick faithful with a barnstorming man-of-the-match performance.