Joe Marler’s haka comments have been an unwelcome sideshow and the main event needed no help to achieve top billing.
The difference in experience in key positions across the two benches has come under the microscope after the All Blacks opening round loss to Argentina.
Out of the game since the start of January following surgery for a wrist injury, it emerged last week that an ankle problem also required surgery.
So much has been expected of the out-half since his summer 2018 move to Munster but a cruel run of injury continues to slow his progress.
In its third year, our Premiership academy analysis shows some interesting trends in each club's squad ahead of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season.
RugbyPass rounds up all of the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership player ins and outs where 10 of the teams will be chasing down Saracens and Exeter Chiefs at the top of the table.
Giant Wallaby wing Taqele Naiyaravoro will make his club debut for Saints tonight in the Premiership Rugby Shield.
With all but one Gallagher Premiership club having confirmed their senior academy intakes for the 2018/19 season, RugbyPass round-up the fresh faces that will be appearing in their first pre-seasons as professional athletes.
July is here and teams up and down the country are heading back into preseason and beginning their preparations for the 2018/19 season.
Northampton Saints have confirmed that Jamie Elliott and Michael Paterson will both leave the Club at the end of the season.