The Worrying Stats For Southern Teams Who Travel North
Latest posts by Andy Hobson (see all)
- The Worrying Stats For Southern Teams Who Travel North - October 6, 2017
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North and South divide.
The Aviva Premiership has long been a Southern heavy league with only two of the twelve teams coming from the North of England. The divide is also noticeable in the recent 33-man England Squad picked by Eddie Jones, in which only one player was selected from either of the Northern teams (Tom Curry, 19).
You would expect then, that given the number of internationals and the 5 to 1 numerical advantage, that the South wouldn’t have much to fear about venturing past the midlands. Think again.
In fact, the Northern Clubs as a unit are unbeaten in their last 15 home games vs Southern opposition in the Prem. Neither the AJ bell Stadium or Kingston Park has seen a Southern victor since the first week of March 2017.
James O’Conner scoring a debut try in Sale’s home thrashing of Gloucester.
Last season rang to a similar tune as Wasps unbeaten run was stopped in its tracks in Manchester and Harlequins, Bath and Northampton Saints all fell to surprising losses in Newcastle.
Folk law may have us believe that the ‘grim, dreary, cold’ North isn’t suited for attractive rugby and Southern team’s flair and style is hindered by the weather. However, the four Northern games so far this season have seen both Sale and Falcons run out bonus point winners every time.
So, with Worcester Warriors, Gloucester and London Irish (twice) sent home licking their wounds, who will be the first team to break the Northerner’s stubborn dominance on their home turf?
