Video: The Aviva Premiership- Round 1 Round-Up

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder insists his side’s opening day victory over Exeter Chiefs was just the performance he was looking for first up as the 2013/14 Aviva Premiership season got underway.

“It was very pleasing. You can play pre-season games but you don’t quite know where you are,” he said.

“You can run around a lot, do some weight training, but you don’t quite know where you are until your first game. Generally, we’ve got to be pretty happy with that.

Saracens were another to earn a bonus-point victory first up but director of rugby Mark McCall insists his side will need to cut out their lapses in concentration after an otherwise positive start.

Tries from Mako Vunipola, Chris Ashton and a double from Jamie George alongside 22 points from Owen Farrell’s boot gave Sarries a 42-20 win over London Irish at Twickenham in the London Double Header but McCall knows there is much more to come.

There was also a narrow victory for 2012 Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins at Twickenham after they overcame London Wasps 16-15.

On Friday night Newcastle Falcons suffered a 21-0 defeat at home to Bath Rugby thanks to the boot of new fly-half George Ford and a try from Anthony Perenise and a penalty try in the second half.

While Mark Cueto extended his all-time Aviva Premiership try-scoring record after he inspired Sale Sharks to a 22-16 defeat of Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm.

Rounding off the weekend’s action on Sunday were the reigning champions Leicester Tigers who got off to a perfect start with a bonus-point victory over Dean Ryan’s Worcester Warriors.

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Newcastle Falcons 0 Bath Rugby 21

Newcastle Falcons were defeated on their return to the Aviva Premiership after the boot of England hopeful George Ford and Bath Rugby’s forward power saw them triumph at Kingston Park.

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London Irish 20 Saracens 42

Saracens hooker Jamie George put down a sizeable marker that he’s ready to enjoy a breakthrough season for club and country by scoring two first-half tries as London Irish were cut down to size 42-20 at Twickenham.

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Leicester Tigers 32 Worcester Warriors 15
Vereniki Goneva’s marvellous solo effort right at the death rounded off an impressive Leicester Tigers performance as they got the defence of their Aviva Premiership crown underway with a bonus-point win over Worcester Warriors.

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Gloucester Rugby 16 Sale Sharks 22
The evergreen Mark Cueto inspired Sale Sharks to an impressive opening day win in the Aviva Premiership as they withstood a Gloucester Rugby fight back at Kingsholm.

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Northampton Saints 38 Exeter Chiefs 11
All eyes were on George North but it was Luther Burrell who stole the show as Northampton Saints laid down the gauntlet to their Aviva Premiership rivals with a thumping 38-11 victory over Exeter Chiefs.

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London Wasps 15 Harlequins 16
New London Wasps signing Andy Goode was left devastated after a dramatic defeat against Harlequins at Twickenham.

*Source: premiershiprugby.com

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