The third round of the 2025/26 Gallagher Premiership Rugby season delivered a feast of derby drama, high-octane clashes, and standout individual performances across England this past weekend. With five regional rivalries taking center stage, fans were treated to pulsating action from the North West to the capital, as both established stars and emerging talents left their mark on a rapidly evolving campaign.
It all began in the North West, where Sale Sharks flexed their muscles with a devastating 57-5 demolition of the newly rebranded Newcastle Red Bulls at CorpAcq Stadium. Sale’s nine-try blitz was spearheaded by Tom Roebuck, whose electric pace and finishing saw him rack up a hat-trick. Arron Reed joined the party with a brace, while Rob du Preez, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ernst van Rhyn, and Nathan Jibulu all crossed the whitewash. George Ford, ever the reliable boot, slotted six conversions to cap a dominant team display. Despite a brief glimmer for Newcastle—Elliott Obatoyinbo’s solitary try—the visitors remain rooted to the bottom of the table, still searching for cohesion after their Red Bull acquisition.
Sale’s pack was relentless, with Sam Dugdale anchoring the forward effort through 11 tackles and a turnover, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour impressing yet again with his dynamic work in the scrum and open play. Nathan Jibulu’s seven carries for 56 metres, beating four defenders, showcased why he’s climbing the ranks toward an England call-up. “His desire to get involved in the attack was something to behold,” Planet Rugby noted, and it’s hard to argue with that assessment.
Meanwhile, in the West Country, Bristol Bears edged Exeter Chiefs 18-14 in a tense Ashton Gate thriller. The Bears struck early through Viliame Mata, and Tom Jordan’s penalty gave them an 8-0 lead. Exeter, undeterred, responded with tries from Henry Slade and Ben Hammersley, the latter capitalizing on a red card to Jordan to give the Chiefs a 14-8 halftime advantage. But Bristol’s resilience shone through in the second half. Gabriel Oghre’s try and Sam Worsley’s conversion brought them back into contention, and a nerveless late penalty from Worsley sealed their second league win of the season. Fitz Harding led from the front with 17 tackles and two turnovers, epitomizing the Bears’ defensive grit. “This was a real captain’s knock from Harding, who played a key role in Bristol’s win over Exeter,” as Planet Rugby put it.
The East Midlands derby between Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers delivered another classic, with Saints prevailing 32-26 at Franklin’s Gardens. Fin Smith opened the scoring for the hosts before Leicester’s Freddie Steward hit back. The game ebbed and flowed, but Saints found another gear through Edoardo Todaro, Tom Pearson, and a brace from Anthony Belleau—who, despite playing out of position, made eight carries for 87 metres and two tries in just 35 minutes. Alex Mitchell, another returning Lion, was a constant threat around the ruck, notching a team-high 11 carries for 52 metres. Smith’s boot provided crucial conversions and a penalty, and Saints’ blend of set-piece structure and counterattacking flair proved decisive. Leicester’s Billy Searle kept them in touch with penalties, but the Tigers couldn’t sustain their momentum in the face of Saints’ second-half surge.
Bath and Gloucester locked horns in a high-scoring West Country encounter at the Recreation Ground, with Gloucester overturning a halftime deficit to win 38-28. Bath’s Tom de Glanville continued his push for England selection, running 65 metres from eight carries, beating four defenders, and scoring a try. Ewan Richards was another standout for Bath, making eight carries for 45 metres and notching two tries, while Ollie Lawrence contributed 10 tackles, two turnovers, and seven carries. However, Gloucester’s opportunism and clinical finishing—highlighted by Will Joseph’s explosive running for 85 metres, eight defenders beaten, and a try—ultimately swung the contest. George Thorley and Ben Loader also crossed for the visitors, underlining Gloucester’s resilience despite an injury-hit squad. Finn Russell’s five conversions and a penalty kept Bath in the hunt, but defensive lapses proved costly.
In the capital, Harlequins secured their first win of the season with a 20-14 triumph over Saracens at The Stoop. Marcus Smith, returning to his preferred fly-half role, delivered a mature and complete performance—scoring a try, converting both Harlequins’ scores, and adding two penalties. Tyrone Green’s early second-half try extended the lead, while Saracens responded through Fergus Burke and Ben Earl, both converted by Owen Farrell. Yet, Quins’ tactical kicking and defensive discipline saw them home. “It was just a very complete display, unlocking Saracens both ball-in-hand and with the boot,” wrote Planet Rugby, and anyone watching would have seen Smith’s fingerprints all over the win.
Harlequins’ pack was bolstered by the Premiership debut of Guido Petti, the Argentine international, who made 11 tackles and eight carries, helping Quins win the battle up front. Ellis Genge, back in Bristol colours, was another world-class presence this round, making 10 carries and seven tackles in his return.
This round wasn’t just about the scores—it was a showcase for British & Irish Lions returning to club action. Northampton’s Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell, and Tommy Freeman all made their mark, while other England hopefuls like Tom Roebuck and Nathan Jibulu continued to stake their claims for international selection. The Team of the Week, as compiled by Planet Rugby, read like a who’s who of form players: Tom de Glanville, Anthony Belleau, Will Joseph, Ollie Lawrence, Tom Roebuck, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell, Sam Dugdale, Tom Pearson, Fitz Harding, Ewan Richards, Guido Petti, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Nathan Jibulu, and Ellis Genge all earning deserved recognition.
With Sale Sharks maintaining their home fortress, Bristol climbing to fourth, and Northampton Saints sitting atop the table, the early-season narrative is already taking shape. Newcastle’s struggles, Gloucester’s opportunism, and Harlequins’ resurgence add further intrigue as the league barrels toward its next chapter.
As the dust settles on Derby Round, there’s no shortage of talking points—be it the rise of new stars, the return of international talent, or the fierce rivalries that make Premiership Rugby a must-watch spectacle every weekend. With the season still in its infancy, fans can only wonder: what drama awaits in round four?
