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The Miller’s Tale

Rob Miller has faced a big challenge for the Wasps full back shirt this season from All Black Charles Piutau.

He has also been aerially bombarded by Saracens and Sale, and injured early in the season.

Hopefully Friday night marks a corner turned, as the England Saxons No.15 was magnificent.

On a wet night, he was secure under the high ball, and defended solidly, but it was his counter-attacking which really caught the eye.

Northampton did not kick (or chase) as well as some have this year, but Miller simply carved his way through Saints time and again.

He scored one, created another and had a hand in a third and was a thoroughly deserving man-of-the-match.

The new kid on the block

We’ve heard plenty about Hughes, Haskell and Smith, while their understudies Thompson and Jones won back-to-back man-of-the-match awards in recent weeks.

But what about Alex Rieder? Few will have been familiar with the latest No.6 off the Wasps’ production line before Friday evening, but he enjoyed an excellent debut.

Rieder was very prominent with ball in hand, and made a big contribution to Wasps’ dominance at the breakdown.

Having impressed in the Championship at Rotherham, Rieder joined Wasps in the summer, and is definitely one to keep an eye on.

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The shrewd Dai

Wasps’ Six Nations’ contingent is sizeable this season – seven in all – and handling their absence will be a real test for the club.

Only Haskell and Joe Launchbury ended up being unavailable for selection on Friday, after the remaining players were released back to the club on Wednesday.

It must have been tempting for Dai to pitch a couple of them at least into the fray on Friday night, despite his preparation having assumed they would be absent.

However, Wasps’ boss also recognised that Elliot Daly, Matt Mullan, Bradley Davies and Lorenzo Cittadini have all played a lot of high-octance rugby in the last two months, and opted to give them a night off.

With a first away win in 11 years at Franklin’s Gardens in the bag, and some fresh legs now available to play next week, Dai’s choice was a wise one.

King George

George Smith and Saints’ Springbok lock Victor Matfield have locked horns at international level on many occasions, but there is no doubt that Smith won their latest contest hands down.

The Aussie flanker dominated the breakdown, in addition to making a big contribution around the field in both attack and defence.

Smith also captained Wasps for the first time, and proved an inspirational leader. He may be 35, but getting his signature on a contract for next year must surely be high on Dai’s wish list.

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A Tarnished Halo

Northampton have been giants of the English game for the last six or seven years.

However, Saints’ halo has slipped more than a little this season, and is starting to look like it needs more than a quick realignment and polish.

For a few seasons their game has been based on power; initially scrummaging, when they had Brian Mujati and Soane Tongauiha in the front row, then the explosive ball carrying of the recently-departed Samu Manoa. This created a platform for their backs, led by two more powerful runners, Luther Burrell and George North, to play on the front foot.

However, Saints now look one-paced, as they struggle to break the gainline and generate quick second-phase possession. They have become easier to defend against as a consequence, and with the likes of Harlequins, Wasps and Exeter challenging the big three for play-off spots, they need to turn things round quickly.