Allianz Premier 15s review: usual suspects rise to the top

Harlequins, Saracens and Loughborough Lightning maintained their perfect starts to the Allianz Premier 15s season with bonus-point victories in the second round of matches.

Quins in particular seem to be adapting well to the new rules restricting the number of scrums, with front five forwards Shaunagh Brown, Amy Cockayne and Abbie Ward all scoring tries in an open 31-12 victory at Wasps.

Newcomers Sale Sharks gave 2019 champions Saracens a surprise start to lead 10-7 after 20 minutes. Sarries, though, were able to shut them out after that as they cantered to a 40-10 win.

Lightning got the better of a high-scoring encounter with Gloucester-Hartpury, eventually winning 32-26. 

Exeter Chiefs registered their first-ever points following their addition to the league, picking up both try and losing bonus points against Bristol Bears. The Chiefs also missed a late conversion which would have levelled the scores, only to lose 24-22.

And having conceded a century of points against Harlequins on the opening weekend, DMP Durham Sharks were on the wrong end of another large score - losing 58-5 to Worcester Warriors.