Bust-ups, off-loads and ex-pats - Prem talking points
Given the Chiefs, fourth in the table, have a seven-point cushion over fifth-placed Bristol, this campaign at least looks like being longer than Hooper might have expected when he signed on in the summer. Campbell Ridl was a lower-key arrival in the Prem. The 21-year-old was born in Tooting in London, but relocated to his parents' native South Africa as a young boy.
He came back to the UK partly to study at Exeter University, but an injury to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has given him a chance to show off his rangy running and hot-stepping ability. Ridl has opted to represent England at under-20 level and, at 6ft 5in, has qualities that will have been noted by senior selectors. Amid all the big collisions, a gentle shove and a not-so-gentle rebuke generated the most headlines over the weekend.
Leicester head coach Geoff Parling took exception to TNT Sport presenter Liam MacDevitt kicking for goal while his players were under the Villa Park posts warming up to take on Gloucester. Parling's angry reaction - he pushed presenter Craig Doyle and swore - was broadcast live. In the wake of Leicester's 36-17 win, all parties apologised, with TNT sorry that the ball was booted and Parling regretting his response to it.
"We want to sell our game as a product and we will work hard with TNT to get that right next time," Parling told BBC Sport. Mid-match interviews with coaches, cameras inside dressing rooms and in the midst of celebrations, and an F1 grid-walk access-all-areas presenting style certainly sets rugby apart from many other sports on screen. It is in everyone's interests for that to remain, and for relationships and players not to be harmed in the process.
The fixture, which was pretty much over as a contest as Tigers wrapped up a four-try bonus point just after quarter of an hour, is played for the Ed Slater Cup. The former Leicester and Gloucester second row has motor neurone disease and the match raises funds for the charity he set up to support families affected by the condition. Geoff Parling (right) played with and against Ed Slater There were lots of delicious moments as Northampton shaded the 'Showdown' against Saracens at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.