By Gavin McLeavy

While Saracens still lead the charge at the top of the Avival Premiership, Exeter and Wasps are creeping back into what only a month ago looked like a one horse race.

Whenever the Six Nations starts there is always going to be a different vibe in Europe's top leagues as the cream of the crop gets loaned out to their countries. This year, I looked at Saracens and felt that any 23 players they put on the team sheet was still a who is who of fringe internationals. However, recent results have shown that Saracens have lost a little shape.

A 36-36 draw against an average Sale team is the latest evidence of their loss of form, but it did little to quell the clanging of alarm bells that started three weeks ago with the shocking 23-65 lost to Wasps, at home! In between, there was a 25-12 win over Gloucester that was less than convincing.

I looked at some of the stats from those games and noticed that the best defense in Europe had suddenly fallen apart.They had only allowed 10 tries all season before that game against Wasps. Now the tally stands at 23.

Digging a little deeper you'll see that the defense was good initially across the board, with each player making 6-12 tackles each per game. Now, you are seeing the traditional "known" big hitters picking up the slack and replacements just aren't quite cutting it. 

Take a look at what the big hitters did against Wasps 

It's hard to remember the last time I saw Burger or Barritt miss one tackle, never mind 3 or 4 in a game. But when the work load is put onto a few, the cracks begin to appear.

With the likes of Mako and Billy Vunipola, George Kruis, young Maro Itoje and defensive fly half Owen Farrell all in the England camp, it's clear to see where they are missing the defensive strength that made them so powerful early in the season.

Just below Saracens, Exeter and Wasps are on the up. Exeter played above their station last season and were unlucky to have fallen short by May, but this year they have a more confident, mature approach. Rob Baxter has developed a youth system that is churning out players of the highest caliber, who know his system and slot in easily when the need is there. This has created a continuity within the club that gives it the appearance of a much more seasoned club.

Wasps had a rough Christmas and New Year but seemed to have got into a rhythm and have hit a vein of form that we haven't seen from them in a few years. Beating Saints, Saracens, Bath and Quins is no easy task, but they've done it in style at the tail end of January and through February. 

Despite their recent hiccups, I think Saracens will ultimately weather the storm, but Exeter and Wasps will give them a run for their money. It adds up to a fantastic second half of the season. 

Buckle Up and Enjoy Your Rugby!