2014/15 Aviva Premiership - where are we after 6 games?

This season’s Aviva Premiership is now in full swing and the usual suspects are currently sitting pretty at the top of the table. Despite the season taking a break for European competitions there is no let up for any of the sides

Both Northampton and Saracens have been victorious in five of their six matches played thus far, but with their five bonus points, it’s Northampton who lead the way.

Although Saracens currently have a three point gap to bridge, bookmaker Betfair still prefer the chances of Mark McCall’s side. Saracens have been put in by the odds compilers at odds of 6/4, while main rivals Northampton can be backed at 5/2.

The liability lies firmly with these two sides as there are likely to have been a number of big wagers already struck at bigger odds than those currently available. There is now a short break in proceedings till the next round of fixtures which begin on November 14th with Gloucester taking on Harlequins. The Northampton Saints face a really tricky looking match as they host the Exeter Chiefs, while Saracens travel to Leicester to take on the Tigers.

The Aviva Premiership enters its 28th season this year, with sponsors Aviva supporting the competition for the fifth consecutive year. Current league leaders the Northampton Saints are the reigning Aviva Premiership champions following their impressive victory over key rivals Saracens in last year’s final.

The Worcester Warriors were relegated after finishing bottom of the Aviva Premiership at the conclusion of the 2013/14 campaign, and it was London Welsh who took advantage. The Oxford based side returned to the top division at the first time of asking by defeating Bristol Rugby in the playoff final of the RFU Championship.

London Welsh have been unable to take that good form into the new season however, and have a return of just one point from their six games played thus far. They are now eight points adrift at the foot of the table and as a result, can be backed at odds of 200/1 to win the Premiership with Betfair.

Bath Rugby are only five points off league leaders the Northampton Saints, and are still in with a realistic chance of winning the Aviva Premiership title this season. Bath finished in fifth spot last season and they also reached the final of the European Challenge Cup last season.

Under coach Mike Ford, Bath Rugby are proving to be a formidable force in club ruby union and they look set to make a bold bid for major honours during the current campaign. Betfair make the Somerset side 9/2 shots to take the league crown.

One side who appear to be a massive price in the current Betfair market are the team who sit in third spot as things stand, the Exeter Chiefs. Exeter have twenty points after winning four matches, scoring a total of twenty one tries in the process.

Although Rob Baxter’s side could only manage an eighth place finish last season, they look like a different team since the start of the 2014/15 campaign and should not be taken lightly. 20/1 at betfair.com looks like a massive price about the Anglo-Welsh Cup winners.