Aviva Premiership 2014/15 Round 10 Preview

After two weeks of European adventures our Aviva Premiership sides are back on home soil and ready to reignite their domestic campaigns. As always we have a jam packed weekend of rugby action, complete with a couple of derby day fixtures and a house warming party for Wasps at the Ricoh Arena, all in all it is set to be a huge festive treat of the rugby variety

The round kicks on Friday night off at the AJ Bell Stadium where Steve Diamond’s Sale Sharks host the inform Exeter Chiefs. Rob Baxter’s men are flying high at the moment and deservedly so. Thanks to their solid foundations and coming of age they have amassed 8 victories on the bounce in all competitions. The Sharks had a tough two weeks in Europe, in spite of making Saracens work for every point they missed out on victory and will be fired up to avoid the same fate on home turf. Nullifying the confidence of Exeter will be their first job, followed by ensuring that their key men; Danny Cipriani, Chris Cusiter and Sam Tuitupou in particular all input greatly into the story of the match.

On Saturday we welcome a good fashioned East Midlands Derby… like every single derby that has ever been played between these two it will be a game filled with drama and a whole lot of passion. In Europe the Leicester Tigers started to find some form against a hugely impressive Toulon side and with the news that their starting front 3; Marcos Ayerza, Tom Youngs and Dan Cole have all extended their contracts with the club things are looking up. Northampton have only lost one out of their last nine games and they were also boosted by huge re-signings this week include captain Dylan Hartley that turned down the Euros of the Top 14 in favour of staying loyal to his team. The last time that these two met it was that epic, power charged 21-20 semi final encounter and if this game is even 80% as good as that one was we are in for a treat.

The Stoop opens its doors once again to host the Newcastle Falcons on Saturday afternoon. As we all know during the International period Harlequins’ form was patchy at best however as soon as their key men have returned they are a different side. Chris Robshaw’s injury absence is a blow however against the Falcons they should still deliver a strong performance with Jack Clifford stepping into the England captain’s boots and Mike Brown providing a cool head at the back. Newcastle have been developing their style of rugby all season and the fruits of their labour are starting to come through both in the Premiership and in Europe. The blend of pace and power in their back line with the likes of Sinoti Sinoti and Alex Tuilagi is turning heads and I expect them to put up a good fight at The Stoop this weekend.

During the course of the European back to backs Saracens have started to look like the side that we know them to be as they delivered precise tries and domination up front. This weekend Ernst Joubert will captain a strong side boosting one of the most experienced half back partnerships in the league with Neil De Kock and Charlie Hodgson. London Welsh’s last victory against Saracens was on the 12th September 1987 and what a story it would be if they did record another this weekend!! Piri Weepu will start his first Aviva Premiership game at fly half and Opeti Fonua returns to the Number 8 shirt after his injury. The phrases 'going for broke' and 'having nothing to lose' apply for London Welsh however personally I can’t look beyond a Saracens’ bonus point win at home. 

The Shed will be in fine voice in Round 10 as Kingsholm and Gloucester Rugby welcome Bath Rugby to town in what will be another feisty derby. Gloucester will be desperate to put right the fact that they have lost their last two Premiership fixtures at home and will look towards their captain Billy Twelvetrees to inspire them to victory. Bath Rugby are one of the leaders of the pack with their impressive domestic and European form. As I’ve said before Bath’s squad depth is superb and they are a well rounded team with an exceptionally talented back line and a huge set of forwards. Exactly like the East Midlands Derby it is going to be a humdinger of a fixture and one I can’t wait to see unfold. 

The final fixture of the weekend is a historic one as Wasps will play their first ever home game at the Ricoh Arena. Already ticket sales have soared well into the mid twenty thousands and we still have a few days left. Wasps last run out was an impressive one in particular thanks to their back row of Nathan Hughes, James Haskell and Ashley Johnson that is the envy of many a club. Christian Wade returns to the starting line up and will hope to christen his new home with a try or two. London Irish have had a tough period of late and rumours are circulating surrounding Brian’s Smith position however the players’ sole focus will be on the job at hand; spoiling Wasps house warming party! Personally I think Wasps will hold strong and deliver their new fans with a performance to be proud of, for losing in front of a new crowd really isn’t an option and the players will know that.