Aviva Premiership 2014/15 Round 6 Preview

Welcome to Round 6 of the Aviva Premiership, the final round before we turn our heads to all things European for two weeks. For many it has been an emotional week off the pitch however let’s focus our attentions towards the field of play and the fixtures that we have in store for Round 6.

On Friday evening the Leicester Tigers host Harlequins at Welford Road. Leicester have had a tough few weeks on the field recording three losses in a row which is practically unheard of in recent years however the circumstances speak for themselves. As Richard Cockerill rightly points out the Tigers are ‘in an extraordinary situation’ and one that would test any Aviva Premiership side to the limits. Harlequins recorded their largest ever Premiership victory on Saturday however the Tigers will be a much greater test of their form. Tommy Bell is likely to run out for the first time for Leicester after completing his move from Championship side Jersey this week and with Marcos Auyzera returning from The Rugby Championship it will be all hands on deck to deal with Harlequins’ key playmakers; Evans, Brown and Care. The form book from Round 5 points to Harlequins prevailing however the Tigers will be hell bent on improving their output and gaining a much needed, confidence boosting win.  
Whatever the time of the year twelfth versus eleventh is always a huge match up, and this weekend’s match between the London Welsh and the Newcastle Falcons is no exception to that rule. This match is a must win game for both sides and in all honesty it could be season defining for both. After producing such a gutsy win against the Chiefs and the Newcastle Falcons’ overall performance level Dean Richards’ side are heading into the fixture with their noses firmly in front. London Welsh must produce the type of rugby that they played for 60 minutes against Gloucester in Round 4 otherwise it could be another difficult round of rugby. At the Kassam nerves may mean that it isn’t the most fluid match of rugby of the weekend however may lack in fluidity it will certainly make up for in intensity.

The Exeter Chiefs will run out at Sandy Park all guns blazing, ready to air of spot of frustration against London Irish. Irish certainly will deliver a contest and the fact that they have lost their last 5 encounters in a row against Baxter’s side means nothing for this season their performances levels are the highest they have been in recent seasons. Exeter didn’t reach the heights last weekend up at Kingston Park and London Irish can be just as frustrating as the Falcons so it will be a test of the Cheif’s resilience and character. The breakdown will be suitably brutal with Blair Cowen and Dave Ewers in particular set to ignite proceedings whilst the Geraghty, Slade, centre clash (if picked) will be mesmerising. If the great British weather stays dry then the crowd at Sandy Park are in for a treat for both sides house great mixes of physical units and electric backs.

At Allianz Park Saracens host Gloucester in what will be an intriguing clash for both sides have points to prove following Round 4 and both will go hell for leather in order to do so on Saturday afternoon. This fixture will be a real test for David Humprehys’ new and improved Gloucester side, unquestionably they are building week on week however Saracens remain as one of the best in the business and a side that refuses to let opponents play. It would be surprising if Saracens make a few personnel rotations with one eye on Clermont next weekend and I’m sure that we all can forgive Mark McCall for doing that. It will be an interesting battle up front at scrum time, the platform is critical for Gloucester whilst Saracens wolfpack and front three have been clinical so far this year. All in all we are promised some fast paced rugby mixed with bruising physicality at Allianz Park.

The final Saturday fixture is at Franklin’s Gardens where the Northampton Saints host the Sale Sharks. Neither side hit the heights that they can last weekend however both came away with 4 points and both know that they must up their games significantly if they are to do the same again this weekend. The Saints are a huge test for any team, Franklin’s Gardens is a formidable place to visit and Sale must deliver far over and above anything they have shown this season to be in with a chance of toppling the Champions. Northampton did just enough against London Irish however that performance will have been forgotten long ago and they will be back to their usual, intense selves on Saturday afternoon. Sale must take the positives from Round 5; they defended superbly and caused Wasps all sorts of problems at the breakdown, two things that they will have to repeat this weekend. Mark Cueto’s fitness will be a huge boost if he is available and can deliver 60 or even 80 minutes and expect Danny Cipriani’s radar to be back on form. Saints are front runners but if Sale perform to the best of their ability they have every chance of pushing the home side hard.

The final game of the weekend is between Wasps and Bath. After such a emotional week for all at Wasps it is an immense task to host the current league leaders. It will take a lot of character to focus solely on the job at hand however Wasps’ players are professionals and I’m sure will do everything in their power to deliver a rock solid performance for their fans. Bath made an almighty statement of intent last Friday night, their blend of domineering forward power and electricity out back is eye catching. Anthony Watson and Luke Arscott both played for 40 minutes in the A League on Monday evening so one or both could start or be in the squad on Sunday. It will be an intensely physical encounter, Wasps’ front and back rows don’t shy away from anyone and all will be fired by emotion. With Europe on the horizon Bath will know that it is vital that they continue their forward momentum and continue to build on last weekend’s impressive result. All in all there will be Aviva Premiership fireworks on Sunday afternoon.