The Championship: Back after a week off

Chris Pennell returns to Championship action for Worcester Warriors as they take on bottom of the Table Plymouth Albion at Sixways on Saturday

The Championship is back this week with  top of the table Worcester heading to bottom of the table Plymouth amongst other mouthwatering ties this weekend in Round 17.

Friday

Bristol (2^nd, 75pts) vs. Nottingham (4^th, 41pts)

Nottingham Rugby will attempt to put a dent in the promotion hopes Bristol this Friday night at Ashton gate. The Green and Whites are on their worst of run of the season, having lost their last four games in the Championship, but are still fourth, however look to have a daunting task in front of them with Bristol riding high in second, 33 points ahead of them. Bristol have also a perfect record, winning eight from eight on home turf while away from home Nottingham have won just four of their eight away trips.

League Positions:

Key Men: Bristol- Matthew Morgan; Nottingham- Brent Wilson

Last Meeting: Nottingham 12-27 Bristol

Prediction: Bristol by 15

Moseley (11^th, 23pts) vs. Doncaster (10^th, 25pts)

Moseley welcome relegation rivals Doncaster to Billesley Common this Friday night. Although the nights have had improved fortunes of late they have not won away at Moseley since November 2008.

Key Men: Moseley- Sam Oliver; Doncaster- Dougie Flockhart

Last Meeting: Doncaster 13-28 Moseley

Prediction: Moseley by 5

 

Saturday

Jersey (7^th, 33pts) vs. London Scottish (3^rd, 73pts)

The hosts, with 12, have conceded the fewest tries of any side on home turf in the league, while visiting Scottish have conceded the second least (14) away, suggesting a tight game could be in prospect, with both kickers likely to play a crucial role. It was Scottish who won the reverse fixture earlier in the season, scoring three tries in each half to romp to a comfortable 28-17 win.

Key Men: Jersey- Tom Bell; London Scottish- Mark Bright

Last Meeting: London Scottish 38-16 Jersey

Prediction: Jersey by 6

Worcester (1^st. 75pts) vs. Plymouth Albion (12^th, 20pts)

Top plays bottom as leaders Worcester entertain a Plymouth side 11 places and 55 points worse off than them in the GKIPA Championship table.

Key Men: Worcester- Tom Biggs; Plymouth- Lawrence Raynor

Last Meeting: Plymouth 10-22 Worcester

Prediction: Worcester by 20

Sunday

Cornish Pirates (6^th, 34pts) vs. Rotherham Titans (5^th, 39pts)

Titans will look to extend their winning run against the Pirates to five matches as they chase down Nottingham for the fourth and final play-off spot.

Key Men: Cornish Pirates- Kieran Hallett; Rotherham- James Mckinney

Last Meeting: Rotherham 21-13 Cornish Pirates

Prediction: Rotherham by 10

 

Yorkshire Carnegie (9^th, 31pts) vs. Bedford (8^th, 31pts)

The hosts have never lost to Bedford at Headingly heading into this game but have struggled to win on home turf this season with a dismal two wins in seven. The sides go into the weekend tied on 31 points, in ninth and eighth respectively, knowing that one more win will all but guarantee them their place in the division next season.

Key Men: Yorkshire Carnegie- Harry Leonard; Bedford- Patrick Tapley

Last Meeting: Bedford 15-10 Yorkshire Carnegie

Prediction: Yorkshire by 3