Aviva Premiership Preview - Round 22
A full programme of Aviva Premiership Rugby this weekend will bring the curtain down on a season that has seen teams battle throughout the season for their respective targets. Some have succeeded, some have failed, but it has been a joy to watch throughout as we get one step closer to finding out who has what it takes to lift the Premiership trophy at Twickenham at the end of May.
James Jones previews Saturday's final day fixtures and predicts how he thinks the games will end up.
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Saturday 7th May 2011
Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons - 3pm
Bath must take maximum points to give themselves a chance to reach the semi-finals. They're on a run of four consecutive wins and their only reverse in their last seven home games came against Leicester at the end of March. Bath have lost just once at home to Falcons since 2004 - 27-16 in October 2009.
Newcastle must record a bonus point win to ensure top-flight safety, although anything less could still keep them up if Leeds fail to pick up any points against Northampton. Falcons' win at The Rec in October 2009 was their only triumph over Bath in 13 attempts. Although their fate is in their own hands, they have lost seven consecutive matches in all competitions, which is their worst run in 15 years.
Prediction: Home Win
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Exeter Chiefs v London Wasps - 3pm
Exeter's first season in the top-flight has been a successful one. They're safety has been confirmed and they can now look forward to another season in the Premiership. Chief's 30-24 win over Sale in the last round ended a run of four league losses on the bounce and they have lost two of the last three games at Sandy Park.
Wasps don't have anything to play for in their last game of the season, but will be bitterly disappointed with their campaign. Their 51-18 thrashing of Leeds last month was their only victory in their last five outings in all competitions. Their away form doesn't make pretty reading, either, losing eight consecutive games on the road.
Prediction: Home Win
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Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks - 3pm
A positive result for Gloucester will ensure their semi-final place, although if other results go their way the outcome of this game shouldn't affect their title chances. However, they are currently on a run of just one win in their last five games. Meanwhile, they are the only remaining side in the top-flight that still has a 100% home record this season.
Sale's season is over, with nothing to play for and Premiership rugby ensure for yet another season. Sharks' 36-31 victory over Gloucester at the beginning of April is their only win in their last four matches, while they haven't won at Gloucester since 2000.
Prediction: Home Win
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Harlequins v Saracens - 3pm (Live on Sky Sports HD)
Quins will be on a high after reaching the European Challenge Cup final last Saturday. They could also secure a top-six finish if they collect maximum points at home to title chasing Saracens. They're currently on a run of three wins in their last four in all competitions.
Having already secured a semi-final tie at home, Saracens could be forgiven for taking their foot off the gas a little when they visit Harlequins. However, with three consecutive wins over Quins and a strong record at Twickenham Stoop, the hosts must be not be complacent. Sarries' current ten match winning streak in all competitions is their best run in 22 years.
Prediction: Away Win
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Leicester Tigers v London Irish - 3pm
Defending champions Leicester are in the play-offs for a seventh consecutive season and have ensured their semi-final is at home. With five of their last six meetings with Irish ending in victory, they will be confident of ensuring they finish top of the bunch before the semi-finals are play next weekend.
A win for London Irish will secure them a top-six finish and they'll want to give a positive reaction to their 20-26 loss to Northampton in the last round. Their only win away to Leicester came in the top-flight eight years ago in 2003.
Prediction: Home Win
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Northampton Saints v Leeds Carnegie - 3pm (Live on ESPN)
Northampton will be bouncing after they reached the Heineken Cup final last Sunday, and they can make sure they're in the semi-finals with a win over Leeds, who also must win to stay up. Two points will be enough for Saints and they'll take confidence that they've been victorious in their last five meetings with Leeds.
Leeds must collect two more points than Newcastle this weekend to avoid relegation to the Championship. However, they've conceded 89 points in their two outings and will need to make sure their defence is solid against a Saints side that are capable of destruction on their day.
Prediction: Away Win
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You can follow James on Twitter at @jj2388
