Aviva Premiership Round 21 Preview - The Final Few...

After a scintillating European weekend that involved four of our Aviva Premiership teams, the domestic competition resumes this weekend for its final foray before it too reaches the knockout stages. At this point, in Round 21, for many teams, there still is an awful lot to play for…

On Friday Night The Rec opens its doors for a rather large clash between Bath and the Northampton Saints. Bath are the side with everything to play for as they haven't yet secured their playoff spot, whereas the visitors can rest easy knowing that they will play a home Semi-Final at Franklin's Gardens.

The match is a rehearsal for the Amlin Challenge Cup Final in a few weeks time and, depending on how the results pan out in Rounds 21 and 22, it could be a rehearsal for an Aviva Premiership playoff fixture too... needless to say these two are going to get to know each other well over the next month.

A key question is whether Jim Mallinder will rest his big players, or whether he will go for broke with the intention of gaining winning momentum? Bath don’t have that luxury so expect a full strength starting XV from Mike Ford, with the exception of Semesa Rokoduguni who will be playing for the Army on Saturday in the annual Army versus Navy match at Twickenham.

Both teams will play some first-class rugby this weekend, like they did in their respective Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Finals, both were, and will be brutally clinical and efficient in their assault of the other and The Rec is in for a treat on Friday Night. 

Gloucester Rugby's season has been one to forget; following their defeat to London Wasps at Twickenham Nigel Davies looked like a man in need of some TLC or, in fact, just a win would do wonders to boost his spirits after his side once again gave a performance that doesn’t do their talent justice.

Kingsholm isn’t quite the fortress that it once was, but the men in Cherry and White are sure to raise their game in front of their home crowd. London Irish were resurgent in the second half against Saints and they must press on from that this weekend.

The Exiles will look towards Shane Geraghty and Tom Homer to provide some spark – both should be ably supported by their constantly improving and menacing pack.

On the other hand, Gloucester need to go back to basics; they need to secure their own ball, particularly from the lineout and after that not panic. Charlie Sharples and Jonny May can work their magic out wide and a stronger defensive display will surely pay dividends.

All-in-all for the home side, a strong performance is critical in order to salvage some; although, London Irish will fancy their chances of gaining their first set of back-to-back wins at Kingsholm ever.

London Wasps performed well at the weekend in their Amlin Challenge Cup Semi Final against Bath; however, they were their own worst enemies and will wish to make amends in Round 21 at home against the Newcastle Falcons. 

This week Wasps announced the signing of the electric Alapati Leuia from the Hurriances and, whilst that is great news it won't distract them, instead their focus will be solely on the job in hand which is putting themselves in the best possible position to secure that coveted 7th place.

The Falcons won’t be short of a spot of confidence after pushing Saracens all the way in Round 20 and it will be a brutally physical match.

Both sides have an awful lot of power in their ranks. Expect Nathan Hughes to be a one man crusade for Wasps whilst Newcastle's Sinoti Sinoti should enjoy the firm ground at Adams Park and it should be a feisty and fast-paced match in High Wycombe. 

Deservedly, Saracens are the talk of the town after they blasted Clermont Auvergne into next week in the Heineken Cup Semi Final... it was a result that sent shockwaves through the rugby community and it is one that will be talked about for years and years to come.

In the post match press conference Mark McCall was very open about the fact that he will utilise his full squad for Rounds 21 and 22 of the Aviva Premiership so expect a whole host of changes this weekend. 

Their opponents are the Worcester Warriors. The Warriors are a team that are building in terms of their confidence and performance levels; however, it appears to be all too-little-too-late, and this weekend might just be the one when their dream of pulling off the Great Escape is dashed for good.

Saracens only just beat the Newcastle Falcons in Round 20 and this could be another close-encounter, but given the strength in depth of McCall’s squad they are likely to have just a little too much firepower for the Warriors to cope with.

The final game on Saturday takes place at the AJ Bell Stadium where the Sale Sharks welcome the Leicester Tigers to town and this will be a huge battle of wills between two sides that won't take any prisoners in their quest to end the day with at least four points.

The Sharks recorded one of the most emphatic victories that the Aviva Premiership has seen in Round 20, as they were brutally efficient against a shell-shocked Exeter Chiefs; whereas their opponents were left wanting slightly against Harlequins.

The Sharks opportunity to gain a playoff place is more of an outside chance, whereas the Tigers have the playoffs firmly in their sights. In addition, Sale will be without Captain Dan Braid who has undergone knee surgery and will be out for the rest of the season. On the other hand, for one of the first times all season, Leicester almost have a full contingent to choose from.

The final game of the weekend is on Sunday at Sandy Park where the Exeter Chiefs host Harlequins. The home side will be desperate to erase the horrific memories that they have of their defeat to the Sale Sharks in Round 20.

Both sides need as many points as possible in order to stay in touch with those above them and both will need results elsewhere to go their way. Exeter need to start afresh, two weeks off will have helped them to regroup and they will be bursting to get out and show exactly what they are made of.

Harlequins will be hoping that Nick Evans has recovered from his injury and can start; equally the Chiefs will hope that Dean Mumm is ready to lead the side out. It will be a brutally competitive affair at Sandy Park that will make for some compelling viewing to finish off Round 21 in style.