Aviva Premiership: Week 13 Preview
Aviva Premiership: Week 13 Preview
Week 13 of the Aviva Premiership sees in-form Northampton host league leaders Harlequins, as the Saints look to close the gap to the league leaders. Elsewhere Bath have a tough visit to Saracens after their impressive New Year's Day victory over London Irish, whilst struggling Wasps travel to Welford Road to take on Leicester.
Friday
Northampton Saints v Harlequins 19:45
Northampton welcome back Chris Ashton for Friday night's clash with table-topping Harlequins, following his four week suspension.
The Saints will be without dynamic forward Courtney Lawes, who could miss the start of the Six Nations with a knee injury, but Tom Wood “ rested for the match against Newcastle “ is set to return to the back row. Calum Clark could also make a return, after recovering from a dislocated thumb.
Harlequins welcome back Chris Brooker, Olly Kohn and Nick Easter to their XV, but are still without the influential Nick Evans. His replacement Rory Clegg struggled with the boot last week against Exeter, and Northampton are far more likely to punish any complacent kicking in a game where every kick could be crucial. Saints by 5.
Saturday
Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby 14:45
Worcester take on local rival Gloucester at Sixways on Saturday looking for their first back-to-back victories of the season following last week's success over Wasps.
The Warriors moved up to 10th following a low scoring victory last time out, extending their advantage over basement side Newcastle. Worcester need to make their home games count if they are to secure safety this season, and have a real chance against a wobbly Gloucester side that has won just twice in their last seven outings in the league.
The impressive Joe Carlisle will as ever be important for Worcester, with the Warriors struggling for tries so far this season. However the visitors will be wary of the threat of wings Marcel Garvey and Miles Benjamin, the latter whom has gained the attention of the Tigers. Gloucester's last two performances have been much improved, with a confident win over Wasps and a draw at Saracens, but the Sixways crowd is sure to provide the 16th man on Saturday as Worcester go in search of a fifth victory of the season. Gloucester by less than 5.
Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs 15:00
After six games undefeated at home, the Falcons finally succumbed to defeat at Kingston Park against the Saints last week. In spite of their good home record, Newcastle have won just once in seven in the league and are in desperate need of a victory following relegation rivals Worcester's victory last weekend.
Exeter themselves are in need of a win after falling to defeat in both of their festive fixtures. The Chiefs have dropped to eighth in the table but with it being such a tight season, the Heineken Cup is still a reality.
The Chiefs have won the last two fixtures between the sides, including the last time out at Kingston Park. Newcastle will need to dig deep, and as ever all eyes will be on Jimmy Goppeth to deliver for the Falcons. Exeter will be boosted by the news that Goppeth's opposite number, Argentine Ignacio Mieres wishes to extend his stay with the Chiefs when his current contract runs out this summer. Chiefs by 3.
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps 17:00
Leicester are the form side in the Premiership at the moment, undefeated since the visit of Harlequins at the beginning of October. Following their sluggish start to the campaign, the Tigers have risen to the front of the pack challenging for the remaining two play-off places, along side the Saints, currently in the middle of their own resurgence.
For Wasps it has been a season to forget. After a positive start in which the defeated Saturday's opponents 35-29, things have gone downhill. Last week's defeat to Worcester was the first time that they have failed to score any points in a competitive match. The list of injuries and retirements has hardly helped them, and they just cannot seem to convert possession into points lately.
History is not on their side, the Wasps haven't won at Welford Road in over three years, and with Leicester in their current form it they are highly unlikely to end that run this weekend. Tigers by more than 7.
Sunday
Saracens v Bath Rugby 15:00
Following their impressive victory over league leaders Harlequins, Saracen's progress in hunting down Quins was dealt a blow by their draw against Gloucester at Vicarage Road last week.
If Bath are to achieve or even better their West Country rival's feat, they will have to produce the same sort of display that saw them brush aside London Irish last weekend.
The victory brought to an end a miserable run of five defeats in a row, and a much improved forward display way key to Bath's success. Their scrum will face a much sterner challenge at Vicarage Road on Sunday against a physical Saracens pack, and if Bath find themselves going backwards it could be a long day for Sir Ian McGeechan's men. Added to the fact that the West Countrymen have won just once in eight years at Saracens and the scale of the task seems even greater. Sarries by 7.
London Irish v Sale Sharks 15:00
Sale's good run of form was brought to an end by Leicester last weekend in a thrilling encounter that saw the Sharks take a losing bonus point away from Welford Road.
It was a good achievement considering their poor away form this season, which has seen just the one narrow victory (16-13 against Bath) on their travels this season.
Their hosts for Sunday's game have struggled recently, with just two wins in five in all competitions. The Exiles have become increasingly reliant on Tom Homer for their points this season, and having only managed a single score against Bath last week, the Irish will be desperate to bounce back.
Sale have performed above everyone's expectations this season, and should go into Sunday's game as favourites as they look to return to winning ways. Sharks by 5.
