Aviva Premiership: Week 15 Preview
Ryan Lamb kicks at goal for Northampton Saints
©Claire Jones - Red Hat Photo
Gloucester travel the short distance to the Rec for the West Country derby on Saturday as the Premiership enters its 15th week. Elsewhere second take on fourth as Leicester travel to Saracens, and leaders Harlequins welcome Worcester to the Stoop as they look to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Saturday
Bath Rugby v Gloucester Rugby 14:30
After the promise of last season, the current Aviva Premiership season hasn't reached the heights expected for rivals Bath and Gloucester, lying ninth and eighth respectively.
Bath's victory over bottom side Newcastle last weekend banished any latent relegation worries that the West Country side may have held, and they find themselves now just five points away from the hotly contested Heineken Cup places, and just four behind their local rivals.
The Cherry and Whites have won three of their last nine matches, but last week's victory over a weakened Northampton side has kept them in the running for the play-offs if the Saints and the Tigers continue to falter during the Six Nations period.
Both sides are able to field fairly strong squads, with minimal players away on international duty and as ever in the fixture; it will be fiercely contested by both sides. Bath's form in the Anglo-Welsh Cup have helped their confidence no ends recently and they should have what it takes to edge their local rivals. Bath by 5.
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks 15:00
Just as during the World Cup, Northampton look like struggling without their international stars as poor performances in the Anglo-Welsh Cup and last week's defeat to Gloucester have proven.
The visitors to Franklin's Gardens on Saturday lie just three points behind third-placed Northampton following their narrow victory over Worcester. Sale have had an up and down season, and last weekend's victory was a second in a row in all competitions following a run of three defeats in a row.
The Saints may be weakened, but Sale have only won twice on their travels this season, whilst Northampton have lost just once at home in the league. Even without their internationals, Northampton should have enough around the park to see off Sale and continue their play-off challenge. Saints by 7.
London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs 15:00
Wasps look like the only side that could realistically go down this season aside from Newcastle, and with seven defeats in a row in the league, it is understandable to see why.
Home advantage will be of little comfort for the London club “ as well as winning at Sandy Park, Exeter have already defeated Wasps at Adams Park this season, a 30-16 victory last month in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The Chiefs have won five of their last six on the road in all competitions, on top of another massive home victory over Leicester last weekend.
With third-placed Northampton only three points ahead, the Chiefs have a genuine chance of reaching the play-offs this season if they can continue their magnificent form. A win against the floundering Wasps would certainly strengthen their case, for the hosts, a win is of paramount importance to ease their relegation fears. Chiefs by 3.
Newcastle Falcons v London Irish 15:00
If Newcastle are to go down this season, and it very much looks to be the case, then they can't say that they didn't deserve to. They have lost all-but three games so far, although in spite of this, they have won five of their last seven games at home in all competitions.
That just one of those five has been in the league is the most telling factor. When it counts, the Falcons have struggled all season. The nine point gap to Wasps isn't impossible to close down, but for them to close it they must win.
If they are to get a win then this weekend could be as good a chance as any for Newcastle. London Irish have been poor away from home, and although they remain in contention for the play-offs, they have managed one win on the road since the start of December.
History is on the Exiles side however “ the Falcons have won just once in their last 13 encounters with London Irish, and it has been almost seven years since Irish lost at Kingston Park. Irish by 5.
Harlequins v Worcester Warriors 17:30
After three defeats in a row in all competitions, Quins returned to winning ways last weekend with victory over London Irish. The Premiership leaders have been slow to adapt to losing so many of their regulars to the Six Nations, but the Stoop has been a stronghold for Quins this season, and they remain undefeated at home in the league.
Their guests' defeat to Sale last time out was their first defeat in three Premiership games, and although the Warriors sit in 10th in the league, their return to the Premiership can be considered a success.
Whether they will have enough in them to challenge Quins at the Stoop is another question. Tries have been a problem for Worcester, having scoring considerably less than anybody else this campaign at just 11 in 14 games.
Conversely, Quins have scored more tries than anybody else this season, and even with key try-scoring figures unavailable, you have to expect that Harlequins will be favourites to run in a few against an inferior Worcester side. Quins by 10
Sunday
Saracens v Leicester Tigers 14:30
In a repeat of last season's final, the Tigers travel to Saracens looking to end Sarries run of eleven games without defeat.
Saracens have lost just twice all season, and sit three points behind leaders Harlequins in the table. Leicester meanwhile find themselves at the head of an intense battle for the final two play-off places, despite last weekend's defeat to Exeter being their first in eight league matches.
After their poor start to the season during the World Cup period, history is looking like repeating itself as the Tigers are again without key players. Leicester haven't lost two away games on the bounce since 2010, but they have also failed to beat Saracens in their last four meetings.
Saracens have also been hit with a number of losses due to the Six Nations, but Alex Goode has stepped up superbly well to take over the kicking responsibilities of Owen Farrell, and Sarries have to be favourites to extend the gap between themselves and the chasing pack. Saracens by 7.
