Saturday 28 September
1/50 Harlequins | Draw 40/1 | Newcastle Falcons 12/1
Handicap
Harlequins (-21.5) 17/20 | Benetton (+21.5) 17/20
Quins fell 11-12 against Sale Sharks last week in a thoroughly tight affair in Manchester but should record their first win of their campaign against strugglers Falcons. They face a real litmus test at the home of the champions in round three and must make Saturday count by locking in all five log points.
Newcastle must surely improve on their previous campaign under Steve Diamond this term, but it’s difficult seeing them get anything from their trip to The Stoop.
Verdict: Quins on the minus
The hosts to come away with a convincing victory.
2/9 Saracens | Draw 24/1 | Sale Sharks 36/10
Handicap
Saracens (-9.5) 17/20 | Sale Sharks (+9.5) 17/20
Sarries got the post-Farrell/ Vunipola era underway with a solid enough win at Gloucester but will face a sterner test against the side that pipped them to third at the StoneX in the final round-robin game of last season’s semi-final.
The six-time champions will be going all out to get some sweet revenge against Sale, but whether they are established enough in their gameplan to match such a powerful pack of forwards remains to be seen.
The Mancunian club just got over the line in their one-pointer over Quins in the first round, thanks largely to Georgie Ford grabbing all 12 of his side’s points on the day. That encounter makes them more battle-hardened than the hosts heading into this one, and that could give them the edge.
Verdict: Sale to win
Get on the visitors to get a valuable away win on Saturday.
24/100 Northampton Saints | Draw 22/1 | Exeter Chiefs 33/10
Handicap
Saints (-9.5) 17/20 | Exeter (+9.5) 17/20
Northampton were well beaten by Bath a week ago in an eventual 16-38 loss at The Rec. Playing their first game at home since winning the title last season, Phil Dowson will have his boys extra motivated to produce a winning performance and get some momentum going in their campaign against Exeter.
Chiefs were thwarted 14-17 in the final play by the Tigers at Sandy Park, making this encounter equally important for them. After losing so many senior statesmen a couple seasons back and still, in something of a rebuilding phase, Rob Baxter’s side are one of the teams under the most pressure to make the cut-off for the playoffs. This weekend’s clash at Franklin’s Gardens will provide a clearer picture of just how far along they are in their evolution.
Verdict: Saints to win
Get on the defending champions to get their campaign up and running with a win at home on Saturday.