There is plenty to look forward to in week 7 of the Gallagher Premiership, with the headline clash seeing Harlequins host Saracens at the Stoop.
The Gallagher Premiership is fast becoming the world’s most exciting rugby competition and a brief look through last weekend’s results shows you why. Two of the Round 5 games went beyond the 70-point mark with Northampton drubbing Worcester 66-10, while Saracens hammered Wasps 56-15.
We also saw a couple of games of attrition as Leicester ground out a 19-11 win over Sale and Gloucester beat Newcastle 29-20.
That wasn’t all, however, as we were treated to an upset of note with lowly London Irish beating the Exeter Chiefs 21-33 at Sandy Park.
We’re in store for another cracking round this week with a couple of blockbuster classes on the way including second-placed Harlequins taking on third-placed Saracens.
Friday 29 October
Gloucester 7/4 | Draw 20/1 | Exeter 49/100 (20:45)
Two sides who experienced contrasting fortunes in Round 6 with lock horns on Friday evening at the Kingsholm Stadium.
Gloucester head into this one off the back of a very fine performance as they beat Newcastle 29-20. Their kicking game was on point last week, as was their rolling maul with their two tries coming courtesy of the set-piece.
While Gloucester were impressive, Exeter weren’t as they went down 21-33 to London Irish at Sandy Park no less. The Chiefs were shambolic and soft on defence, falling off a number of tackles which allowed their opponents to saulter in for numerous five-pointers.
Verdict: Exeter 49/100
If that defeat doesn’t knock some sense into the Chefs then nothing will. I’m expecting a big bounce back from them this weekend.
Saturday 30 October
Worcester 54/10 | Draw 28/1 | Sale 1/8 (16:00)
The Worcester Warriors will be looking to bounce back from yet another heavy defeat when they take on a Sale Sharks side looking to edge their way up the Premiership standings when the two sides go head-to-head on Saturday.
Having been smashed 3-48 a week prior by Leicester, the Warriors were looking for some respite when they travelled to Franklin’s Gardens to take on the Northampton Saints. There was to be no let-off, however, as the Saints bulldozed them 66-10. The Warriors now travel back home to take on Sale with an embarrassing points differential of -140.
Sale, although they also tasted defeat, were not embarrassed in Round 6 but they will be disappointed with their 19-11 loss to log-leaders Leicester after just missing out on a losing bonus point.
Verdict: Sale 1/8
I’m not expecting as big a losing margin here but I’d still be happy to take a Sale minus handicap no bigger than 20 points.
Northampton 4/4 | Draw 22/1 | Leicester 67/100 (16:00)
The log-leading Leicester Tigers make the short trip to Northampton this Saturday and will be looking to keep their unbeaten record intact against a Saints side that has only lost a single fixture this term.
Both teams had solid Round 6 outings with this weekend’s hosts running in tries for fun as they hammered the Worcester Warriors 66-10. Former Springbok and Golden Lions flyer Corthnall Skosan was the star of the show as he marked his Northampton debut with a hat-trick.
The Tigers were far more subdued but managed to produce the goods in a hard fought battle against the Sale Sharks, beating them 19-11.
Verdict: Leicester 67/100
I reckon this one will be really tight as both sides have been in solid touch this term. Still, Leicester are red-hot at the minute and have to be respected… even away from home.
London Irish 21/20 | Draw 22/1 | Bristol 82/100 (16:00)
London Irish will be looking to build on their famous 21-33 away win over the Exeter Chiefs when they play host to the Bristol Bears, who currently sit 12th on the standings.
The hosts were in fine fettle last week as they outplayed their much-fancied opponents with fly-half Paddy Jackson having a solid day with the boot and Australian Curtis Rona making a big impact in the back division, which inspired the Exiles to their first win of the campaign.
While Irish were leaving tearing up the formbook, Bristol were enjoying a much-needed bye. Last year’s defeated Premiership semi-finalists have really struggled this term only managing one win from their opening five fixtures.
Verdict: Bristol 82/100
Irish were impressive last week but I can’t ignore a superior Bristol side at 82/100.
Bath 14/10 | Draw 22/1 | Wasps 62/100 (16:00)
Our next fixture pits old rivals Bath and Wasps up against each other. Both sides had weekends to forget with Bath going down 31-17 to Harlequins and Wasps being hammered 56-15 by Saracens.
Despite the heavy loss to Saracens, Wasps have enjoyed a far more positive start to the campaign having registered two wins from their five fixtures. While this record is nothing to write home about, it is better than their opponents who have lost all five of their games.
Verdict: Bath 14/10
My money is on the hosts breaking their duck here. They looked a shade better than last weekend than they have in weeks gone by and I think they could well have Wasps’ number here.
Sunday 31 October
Harlequins 27/20 | Draw 22/1 | Saracens 64/100 (17:00)
Once again, the headline clash has been saved for last with two bang in-form teams who occupy spots in the higher echelons of the log standings bringing the curtain down on the week 7 action.
Second-placed Quins registered their fourth win of the campaign last weekend as they beat a beleaguered Bath side 31-17. While they were far from their free-flowing best, Harlequins did produce some good rugby near the end of the game with two late tries adding a lot of gloss to the scoreline.
While this weekend’s hosts just managed to get over the line against Bath, Saracens absolutely demolished Wasps 56-15. Winger Max Mallins was in class form again as he registered his second hattrick in as many weeks.
Verdict: Saracens 64/100
Quins seem to be dropping off the boil somewhat while Saracens are clicking into gear. With this in mind, I’ll be backing the men from North London to come good here.
