After a doozy of a return last week, the 13th round of Gallagher Premiership action has even more crackers in store as Bath continue to set the pace at the summit.
Friday 28 March
Sale Sharks vs Northampton Saints
Sale’s 39-15 win at Falcons in round 12 has lifted them one spot to sixth, where they are now just two-points shy of the top four. Given what they produced at Kingston Park – with in-form George Ford assisting two tries and kicking 14-points – they will be difficult to stop when under fire Saints arrive in Manchester on Friday.
The defending champions’ lacklustre title defence evaporated following their 0-33 hiding at the hands of Tigers at Franklin’s Gardens, and they’re now 10-points off the pace in eighth spot overall. Given that performance, it’s difficult seeing them get anywhere near the hosts here.
Verdict: Sale on the minus
Sale Sharks to collect all five-log points available.
Saturday 29 March
Exeter Chiefs vs Newcastle Falcons
In the battle of the basement dwellers, both Chiefs and Falcons will look to rebound after they both copped more defeats in round 12.
The hosts are ninth, 10-points off eighth-placed Saints with new coach Rob Hunter saying in the build-up that he’s ready to “rip up” the side in order to rebuild ahead of the seasons ahead. He gets his first shot to show what he can do this weekend.
Falcons remain seven-points below Exeter at the bottom and should have their moments in this contest but will ultimately come up short.
Verdict: Chiefs on the board
Hunter’s Exeter to start strong at Sandy Park.
Bath vs Harlequins
Table-toppers Bath’s defeat of Gloucester a week ago puts them 15-points clear of fourth place and all but guarantees them a playoff berth with just six rounds remaining.
They’re looking very difficult to stop, with Tommy du Toit dotting down again last time out should have the ammo required to put the visitors away at the Rec.
Under-strength Quins did well to beat a fully-loaded Saracens outfit at the StoneX in round 13 to bump themselves up to fourth.
They should be stronger on paper this weekend with the expected return of a number of Six Nations internationals, but Bath are a tough nut to crack at home.
Visitors: Bath on the board
Bath to keep the momentum flowing at the top of the log.
Gloucester vs Bristol Bears
Gloucester’s loss at Bath has seen them drop from third to fifth ahead of the challenge of second-placed Bristol.
The Cherry and Whites have certainly not had an easy go of it playing the top two-ranked teams immediately after the competition’s resumption, but they’ll be hoping to make lemonade come Saturday’s clash.
Bears were in fine attacking form against Exeter, making nine linebreaks in that encounter with Jack Bates, who bagged a hattrick, sparking three of them. They’re looking deadly and could exploit a Gloucester team that conceded 42-points against Bath.
Verdict: Bristol on the board
Bears’ attack to knock over Gloucester.
Sunday 30 March
Leicester Tigers vs Saracens
Leicester, now third, hit the ground running to say the least in their annihilation of Northampton last week. After such a long break period in the competition, the emphatic nature of that win will set them up rather nicely indeed for the arrival at Welford Road of a hurting Sarries outfit.
Even with their big guns in tow, Mark McCall’s side couldn’t get the better of Quins, leaving them in the unfamiliar position of seventh.
They’re in for a proper playoff dogfight from here on out, and unfortunately them Leicester should have their number.
Verdict: Tigers on the board
Leicester to keep the pace in the top three by downing Sarries on Sunday.
