The Gallagher Premiership gets back underway this weekend with some tasty fixtures to look forward to, including a Chiefs v Tigers showdown at Sandy Park.
Friday 9 September
Bristol 32/100 | Draw 22/1 | Bath 26/10 (20:45)
Bristol endured a tremendously disappointing season last time out. After topping the standings in 2021 and winning the Challenge Cup the year before, they finished 10th – and all after director of rugby Pat Lam had signed a five-year contract extension. Bath were even worse and will be hoping new director of rugby Johann van Graan will improve a side that finished bottom last time out with just five wins from 24. It will be the hosts who earn the spoils here though.
Sale Sharks 32/100 | Draw 22/1 | Saints 26/10 (20:45)
Saints did well to sneak into fourth at the conclusion of last season, though they were outclassed by eventual champions Tigers in their semi. Phil Dowson has replaced Chris Boyd as new director of rugby as will look to bring more consistency to a club that will again challenge for the playoffs. The arrival of George Ford and Jonny Hill could give Sale the boost they need to improve on their sixth-place finish las season. That said, back the visitors to grab the W at the AJ Bell.
Saturday 10 September
London Irish | Draw | Worcester (16:00) * betting tba
After a 10-year absence, the Exiles secured qualification to the Champions Cup thanks to a solid eighth-place finish last season. Although as many as 20 players left in the offseason, director of rugby Declan Kidney will be looking for another respectable finish this term. Warriors ended up 11th last time out and should be in a scrap to avoid relegation yet again. The hosts will take this one.
Newcastle 9/4 | Draw 21/1 | Quins 38/100 (16:00)
Falcons finished 12th last season, level on points with bottom-placed Bath. With Dean Richards having stepped down from his role as director of rugby, a position he held since 2012, there’s hope Dave Walder’s elevation to the role from head coach will benefit the club this season. Quins meanwhile will be looking for an edge after failing to defend the title they won in 2021. They should start off strong with an away win at Kingston Park.
Exeter 82/100 | Draw 20/1 | Leicester 21/20 (16:00)
After qualifying for six-straight Grand Finals, Chiefs’ remarkable run came to an end last season after a disappointing seventh-place finish. While many would expect Rob Baxter’s boys to bounce back this campaign, they have a tough first assignment against the defending champions to negotiate. Get on Leicester to sneak this the game of the weekend.
Sunday 11 September
Gloucester 27/100 | Draw 23/1 | Wasps 29/10 (16:00)
The Cherry and Whites narrowly missed out on fourth last time out, eventually finishing one place and two-points back of Saints. They begin their search for improvement here against a Wasps side that will be playing Challenge Cup rugby this season. Despite losing a number of players in the offseason, including Vaea Fifita and Malakai Fekitoa, they could be a surprise package and may cause an upset right off the bat.
Double @ 6/1
Northampton win 26/10
Leicester win 21/20
