We arrive at Round 10 of the Aviva Premiership off the back of one of the most dramatic finales to the European group stages that we have ever witnessed. While the Challenge Cup quarter-finalists were decided by early evening on Saturday it went down to the wire in the Champions Cup and I have to say as a neutral it was simply spellbinding.
With 5 of the 8 Champions Cup quarter-finalists and 4 out of 8 in the Challenge Cup it is fair to say that our domestic clubs should be pretty pleased with themselves right now. Of course a number of individuals have now departed to Pennyhill Park however with the wealth of talent that all of our sides house we should be set for another enthralling weekend of action. This year there are 8 rounds during the RBS 6 Nations and it most certainly is the period that will test the men from the boys!
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The round will commence at the home of England's new captain, Franklin's Gardens, where the Northampton Saints will be hosting Wasps. Both will head into the fixture with the confidence that arrives from securing European quarter-final spots and both will wish to make firm domestic statements. For all of Wasps' glittering European form they haven't been as consistent in the Premiership and that has to change now. Elliot Daly is surprisingly back and available for selection however hasn't been included by Dai Young in the match day squad instead his DOR has chosen to give others a chance - something I expect will compound his frustration. As for the hosts well they are starting to move in the right direction going forwards, thanks in a large part, to the fresh enthusiasm and work of Harry Mallinder and he'll have extra room to play with donning the 15 jersey for the first time. The set piece battle will be a gnarly old affair between two powerful packs however I think that Wasps will have the edge in attack with Piutau, Halai and Daly on the charge. Focus Point: The battle of the 7s as one of the Premiership's most experience blindsides comes up against one of the Premiership's most promising for the future - Smith v Harrison.
The Saturday service starts with Steve Diamond's Sale Sharks welcoming London Irish to the AJ Bell Stadium. London Irish have used this term's European Challenge Cup wisely in order to gain game time for their whole squad and used it to boost morale after a tricky domestic start. Flipping the focus to the home side there's a bit of a buzz around them at the minute as their young players are flourishing and they remain unbeaten at home this Premiership season. The focus that Paul Deacon has put on core skills is really paying off and in the middle Danny Cipriani continues to masterfully pull the strings. The rumours that he will be off to Harlequins next season are growing stronger by the day however for now he's focused on shining for Sale and in turn reminding Eddie Jones what he is missing. London Irish will be without Blair Cowen which does take a good deal grit out of their back-row. The AJ Bell remains a really difficult place to travel to and while I believe that Irish will deliver a good account of themselves I'm fully expecting the Sharks to extend their unbeaten home run. Focus Point: The Wing Men as Topsy Ojo will test his new form against Nev Edwards.
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Burns v Burns on
familiar territory |
133 miles south Gloucester Rugby will be running out at Kingsholm against the Leicester Tigers and this is a match that is going to be full of bite and menace. David Humphreys' side have been slipping under the radar slightly and will relish the challenge that comes with hosting an in form Leicester Tigers side. Without question The Shed will welcome back Freddie Burns in the customary fashion and his nerve will be tested back on 'Holm' soil, sorry it had to be done!!! Historically the Tigers used to lose a hefty chunk of their squad to England's camp however this year they remain mostly largely in tact and will be ready to rumble. Leicester's inventive back line will be a major test for the Cherry and Whites' defence however it will be without Manu Tuilagi who has picked up a hamstring strain and will be out for 'a few weeks'. Across the eighty minutes I expect plenty of spark and good old fashioned gnarly affair in this Premiership encounter. Focus Point: Keep one eye on the 10s with Freddie Burrns and James Hook testing each other and the other on Telusa Veianu and Charlie Sharples out wide.
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Flashback
to Twickenham |
Allianz Park will witness the first meeting of last year's Premiership finalists as Saracens will host Bath Rugby. It is fair to say that the two sides are in very different places to each other now. One is riding high in all competitions while the other still is looking to find the performance that clicks everything back into place and makes their fans breathe a sigh of relief. Saracens may have lost 6 players to England duty however when you look at the side that they are still able to field you expect zero drop in output. Notably Hodgson comes in for Owen Farrell, Jim Hamilton and Maro Itoje partner in the second-row and Schalk Brits starts at hooker. Bath's performance against Toulon showed more encouraging signs however they'll need further guts and grit to believe that they can topple the form Premiership side. Rhys Preistland will lead the side at 10 with Dan Boden making his club debut at 12 and crucially Francois Louw is back to captain the side in Stuart Hooper's absence. If Saracens get into their stride early then this could be a tough task for a slightly shaky Bath side. However if the visitors throw caution to the wind and avoid being sucked into playing the Saracens way at Allianz Park then they may be able to get something out of their trip to London. Focus Point: The scrummage and set piece - will Bath Rugby be able to gain the parity that they need?
On Sunday afternoon Dean Richards' Newcastle Falcons will host Harlequins at Kingston Park. Last weekend Harlequins didn't really enjoy themselves over in France as they faded badly in their match against Montpellier but won't dwell too much on that heading back into the Premiership. Japanese tight-head prop Kensuke Hatakeyama has joined the home side to boost their front-row resources and although he won't run out against Harlequins will add further power and proficiency to their set piece. Of course the visitors will be without Chris Robshaw, Jack Clifford, Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Danny Care however like Saracens their depth is strong enough to expect only a marginal dip in output. Without question this is a match that the Newcastle Falcons will need Andy Goode to be on the top of his game and steer their ship, with energy saving proficiency that he is famed for. Focus Point: Collision Central - Nili Latu has been setting the carrying standards this season and I expect Kingston Park's ground to shake when he meets the full force of Mat Luamanu.
The final game of the weekend will be played at Sixways where the Worcester Warriors will welcome the team of the moment the Exeter Chiefs to town. While Worcester quietly went about their business in the Challenge Cup for the past two weekends the Exeter Chiefs made the headlines with their thrilling Champions Cup finale and quarter-final qualification. Rob Baxter has the luxury of fielding Sam Hill, Tomas Francis and Michele Campangero and gives a first Premiership start to young lock Jonny Hill. From hereon in I expect his Exeter side to continue to put their foot on the gas and go from strength to strength with every round played. The challenge for Dean Ryan's side will be to ensure that their defensive line holds strong and that they take every single opportunity to fire some shots of their own. The form book points to a healthy away win however Sixways isn't an easy place to travel to and the Chiefs will know that. Focus Point: The collective confidence of Worcester - Dean Ryan's side must not be phased by the Chiefs' recent success and instead put their game on the park - GJ van Velze's leadership will be vital.
