Four Times The Fun - Aviva Premiership Round 4 Preview

The 2014/15 Aviva Premiership Season has already broken records with five hat tricks, eleven try bonus points and exactly 100 tries being scored it has been some start! If you then add this to the fact act that we have seen three separate teams' nil'ed and some clashes that went down to wire it has been quite the start to the season. The question now is what will Round 4 bring?!

The action all kicks off on Friday Night at the Kassam Stadium where London Welsh will host Gloucester Rugby. The last time London Welsh beat their visitors was in January 1983 in the John Player Cup, I must admit to not having being born at that point, so you could say that once again the odds are slightly staked against Justin Burnell’s side!!! However, they must disregard that and focus on improvement and a huge amount of effort is what their Head Coach demands from his men. From 1 to 15 they must step up individually and collectively they absolutely have to sort out their defensive line... I will continue to repeat this week in week out until it happens because it is fundamental. Gloucester's focus should be to reign in their penalty count in order to give themselves a chance of pressing on in games as opposed to gifting points away. Their backs will relish the prospect of a patchy defensive lines because the likes of May and Sharples see holes in even the most solid of lines so if London Welsh do not turn up in D then I can only see one outcome. It could be unconformable viewing at the Kassam, however I truly hope that it won’t be...

In Round 3 Saracens sneaked an ugly win over a determined London Irish side and their opponents Sale Sharks did the same against London Welsh, although their scoreline made for much more comfortable viewing. Mark McCall’s side are guaranteed to have their game faces on in front of a home crowd, whilst the Sale Sharks must press on in order to initiate some forward momentum. It is not going to be easy for the Sharks as Saracens have won the last 6 encounters between the two sides however based on their respective starts to the season the home side are favourites. Saracens, on paper, are more experienced up front and should squeeze Sale where it hurts however it will be intriguing to see the visitors' back line open up on the artificial surface should they be given quick, clean ball. The news that Owen Farrell is out for 'a few weeks' certainly rings a few alarm bells however for a few 10s, including Danny Cipriani it screams opportunity! 

Say hello to the clash of the weekend as the Northampton Saints welcome Bath Rugby to Franklin’s Gardens.. where do I possibly start with this one!? It is a match that is already getting the rugby pulse racing; indeed my fingers are already flying across the keyboard in anticipation of this almighty match up. The home side have the upper hand in terms of Aviva Premiership form, indeed Bath haven’t beaten Northampton in the competition since February 2011 and they haven’t been victorious at the Gardens since 2003. In saying that can anyone remember a time when Bath have ever looked better? ‘Scratching the surface’ was how Mike Ford described his back line’s performance last weekend and you can guarantee that from 1 to 15 they will step up again. On Sunday afternoon at Kingston Park Northampton conserved a little energy and boy will they need it, for this game will be played at a pace and intensity higher than anything that we have seen so far this term. We have some almighty match ups and with Lawes, Ma’afu, Attwood, Houston and more all on the pitch the physicality will be off the charts. Franklin's Gardens will have a minutes applause prior to kick off to pay tribute to their inspirational Saint Luis Ghaut. Luis will be in the minds and hearts of all on Saturday afternoon and as was eloquently said this week he was a hero to his heroes. Seismic... gigantic... colossal... gargantuan... the list of positive adjectives could go on, indeed for fans of either side and fans of rugby this should be a show stopping Aviva Premiership clash.

I can only imagine that the Round 3 analysis session at Welford Road was a grim place to be and Leicester Tigers' fans don't worry I won’t dwell on ‘that defeat’ any more. Hurt and humiliation are powerful emotions that in themselves will evoke a huge reaction, the question is will it be enough? London Irish will have battled with their own disappointment this week following their ‘one that got away’ in Round 3. This clash of emotions and individuals sets up another enthralling Round 4 Aviva Premiership clash between the two sides that are fairly evenly matched given Leicester's injury issues. The Leicester Tigers hold an impressive record over the Exiles, having not lost against them in their last 10 fixtures however Brian Smith’s men will sniff a spot of vulnerability and wish to pounce. Scott Steele will relish the prospect of showing his former side what they lost when he moved down Hazelwood this season, as will former Tiger Alex Lewington, whilst the home side's point to prove spans across the board from one to twenty three. In the Tigers' back line Miles Benjamin will make a welcome return as will Blaine Scully however the mountainous Manu and dominant Tom Youngs are just two of the many that remain on the sidelines. The message from Richard Cockerill will be 'show me what you are made of' whilst Irish's Director of Rugby will say ‘now is the time’.

On Sunday afternoon Sandy Park and the Exeter Chiefs welcome Harlequins to town. The last match between these two at Sandy Park was that nail-biting clash in May which Harlequins came back from an 18 point deficit to win 30-29. However it must be said that already this season the Chiefs are looking like a more complete side and a side that has the ability to deliver a much stronger performance on Saturday afternoon. Harlequins’ overcame their own emotional barrier last weekend as they bounced back from their humiliation the week prior and once again their leaders need to take charge. In the opening three rounds it is the Chiefs that have looked more stable and exciting of the two sides and O'Shea's side have been a little creaky. There will be an interesting battle between the two front threes and of course ‘Slade and Hill Watch’ continues! With the Tribe in full voice and their team firing on all four cylinders, the stage is set for another classic battle between two high tempo sides.

The final game of the weekend is in High Wycombe where Wasps host the Newcastle Falcons. Last weekend, in spite of a strong second half performance, Newcastle were condemned to their 19th successive Aviva Premiership defeat however  Wasps haven’t won three  back to back fixtures at home in the Aviva Premiership since early 2013. Dai Young’s side had an average day at the office last weekend and they must deliver a much more clinical and well executed performance on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons’ focus will be playing 80 minutes of rugby, not 20 or 40, but 80... if they do that then Dean Richards will be satisfied whatever the end result. Newcastle have made 5 changes to last weekend with their 2013/14 Player of the Season Alex Tait set to make his first appearance of the year as does Gonzala Tiesi. Dai Young has also made a number of changes; all eyes will be on the Daly Leuia centre partnership whilst Ed Jackson returns from injury in the backline. A reaction is needed from Wasps, a step up is required from Falcons, if both deliver these objectives you still fancy a home win however as they proved with their 7-7 second half draw with Saints the Falcons can't be taken lightly by anyone.