After two weeks of European adventures our Aviva Premiership sides are back on home soil and ready to reignite their domestic campaigns. As always we have a jam packed weekend of rugby action, complete with a couple of derbies and a house warming party for Wasps. Here is the full Out On The Full Round 10 preview;
The round kicks off at the AJ Bell Stadium where Steve Diamond’s Sale Sharks host the in form Exeter Chiefs. Rob Baxter’s men are flying so high at the moment and quite frankly it is nothing more than they deserve. Thanks to their solid foundations and coming of age they have amassed 8 victories on the bounce in all competitions. The Sharks had a tough two weeks in Europe but certainly made Saracens work for every point. Nullifying the confidence of Exeter will be their first job, followed by ensuring that their key men input greatly into the story of the match. The breakdown battle will be critical as well as the boots of both fly halves… personally I wouldn’t be surprised if Exeter extended their winning record but it won’t be a straight forward victory.
Welcome to a good old fashioned East Midlands Derby… like every single derby that has ever been played between these two it will be a game filled with drama and a whole lot of passion. In Europe the Leicester Tigers started to find some form against a hugely impressive Toulon side and with the news that their first choice front 3 have all extended their playing contracts with the club things are looking up, the only piece left now is Manu! Northampton have only lost one game in the last nine games and like the Chiefs’ their confidence is sky high. They also had their own personnel boost today as 6 of their most influential players re-signed including Dylan Hartley who was extremely open about the offers he turned down. The last time these two met it was that epic, power charges 21-20 semi final encounter and if this game is even 80% as good as that one was we are in for a treat.
The Stoop opens its doors once again to host the Newcastle Falcons on Saturday afternoon. As we all know during the International period Harlequins’ form was patchy at best however as soon as their key men have returned they are a different side. Chris Robshaw’s injury absence is a blow however against the Falcons they should be fine. Newcastle have been developing their style of rugby all season and the fruits of their labour are starting to come through both in the Premiership and in Europe. The blend of pace and power in their back line with the likes of Matthew Tait and Alesana Tuliagi is turning heads and I expect them to put up a good fight at The Stoop this weekend.
The Shed will be in fine voice in Round 10 as Kingsholm and Gloucester Rugby welcome Bath Rugby to town in what will be another feisty derby. Gloucester will be desperate to put right the fact that they have lost their last two Premiership fixtures at home and will look towards their captain Billy Twelvetrees to inspire them to victory. Bath Rugby are one of the leaders of the pack with their impressive domestic and European form. As I’ve said before their squad depth is superb and I expect that Mike Ford’s selection meetings take a little while right now. Exactly like the East Midlands Derby it is going to be a humdinger of a fixture and one I can’t wait to see unfold. 
The final fixture of the weekend is a historic one as Wasps will play their first ever home game at the Ricoh Arena. Already ticket sales have soared well into the mid twenty thousands and we still have a few days left. Wasps last run out was an impressive one in particular thanks to their back row of Nathan Hughes, James Haskell and Ashley Johnson that is the envy of many a club. London Irish have had a tough period of late and rumours are circulating surrounding Brian’s Smith position however the players’ sole focus will be on the job at hand, spoiling Wasps house warming party! Personally I think Wasps will hold strong and deliver their new fans with a performance to be proud of, for losing in front of a new crowd really isn’t an option and the players will know that.