Thirteen... Unlucky for Some? - Aviva Premiership Round 13 Preview

Round 12 delivered us some of the best Aviva Premiership action that we have seen during the competition so far however with the clashes that are on the cards this weekend I fully expect Round 13 to make last weekend look like a warm up! 

On Friday Night Gloucester have the unenviable task of taking on an in form Saracens side at home. Saracens’ Round 12 game against London Irish wasn’t pretty but it was sensible and showcased that their pack are back firing on all four cylinders and defensively they are stronger than ever. Gloucester’s performance at Sandy Park should have provided the home side a lot of confidence; it wasn’t squeaky clean but closing out such a tight game is exactly the type of positive experience that David Humphreys’ side needs to go through together to continue their development journey. Gloucester have lost their last three home games in the Premiership in a row and reversing that run will be tough against a side that they have only beaten once in their last nine encounters. 

On Saturday afternoon in Manchester the Sale Sharks have a rather large test on their hands as the Northampton Saints come to town. For the Sharks last weekend’s game at the Ricoh Arena didn’t go to plan, as they were outplayed in all areas of the field and they’ll need to considerably raise their game against the Champions. Selection wise I’d expect Steve Diamond to put Chris Cusiter and Danny Cipriani back in the half backs’ driving seats and the ever experienced, ever deadly Mark Cueto to be out the wing, but we will see. The Northampton Saints will have none of Sale’s headaches as to how to raise their game, for at this moment in time their performance levels are spot on. Mallinder’s men were a delight to watch last Friday night as they played their part in a thrilling game and on the road I’d expect them to be nothing less than a monumental handful. The ever brilliant Lawes, Manoa, Foden, Myler and co should have no problem delivering away from home.

At The Rec Bath Rugby host Wasps in what should be a cracking fixture; Bath will be out to gain revenge over Dai Young’s side after their Round 6 defeat away at Adams Park. Last weekend at Welford Road Bath never really found their feet in the game however in front of a capacity crowd at home I cannot see that happening again. At the moment Wasps are flying high on a spot of confidence having won their last five fixtures in all competitions and they seem to be gelling well as a complete unit. Haskell's men have a point to prove as they haven’t won at The Rec since 2010 and in 2014 suffered with quite acute travel sickness. In this game I cannot wait to see the two of the best back rows in the competition clash against each other, the foundations of ground better watch out for this fixture and that clash has the makings of being seismic!

Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins were another side that had a tough time in Round 12 as they squeezed their way past a spirited London Welsh outfit. This weekend they are back at home and hosting the Leicester Tigers, it will be Nick Easter’s 250th performance for the club and wouldn’t it be great if that landmark could be marked with a win?  O’Shea has selected an experienced side to take on the Tigers and it is great news that Chris Robshaw is back. The Tigers will be out to show that they turned a corner last weekend at home and exerting their dominance on the road is a must. After the announcement of three major contract extensions this week in Graham Kitchener, Owen Williams & Fraser Balmain they should have a spring in their step and be ready to deliver their first season double over Harlequins since the 20101/11 season.

At Kingston Park the Newcastle Falcons host London Welsh in a fixture that is huge for both sides. To put it simply the Falcons will wish to showcase how much further ahead they are on their development than Justin Burnell’s London Welsh, whilst for Welsh this is one they’ll have marked in the diary for a long time to finally get that big, fat W next to their names. The Falcons’ couldn’t have gained better preparation for the game than their hugely credible performance at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend, Tom Catterick and Chris Harris particularly impressed me and they’ll be critical again this weekend. London Welsh put their backs into it against Harlequins and they are sure to do the same on the road, defensively they’ll need to be on a par with their Round 12 performance as the Falcons are enjoying throwing the ball around a bit now. It will be a hugely competitive affair between two sides that have a lot of pride at stake... expect fireworks up in the toon.

The final game of the weekend is at the Madjeski Stadium where London Irish will endeavour to double their home wins against Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs. London Irish, like Bath at Welford Road, never really got into their Round 12 fixture against Saracens and will need to find a way to exert themselves on the Chiefs. Irish need to find a spot of direction and will look to the experience of Shane Geraghty to provide that on home turf. Exeter will feel that they handed Gloucester the victory last weekend at Sandy Park and that will hurt them for this season they have proved how much more efficient and clinical they can be. This week Haydn Thomas insisted that there is no reason to panic just yet however we all know that this is a must win game for his side to keep their positivity and early season momentum on course. If the Chiefs play with purpose and convert their possession into points then they should record a seventh straight Premiership victory over Brian Smith’s side.