Back In The Game - Aviva Premiership Round 14 Preview

after a month off the Aviva Premiership returns to action as Round 14 charges into town and there is absolutely everything to play for with just 5 points separating third place and eighth place. From here on in we are charging towards the business end of proceedings therefore the importance of the games coming up during this International window can be categorised as 'business critical' and will have a significant say in terms of teams’ fates for the rest of the season.

The rugby kicks off under the Friday Night Lights at Welford Road as the Leicester Tigers host Gloucester Rugby. It will be a sell out and should be a hugely physical game of rugby for as we all know there is little love lost between the two sides. Both packs will take a different shape to normal without key men including Richard Hibbard, Dan Cole, Leonardo Ghiraldini and it will be up their colleagues to wrestle over gaining crucial set piece dominance for that will lay the platform for success. In my eyes this is the area where the game could be won and lost for both sides house backs that have the talent to score points and run from anywhere. Leicester are handing starts to a few fresh Premiership faces in George Catchpole and Sam Harrison and Gloucester are putting their faith in Henry Purdy on the wing whilst Jonny May is away with England. 

Irish have a tough ask away from home

At the same a few miles down the road the Northampton Saints will be welcoming London Irish to Franklin’s Gardens. The Saints have enjoyed a strong few weeks since Round 13 as they secured a place in the Champions Cup Semi Final and the LV Semi Final however in stark contrast London Irish are still struggling to find their form. The loss of Blair Cowen to Scotland is a big one for the visitors as he provides huge ball carrying go forwards and proficiency in the loose. Northampton’s missing personnel are also large characters in particular Dylan Hartley, George North and Luther Burrell however they have great depth in their ranks and their team selection showcases this with a frighteningly good start XV. Phil Dowson will led the side and they should  feel confident that they can emulate their performance levels during the last International window when they were unbeaten. 

In the only Saturday game of the Round the Exeter Chiefs will host the Newcastle Falcons in a late kick off at Sandy Park. It will be hugely interesting to watch how the well the Falcons travel for their progression to date has been impressive and they'll want to impose their new style on the home side. The Chiefs’ crowd will be present in full force as will their squad, for the Chiefs' are one of the few Premiership side's to remain fully in tact during the 6 Nations. The delightful Henry Slade starts at Fly Half forcing to Gareth Steenson to take a place on the bench alongside Tom Johnson who should make a welcome return to Premiership action.  The Falcons are at full strength with their powerhouses on the outside Sinoti & Tuliagi and the dynamic Tom Catterick in the middle this should be the most competitive clash between these two sides in a long time. 

On Sunday afternoon the first game of the day will be at Allianz Park as Saracens welcome Bath Rugby. Is it fate that the two sides that have lost the most players to the respective home nations are playing each other this weekend? Or bad luck? Whatever it is, it makes for an intriguing game of rugby as both sides have deep and impressive squads. Bath have been mixing and matching their front row well during the course of the season so the trio of Nick Auterac, Ross Batty and Henry Thomas is battle worn and ready to go. Tom Homer will make his first start in a Bath Rugby jersey after his move from Irish this week and in the centres Kyle Eastmond partners up with Sam Burgess. Saracens' XV is exactly like Northampton's in the sense that even without a number of their International men it is eye wateringly strong. Personally I can't wait for the back row clash... Brown, Burger and Wray tussling with Garvey, Louw and Houston, that should provide the type of content that really good rugby dreams are made of!!

These sides have clashed twice 
already (C) Paler Images

At the Ricoh Arena Wasps welcome Harlequins to their new home and will fancy their chances of continuing their strong Aviva Premiership record at the stadium. Matt Mullan will captain the side in the absence of James Haskell and their newest recruit, James Downey is given his first start at inside centre. During the last International window Harlequins had a tough time of it and they’ll need to have learnt from that to ensure that they don't slide down the table. Conor O’Shea will look to his experienced men of Danny Care, Luke Wallace and George Robson  to drive the team forwards and it will be interesting to see how this one pans out in Coventry.

The final game of the weekend is at the Kassam Stadium as London Welsh take on the Sale Sharks and continue to search for their first big W. Welsh have been very close in the LV Competition for the last two weeks and must take that as a positive and not a frustration going back into this competition. Steve Diamond hasn't taken this fixture lightly, instead he has fielded a strong side led by Dan Braid. Chris Cusiter and Nick Macleod will be in charge of dictating proceedings from the half backs and Mike Haley will look to enjoy the space from Full Back. London Welsh introduce Seb Jewell and Seb Stegmann back into the side after their respective injuries and Carl Kirwan will lead by example from the flank.