Aviva Premiership Round 7 - Tis The Season To Be Jolly

Season’s Greetings! After two weeks of European action our old friend the Aviva Premiership returns to guide us merrily through the festive period. It is fair to say that the European Champions and Challenge Cups delivered a mixed bag of results for our Premiership sides and right now every team knows just how important this final round of the calendar year is. 

On Boxing Day the Madjeski Stadium will be the first to open its doors as London Irish welcome the Northampton Saints. London Irish should be feeling slightly better than they did after the end of Round 6 after Europe delivered their first win of the year and an encouraging performance on the road last weekend. The Northampton Saints struggled in Paris and although they were much more competitive on home soil Jim Mallinder’s side still need to up their game particularly in attack. Yes, I know that on this point I sound like a broken record, however when you have the likes of George North, the Pisi brothers and Ben Foden in your backline I expect more. The sensible prediction is that the visitors will prevail however what a Christmas boost it would be if Irish could gain their first Premiership win of the season. 

The question prior to the Leicester Tigers’ European back-to-backs was whether or not they’d be able to step it up another gear and manage the intense atmosphere of Thomond Park? Needless to say they did and look in fine fettle heading back in the domestic competition. This weekend just gone the Newcastle Falcons enjoyed what Dean Richards described as their ‘best victory of the season’ against Connacht Rugby and it was a match that included 24 unanswered second-half points. That said you cannot look past the home side; this season Leicester are everything that we wanted them to be last and Aaron Mauger still believes that they have much more to give. 

The third and final Boxing Day match is at Sandy Park where the Exeter Chiefs will host the Sale Sharks. Rob Baxter’s men must show great bounce-back ability after their punishing outing at the Stade Marcel-Michelin and endeavour not to suffer from a European hangover. In contrast the Sale Sharks should be a happy bunch as their squad delivered the double over Castres and did so through giving squad members game time meaning that their preferred XV will be fresh and ready. Exeter have lost just once at home since September 2014 and the last time that these two met their the Chiefs ran out comfortable 44-16 victors. However, the question is how much damage will that pummelling in France have done to them both mentally and physically?

On Sunday the rugby starts at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps will host Saracens in what should be one of the matches of the weekend. Saracens have won their last eight fixtures with Wasps in all competitions however after the performance that Dai Young’s side delivered at The Recreation Ground they have the potential to ruffle a few feathers. This match will certainly be one for Eddie Jones to enjoy and will provide another opportunity for a number of in form players to remind him of their potential. Elliot Daly, Alex Goode, James Haskell, Owen Farrell and both Vunipola brothers in particular will want to show their worth and if Wasps deliver to their capabilities then this will be one of the sternest tests of Saracens' unbeaten record that they’ve had this competitive season. 

At 2.30pm referee Tom Foley will blow his whistle to commence the game at The Recreation Ground between Bath Rugby and the Worcester Warriors. Prior to the start of the season this match would have been a simple result to call however now there is a touch of pressure on the home side and Worcester will smell apprehension. The Warriors’ two European losses isn’t an indication of their form, Dean Ryan has been open in saying that his squad isn’t large enough to compete full bore on both fronts so they rested their first choice individuals over the past few weeks. For Bath Rugby this week has been one of ‘delving into the detail' after they were humbled on home soil against Wasps.  The home side must win the physical battle and play with a confidence that they may not truly feel but embody the philosophy 'fake it till you make it'. Needless to say the pressure is on the home side having won just one of their last four home games. Leroy Houston and Mike Ford afforded me with some clarity regrading their preparations this week watch out for the Out On The Full article coming shortly. 

At Twickenham Stadium Harlequins will host their annual Big Game fixture and this year their opponents are Gloucester Rugby. There is a buzz around Harlequins at the moment after productive start to the season in all competitions. Gloucester Rugby used their European Challenge Cup fixtures to find a spot of continuity and will be better for their two consecutive victories. Grieg Laidlaw continues to excel and from a selfish perspective I hope he will be selected to clash with Danny Care. Jamie Roberts marked his Quins debut with a try and if selected (!) will hope that this time he lasts the full eighty on the Twickenham turf, unlike the varsity match. Personally I believe that home advantage will assist Harlequins to their fourth Big Game victory since the match’s inception and at Wednesday's media day I’ll be speaking with Chris Robshaw about the forthcoming fixture. 

Round 7 Match Facts & Stats

• Harlequins Tim Visser is currently Premiership Rugby's top finisher with 5 tries in 4 appearances
• The Top 5 Premiership Rugby kickers all have percentages of 82% plus with Newcastle Falcons' Mike Delany leading the way with a cool 93% - 13 from 14. 
• Charlie Hodgson continues to extend his lead at the top of the Premiership's All Time Leading Points Scorers with 2,525.
• Welford Road will host its first Boxing Day clash since Bedford Blues were the visitors in Premiership Rugby in 1998