Aviva Premiership Round 9 Preview - Derby Days & More

Round 9 of the Aviva Premiership promises to be one of the spiciest that we have had so far as it includes an East Midlands Derby, a top of the table clash between Harlequins and Saracens and a bottom of the table match up between London Irish and Newcastle Falcons. On Sunday Bath Rugby will be playing their postponed clash against RC Toulon in the Champions Cup so the Sale Sharks can sit back and relax however for the rest it will be a bruising weekend of action.

The Exeter Chiefs kick start proceedings at Sandy Park where they will be hosting Gloucester Rugby. On New Year’s Day Rob Baxter’s side were off colour against the Northampton Saints however I don’t expect them to be so again. Gloucester Rugby are unbeaten in their last five fixtures in all tournaments however have won just once away from in their last nine trips on the road in the competition. The Cherry and Whites' form, defensive strength and squad depth will be strongly tested by this fixture due to Exeter’s hardy home record, attacking threats and the recent injuries to Paul Doran-Jones, John Afoa, Henry Trinder and Jonny May. The Chiefs don’t give up points at Sandy Park easily, they are the top try scoring side in the competition and with the Aviva Premiership Forward of the Month in their ranks, the Tank Engine, I expect their healthy home record to continue. 

Back in London Harlequins will be welcoming Saracens to town in what should be an enthralling match up. This will be the acid test of Harlequins in terms of just how much they have developed since last season. For Saracens they simply have another opportunity to make yet another a statement against one of the big Premiership names! Without question Harlequins’ pack have to be on their game if the home side are to gain a foothold against the forwards that demolish opponents for fun. If they can do that then their back line must use every ounce of its International experience. Saracens will simply aim to continue where they left off against the Leicester Tigers and I’m fascinated to see how certain individuals get on; George Kruis and Maro Itoje will have James Horwill to deal with, Nick Evans taking on Owen Farrell and then there are some key England match ups. Danny Care and Richard Wigglesworth will face off against each other as will Mike Brown and Alex Goode. 

In Leicester Welford Road will open its doors for the most important day in its domestic calendar; Derby Day against the Northampton Saints. These fixtures never disappoint, they are always filled with drama, bite, a few cards and some sublime rugby. To use Richard Cockerill’s words Tigers were ‘done’ by Saracens last weekend while the Saints gained the important victorious platform agains the Chiefs. Of course I’m fascinated to see the Tom Youngs v Dylan Hartley dual and then you throw into the mix the form of Telusa Veianu, the breakdown skills of Brendon O’Connor, the experience of Victor Matfield and the ability of Courtney Lawes and we are just scratching the surface. Derby Days between these two mean more than all of the other domestic fixtures that they play combined… don’t be fooled by Saints’ slightly indifferent form they’ll be up for this one and it will be brutal, intense and utterly mesmeric. 

At the Madjeski Stadium there will also be a spot of bite to the fixture between London Irish and the Newcastle Falcons. Whenever two sides that are at the bottom of the table meet the pressure is on for neither are immune to what the result may mean in the context of their respective seasons. Of course this match has the added ‘Andy Goode’ factor and if his is selected to play then I doubt that the reception will be the warmest from Exiles’ fans. That said Andy would add greatly to Falcons’ XV as in spite of their Round 8 victory Craig Willis looked a little too green in the 10 jersey. Irish's Round 8 output was promising, but not for the whole game therefore Tom Coventry's side need to ensure they put their game on the park for 80 minutes, not 20 or 40, the full 80 and if they do I expect them to take the match. 

The final match of the weekend will be a the Ricoh Arena between Wasps and the Worcester Warriors. Dai Young’s side have found themselves in a spot of Premiership bother slipping to three straight domestic defeats and back on home soil must revitalise their output. The Warriors’ comeback at Sixways was noteworthy and had they started stronger they could have taken much more from the match, they’re focus will be starting quickly and not letting up. It will be interesting to see if James Johnston runs out for his new club, against the club he never player for however this game isn’t about one individual. Instead I hope that the weather gods look down kindly on this one and allow both sides to open up on the Ricoh turf.

Full KO Schedule

Sat 9th January - 3pm - Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby 
Sat 9th January - 3pm - Harlequins v Saracens 

Sat 9th January - 3.15pm - Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints (BT Sport)

Sun 10th January - 1pm - London Irish v Newcastle Falcons (BT Sport)
Sun 10th January - 2pm - Wasps v Worcester Warriors