Can you believe that another week has flown by and that Round 19 is almost upon us? Already the thoughts are creeping in about the dreaded off-season but I'm swiftly pushing them aside and instead focusing on what should be a huge round of Aviva Premiership action.
For many of our Premiership sides this weekend is a make or break weekend in terms of their seasons. From the top to the bottom of the table Round 19's matches are of great significance whether that’s to cement a positive position, push for the playoffs or Europe or avoid the R word... in short Round 19 is a big one!
The action will commence at The Recreation Ground where Bath Rugby will host league leaders Saracens. Overall Bath’s 2015/16 form has disappointed us all but in recent weeks they’ve started to find their groove again. This was shown with their gutsy victory over Newcastle and last weekend's Derby day triumph at Kingsholm but they need to add another 20% (at least) on top of that to face Saracens. Mark McCall’s side looked like dynamite last weekend, their sharpness in attack was coupled with their usual physicality and it was mesmerising to watch. For the home side Dave Attwood returns from injury and his presence will be essential to try and quell the impact of Kruis and Itoje and Amanaki Mafi will add plenty of spark in the 8 jersey. For Saracens Chris Ashton is back following the farcical ban that was imposed on him and the rest of the side is settled and in form. Of course they’ll be plenty of eyes on the two tens, from the stands, from those watching at home and I’m sure from Eddie Jones too! There’s no question about it, Bath will have to play to their full potential on home soil because if they don’t Saracens are in a ruthless mood right now!
London Irish know that it is getting closer to crunch time and that in order to give themselves a true fighting chance at survival they need a victory against the Sale Sharks. At home Sale have been impressive, their victory over Leicester Tigers showed that however on the road they've been shaky. The Sharks haven't won at the Madejski Stadium since October 2006 and have won only once on away from home since February 2015. Personally I have no idea why their away form is so bad, only the players and coaches can answer that, and Irish will be boosted by this record. That said Sale’s output in Round 18 was of a much higher standard than the Exiles and if the Sharks focus on their performance then result should take care of itself. Looking at the Exiles they have to have learned their lessons from Round 18, their basics must be sharper and they simply have to take their kicks at goal. On paper Sale should turnaround their difficult away form but emotion and the knowledge that a victory will take a step towards survival could spur the home side to deliver a performance greater than what we've seen to date.
At Welford Road the Leicester Tigers are hosting Gloucester Rugby. For Richard Cockerill’s side making the playoffs is an non-negotiable however their Round 18 defeat to Sale caused a slight speed bump in proceedings. This week I spent some time with the Tigers and there was a steely focus around the training ground to deliver a result and with the power in their ranks they should overpower Gloucester in order to do so. Over the last few weeks Gloucester Rugby have lost their way slightly, their form hasn’t been helped by multiple injuries but even so they’ll be disappointed. This weekend the visitors will need to get their fundamentals on point and go all out in the intense environment of Welford Road. Charlie Sharples' injury isn't ideal and out wide they are a little light on the ground but they have to park that and deliver a performance filled with character and ambition.
At Sandy Park Rob Baxter’s Exeter Chiefs are looking to bounce back after a difficult weekend against Saracens. In Round 19 the Chiefs never truly got into the game and this weekend they have to ensure that they take command from the word go against the Worcester Warriors. The home side will be boosted by the return of Jack Nowell and I expect him to deliver his usual spark in attack and solidity in defence. On home soil Gareth Steenson and his half-back partner, Dave Lewis or Will Chudley whichever is selected, need to manage their kicking game better than they did at Saracens. At the heart of Worcester’s output has been solid leadership from Chris Pennell, Donncha O'Callaghan and GJ van Velze and I expect nothing less at Sandy Park. With Cooper Vuna and Bryce Heem out wide the Warriors will have plenty to hit back with and if the conditions are favourable then we should expect to see plenty of rugby played.
In South West London Harlequins will be hosting Dean Richards' Newcastle Falcons and need to ensure that they take last weekend's defeat on the chin and create a winning platform going into their European quarter-final. Newcastle Falcons' output hasn't been as bad as their results have suggested, having lost their last 5 matches in a row, but in this competition points mean prizes and they need some. The calibre of individual on Harlequins’ team sheet should outclass the Falcons, if the home side’s players deliver to their full potential. Harlequins’ International contingent know what it is like to play at the highest level and must treat Saturday as such. Newcastle will focus on keeping their concentration on point, for dips will cost them, and really need to throw everything that they have and more at Harlequins.
The final game of the weekend will be played at the Ricoh Arena where Wasps will host Northampton Saints. Wasps have gained maximum points from each of their last 3 matches and look in a determined mood. Jim Mallinder’s Northampton Saints are picking up steam after a fairly dismal opening to the season and their output has put them in a prime position with four rounds to go. I’m expecting James Haskell to be back in club colours and seeing Joe Simpson’s injury progress on social media he might be on the bench which would be sensational for the home side. Northampton need to use the emotions of their Round 18 victory to fuel a big performance, with this match and then their European Champions Cup quarter-final against Saracens on the horizon it is the time to step up their output again. At the Ricoh I’m looking forward a huge contest at the scrummage, physicality galore and plenty of wheels out the back... it should be a cracker!!
