Premiership Round 3 Preview - Three times a charm

Welcome along to Round 3! 

Already a week has flown by and the weekend is upon us. Once again we've six more Aviva Premiership matches to enjoy as well as the Rugby Championship this weekend. If you've got a green card to watch rugby all weekend then take a look at the schedule for Saturday because you can go from 8am in the morning through until about 10pm at night with the Rugby Championship, Pro12, Top 14 and Premiership. That's certainly my kind of Saturday!

This weekend I won’t actually be attending any live matches as I’m working in Sky's London office all weekend so if you’re heading out and about then do share a few updates, thoughts and pictures with me on social media. 

We’ve plenty of rugby to preview so I’m not going to continue on with an even longer introduction, instead let’s just dive straight into the first match of the round at the AJ Bell Stadium. 

Sale Sharks Rugby v Gloucecster Rugby

For the third time in succession Gloucester Rugby will kick-start the Aviva Premiership weekend and the question is will it be another drama fest? Of course Gloucester were the only side to beat Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium last season so revenge will definitely be on the cards for the hosts. Sale have the more settled side, making just one change as Cameron Neild replaces the injured TJ Ioane while Gloucester Rugby have changed three. Sale have the advantage of going into the game off a steadier outing and of course a victory while Gloucester still look fairly unsettled. Given the two packs on show we should see plenty of hard ball carrying and a great breakdown tussle. Gloucester have to take their chances, however they present themselves, and Sale simply need to keep their calm and thrive off home advantage. Two to watch: The focus remains on Dan Mugford at fly-half and also I'm intrigued to see how the Mark Atkinson and Matt Scott centre partnership works.

Bath Rugby v Worcester Warriors

Last weekend Bath Rugby started their home season in superb fashion with an eight try thrashing of Dean Richards' Newcastle Falcons and Worcester played their part in a dramatic Friday night fixture. The Warriors have lost on all eleven previous visits to The Recreation Ground so this week's match is a tough ask. Once again the weather looks conducive to positive rugby (no rain is forecast as yet) and as a result I'd like to see both sides attack with purpose. Perry Humphreys proved his worth from the bench last Friday and thoroughly deserves his start and it's a big stage for Premiership debutant Jamie Shillcock to arrive onto. Bath's half-back partnership should excel again and they have a number of individuals returning from injuries including Dan Bowden in the centres and Henry Thomas in their front row. Leroy Houston's presence will animate the crowd even more than usual and Worcester will need combat them as well as their opponents if they're to turn around history and prevail. Personally I can't see it happening and expect the hosts to finish the afternoon three from three. Two to watch: Anthony Watson's first Premiership outing on the wing will be of interest and Carl Kirwan's work in Worcester's back row. 

Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins

Exeter Chiefs’ 2016-17 season hasn’t started too smoothly and equally Harlequin have looked decidely off colour. Needless to say both sides really need a solid victory under their belts in order to get them up and running. Harlequins welcome back Mike Brown after his illness but have lost Jamie Roberts and Nick Evans to injuries. So far we haven't seen John Kingston's side really gel together and away from home they need all elements of ther game to click at once. Exeter must make Harlequins question themselves early and must use the experience of Gareth Steenson at fly-half to push the game into the right areas of the park. The Chiefs have not lost successive matches at Sandy Park since September 2014 and to prevent that happening they will need to rise above last weekend's dismantling and find their edge. Two to watch: Spot the eights! Thomas Waldrom and Jack Clifford have very different styles but both need to make a big impact for their respective sides. 

Saracens v Northampton Saints

Saracens hosting Northampton Saints is always a feisty fixture and one that has a touch of extra bite to it. Right now the reigning champions are imperious and if Saints are to get close to them then we'll need to see a lot more than we have done. Northampton's opening-half against Bristol was strong but their opponents this week are of a different class and mistakes will be punished. For Saracens it's a case of taking another opportunity to remind us all that they're Europe's leaders. It's Saracens work rate and intensity that impresses me the most and with so many of their key protagonists from last week out on the park again it should simply be a case of more of the same. Northampton will miss Dylan Hartley's presence and the onus will be on Mikey Haywood to put in an extended shift. Saints have the best winning record of any side at Allianz Park but they'll need to be super human for 80 minutes to topple the reigning champs. Two to watch: Time to keep an eye on Brad Barritt and Luther Burrell in the 12 jerseys. 

Wasps v Bristol Rugby

Wasps made a big statement of intent last weekend with their victory at Welford Road. Yes, we’re only two rounds in but they should take oodles of confidence out of their performance and still have a number of other names to come into the mix. By their own admission Bristol Rugby were ‘schooled’ for forty minutes and they simply cannot afford for that to happen again at the Ricoh Arena. In pre-season Bristol ran Wasps close but since the home side have stepped up a gear. Bristol are handing competitive debuts to three players and as a collective they need all 23 need to be switched on instantly and not feel overwhelmed. Bristol have to compete from the get go and match Wasps' physicality because we all know what will happen if they don't. Two to watch: The two good friends and former team mates Tom Varndell and Christian Wade meeting out wide. 

Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers

At The Recreation Ground Dean Richards’ side were totally outclassed and they have to have spent the week understanding why and rectifying those reasons if they’re to put their hand up on home soil. The Tigers’ week will have been equally deep and meaningful because the start to the season won’t have been acceptable to their Director of Rugby. Interestingly Leicester haven't won back-to-back away games in the Premiership since March-15 and they won't be taking Falcons likely, in spite of Falcons' horror show last weekend. There will be plenty of pressure flying around Kingston Park and it will be up to the experienced men on both sides to steer their sides through the 80 minutes. Two to watch: Let's break the norm and say both sides... Leicester want to show they're clinical and Falcons must prove last weekend was only a big blip on their radar.