With the Six Nations having concluded the Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs can call upon their international stars again – bar those representing France and Scotland who faced each other in a rearranged fixture on Friday night. And without further ado, TIBS News has previewed the six games occurring in England’s top flight this week.
Friday, March 26
Gloucester Rugby vs Exeter Chiefs
Exeter travel to Gloucester in the first game of the week’s action. The reigning champions of Europe are in fine form at the moment and are looking to make it four wins in a row. They are currently second in the table and will be looking to keep the pressure on Bristol Bears. For Gloucester, they need to win. They are coming off the back of a massive defeat to Harlequins and morale is incredibly low. They’re sitting in 11th and are 10 points behind 10th-placed Wasps. This is really becoming a season to forget for Gloucester.
Saturday, March 27
Bristol Bears vs Harlequins
First-placed Bristol Bears host third-placed Harlequins in the most important game of the weekend. Quins are coming into the game after absolutely destroying Gloucester 59-24 and this is the perfect chance to put their opponents under a lot of pressure. Bristol are coming into the game after a hard-fought victory against Northampton Saints and managed to extent their lead over Exeter to six points and Harlequins to 11. This promises to be a blockbuster of a match.
London Irish vs Bath Rugby
Bath travel to the Brentford Community Stadium in their clash with London Irish. Bath will be looking to continue their good form after smashing Worcester 47-22. They are currently seventh in the table with a recent run of good form pushing them up from 10th. They’re closing in on the top half and a win on Saturday will be perfect to round off the season well. London Irish sit in sixth, one point above Bath and will be looking to give themselves a little bit of breathing space. They’re coming off the back of a heavy defeat against Sale and will be wanting to bounce back in a big way.
Worcester Warriors vs Northampton Saints
The Warriors host Northampton Saints at Sixways. Worcester just keep losing and last week wasn’t any different. A heavy defeat by Bath took away their hope of a good season and they’re fortunate relegation has been scrapped. They’ve been dead last in the table since November. Saints are coming into this game looking to bounce back after a tough loss against top of the table Bristol. Saints are sat in fifth and can’t move up the table even with a bonus-point victory. Being one point ahead of London Irish and two ahead of Bath makes this a must win game for the visitors.
Wasps vs Sale Sharks
Wasps and Sale round off Saturday’s action in the late afternoon fixture at the Ricoh Arena. Wasps are in 10th and only have a six-point gap between them and fifth-placed Northampton Saints. They are coming into this game after a huge win against Newcastle Falcons and will be looking to carry on this momentum. It will be a tall order though as Sale are sitting in fourth and are in fine form. A loss on Saturday wouldn’t mean they slip down the table, but they will need a win to keep the pressure on the highflyers in the league. Their recent destruction of London Irish was the perfect way to answer any questions asked about their loss in round 13. They’ll be looking to carry on this momentum.
Sunday, March 28
Leicester Tigers vs Newcastle Falcons
The final game of the weekend is a mid-table battle being played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. The two teams are sitting in eighth (Leicester) and ninth (Newcastle). They’re separated by three points and a win for either team gives them potential to move a few places up the table. This is an absolute must win for both teams. Leicester will be looking to bounce back after a big defeat at Exeter. Newcastle will also be looking to prove a point after an agonisingly close fought loss to Wasps last Friday. A huge game to round off the weekend.
By Joe Hayhurst
