Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rd Eight

The Guinness Premiership returns to action this weekend and, while many will still be focused on the international scene, the domestic competitions has plenty to offer.

A couple rounds of Anglo-Welsh action have kept the English teams busy but the real deal, the Premiership, is back this weekend.

The weekend starts off with two big clashes, featuring Gloucester, Leicester, Worcester and Bath, on Friday night but the main event looks set to be the big clash between Springbok conquerors Saracens and London Wasps.

Friday, 20 November

Gloucester v Leicester Tigers (19.45 GMT) (19.45 local) – Kingholm –

Leicester have won their last four matches against Gloucester, including an unprecedented three in a row in 117 years of visiting Kingsholm.

Gloucester Rugby have now slipped to six straight defeats in all competitions since their 19-17 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in the European Cup on 9 October, this represents Gloucester’s worst run since season 1998/99. The cherry & whites’ only win in their last six Guinness Premiership clashes was 26-10 at Leeds on 4 October.

Leicester Tigers have lost just one of their last half a dozen matches in the Guinness Premiership: 12-18 at London Irish on 24 October, whilst the Tigers’ only victory in their last four away games in all competitions was 46-11 at Viadana in the European Cup on 17 October.

rugby365 Prediction: Gloucester are a team in serious need of a win… unfortunately, even with a host of players back, they will just miss out against Leicester – Tigers by five.

Worcester Warriors v Bath (20.00 GMT)(20.00 Local) – Sixways –

Worcester’s only victory over Bath in the eleven previous meetings between the two in all competitions was 21-15 at Sixways in the Guinness Premiership on 3 March 2007.

Worcester Warriors have won just one of their last four games in all competitions: 32-6 over Newcastle at Sixways in the LV= Cup on 14 November. The Warriors have won two of their last three home matches in the Guinness Premiership.

Bath Rugby’s six match losing run in all competitions ended with their 21-11 home victory over Ospreys on Saturday in the LV= Cup. Bath have not won on the road since a 25-12 triumph at Sale Sharks in the Guinness Premiership on 18 September.

rugby365 Prediction: A tough one to call. Bath have a renewed confidence but are set for stern test at Sixways. Bath, but by less than six.

Saturday, 21 November

Northampton Saints v Harlequins (15:00 GMT) (15:00 local) – Franklins Gardens –

Northampton have won just one of their last four clashes with Harlequins: 23-13 in this equivalent fixture in the Guinness Premiership last season. Quins have won only once at Franklin’s Gardens since 1997: 28-15 in the Guinness Premiership on 17 February 2007.

Northampton Saints have won three of their last four encounters in all competitions. The Saints have won their last ten matches at Franklin’s Gardens since Newcastle won there, 19-13, in the Guinness Premiership on 28 February.

Harlequins are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, a run which has included two draws. Quins only defeat in their last four away matches was 6-20 at Cardiff Blues in the European Cup on 10 October.

rugby365 Prediction: At home, with Courtney Lawes restored to the team, expect Northampton to improve their record against Quins. Saints by 10.

Sunday, 22 November

Leeds Carnegie v Sale Sharks (15.00 GMT) (15.00 local) – Headingley –

Leeds have never beaten Sale in their 16 encounters in all competitions, gaining just one draw in that time: 29-all at Headingley in the Premiership on 20 September 2002.

Leeds Carnegie have won two of their last three matches in all competitions. Leeds beat Wasps 15-9 in their last outing in the Guinness Premiership and are going for a second successive victory in the competition for the first time since season 2005/06.

Sale Sharks’ last six games in all competitions have all been won by the home side on the day, whilst the Sharks have won just once on the road in almost twelve months: 37-20 at Worcester in the Guinness Premiership on 31 January.

rugby365 Prediction: A win for Leeds would like history… Sale have yet to shine this season… Carnegie by four.

London Irish v Newcastle (15:00 GMT) (15:00 local) – Madejski Stadium –

London Irish have won their last seven encounters with Newcastle since the Falcons’ 9-6 victory at Madejski Stadium in the Guinness Premiership on 12 February 2006.

London Irish’s only defeat in their last four games was 20-24 at home to London Wasps in the LV= Cup on 8 November. The Exiles are unbeaten in the Guinness Premiership since their opening weekend defeat, 14-18, against Saracens at Twickenham on 5 September.

Newcastle Falcons have won their last two matches in the Guinness Premiership, at Bath and at home to Worcester, and have suffered just one Premiership defeat in their last four encounters: 15-22 at home to table topping Saracens on 4 October.

rugby365 Prediction: Newcastle were starting to find some domestic form before the break but, against the Exiles, face a stern test this weekend. London Irish by eight.

Saracens v London Wasps (15:00 GMT) (15:00 local) – Vicarage Road –

Each side won its respective home game when the two clubs met last season in the Guinness Premiership, whilst Wasps have won just once at Vicarage Road in their last four visits: 40-19 in the Premiership on 20 April 2008.

Saracens’ 3-19 defeat at Northampton in the LV= Cup on Saturday was just their second reversal of the season, however in the Guinness Premiership Saracens still remain the only side with a 100% winning record. Sarries’ only defeat at Vicarage Road in their last 16 matches was 13-16 to Leicester in the Premiership on 19 April.

London Wasps’ only reversal in their last seven encounters in all competitions was 9-15 at home to Leeds in the Guinness Premiership on 1 November. Wasps have won five of their last six away matches.

rugby365 Prediction: Still on a high after their win over the World Champions, Saracens will need to be careful not to overlook Wasps. Without a doubt the match of the weekend… a draw looks like a decent call?

by rugby365