Preview: Premiership, Round 22
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In the Final round of the Premiership there is still plenty to play for as a vital victory here or there can see movement up the table.
Regardless of Saturday's result, Saracens will top the regular season table while Leicester have already booked their Premiership play-off place – although they could slip from third to fourth depending on results this weekend.
Quins have won their last four Premiership matches in a row, including last-weekend's dramatic 30-29 comeback victory over Exeter Chiefs, which kept their top-four chances alive.
Quins are currently fifth, three points behind Bath going into the weekend, the 2012 Premiership champions will book a semi-final with a bonus point win, or with a regular win, provided their opponents don't claim two bonus points.
The Sharks have won their last five away games in the Premiership – their best ever run on the road in the history of the league – and can make it six at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
The Chiefs showed glimpses of their best form in Sunday's 30-29 defeat to Harlequins and they visit a Newcastle side bursting with attacking potential – as they demonstrated when going down 38-44 at London Wasps.
Saints already have a top-four spot secure but sitting second in the table and four points ahead of third-placed Leicester Tigers, a point against London Wasps at Franklin's Gardens this weekend would ensure Jim Mallinder's men are back in front of their home fans for their semi-final.
Worcester's solitary Premiership victory this season was 17-12 at Newcastle in round 18 and, as a result, they are guaranteed to finish bottom.
But the Warriors will be desperate not to become only the second side, after Rotherham in 2003/04, to go through an entire Premiership campaign without a home win.
The winner takes it all this weekend when Harlequins face Bath Rugby and winger Ugo Monye insists he would not have it any other way ahead of Saturday's clash.
"It's massive – effectively a quarter-final and winner-takes-all for us. It's big but I think this team and the culture within this club thrives on those big games," said Monye.
"If you look at us historically – in recent history we have done really well from those big games.
"We're not in more of a pressure situation than any other weekend.
"With the outcome of it, it means a lot more but we love those games and it's what we train for.
"From July last year all the way through to where we are today, we want those one-off opportunities.
"One shot, one kill is what we are all about."
We take a look at all the weekend's matches:
Saturday, 10 May
Harlequins V Bath Rugby
(Twickenham Stoop – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
Harlequins need to win this game and restrict Bath to one bonus point or less, or just win with maximum points to reach the semi-finals.
Harlequins have won their last four Premiership Rugby matches since losing to Saracens at Wembley on 22 March.
The Londoners have not been defeated at the Twickenham Stoop in the tournament since Saracens were the visitors in round four.
Bath Rugby realistically must win or draw this game if they are to take their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2010.
Bath’s only defeat away from home in their last 13 games in any competition came at Northampton in the Premiership in December.
Bath won 14-3 at the Rec in round 10 and have not achieved a season’s double over Harlequins since 1999/2000.
Bath’s most recent victory at the Twickenham Stoop came in December 2006 in the European Challenge Cup.
Teams:
Harlequins:15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Tim Molenaar, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Charlie Matthews, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Dave Ward, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Will Collier, 19 Nick Kennedy, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Ben Botica, 23 Sam Smith
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 George Ford, 9 Micky Young, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Guy Mercer, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Stuart Hooper (captain), 3 David Wilson, 2 Eusebio Guinazu, 1 Paul James.
Replacements: 16 Tom Dunn, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Juan Pablo Orlandi, 19 Dominic Day, 20 Alafoti Fa'osiliva, 21 Peter Stringer, 22 Gavin Henson, 23 Semesa Rokoduguni.
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Assistant Referees: Paul Dix, Nigel Carrick
TMO: David Grashoff
Leicester Tigers v Saracens
(Welford Road – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
Leicester Tigers have already qualified for a tenth successive play-off spot, but will need a bonus point win to give themselves any chance, dependent upon other results, of a home semi-final.
Tigers only defeat at Welford Road in the Premiership since February 2013 was to Harlequins in round seven this season.
Saracens have already ensured a home semi-final and have lost only once in any tournament since early February: 7-26 at Northampton in the semi-final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 8th March.
Saracens have lost only one away game in the Premiership this season, at Northampton in round six.
Leicester have not beaten Saracens since the Premiership Rugby semi-final at Welford Road in 2012.
Saracens were victorious over the Tigers at Allianz Park in round 10 but have not done a regular season’s double over the East Midlanders since 2010/11.
Teams:
Leicester Tigers: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Niall Morris, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Toby Flood, 11 Blaine Scully, 10 Owen Williams, 9 David Mele, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Pablo Matera, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Louis Deacon (captain), 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Tom Croft, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Dan Bowden, 23 Adam Thompstone.
Saracens: 15 Ben Ransom, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Tim Streather, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Jack Wilson, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Ben Spencer, 8 Nick Fenton-Wells, 7 Justin Melck, 6 Maro Itoje, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Eoin Sheriff, 3 Petrus Du Plessis, 2 Jamie George (captain), 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Scott Spurling, 17 Richard Barrington, 18 James Johnston, 19 Tom Jubb, 20 Hayden Thompson-Stringer, 21 Neil de Kock, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Nick Tompkins
Referee: Greg Garner
Assistant Referees: Paul Burton, Simon McConnell
TMO: Sean Davey
London Irish v Sale Sharks
(Madejski Stadium – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
London Irish’s only victory in their last seven fixtures was 40-12 at home to Newcastle in Premiership Rugby in April.
The Exiles have won just two of their last seven Premiership encounters at Madejski Stadium.
Sale Sharks last four matches have all been won by the away side on the day whilst the Sharks have won their last five away games in the Premiership; their best ever away run in the history of the tournament.
Sale won 15-3 when the two sides met at AJ Bell Stadium on 20th December and have not achieved a season’s double over London Irish since 2005/06.
The Sharks have not been victorious at Madesjki Stadium since October 2006.
Teams:
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Andrew Fenby, 10 Shane Geraghty (captain), 9 Tomás O'Leary, 8 Ofisa Treviranus 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Nic Rouse, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Leo Halavatau, 2 Mike Mayhew, 1 Matt Parr.
Replacements: 16 Jimmy Stevens 17 Tom Smallbone, 18 Jamie Hagan, 19 Kieran Low, 20 Gerard Ellis, 21 Alex Lewington, 22 Myles Dorrian, 23 Ed Hoadley
Sale Sharks: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Jonny Leota, 12 Sammy Tuitupou, 11 Charlie Ingall, 10 Joe Ford, 9 Will Cliff, 8 James Gaskell 7 David Seymour, 6 Mark Easter, 5 Michael Paterson, 4 Andrei Ostrikov, 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Tommy Taylor, 1 Ross Harrison.
Replacements: 16 Marc Jones, 17 Eifion Lewis Roberts, 18 Vadim Cobilas, 19 Kirill Kulemin, 20 Viliami Fahiki, 21 Nathan Fowles, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Mark Jennings,
Referee: Greg Macdonald
Assistant Referees: Roger Baileff, Andrew Pearce.
TMO: Ashley Rowden
Newcastle Falcons v Exeter Chiefs
(Kingston Park – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
Newcastle Falcons have lost their last 15 Premiership Rugby matches – the fourth worst sequence in the history of the tournament.
The Falcons most recent victory at Kingston Park was over Newport Gwent Dragons in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in January.
Exeter Chiefs only victory in their last five Premiership fixtures was 38-33 at Worcester in round 19.
The Chiefs have scored at least one try in all 16 matches they have played in all competitions in 2014.
Exeter have won all five previous encounters between the two clubs in the Premiership.
The Falcons most recent victory over the Chiefs was 17-3 at Kingston Park in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in February 2011.
Teams:
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Joel Hodgson, 9 Mike Blair, 8 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (captain), 6 Richard Mayhew, 5 Dom Barrow, 4 Ian Nagle, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 2 Scott Lawson, 1 Gary Strain.
Replacements: 16 George McGuigan, 17 Kieran Brookes, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Scott MacLeod, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Phil Godman, 23 Lee Smith.
Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Henry Slade, 9 Dave Lewis, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Ben White, 5 Damian Welch, 4 Dean Mumm (captain), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon.
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Carl Rimmer, 18 Alex Brown, 19 James Phillips, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Haydn Thomas, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Tom James.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Steve Lee, John Meredith
TMO: Trevor Fisher
Northampton Saints v London Wasps
(Franklin’s Gardens – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
The Saints have won only one of their last five Premriship Rugby matches: 36-21 at home to London Irish in round 20.
London Wasps have won back to back Premriship encounters, against Gloucester and Newcastle, but have not won three in a row in the tournament since February 2013.
Wasps only away victory in the Premiership since New Year came at Worcester in round 17.
Northampton have won their last nine clashes with Wasps in all tournaments since the Londoners were victorious 20-15 in the Premiership at Adams Park in October 2009.
Wasps have not won at Franklin’s Gardens since a visit in November 2005.
Teams:
Northampton Saints:15 Ben Foden, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 James Wilson, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 George North, 10 Stephen Myler 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Sam Dickinson, 7 Phil Dowson (captain), 6 Calum Clark, 5 Christian Day, 4 James Craig, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Mike Haywood, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Koree Britton, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Tom Mercey, 19 Samu Manoa, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Kahn Fotuali'i, 22 George Pisi, 23 Tom Stephenson.
London Wasps: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 James Short, 13 Chris Bell (captain), 12 Charlie Hayter, 11 Tom Varndell, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Charlie Davies, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Guy Thompson, 6 Ed Jackson, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 James Cannon, 3 Taione Vea, 2 Tom Lindsay, 1 Simon McIntyre.
Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Ricky Reeves, 18 Phil Swainston, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Brett Sheehan, 22 Andy Goode, 23 Elliot Daly.
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant Referees: Kelvin Stewart, Peter Huckle
TMO: David Sainsbury
Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby
(Sixways – Kick-off: 3.15; 14.15 GMT)
Worcester Warriors’ solitary Premiership Rugby victory this season was 17-12 at Newcastle in round 18.
Worcester will not want to become only the second side after Rotherham in 2003/04 to go through an entire Premiership campaign without a home win.
Gloucester Rugby have won only one of their last seven away games in all tournaments: 14-13 at Exeter in the Premiership in March.
The only side to have prevented Gloucester scoring a try in any game since November 2013 was Worcester on their trip to Kingsholm in round 10.
The Warriors’ only victory over Gloucester since 2009 was 21-15 at Sixways on 7th January 2012, whilst Gloucester have won only once at the venue since 2006: 23-22 in the Premiership in May 2010.
Teams:
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Josh Drauniniu, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Andy Symons, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Jonathan Thomas (captain), 7 Sam Betty, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Mariano Galarza, 4 James Percival, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Agustin Creevy, 1 Ofa Fainga'anuku.
Replacements: 16 Ed Shervington, 17 Paul Andrew, 18 Rob O'Donnell, 19 Semisi Taulava, 20 Richard de Carpentier, 21 Paul Hodgson, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.
Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Shane Monahan, 13 Jonny May, 12 Henry Trinder, 11 Steph Reynolds, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 James Hudson, 4 Elliott Stooke, 3 Sila Puafisi, 2 Dan George, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Tom Young, 21 Dan Robson, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Andrew Bulumakau.
Referee: JP Doyle
Assistant Referees: Andy Watson, Ross Campbell
TMO: Robin Goodliffe
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