Aviva Premiership 2015/2016: Round 14 Predictions

Sale Sharks vs Saracens

Sale’s impressive run came to an end at Worcester last weekend, with Danny Cipriani’s boot letting them down despite some good tries being scored. Saracens bounced back from their humbling at the hands of Wasps the week previously to grind out an ugly but effective win over Gloucester, despite being reduced to 14 men for much of the match.

Saracens’ performance levels have undoubtedly dropped off since their international stars departed. Ordinarily they would be heavy favourites for this, but I just fancy Sale to pull a win out of the bag with their line-up being much less disrupted. Sale by 3.

Northampton Saints vs Worcester Warriors

Northampton’s rather slow start to the season was set in motion when they surprisingly lost to Worcester way back in round one. And before last weekend’s bonus point win over Sale, the Warriors had won just one game since then. The visitors again name Springbok François Hougaard at scrum-half after his try-scoring debut last week, while Northampton change four from the side that was unceremoniously binned by Newcastle, including the restoration of South Africa legend Victor Matfield.

This is unlikely to be one of the prettier games of the weekend, but the home side should just be too powerful for the Warriors. Northampton by 6.

Gloucester Rugby vs Newcastle Falcons

Newcastle have, astonishingly, put together a run of four wins from their last six games, having not managed a single one before that. Those four wins have all come at home, however, although their last two away trips to London Irish and Wasps have at least yielded losing bonus points. There is no doubting that the catalyst for this change in fortunes has been Andy Goode, who despite the physique of a front row forward has been inspirational in the 10 jersey. Gloucester’s season has been topsy turvy but their home unbeaten record against the Falcons stretches back over nine years in the league.

Newcastle will bring confidence into this one, but I think they’ll just fall short again away from home. Gloucester by 5.

Exeter Chiefs vs Bath Rugby

Bath’s season is in the toilet, last weekend’s loss at home to Wasps being their eighth of the campaign. They have just one more win to their name than the bottom two clubs; although it’s true that they have a game in hand. This weekend’s assignment does not look like yielding a reversal in fortunes, however – Exeter have lost just once at home this season, to league leaders Saracens. They have, astonishingly, picked up at least one league point from every single game since December 2014 – a quite astonishing feat.

Going on form, this is no contest. I suspect though, that its status as a West Country derby will lend it a bit of spice and the margin may not be quite as large as people might expect for a game between second and ninth. Exeter by 7.

Leicester Tigers vs London Irish

The Tigers are threatening to undo all of their good early season work with their recent run of three losses on the bounce. A game at home against the bottom side in the league would appear the perfect tonic, then. London Irish, however, are no mugs, and came very close to beating Exeter last weekend. The Tigers again combine Manu Tuilagi and Jean de Villiers in the midfield, although switch their shirts around. At least, that is what the teamsheet says – it’s anyone’s guess as to what team will actually take to the pitch come kick-off.

London Irish pulled off a shock win at Welford Road last season, but that’s unlikely to happen again this year with the Tigers in desperate need of breaking an unfortunate run. Leicester by 12.

Wasps vs Harlequins

The weekend ends with a firecracker at the Ricoh Arena. Wasps are the form team in the country, with five wins from their last five games propelling them into the play-off spaces. Indeed they have leapt above Quins, by virtue of winning more games with the same points total. The Londoners halted a three game losing streak with a gritty win over Leicester last weekend, that put them back in the top four having dropped away towards mid table. Wasps name the brothers Piutau – Sale and Charles – in the centres, a frightening prospect for Messrs Sloan and Stanley opposite them.

Wasps’ run will come to an end at some point, but I can’t see it being this weekend. Quins have suffered with their international contingent away, and now is not the time to be visiting the form side in the country. Wasps by 10.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images