Newcastle Falcons vs Worcester Warriors
This, needless to say, is a massive game. A home win would see Newcastle lift themselves away from the relegation dogfight, while an away win would elevate Worcester above their North-Eastern rivals. On paper, Worcester probably have the better side, with Francois Hougaard impressing in dispatches in his opening few appearances and joining the likes of Pennell and Heem in an exciting backline. But crucially, Andy Goode returns to the Newcastle line-up. At the moment, you can’t overestimate his importance to Newcastle – he simply knows how to win Premiership matches.
Had Goode not been playing, it would have been tempting to plump for an away win. But with the veteran fly-half at the helm, Newcastle have beaten Leicester and Northampton at Kingston Park recently – they’ll make it a Midlands clean sweep this weekend. Newcastle by 6.
Sale Sharks vs Harlequins
Sale should have beaten Saracens last weekend but were let down by the kicking of Danny Cipriani – he, fairly ruthlessly, has been dropped to the bench with Joe Ford starting his first Premiership game this season. They scored some stunning tries against the champions, with the likes of Sam James, Mike Haley and Nev Edwards all playing key roles. It means this should be a thrilling game, with Harlequins able to call on the talents of the likes of Tim Visser, Marland Yarde and Ross Chisholm.
Quins are in a bit of a rut and are hurting from the absence of their international stars. Sale, by contrast, are unbeaten at home this season, a run that should continue this weekend. Sale by 10.
Gloucester Rugby vs Wasps
This is a hugely difficult game to call, between two sides in form. On paper it looks like it should be a Wasps win, given the Coventry side have won their last six league games in a row. Gloucester, however, have won three of the last four themselves and have quietly risen to seventh in the table – just six points behind the play-off places. Wasps again name the brothers Piutau in the centres – an experiment that was a whole-hearted success last weekend – while Gloucester will need to find some way to stop the rampaging Nathan Hughes. Greig Laidlaw returns from Scotland duty to captain the home side, who also have Ross Moriarty and Matt Kvesic in their ranks.
It will likely be one of the games of the weekend at Kingsholm. Wasps’ winning run must come to an end at some stage, but it is becoming very, very difficult to predict them to lose. Throw in the fact that they have not done so to Gloucester at the last seven times of asking, and it all adds up to an away win – just. Wasps by 2.
Bath Rugby vs London Irish
Bath’s horror show of a season continued apace at Exeter, where they could not garner even a losing bonus point. Their set piece was in trouble but they did manage considerable success with the rolling maul – a weapon they will no doubt unleash again on London Irish. They have Rhys Priestland back from Wales duty, and name a backline with potentially an overabundance of play-makers – both Kyle Eastmond and Ollie Devoto also start. London Irish continue with young Theo Brohpy-Clews at fly-half, with new signing Greig Tonks waiting in the wings. Arch-poacher Alex Lewington makes a welcome return from injury.
This is sort of an acid test for just how bad the state of affairs is in the West Country. If they can’t win at home against the bottom club in the league, all bets are off. Bath by 12.
Saracens vs Northampton Saints
Saracens did what champion clubs do against Sale – they scrapped their way to a respectable draw despite not playing particularly well. With Owen Farrell away with England, Charlie Hodgson’s injury will hit them hard – third choice fly-half Nils Mordt starts this weekend against Northampton. The Saints are resurgent, having won three of their last four, and will take heart from the fact that Wasps won at Allianz Park a couple of weeks ago. They drop Harry Mallinder to the bench and restore the powerful centre partnership of George Pisi and Luther Burrell for the first time in a while.
Wasps beat Saracens by soaking up pressure and then hitting them on the counter with ruthless pace and flair. Do Northampton have that in their locker? Potentially not. This game may well descend into an arm wrestle – and no-one has bigger guns than Saracens. Saracens by 6.
Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs
The Tigers returned to winning ways in style against Irish last weekend, and blew away some cobwebs by running in several excellent tries. They will be under no illusions that the Chiefs – back on a winning run of two games after losing two in a row – will present a much sterner challenge, however. The hosts have Owen Williams back on the bench, while Manu Tuilagi starts again, this time back in the 12 shirt with Peter Betham outside him. Captain Ed Slater packs down in the unfamiliar position of number eight. Exeter rest former Tiger Thomas Waldrom, but still boast two ex-Welford Road dwellers in the form of Geoff Parling and Julian Salvi.
It is going to be nip and tuck at Welford Road, and will likely be decided by a very small margin. The Tigers have lost just once at home this season, however, and with a tough run of games against Wasps and Saracens coming up, they will target this as a must win. Leicester by 2.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
One reply on “Aviva Premiership 2015/2016: Round 15 Predictions”
As a Sarries fan I see this game against Saints as a serious banana skin. Wasps caught us by surprise and did a number on us on the counter. I don’t think Saints will do this, but without Farrell or Hodgson to steer the ship, our backline could begin to creak. I expect Spencer to play out of his skin to help Mordt control our attack, but without key personnel it is a great opportunity for Saints to strike.