We’re back to the Aviva Premiership this weekend, but only for one week ahead of the Autumn Internationals.
Northampton v Gloucester
First up is a match between two underperforming sides; ninth versus tenth in the Aviva Premiership table, with only three wins between them all season.
The Saints have not lost this fixture home or away since 2013, and you have to pick them to keep that record going at home. Northampton by 8.
SuperBru Community: Northampton by 6.22 | Paddy Power: Northampton -8
Harlequins v Worcester
Quins have been formidable at home so far this season, seeing off Saracens and Saints in the Premiership, whilst Worcester have shipped an average of 23 points in their three away fixtures so far.
How many points will Quins win by? A better than average defeat for Worcester I reckon. Harlequins by 18.
SuperBru Community: Harlequins by 10.03 | Paddy Power: Harlequins -13
Saracens v Leicester
The Tigers’ confidence will be on the rise after their European Cup win over Racing last weekend, but nobody likes a trip to Allianz Park these days, and you can’t see past Sarries winning at home.
They beat the high-flying Wasps by 16 in Round 6, and have just beaten Toulon away and thrashed Scarlets at home, so I expect a fairly convincing win here. Saracens by 16.
SuperBru Community: Saracens by 9.49 | Paddy Power: Saracens -11
Wasps v Newcastle
Good luck with this one, Newcastle. The Falcons were thumped by 53 points away at Bath in Round 2, and the Ospreys beat them 45-0 in the first round of the Challenge Cup.
They stuffed Grenoble last weekend, but this is still only going one way, it’s just a question of by how many? Wasps by 28.
SuperBru Community: Wasps by 14.65 | Paddy Power: Wasps -21
Bristol v Sale Sharks
If Bristol are to stay up, this is a must-win game at home to a Sale side that doesn’t much like to travel. I’m pretty sure they’ll know this, and will have been targeting this game whilst going through the motions in the Challenge Cup.
I’m going with my gut on this one, backing the home side for their first win of the season. Bristol by 2.
SuperBru Community: Sale by 9.54 | Paddy Power: No odds
Exeter v Bath
This is a good West Country derby to finish the round, and it will be interesting to see how the travails of European competition take their toll. Ordinarily I’d be leaning towards the home side, but they have faced Clermont and Ulster over the past fortnight, whilst Bath saw off Pau and Bristol, which isn’t quite the same.
It’s dangerous picking anything but an Exeter home win, but they haven’t quite been on their game so far this season, whilst Bath has impressed. Bath by 2.
SuperBru Community: Bath by 4.18 | Paddy Power: No odds
What do you think? A couple of controversial calls this weekend, but hopefully they’ll come off. Make your picks on SuperBru and see how yours compare.
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
I think the only way Tigers are going to beat Sarries is set piece. With no Kruis or Itoje it will be interestin to see who partners Big Jim in the second row. I think Rhodes will start there, but on the bench!?
Here is the Sarries team Dazza (or I quite like Dazzle!)
Saracens Team to face Leicester Tigers
15 Alex Goode (215)
14 Sean Maitland (5)
13 Nick Tompkins (41)
12 Brad Barritt (c) (178)
11 Chris Wyles (214)
10 Owen Farrell (137)
9 Ben Spencer (80)
1 Mako Vunipola (108)
2 Jamie George (157)
3 Juan Figallo (42)
4 Michael Rhodes (35)
5 Jim Hamilton (56)
6 Jackson Wray (151)
7 Schalk Burger (7)
8 Billy Vunipola (68)
Replacements
16 Schalk Brits (178)
17 Richard Barrington (89)
18 Petrus Du Plessis (139)
19 Mark Flanagan (0)
20 Kelly Brown (134)
21 Richard Wigglesworth (163)
22 Alex Lozowski (8)
23 Marcelo Bosch (75)
Cheers Hutch, although it did pop up on my fb feed. I’m quite surprised (but pleased) to see Spencer getting a start. Glad Tomkins is getting another start after last weeks performance.
As I predicted Rhodes to start alongside Big Jim and a debut for Flanagan from the bench!!
Spencer vs Youngs should be interesting!?
Seconded
From now on to be know as Dazzle (credits to Staggy for that one)
I have been called many names before (a lot of them I will not type on here!!) but Dazzle is a new one :-)
I can only apologise again! However I have also been chuckling at the way this is sticking!
Not pleased that Northampton won but did get the margin right.
Staggy I was hoping Glos would turn them over, and after watching the highlights I have to say I thought there were some iffy decisions in Saints favour?
yes Saints were poor and didn’t necessarily deserve the win but sometimes teams get the rub of the green (especially at home)
I won’t mention triple movements!
it wasn’t even a triple movement it was just plain short.