Here are my predictions for the festive round of Aviva Premiership matches, which includes a huge match in the relegation battle, and one that Bristol really needs to win.
NORTHAMPTON SAINTS to beat Sale Sharks by 13
SARACENS to beat Newcastle Falcons by 33
WASPS to beat Bath by 8
EXETER CHIEFS to beat Leicester Tigers by 4
BRISTOL to beat Worcester Warriors by 2
HARLEQUINS to beat Gloucester Rugby by 13
Wasps’ backs line up is mouth-wateringly exciting – Beale, Wade, Daley, Gopperth, Halai, Cipriani, Simpson. Oh yes and Robson, Eastmond and Miller on the bench! Hard even to see where LeRoux would fit in to that unless Cipriani is dropped for Gopperth at 10 and Beale moves up to 12 so LeRoux slots in at FB. Hope we don’t end up with a Toulon-esque situation though, where the individuals ooze talent but don’t click as a unit.
I think they have to keep Gopperth in there somewhere. He is the conductor that makes sure the orchestra stays in time. Great player with amazing vision.
I think Newcastle could give Sarries a closer game than that. Newcastle have been playing some great rugby lately and Sarries have decided to rest Mako, Barritt and Goode this week.
We will get to sea Itoje starting at 6 though, with Will Skelton getting a start alongside Kruis. That is a hefty second row!!