Here are my Superbru predictions for Round 16 of the Aviva Premiership.
Harlequins v Leicester
Quins’ home form this year has me hovering over a home win, and the recent results back this up – the past 7 meetings have been won by the home team. Quins by 6.
Saracens v Sale
Saracens have lost their last two matches, whilst Sale has put together back-to-back wins. I suspect the tables will turn this weekend though. Saracens by 23.
Northampton v Worcester
This has become a very tricky one to pick, but can’t bring myself to pick Worcester to win at Franklin’s Gardens. Saints by 2.
Exeter v Newcastle
This should be a fairly comfortable home win, with the Chiefs unbeaten in the league since October. Exeter by 16.
Bristol v Bath
Having briefly looked like they might climb out of their relegation hole, Bristol are now firmly back in it, shipping 67 points over the last two matches. Bath by 18.
Wasps v Gloucester
You’d think the home side would be too strong for Gloucester, with only one away win to their name this season. Wasps by 13.
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Bath v Bristol is just a touch trickier to predict though with bans being handed out to Fotuali’i and Louw during the week and already a fairly extensive injury and six nations duty list, hopefully should be a regulation win but don’t think it will be that easy…
I think the Sarries vs Sharks score will be closer. Losing Mako to England after a great 70 minutes last week doesn’t help. It will be a very tough game and I just can’t see a gap of 23 points at the end of the game.
I agree that it will be a lot closer than 23 points Dazza. I think your description of Mako as having a “great” 70 mins last week is a bit rose tinted though. He was solid enough, but looked short of a gallop in my view. There were several shots of him blowing like a whale. I am sure he will be better for the run out, and think a bench start v Italy is spot on. Newcastle are beginning to look like a proper team and may run Exeter close. I really like the look of Hodgson at 10. He would be a lot higher in the pecking order if he played for a more fashionable club.
I think that’s certainly true of Mark Wilson. He’d do a job for England at 6.
Mako always looks like he’s blowing, doesn’t he?
Does anyone know where Robbie Fruean is?