Greetings from sunny Johannesburg, where I have been working this week, and I’m pondering the Aviva Premiership fixtures this weekend whilst waiting to fly to Australia. I’ve got it all wrong for the England v Wallabies match, and still haven’t decided whether I’ll be up at 2am in Sydney watching it.
Anyway, here are my Superbru picks for this weekend.
Gloucester v Saracens
Now is the time to play Saracens, whilst many of their frontline players are missing on international duty. Yet to be beaten at Kingsholm this season, Gloucester also won this fixture against Sarries last year, so it seems like a good time to back the underdog. Gloucester by 4.
Worcester v Northampton
The Warriors’ streak makes for sorry reading with 7 red Ls so far this season, and even with a few Saints players missing, their fortunes are unlikely to change this weekend. Northampton by 6.
Wasps v Newcastle
A big away win for Wasps in their last Premiership outing will have restored some confidence, although given the stop-start nature of this league, it’s hard to build momentum. Regardless, Newcastle’s great run appears to have ended and this should be a home win. Wasps by 13.
Leicester v Sale Sharks
The Tigers’ halfbacks are obviously away with England this weekend, and that will have a significant impact on their prospects. You’d think they’d still be able to beat Sale, but it might be closer than some people think. Leicester by 7.
Exeter v Harlequins
Both sides have some notable absentees, including Joe Marler, Danny Care and Henry Slade, but it feels fairly even on that front. Quins haven’t beaten Exeter since 2014, and I can’t see them winning this one. Exeter by 8.
London Irish v Bath
With Rhys Priestland missing for Bath, the Exiles have half a chance here, but that streak of defeats for London Irish is preventing me from backing them. Bath by 4.
Bets:
I can’t access the LeoVegas site from South Africa, but if I could, I’d be betting on Gloucester to beat Saracens, which should offer generous odds.
See how well we’re doing in the LeoVegas Punters’ Union rugby betting league at puntersunion.leovegas.com. We’re going head-to-head with other UK rugby titles this season to see who can win the most rugby bets and finish top in May! Who are you betting on this weekend?
Follow Hutch on Twitter: @Hutch_James
Sarries are actually only missing 4 players to Eng and a couple to injury all of whom have great replacements. Our match day XV is still pretty fearsome and would expect them to still win (famous last words)
Novice ref making his Premium debut in front of a Friday night cider-soaked Shed. I predict a debacle!
Agree with Ben H about Sarries. Four to England and one to Wales but, Maitland is fit again and thanks to Eddie, both Kruis and Lozowski are back in the squad!!
I expect Sarries to bounce back from two losses by the young guns in the Anglo Welsh cup. Kruis and Skelton is a heavy second row to shift!!
I would be tempted to say that Wasps are more likely to miss their England contingent at home to the high flying Falcons (see what I did there!!). No Hughes, Daly or Launchbury could spell trouble for the Wasps!?
The rest of them I would agree with but always ready to be surprised!!
We’ll be fine! Guy Thompson is back and firing now at 8, and Kyle Eastmond makes his long awaited return to the centre with De Jongh shifting out one! Even without those players this is as strong as any side we’ve been able to field in the past couple month.
Watch us lose at home to the Falcons now I’ve said that…
Agree on Sarries though, expect them to win.
Agree on all but would highlight Freddie Burns starting for Bath is hardly a negative, I would say he’s currently on par with Priestland so its likely to come down to the other gaps left by the absent internationals. Jack Wilson, James Wilson and recently returned Tom Homer? The bench is also very inexperienced, again due to so many internationals missing