Preview: Guinness Premiership, Rnd 21
Fri, 02 May 2008 15:58
England's Guinness Premiership resumes after a one-week break this weekend, with seven teams chasing those final four play-off spots. However, making things even spicier is the fact that eight teams are also slugging it out for six Heineken Cup places in 2008/09.
Amongst those sides scrapping for places in Europe's top-flight next season are London Irish and Saracens, both of whom suffered gut-wrenching semifinal losses in the Heineken Cup just last week.
Saracens, however, will have their hands full with a trip to Bath's Recreation Ground, whilst London Irish have an easier task - entertaining basement side Leeds Carnegie in Reading.
Whilst all matches this weekend have some sub-plot and/or extra incentive, the undoubted match of the weekend sees London Wasps play host to Gloucester Rugby at Adams Park. That match, however, takes place on Sunday only, with two Saturday matches preceeding the 'Super Sunday'.
Saturday's action sees Bristol Rugby hosting Worcester Warriors, before Sarries make their trek to face Bath - the team with the most wins in this season's Guinness Premiership.
The Bristol-Worcester match will be quite an emotional affair as the home side gets ready to say goodbye to some departing stalwarts, whilst the club will also say cheers to their home ground - for the time being that is - with the Memorial Stadium set to be redeveloped during the next two seasons.
"The atmosphere is almost second to none at the Memorial Stadium," said Bristol head coach Richard Hill. "There's a really close link between the players and the supporters."
And looking ahead to his side's opponents on Saturday, Hill added: "Worcester had a pretty poor start but improved massively when they finally got their best XV out on the field. There's no doubt about that. They've got their confidence up, have had a good run of results and have an exciting European Challenge Cup against Bath to look forward to."
In Saturday's other game, Saracens will have their hands full against an in-form Bath team, who are in second place on the standings after a superb league season to date.
Saracens will be missing skipper Neil de Kock and fellow key men Ben Skirving, Hugh Vyvyan and Nick Lloyd, whilst Bath are a settled unit, making just two changes from last weekend's squad which defeated Sale Sharks in the European Challenge Cup semifinal.
Bath head coach Steve Meehan said: "We feel that we know the Saracens side reasonably well and we know our game very well, so if we can pull together at the weekend, we may come up with a performance like we saw last weekend against Sale."
In Sunday's action, all four matches will get underway at 3pm; with NEC Harlequins hosting Sale Sharks, London Irish entertaining Leeds Carnegie, London Wasps facing up to Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers travelling to Kingston Park and a date with Newcastle Falcons.
All four Sunday fixtures will have a say in the final placings - Quins and Sale could cancel each other out, London Irish can sitll make the semi's, log leaders Gloucester will look to secure first place and Tigers need to win at Newcastle to stay in play-off contention.
Quins have not lost in their last four matches at the Stoop, but their record against Sale - in all competitions - is not great, with the men from Manchester winning 49-0 the last time they were in Twickenham.
"Although everyone associated with Harlequins knows how important this match is, the boys will be running out in the right frame of mind," said Harlequins Director of Rugby Dean Richards.
"You have to remember that each game is only as important as the last one, something I stress both to players and supporters. It is all about the mindset, and we will go out there again, like every match previously, and give it our all."
One would always expect a side like the wonderfully entertaining London Irish to beat the already relegated Leeds - especially at home - whilst Leicester Tigers will have too much class for Newcastle, even with Jonny Wilkinson in their starting line-up. However, it is the fourth match on Sunday - Wasps v Gloucester - which will set the pulses racing.
Gloucester are top of the log with 66 points from 20 matches played, but Wasps - on 60 points - have a game in hand and some pretty irresistable current form to count on.
Coupled with their form, the Londoners have the playmaking form of flyhalf Danny Cipriani to rely on, whilst any team that can leave James Haskell, Dominic Waldouck and Mark van Gisbergen on the bench must have some pretty special talent in its starting XV.
Look out for the one-on-one duel between Cipriani and fellow young gun Ryan Lamb - whoever wins that battle holds the key to the fight between the back threes of Wasps (Lewsey, Sackey, Voyce) and Gloucester (Morgan, Simpson-Daniel, Balshaw), nevermind the star-studded midfielders and second rows!
"Gloucester have been good all season, that's why they are top," said Ian McGeechan, Wasps' Director of Rugby.
"This game is without doubt our biggest challenge of the season far. Gloucester produce quality rugby on a consistent basis and we have to perform on Sunday to challenge them.
"We've had to fight our way into the top four, and I've no doubt that the race for the play-offs will go right down to the wire next Saturday."
Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan was in no doubt as to the importance of this fixture, adding: "We are very aware of what Sunday represents in terms of the challenge we face and what we have to do to match it.
"We have given ourselves an opportunity towards the play-offs, but nothing has been accomplished yet which is why this game means so much to us."
Weekend fixtures, teams and predictions:
Saturday, May 3
Bristol Rugby v
Worcester Warriors, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Memorial Stadium
Referee: Ashley Rowden
The teams:
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Lee Robinson, 13 Rob Higgitt, 12 Sam Cox, 11 David Lemi, 10 Jason Strange, 9 Shaun Perry (captain), 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Iain Grieve, 6 Alfie To'oala, 5 Nathan Budgett, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Mark Regan, 1 Dave Hilton.
Replacements: 16 Scott Linklater, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Sean Hohneck, 19 Redford Pennycook, 20 Graeme Beveridge, 21 Ed Barnes, 22 Neil Brew.
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Miles Benjamin, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Marcel Garvey, 10 Joe Carlisle, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Drew Hickey (captain), 7 James Collins, 6 Tom Wood, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Will Bowley, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Matt Mullan, 1 Tony Windo.
Replacements: 16 Chris Horsman, 17 Chris Fortey, 18 Greg Rawlinson, 19
Netani Talei, 20 Ryan Powell, 21 Shane Drahm, 22 Thinus Delport.
rugby365.com prediction: Bristol will up for this game and there will be a lot of emotion about. The home team to edge out the men from Sixways.
Saturday, May 3
Bath Rugby v Saracens, 18.00 local time (19.00 SA time)
Recreation Ground
Referee: Rob Debney
The teams:
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Joe Maddock, 13 Alex Crockett, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Barnes.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Zak Feaunati, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Andrew Higgins.
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Francisco Leonelli, 13 Kevin
Sorrell (captain), 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Glen Jackson, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Paul Gustard, 7 Don Barrell, 6 Kris Chesney, 5 Iain Fullarton, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cencus Johnston, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Kevin Yates.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cairns, 17 Tom Mercey, 18 Andy Saull, 19 David Seymour, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Dan Scarbrough.
rugby365.com prediction: Bath are a quality side and with their tight five in such fine form, it is hard to see Saracens raise themselves after last week's Heineken Cup heartbreak. Bath to win.
Sunday, May 4
Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Kingston Park
Referee: Andrew Small
The teams:
Newcastle: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Tom May, 13 Tom Dillon, 12 Tim Visser, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 James Grindal, 8 Phil Dowson (captain), 7 Ben
Woods, 6 Geoff Parling, 5 Andy Buist, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Andy Long, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 David Wilson, 18 Ross Beattie, 19 Russel Winter, 20 Ed Williamson, 21 Hall Charlton, 22 Ollie Phillips.
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Tom Croft, 6 Martin Corry (captain), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Julian White, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Martin Castrogiovanni.
Replacements: 16 Mefin Davies, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
rugby365.com prediction: Newcastle will miss Flood and Noon, whilst Tigers will be hungry for a victory to keep their play-off chances alive. Tigers to win and score four tries.
Sunday, May 4
Harlequins v Sale Sharks,
15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Twickenham Stoop
Referee: Dave Pearson
The teams:
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Ugo Monye, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Tom Williams, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Danny Care, 8 Tom Guest, 7 Will Skinner (captain), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Chris Brooker, 17 John Brooks, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Nick Easter, 20 Steven So'oialo, 21 Chris Malone, 22 De Wet Barry.
Sale: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Selorm Kuadey, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Andy Vilk, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Jason White (captain), 5 Brent Cockbain, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Stuart Turner, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Roberts, 18 Sean Cox, 19 Dean Schofield, 20
Michael Hills, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Matt Riley.
rugby365.com prediction: There is a lot at stake in this match, but we'll back the home team here - Quins to edge Sale; now, and in the race for the last four.
Sunday, May 4
London Irish v Leeds Carnegie, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Madejski Stadium
Referee: Sean Davey
The teams:
London Irish: 15 Topsy Ojo, 14 Tomas de Vedia, 13 Peter Richards, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 James Hudson, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody.
Replacements: 16 Tonga Lea'aetoa, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Gary Johnson, 19 Phil Murphy, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Peter Hewat, 22 Shane Geraghty.
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 John Holtby,
13 Luther Burrell, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 James Brooks, 9 Joe Bedford, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Hendre Fourie, 6 Rhys Oakley, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Stuart Hooper (captain), 3 Tommy McGee, 2 Vili Ma'asi, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 James Parkes, 18 Erik Lund, 19 Danny Paul, 20 Darren Edwards, 21 Adam Greendale, 22 Scott Armstrong.
rugby365.com prediction: London Irish to win and put their Heineken Cup semifinal loss behind them.
Sunday, May 4
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Adams Park
Referee: Wayne Barnes
The teams:
Wasps: 15 Josh Lewsey, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Fraser Waters, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (captain), 7 Tom Rees, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Tim Payne, 2 Raphael Ibanez,
1 Tom French.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Michael Holford, 18 George Skivington, 19 James Haskell, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Dominic Waldouck, 22 Mark van Gisbergen.
Gloucester: 15 Olly Morgan, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Iain Balshaw, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Will James, 19 Peter Buxton, 20 Gareth Delve, 21 Gareth Cooper, 22 Willie Walker.
rugby365.com prediction: There is not much to choose between these two superb sides in the match of the weekend. However, Wasps' form of late has been inspiring - having not lost in this competition since losing to Gloucester in January - and we will back them to come good against the log leaders, who have not won away against Wasps in their last 20 home games in all competitions.
