In the penultimate round of Gallagher Premiership action of the season, leaders Bath face second-placed Tigers while Sale host Bears with knockout places on the line.
Friday 16 May
Sale Sharks | Draw | Bristol Bears
There would have been much for Alex Sanderson and his coaching team to sift through in the wake of Sale’s 34-44 loss at Leicester last week. Spearheaded by in-form George Ford, the Mancunian club started well to lead 26-16 at a stage before ill-discipline and unforced errors let Tigers back into it. Sitting fourth, three-points off third-placed Bears, they can’t afford another performance like that at this time of the season.
Despite putting Bath’s second-stringers to the sword in an eventual 36-14 win at the Principality last week, Bristol had issues with discipline too and ended up copping four yellow cards. Still, they will take momentum into their visit to Salford Stadium and will have added motivation given they went down 38-0 in the reverse fixture in November.
Verdict: Bristol on the board
Bears to continue their upward trajectory and put Sale on the brink of elimination.
Newcastle Falcons | Draw | Gloucester
Gloucester need nothing less than a BP win at Kingston Park to keep alive their now slender hopes of making the playoff cut. Their 19-38 loss at Harlequins in the previous round has left them sixth, three-points off the top four, and it’s now a case of do or die for George Skivington’s side.
Verdict: Gloucester on the minus
Gloucester to get what they need at lowly Falcons.
Saturday 17 May
Northampton Saints | Draw | Saracens
With all eyes on their upcoming Champions Cup final, Northampton were always likely to field a proverbial ‘B’ team in round 16, which they duly did. With their playoff race run, the ensuing 42-14 loss they sustained at Sandy Park will be viewed as a necessary evil and, one week out from their date with Bordeaux-Begles in Cardiff, the result of this matchup with Saracens isn’t as important as looking ahead.
Sarries downed Newcastle 75-28 last week and currently find themselves placed fifth, locked on 49-log points with fourth-placed Sale. Like most other clubs this week, a win is simply a non-negotiable and Mark McCall’s men should rise to the occasion given where Saints’ priorities lie at the moment.
Verdict: Saracens on the minus
Saracens to pick up a BP win at Franklin’s Gardens.
Bath | Draw | Leicester Tigers
The clash of the round pits first versus second at the Rec. It remains to be seen just how many of Bath’s frontline players will be picked for Saturday, but it may be in Johann van Graan’s side’s best interest to field the strongest available matchday squad to gain a psychological edge over their potential final opponents. With first place wrapped up, they haven’t got much to lose.
Leicester were buoyed by a sublime second-half kicking performance by Handre Pollard and will again need his accuracy and game management if they’re to earn what would be an invaluable away win. With Bristol just four-points off Michael Cheika’s men in third, defeat would be a big setback in the race for a home semi-final.
Verdict: Bath on the board
Bath to withstand the Leicester assault and pick up even more steam ahead of the knockouts.
Sunday 18 May
Harlequins | Draw | Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins produced a great showing against Gloucester a week ago to keep themselves in the hunt for the top four, albeit only just. They’re seventh, six-points off
the playoff spots but will be buoyed by the recent performances of Marcus Smith and hattrick hero Cadan Murley.
Chiefs bounced back in style from their humiliation at Gloucester after putting Northampton away but could find themselves outgunned at the Stoop by a Quins team likely to throw everything including the kitchen sink at the strugglers.
Verdict: Quins on the minus
Harlequins to clear the handicap on Sunday.
