Photo Copyright Steve Haag Sports
Brendan ‘Patch’ O’Connell previews the 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals with Harlequins, Saracens, the Tigers and the Saints all looking to progress to the final.
After 26 rounds, the 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals finally take place this Saturday afternoon and Quins can push Saracens all the way, whilst the Tigers should be able to keep the Saints at arm’s length.
Saracens v Harlequins – 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals
Predictably, Sarries have made the playoffs in easy fashion after spending last season in the Championship due the salary infringement scandal. They’re no strangers to high pressure rugby and have won 5/6 home playoffs.
Surprisingly, they fielded a very weak side against Gloucester last week while the remainder of finalists ensured their best sides took to the field.
A last minute try by Exeter laid waste to my best bet last weekend as Harlequins set about losing a match they had led for the majority of the game. It’s arguably not the best preparation for the visit to the StoneX Stadium but perhaps they’ll tighten up a few issues around the breakdown especially.
Sarries have won both games against Quins this season, 22-29 at the Stoop and 19-10 at the StoneX and will start the game as comfortable favourites.
In 2021/22, Harlequins have had a 50 %-win record on the road while Saracen’s only loss at home was to Gloucester by a point.
Referee and Weather : Luke Pearce has been appointed to referee this match and the latest weather forecast expects a mild day and partly cloudy.
Patchy’s Pick – 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals
I started the week feeling Quins were going to struggle in this fixture but as the week has progressed I feel it was more the disappointment of last week’s loss that had affected me so badly and tainted what is still a very dangerous side. Their never give up attitude has won them many matches and although Sarries will probably win the game, it’s Quins who will keep poking the bear and the handicap looks a good route to follow.
Harlequins plus 7.5 points for 4 Units.
Leicester v Northampton – 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals
What a superb season the Tigers have enjoyed so far after finishing 6th in 2020/21 and 11th in 2019/20. Steve Borthwick has been given full rein to rebuild the squad over the last few seasons and the results are quite outstanding.
The Saints managed to hold on to their 4th position last week when completely outplaying a very poor Newcastle side. They’ve been a little inconsistent at various stages of the season but have won their last 6 of 7 Premiership outings and would be brimming with confidence had it not been for their two losses this season to the Tigers by a massive aggregate of 22 points!
Once again home advantage is a huge factor and even more so I believe at Welford Road where the Tigers are unbeaten at home, whilst the Saints too have just a 50 %-win rate on the road.
Referee and Weather: Matt Carley is in charge and the weather is much the same, cloudy and mild.
Patchy’s Pick – 2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals
Of the two games I feel Leicester’s home support at Welford Road carries the more clout and despite the Saints having played some great rugby this season I just can’t make a case for them. I expect a close game in the early stages with the Tigers pulling away in the latter part as they slowly grind Saints into submission to win by 13 points.
Leicester minus 9.5 points for 3 Units is the call.
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2022 Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finals Preview by Patchy O’Connell
