The fourth round of the Gallagher PREM season pits Tigers against Bath at Welford Road while Saracens host Sale Sharks in London.
Friday 17 October
Gloucester | Draw | Bristol Bears
The late injury Seb Atkinson sustained in Gloucester’s defeat to Bath last week will be a hammer blow not only to George Skivington but Steve Borthwick, with the talented midfielder seemingly set for a prolonged stint on the sidelines. Having allowed Northampton to race into a 31-0 lead in round two before giving Bath a 28-0 head start last week, the Cherry and Whites will surely have to improve their performance in the opening exchanges of games as they continue their search for a first win of the season.
They could find more pain coming up against a Bears side that dug deep to see off Exeter Chiefs 14-8 in a low-scoring West Country derby affair at Ashton Gate last time out. Despite suffering several high-profile injuries of their own, Pat Lam’s men are two from three so far and should maintain that momentum at Kingsholm on Friday.
Verdict: Bristol on the board
Newcastle Red Bulls | Draw | Northampton Saints
Saints will be fired up for this one after French super-sub Anthony Belleau’s brace of tries last week sealed them a 33-26 win over Leicester Tigers in the 258th East Midlands derby. Despite some inconsistent performances so far this campaign, Phil Dowson’s side should be confident of knocking over a Newcastle outfit that fell to a 57-5 hammering at the hands of Sale Sharks in Manchester in the previous round.
Verdict: Saints on the minus
Saturday 18 October
Leicester Tigers | Draw | Bath
Leicester will be properly hurting following the events at Franklin’s Gardens last week, but they will need their best performance of the season so far to stop this rampaging Bath unit. Tigers took the lead on five separate occasions against Saints before ultimately falling away in the end, but there is plenty for coach Geoff Parling to build on yet this campaign, though Saturday’s clash will be their biggest litmus test to date.
Spearheaded by a quite brilliant Finn Russell display (yellow card aside) in the British & Irish Lions flyhalf’s first game in 10 weeks, Bath proved too strong for Gloucester in round three, beating them for the sixth time in succession. Although a rebuilding Leicester have shown some promise in the opening month of the competition, the defending champions should have no trouble picking them apart at Welford Road.
Verdict: Bath on the minus
Saracens | Draw | Sale Sharks
Despite their pre-season hype and strong opening two performances, Saracens’ loss at Harlequins last week proves they are not truly back at the level that saw them win three Champions Cups in four years just yet. They’ve still got some work to do but this test against Sale will be an ideal chance for Mark McCall’s side to bounce back immediately ahead of a tricky visit to Franklin’s Gardens to come.
Sale smashed Red Bulls at CorpAcq Stadium after their defeat at Bath the preceding week and will be riding a wave of momentum heading into this challenge at the StoneX. Victory for the Mancunian club here would well and truly put them on the map and instil massive confidence in them this term, but it will be easier said than done given that transpired last week. At the end of the day, Sarries’ game-drivers should guide them to the win.
Verdict: Saracens on the board
Exeter Chiefs | Draw | Harlequins
Chiefs’ narrow defeat in Bristol last week sees them occupy sixth ahead of round four, with their inability to capitalise on several good scoring chances ultimately undermining their efforts against Bears. Although Rob Baxter’s men have started the campaign well, they will be under big pressure at Sandy Park given what we saw from Quins last week.
Marcus Smith was in inspired form against Sarries, kicking brilliantly out of hand and ending up with a personal tally of 15-points, including a vital try. Many have been quick to write off Jason Gilmore’s side’s chances this season, but that display against Owen Farrell and company suggests there may be more to them despite those two opening defeats. Get on them to maintain the momentum in Devon.
Verdict: Harlequins on the board
