Aviva Premiership - Round 8

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Premiership Table


Fixtures

Friday 21st November 2014

Harlequins (6th) v Sale (7th) 19:45  BT Sport
Two teams who won last week face each other at the Stoop. By all accounts Quins did the basics well last week, and against a Sale team who have struggled on their travels that could be enough.

Newcastle (11th) v Gloucester (8th) 20:00
Falcons are probably safe from relegation already - so must be looking to improve before next season when Bristol or Worcester are likely to be much stronger than London Welsh have been. This is the sort of fixture they simply have to be winning, especially with Gloucester in the midst of a crisis among their back line. International duties and injuries deprive them of all but Charlie Sharples from their first choice attack.

Saturday 22nd November 2014

Exeter (2nd) v Wasps (5th) 15:00
I have no idea how Exeter have made it to 2nd in the table. Whenever I see them play they have looked very short of firepower. However they win the matches I do not watch. Wasps had a fun unopposed session last week - not really the preparation for a trip to Sandy Park.

London Irish (10th) v Bath (3rd) 15:00
London Irish have just lost 3 matches on the bounce, with what have been described as some lamentable performances. The coaches have been critical of the players, the fans of the coaches. Bath are however still vulnerable and could easily struggle in this match.

Sunday 23rd November 2014

Saracens (4th) v Northampton (1st) 13:00 BT Sport
Both sides will be disappointed with last week. Mark McCall seemed to blame the ref for Sarries failure to win - perhaps he should instead look at how they approached the game. They offered zero threat with ball in hand, and seemed to assume their defence would win the game. As predicted Saints were vulnerable last week. Mallinder was critical of how they tried to play too much rugby in poor conditions. Saracens should be much stronger than Saints this week, but if they persist with Wyles at 12 could struggle to create. That would be criminal with two wingers who are on fire.

London Welsh (12th) v Leicester (9th) 15:15  BT Sport
BT Sport are often criticised for only showing glamour matches. They balance that this week with this bottom of the table clash between the two lowest try scorers in the league. London Welsh have been conceding 49 points per match, so maybe Tigers can get their second TBP of the season (previous was against Falcons) but do not hold your breath. Freddie Burns lack of confidence from the kicking tee will mean that Owen Williams wil start - yet he has shown no evidence that he will be able to direct the backs to try scoring form.

Some of us can remember the days before Bath's brief time in the sun too.

beshocked wrote:..............Expectations are higher than they were a few years ago - it's not right to see sides like Bath and Exeter above Tigers and Saracens!

As a Saints fan, the precarious view from the top of the table, at least for now, is not too bad.............

We're verging on Vertigo...up to 3rd bottom....

To be honest I think Quins hold all the prizes in the Poopie stakes at the moment...

Sad times.

Sad, sad times.

We were pretty good vs Gloucester, let's not let our emotions yoyo too much...

GeordieFalcon wrote:We're verging on Vertigo...up to 3rd bottom....

Careful. Remember the story of Icarus.