Aviva Premiership Round 15 Matches to Watch

The English domestic league has provided some great rugby this season, and hopefully that will continue this weekend. With the 6 Nations on leave, many players have returned to their clubs, boosting the selections, and hopefully, the level of play as well.

Wasps vs Gloucester:

Third place Wasps take on Gloucester this saturday, in what should be a competitive battle. Matt Mullan has really done a great job for Wasps on the loosehead side this season, but he will face a major test from All Black prop John Afoa. Gloucester have another All Black in the second row, and the 11 times capped former Hurricane will be a major weapon for Gloucester in the lineout. The potent combination of Wallaby legend George Smith at the breakdown, and the devastating power of Nathan Hughes at No.8 should cause plenty of trouble for Gloucester. Matt Kvesic will want to prove his quality to Eddie Jones, and a big day against this powerful Wasps back row could do just that. Another powerful ball carrier is young Gloucester and Wales flanker Ross Moriarty, who can bring plenty of explosiveness from 6,7 or 8. There is a huge battle at 10, with Welsh fly half James Hook taking on former Hurricanes 10 Jimmy Gopperth. Both have been in outstanding form this season, and both will provide their sides with great attacking opportunity. Billy Twelvetrees will likely find himself up against the explosive Piutau brothers, who have been dominant in their games for Wasps so far. The Gloucester back three has explosive pace, but whether or not they can stop the power and pace of Frank Halai and Christian Wade, how are undoubtedly two of the most deadly finishers in the Premiership. Wasps have a devastating plethora of new weapons, but a gritty side like Gloucester has the potential to nullify them. Gloucester must be put away early, because the longer Wasps let them hang around, the more dangerous they become. We think however, that Wasps will be clinical, as they have been all season, and finish Gloucester in the first 60 minutes.

Prediction: Gloucester 10- Wasps 36

Saracens vs Northampton Saints:

In a rematch of the 2014 final, first place Saracens face off with a resurgent Saints side. Both sides have lost some of their biggest names, but both are still full of quality, so expect to see a fierce battle on the pitch. Northampton have a very talented pair of props in Alex Waller and Kieran Brookes, but they will face a very real and serious test in USA international Titi Lamositele and Petrus Du Plessis. South African legend Victor Matfield starts in the second row, and he will face another USA international in Hayden Smith, as well as Scottish international Jim Hamilton. Matfield has the pedigree, but does he still have the legs? The battle between the two young number 8’s in Teimana Harrison and Jackson Wray should provide some fascinating results. Harrison may be more of an athlete, but can he rival the workrate and intelligent play of Wray? That question will go a long way towards pointing to the outcome of this match. Northampton will be likely to leave their halfbacks unchanged, with the experience of Lee Dickson and Stephen Myler likely to give them a clear boost in the backline. Charlie Hodgson has plenty of years under his belt, but his kicking and passing remain nearly flawless, and give Saracens a great second option when Owen Farrell is not an option. Marcelo Bosch remains a fixture in the Saracens side, and the Argentinians silky running gives them a major threat in the wider channels. 19 year old Harry Mallinder continues to impress for Northampton at 12. His size, pace, agility, and vision all give him the potential to be a true next level player. “Captain America” Chris Wyles gives Saracens experience, in an area where they are very young. Ben Foden’s return from his horrendous injury continues, and hopefully we will see some of his old explosiveness on the field this weekend. Northampton have the potential, and the momentum to win this game, but in most of their big games over the last two seasons, Saracens have stepped up, and I think we will see them do that once again this weekend.

Prediction: Saracens 24- Northampton 22

Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs:

Leicester have bounced back nicely this season, showing true grit and determination in the classic Leicester style to fight themselves into postseason contention. They face an Exeter side that sit in second, desperately trying to hold their spot above a lethal Wasps side, and they will need a big win at Welford Road in order to pull it off. Marcos Ayerza will give Leicester a big advantage at scrum time. Luke Cowan-Dickie adds a lot of spark to this hard working Exeter pack, and that is one thing that the Leicester pack does lack. Ollie Atkins and Geoff Parling will give Exeter a big edge in the lineout, but it is the backrow that will provide the most of the competition in this match. Dave Ewers and Thomas Waldrom give a ton of ball carrying oomph to Exeter, but the same can be said of Tom Croft and Ed Slater of Leicester. In any case the collisions in the forwards should be massive, and provide a great platform for the backs out wide. We are really looking forward to seeing a great matchup between two forgotten 10’s, in Gareth Steenson and Freddie Burns. Both have looked good, and both are lethal when at their best, certainly an exciting prospect for the viewers. The injury to Henry Slade is a major loss to the Chiefs, in a position where Leicester have grown even stronger. The addition of Jean De Villiers and the return of Manu Tuilagi gives Leicester a dominant center pairing, that will be hard to beat in terms of physicality. Telusa Veainu has been on fire this season, so Exeter cannot afford to give him an inch of space on the wing. Exeter’s back three may not be made up of the same big names as Leicester’s, but they are every bit as dangerous, even when they cannot call upon Jack Nowell. We think that there is no reason to believe that either side has a major advantage in this match, and we truly believe that it will go down to the wire. In the end however, our instinct says that it will be Leicester who come away with the win in this one.

Prediction: Leicester 17- Exeter 14