Aviva Premiership Weekend Preview

With the 6 Nations fast approaching, the Premiership continues to heat up, as so many of its clubs have been enjoying great European form of late. Whether or not that form will be carried into this competition is another matter, but if it is, we are set for a weekend of great rugby.

Matches to Watch:

Northampton Saints vs Wasps:

In a battle between the teams sitting at 5th and 6th in the table, we expect a very close, very physical battle. Northampton were left reeling from the loss of Samu Manoa and Salesi Ma’afu, but have recovered well. Wasps have been dominant on the European stage, but simply haven’t been able to keep up their intensity in the domestic league. The presence of Springbok legend Victor Matfield, as well as Saints centurion Tom Wood gives them a great physical presence in the pack, something they will need to stop the rampaging Nathan Hughes. Wasps possess a lethal backline featuring players like Jimmy Gopperth, Brendan Macken, and All Black wing Frank Halai. If Northampton are to have any chance of winning the game, their pack must control the gain line, because once Wasps get going forwards, they will not be stopped.

Saracens vs Bath:

This match will have lost a bit of its sting with so many key players away for England, but the rivalry is there nonetheless. The competition in the back row is set to be fierce, with Saracens likely to use Maro Itoje, Jacques Burger, and Jackson Wray; Bath are likely to fight back with Guy Mercer, Francois Louw, and Leroy Houston. That battle is likely to set a precedent, and with skilled players like Chris Wyles, Kyle Eastmond, Marcelo Bosch, and Matt Banahan out wide this has the potential to be an absolute belter of a match. Saracens have certainly not been lacking motivation since their winning streak was ended by Harlequins, so expect them to come out with plenty of intensity.

Worcester Warriors vs Exeter Chiefs:

After London Welsh’s disgraceful season following promotion to the Premiership, my expectations for Worcester were very low. And while they have been far from brilliant, Worcester have played better than most would have thought. They have fought toe to toe with all of the competitions best, and very seldom have they allowed games to get out of hand. If they want to continue to improve, they should take notes from their opponents for this weekend, Exeter. Currently second in the Premiership, Exeter have built a top class side, but they cannot underestimate this ambitious Worcester side. Stopping Thomas Waldrom will be a key factor for the Warriors, but they cannot ignore the form of the electric Gareth Steenson at 10.

Players To Watch:

Frank Halai:
The Wasps wing has had no trouble adjusting to life in England, as his dominance continues. “The Tank” has bulldozed his way to 7 tries this season, and he will be looking to add to that total when many of the league’s better players are away for the 6 Nations. This week he finds himself lining up against 21 year old Tom Collins, who is 6 inches and 20kgs smaller than the All Blacks wing.

Tom Youngs:
The Leicester Tigers hooker will be livid after being left out of Eddie Jones’ squad, and will want to prove the new England coach wrong with a big game against Gloucester. Youngs has been in great form for his club this season, and he will want to produce another big game. The former centre reads the game extremely well, and his ability to pick great lines and put himself in space has seen him become a favorite of the Tigers faithful.

Harry Mallinder:
The 19 year old has broken onto the scene for Northampton in the last month, starting when he scored a match winning try against Glasgow in a must win match for the Saints. A week later he started against the Scarlets, scoring another try and putting one of his teammates away for another. Saints truly have their hands on a special young player here, and he has been rewarded with another start at fullback. Wasps are no easy team to play against, but he will want to show that he is ready.

Manu Tuilagi:
Tuilagi is back after missing a year of rugby due to a major groin injury, and while he will be disappointed to miss out on yet another 6 Nations, one must feel that he will be ready to return to the international game soon enough. In the meantime he will continue to put in good performances for his club. A player of his quality can only be held down for so long, and I feel that there is no doubt that he will show his quality for Leicester over the next few weeks.

Kyle Eastmond:
Bath’s magician at inside center will be crushed that he has not been selected by Eddie Jones, but this will only serve to motivate him. While he is much smaller than many of those he plays against, Eastmond offers a great skillset that allows him to open up any defence. So many of Bath’s plays rely on Eastmond’s agility and ball skills which allow him to create space for some of the Premiership’s most potent finishers. I don’t doubt that Eastmond will be a major threat for Bath during the 6 Nations.