Saracens and Sale Sharks have started to edge their noses in front in the Premiership as we approach week six of the competition.
Sarries and the Sharks both play at home this weekend and the top two could see even more delight between themselves and the rest of the pack come Monday.
What | Sale Sharks v London Irish |
Where | AJ Bell Stadium, Manchester |
When | 19:45, Friday 14th October |
How to watch | BT Sport |
Odds |
Sharks can rise to the top
Friday night offers an opportunity for Sale to leapfrog Saracens into first place in the standings when the Sharks host London Irish. With four wins from four, Sale, along with Sarries, are one of the two remaining teams left in the competition with a perfect winning record.
The Sharks made a real statement last week with a 26-16 win at Welford Road against reigning champions Leicester Tigers. Irish should be feeling fresh after not playing last weekend but this is set to be a huge challenge to overcome a Sharks side that certainly look like they will be in the mix come playoff time this season.
What | Northampton v Newcastle Falcons |
Where | Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton |
When | 15:00, Saturday 15th October |
How to watch | PRTV |
Odds |
Frantic Saints eager to build on Coventry heroics
After scoring two late tries to win at Wasps last week, Northampton will be hoping to avoid the dramatics when they welcome a struggling Newcastle side to Franklin's Gardens.
Northampton looked out of it going into the final couple of minutes at Wasps but late tries from Alex Coles and Courtnall Skosan saw Saints win 40-36 in Coventry. While it was a fantastic advertisement for Premiership rugby it would have hardly done the stress levels in the Northampton camp any good to try and win games for seemingly impossible positions.
Northampton will be looking to impose their game this weekend on a Newcastle side that have just one win from their first four outings this season. A high-scoring Saints' win would be no surprise in this one at The Gardens.
What | Saracens v Bath |
Where | StoneX Stadium, London |
When | 15:00, Saturday 15th October |
How to watch | PRTV |
Odds |
Long afternoon in store for Bath
An away trip to Saracens is the last thing the Bath management and players would have wanted this weekend, having lost all of their five Premiership games so far. With 175 points conceded, no team has shipped in more than Bath as they prepare to face a free-scoring Saracens side on Sunday.
Sarries' international stars appear to be finding form before the head off to represent their respective nations for the autumn Test matches. This could really be an afternoon to forget for Bath at the StoneX Stadium against a Saracens side just brimming with confidence at this early stage of the new season.
Saturday also sees Gloucester host Bristol in an all south-west battle at Kingsholm. Both sides have made good starts to the season and this could be one of the tightest contests we see in the Premiership this weekend.
What | Harlequins v Leicester |
Where | Twickenham Stoop, London |
When | 15:00, Sunday 16th October |
How to watch | BT Sport |
Odds |
Expect points at The Stoop
Week six arguably saves the pick of the fixtures until last, with high-scoring Harlequins welcoming the defending champions Leicester to the Twickenham Stoop. It has not been the easiest start to their title defence for the Tigers, with just two wins from their first five outings of the season.
Leicester have certainly not become a bad side over the off-season but it does seem to be taking Steve Borthwick’s squad time to find their rhythm. In fairness Leicester have had a tough run of fixtures, having already faced the likes of Exeter Chiefs, Sale and Saracens. Meanwhile, Harlequins will be content with their start to the campaign, especially with their efforts in attack.
With 144 points in four outings, only Saracens have scored more so far in the Premiership this season. With the England combination of Danny Care and Marcus Smith in the halfbacks, Quins can strike from anywhere on the field. Leicester will have to go up a few gears from what’s been witnessed so far to have a chance of coming away from the capital with a win.
