Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby
Sale remain the only side in the premiership to boast an unbeaten home record, whilst Gloucester have won just one game on the road since round one with their most recent victory on Sale turf coming in 2001. If Sale are to keep this record in tact, and with it their chances of a play-off spot, they will need to continue to be the well organised, super aggressive force we have seen so far this campaign.
Sale have made just the one change with Cameron Neild included on the flank, meaning Mark Easter moves to the bench and TJ Ioane switches to number eight.
Gloucester welcome Willi Heinz into the side at scrum-half with Greig Laidlaw skippering the side from the unfamiliar position of fly-half following a back niggle to James Hook. In the forwards, All-black prop, John Afoa, moves to the bench in place of Paul Doran-Jones whilst Sione Kalamafoni will make his 100th competitive appearance as he starts at number eight.
Despite their victory last week over Exeter, it is hard to see Gloucester upsetting the hosts, particularly bearing in mind how solid Sale have been at home this season. Sale by 4.
Leicester v Worcester
Not ‘the’ midlands derby, but a midlands derby nonetheless. Tigers are still chasing a place in the semi-finals of the Premiership and victory over the Warriors on Saturday would seal a place in the knockout stages for a remarkable 12th successive year. Worcester’s four wins in a row before their losses in rounds 19 and 20, meanwhile, secured their safety.
Leicester ring the changes from their defeat by Racing 92 last weekend as Leonardo Ghiraldini and Fraser Balmain replace Harry Thacker and Dan Cole in the front row, Ed Slater starts at blindside in the place of Mike Fitzgerald. In the backs, Sam Harrison and Owen Williams offer a new halfback pairing at the cost of Ben Youngs and Freddie Burns whilst Mathew Tait moves into inside centre as Telusa Veainu shifts to fullback with Adam Thompstone coming in on the wing.
Worcester bring in Andy Symons to make his 50th appearance for the club with hooker Niall Annett and giant lock Tevita Cavubati also picked to face the Tigers.
Despite a multitude of changes to their side, I expect the Tigers to continue their good vein of form and secure a play off spot. Leicester by 12.
Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby
Northampton host Bath in a meeting of the teams that finished first and second last season. Fortunes have turned this time out as Northampton are outsiders to finish in the play-offs and are at very real risk of missing out on Champions Cup qualification.
Saints welcome back Ben Foden, George North, Jamie Gibson and Lee Dickson for their last home game of the season whilst Bath will be captained by the returning Francois Louw at open-side. Rhys Priestland shifts from fullback to fly half as George Ford takes his place on the bench and Anthony Watson returns. Ex sevens player Jeff Williams is another new face on the right wing.
Bath have not won at Franklins Gardens in 16 years, and if their 150th season is anything to go by I expect Saints to convert to 17. Northampton by 7.
Exeter Chiefs v Wasps
Both sides have now secured their semi-final berths with two remaining fixtures, for Wasps it is the first taste of premiership knock out rugby since they won the competition in 2007/08 and a bonus point victory for the Coventry based side will ensure a semi-final on home soil. Chiefs only defeat at Sandy Park since January 2015 came in February of this year when Saracens were the visitors.
Dave Ewers returns for Chiefs at blindside flanker as Thomas Waldrom drops to the bench and Don Armand switches to number eight. In the backs, fit-again Phil Dollman is given the nod at full-back in place of Australian international Lachie Turner. Meanwhile, Wasps make the solitary change as Dan Robson, ruled out through concussion, is replaced by Joe Simpson at scrum half.
The two sides met at the Ricoh in the quarter final stage of the Champions Cup where Wasps ended up as last minute winners through the boot of Jimmy Gopperth, Exeter have this phenomenal home record and I expect them to maintain it. Exeter by 5.
London Irish v Harlequins
London Irish must secure an elusive victory in order to avoid relegation, however, having won just one of their last nine Premiership Rugby matches, this feat seems somewhat unlikely. Harlequins could do with a win in order to remain in the running for an automatic Champions Cup spot. The home side make six changes to the side that narrowly lost to Newcastle a fortnight ago as former Quin Tom Guest starting at number eight as recent re-signing Luke Narraway moves to blindside flanker. Elliott Stooke replaces Will Lloyd at lock whilst Theo Brophy Clews, Aseli Tikoirotuma and Fergus Mulchrone al start for the exiles. Amongst Harlequins’ five changes are the return of Winston Stanley in the centres and the inclusion of recently-capped England back rower Jack Clifford.
London Irish have been poor for the most of the season and, deservedly, find themselves at the foot of the table. It would take something quite special for them to avoid relegation. Personally, I cant see it happening. Harlequins by 5.
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons
Saracens, having already qualified for a seventh straight semi-final spot, take on a Newcastle side that have not won away from home in Aviva Premiership Rugby since a trip to London Welsh in October 2014. Namibian legend Jacques Burger announced earlier this week that Sunday will be his final game and starts alongside Jackson Wray and Michael Rodes in the back row. Other notable changes for Saracens include a rest for Alex Goode, replaced by Ben Ransom, and an outing for experienced fly half Charlie Hodgson following Owen Farrell’s meeting with the citing’s committee. Newcastle, however, make five changes from the side that beat London Irish last round. Chris Harris and Adam Powell pair up in the midfield in a new-look centre combination as they replace Gonzalo Tiesi and Juan Pablo Socino. Craig Willis comes in for Mike Delany at fly-half. Mark Wilson comes into the number six jersey as Sean Robinson packs down alongside Mouritz Botha in the second row.
Saracens have won their last 13 matches against Newcastle in all competitions. Hard to see the holders and league leaders slipping up here. Saracens by 20.
By Louis Stringer
Follow Louis on Twitter @ louis_stringer
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Haven’t yet seen why Burger has decided to step down at the start of May, rather than the end? If his body is in that much of a state, surely he’d stop now? Or has he been told that he’s unlikely to play in the last four games? Even if he’s not first-choice, the attrition rate of a tough month might lead Sarries needing him. I expect it will come out in due course, but for now… #puzzled #greatplayer
I would suspect it has something to do with his knee. The fact that he played in the 2011 world cup knowing he needed surgery, but didn’t want to let his country down, tells you something about the strength and character of the man! For someone who had their kneecap moved surgically three years ago I think he’s done ok.