Aviva Premiership 2015/2016: Round 5 Predictions

Northampton Saints vs Gloucester Rugby

At the very beginning of last season, Northampton thumped Gloucester by 50 points at the Gardens to set the tone for what would be another strong season for the Midlanders. It is unlikely to happen again this year – they currently sit two places from the bottom of the table, having lost three of their first four league games. They were, however, victorious in Glasgow last weekend, and make just one change to that team – Kahn Fotuali’i swapping with Lee Dickson at scrum-half. Keep an eye on Ben Foden, who is returning to some of his best form. Gloucester have made a solid start to the season, and welcome Jonny May back to the starting line-up. Intriguingly, Billy Twelvetrees is named at fly-half again, with James Hook donning the 12 jersey.

Games between these two in the past few seasons have been relentlessly entertaining, and with some of the names on show there’s no reason to think this will be any different. Gloucester are a much changed team from last season, but at home the Saints should be too strong. Northampton by 10.

Sale Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons

Sale have won both of their home games and lost both of their away games so far this season – so logic would point to another win this weekend, especially as they host the winless (and, in fact, pointless) Falcons. The home side welcome back Danny Cipriani and captain Dan Braid, while alongside him in the back-row keep an eye on Josh Beaumont, a young man who has made a sterling start to the campaign and is being mentioned in England discussions already. Newcastle hand a Premiership debut to Marcus Watson, brother of England winger Anthony, after he bagged a whopping four tries against Enisei in Europe last weekend.

Sale have won the last three instalments of this fixture, although Newcastle did manage a win in Salford in 2013. They have been worryingly poor so far this year, however, and are unlikely to repeat that feat on Saturday. Sale by 12.

Exeter Chiefs vs Harlequins

This should be a corker of a game, between two teams that like to give the ball some air and play a fast-paced game. They are also both going very well this season, occupying two of the top four spots with three wins apiece. The Chiefs revert to Gareth Steenson at fly-half despite Henry Slade’s heroics against Bordeaux; the England player returns to the centre, where he will again link-up with Jack Nowell on the flank. Thomas Waldrom gets a rare start in the number eight shirt and will be keen to rediscover his form from last year. Harlequins, intriguingly, name hooker Dave Ward at openside flanker – with Chris Robshaw occupying the number six shirt. James Horwill returns to the engine room, while out wide there is no Marland Yarde but pace and finishing ability aplenty anyway in the forms of Charlie Walker and Tim Visser.

Harlequins have only ever won once at Sandy Park, and Exeter did the double over them last season. The way the Chiefs are playing, it’s difficult to see anything other than a home win here. Exeter by 6.

Saracens vs Worcester

The first instalment of the London Double Header at Twickenham sees Worcester play their first ever game in the stadium. The Warriors have acquitted themselves well on their return to the Premiership, with two wins to their name in four games, including on the opening night against Northampton. They will hold no fear going to Saracens – but the men of Allianz Park are the form team in Europe, and are riding a confidence wave born of two huge wins in Europe. For Sarries, a club legend plays his last game – Ernst Joubert has been a huge part of their transition from also-rans to English super club. At the other end of the spectrum, there is young English talent in Will Fraser, Ben Spencer and Ben Ransom. Worcester are captained by the returning GJ van Velze, the nuggety ex-Saint, and watch out for their lethal back three of Chris Pennell, Cooper Vuna and Bryce Heem.

Being at Twickenham and not Allianz Park should play into Worcester’s hands, and while this should be another win for Sarries, it could be closer than people expect. Saracens by 5.

London Irish vs Wasps

After their heroics in Europe, Wasps return to Premiership action with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. For what good are wins over European royalty if they cannot back it up in the Premiership? The sad news that Christian Wade is out for at least two months with a foot injury means the Twickenham crowd won’t have a chance to see the flier excel on the wide Twickenham pitch – but messrs Simpson, Daly, Halai and Piutau should still provide plenty of entertainment. London Irish hand a debut to Ben Franks, the All Black prop who returns to the ground where he was last seen picking up a World Cup winners medal. 18 year-old fly-half sensation Theo Brophy-Clews is named on the bench.

If Wasps perform as they have in the opening European games, they will have little trouble swotting aside a London Irish team that is still building a new identity. Wasps by 21.

Leicester Tigers vs Bath Rugby

The Tigers have rather been running under the radar, as the likes of Wasps and Saracens pick up the majority of the plaudits, but with three wins from four games in the Premiership, and two bonus point wins in Europe, things are looking rosy in the East Midlands. With Aaron Mauger at the helm their backs are thriving more than they have for some time, with Telusa Veainu and Peter Betham looking especially dangerous in recent weeks. Brendan O’Connor’s form in just three games for the club already has people talking about a potential England call-up, but his battle with Francois Louw will give us a true reading on just how good he is. The visitors name Matt Banahan in the centre for his 200th appearance for the club, while Niko Matawalu is preferred at scrum-half.

While the Tigers have a horrid record at the Rec in recent times, Welford Road has remained a fortress in the face of this West Country opposition – Bath haven’t won here at the last six times of asking. Typically, it will be a tight game, but this Tigers team looks a different beast to the one of seasons past and should have enough to squeak a win. Leicester by 3.

How do you see the weekend going?

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images