Here are my Superbru picks for the next round of Premiership matches.
Newcastle v Bath
Bath has lost three of the last four matches in the Premiership, and a trip to Newcastle is never fun, but I think they’ll edge this one tonight. I’m tempted to pick the Falcons, but Bath feels like the safer bet. Bath by 4.
Gloucester v Worcester
With Bristol’s resurgence, Worcester has started looking slightly vulnerable, but an unexpected win over Harlequins last week kept them in 11th. Gloucester are very hit and miss at the moment, but I think they’ll win this derby at Kingsholm and deny their visitors a bonus point. Gloucester by 8.
Saracens v Exeter
Sarries remain unbeaten at Allianz Park this season, and whilst Exeter is one of the few teams that could threaten that record – particularly after a win away at the Rec last week – I think Saracens still have too much. Saracens by 11.
Harlequins v Sale
Quins are also unbeaten at home this season, but they are way behind Saracens in the table because they haven’t won a single league game away from the Stoop. The Sharks have been on a fairly desperate run, including a home defeat to Bristol, and have not won in the Premiership since October. Quins by 16.
Northampton v Bristol
Both teams have won their last two matches after disappointing starts to the season, but I can’t see Bristol winning at Franklins Gardens just yet. Northampton by 13.
Wasps v Leicester
All is not well at the Tigers, and they won’t relish a trip to Coventry for this Midlands derby against the in-form Wasps. Unbeaten at the Ricoh this year, Wasps have won five in a row and start as heavy favourites against Leicester. Wasps by 9.
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Pretty much where my money is too apart from Nukes edging out Bath
Yeah I fancy Newcastle to beat Bath as well. It will certainly be an entertaining game.
Another good game should be Sarries vs Exeter. I think Exeter will push Sarries all the way, especially with the Vunipolas missing. Despite Sarries having other good ball carriers we are definitely missing the two of them. Expecting Itoje to shine again in this one.
I think Wasps could get a big score against Leicester. Five days after losing Cockers they have to travel to the top team and with the injuries they have in their back line I think Wasps will simply be too good for them. Robson vs Youngs should be very interesting in this one!!
Yeah I think Sarries v Exeter will be closer than predicted as Sarries are about a vulnerable as they ever get (which isn’t very vulnerable) and their performances haven’t been as convincing as they were at the start of the season.
Still think Sarries will win but should be an exciting game to watch
No Farrell or Kruis either this week!! Don’t know if Farrell’s picked up an injury but he’s not in the 23 anyway.
Well that was interesting. What were people’s views on the red card?
It looked very bright and new as if it had been especially prepared for the occasion. Right card, wrong man. Barrett clearly hit Parling with a high swinging arm and Barrington, who was about to tackle a standing man had no opportunity to adjust his body position as Parling fell. The directive encourages refs to use common sense. Tempest got this and quite a lot else wrong. As a neutral I felt he had a poor game.
Totally agree with you Andy. Barritt should have got the card. Annoyingly Barrington has been cited with “dangerous charging” as well!!
Don’t really know how Barrington is supposed to avoid what happened? Completely accidental, and if Barritt hadn’t hit Parling in the first place, Barrignton’s tackle would have been perfectly legal.
Soon rugby players will need to be clairvoyants as well so they can see how the attacking player is going to adjust their body position (or have it adjusted by other players) in the split second before they make their tackle.
Whilst I understand and encourage the need to keep the tackles lower, I don’t see how penalising players for accidental clashes with the head is going to help?
Yeah it was a pretty horrendous challenge which deserved a card (Parling went off on a stretcher as a direct result of a head high tackle) but I’m still not clear why Barrington copped the flak when Barritt was the one who went high and tried to rip his head off.
As you say if Barritt wasn’t dragging his head back then Barringtons body position would have been fine but as it was Parling feels the high tackle and starts to go down to relive the pressure on his neck and there was little Barrington could do to pre-empt or avoid what happened
Now, I would have agreed with you prior to having seen a video of the tackle today – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcQkiintoM8
However, I am now of the opinion that both tackles deserve censure and the outcome may just be the right one.
Parling’s head height barely changes between the start of his run with the ball and Barrington’s tackle. Irrespective of Barrit’s high tackle, Barrington was always going to hit Parling in the head.
Furthermore, Barrington starts lower and his movement in the tackle is driving upwards, leading with the shoulder and with absolutely no attempt to wrap his arms.
Basically a reckless, high shoulder charge. And even had Barritt not been there, itseems to me that Barrington’s tackle would have been no different – still high, still leading with the shoulder and still reckless. It amy well have been a red card under the old rules, let alone the new ones.
There is certainly a case to be made that the new rulles are too stringent, are being applied with no common sense and penalise tacklers for situations that they cannot avoid (for example, what happens if someone drives low to the ground and head first for the try line? Can a defender actually tackle them?) – but I don’t think this is a good example
LEINSTER to beat Montpellier by 13
CONNACHT RUGBY to beat Zebre by 43
CASTRES to beat Northampton Saints by 15
WASPS to beat Toulouse by 11
GLASGOW WARRIORS to beat Munster by 18
RACING METRO 92 to beat Leicester Tigers by 9
SARACENS to beat Scarlets by 22
CLERMONT AUVERGNE to beat Bordeaux Begles by 19
TOULON to beat Sale Sharks by 32
ULSTER to beat Exeter Chiefs by 14