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It is round five of England’s Gallagher PREM Rugby, and it starts with the top two facing off in the penultimate round before it pauses for the Autumn Internationals.
The action starts on Friday, when league leaders Northampton Saints take on Saracens, who are breathing down their neck in second place. Exeter Chiefs face a struggling Gloucester and there are repeats of last season’s playoff semifinals.
Here is what ATR thinks you should keep a look out for.
Northampton Saints v Saracens, Friday 19.45 (local time)
What a way to sign off the PREM for a month, with the 2023 and 2024 champions going head to head with top spot on the line. Northampton lead the way with 18 points, two ahead of Saracens, who sit level with Bath.
Northampton have recovered well since allowing Exeter Chiefs back in for an opening day draw, and then nearly repeating the trick against Gloucester a week later. They have been turbocharged by the return of Lions Alex Mitchell, Fin Smith, Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock, but it is one of their summer signings that has given them an extra edge.
JJ van der Mescht arrived from Stade Francais in the summer, and the South African second row has given the Saints pack some much needed heft. The 26-year-old has helped the pack lead the way in scrums won with 32, has made most post-contact metres per carry, and scored his first try of the season against Newcastle Red Bulls.
Saracens have been going about their business in a very Saracens-like way, the loss to Harlequins aside, and their dismantling of Sale Sharks last week was a mark of intent. Since then, two players have been firmly in the news. Noah Caluori, whose five tries earned him a first England call-up this week, and Tom Willis who will be off to Bordeaux-Begles at the end of the season. The number eight leads the Prem with 65 carries and 35 defenders beaten, raising further questions as to how much Saracens fought to keep him.
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester, Saturday 15.00
It is a fair summation that Exeter Chiefs won’t be happy that the PREM will go on hold for the next month, such has been their resurgence this season. You can picture Director of Rugby Rob Baxter watching the Autumn Internationals through his fingers, praying the likes of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Dafydd Jenkins, Stephen Varney, Ross Vintcent, Tom Hooper, and Len Ikitau make it back in one piece.
Jenkins has appeared happier this season, helped in the second row by Andrea Zambonin’s arrival, whose size has given the Chiefs pack more grunt. The Italian is another that will have Baxter sweating over his return such has been his impact.
For Gloucester, it is the opposite. George Skivington will aim to use the time off to get as many of his frontline players back after injuries have swept through the squad. The team played better in defeat to Bristol Bears last time, and their scrum and lineout are working well. They play some fantastic running rugby, but might it be time to go back to the Cherry and White traditions of a powerful and uncompromising pack to get them through this tricky period?
Harlequins v Newcastle Red Bulls, Saturday 15.00
Two teams who could do with a positive result before heading into the international window.
Harlequins sole victory was a cracker, but it was quickly undone by their whitewash away to Exeter Chiefs last time out. Back in the home comforts of The Stoop, they will be confident of taking something against Newcastle Red Bulls, who sit bottom on zero.
If nothing else, Quins’ woes have given them plenty to think about in defence, and it sums up their season that they lead the way in tackle success with 83.5 percent made. It is a big weekend for Chandler Cunningham-South, who has the chance to put himself forward as the man to replace Tom Willis as England’s number eight.
For Newcastle, hooker George McGuigan has been a strong addition, and number eight Amanaki Mafi is finding his groove, notably with the 66 metres he has made post contact this season. Add in Argentina scrumhalf Simón Benítez Cruz, as a spine is taking shape. All the side needs now is a flyhalf who can take the match by the scruff of the neck, and a fullback who can offer equal measures of quality in attack and defence.
Bath v Bristol Bears, Saturday 15.05
A repeat of one of last season’s semifinals, in which Bath fought back to haul in their neighbours from down the A4. That showing was a consummate performance, and while they have matched those heights this season, they weren’t quite at their best when they went down to Leicester Tigers a week ago.
With flankers Sam Underhill and Guy Pepper likely to be away in the England squad, there is the chance for Ethan Staddon. The 23-year-old has had to be patient, but he played 68 minutes against Tigers, and he will have the opportunity to push his claims further when the PREM Cup takes over.
Bristol can be pleased with their form so far. They sit two points behind Bath in fourth despite enduring a wretched run of injuries. Hooker Gabriel Oghre is one of the players who has stepped up to fill the void, most notably with two tries last week against Gloucester, but also with his league-best lineout throwing.
Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks, Saturday 17.30
It shouldn’t be a surprise that new Tigers head coach Geoff Parling has kept the focus on the forward pack, after all he was a key figure in the engine room during his playing days for Tigers, Engand and the Lions.
Doing so helped Leicester beat Bath 22-20 a week ago. They won 16 throws against the reigning champions, while number eight Olly Cracknell made 25 carries and gained 30 post-contact metres. It means they have a rock solid foundation to attack from, with Adam Radwan, Freddie Steward, and Ollie Hassell-Collins waiting to do the damage out wide.
Sale Sharks will need to show a positive reaction to their thumping against Saracens last time. Wing Tom Roebuck has four tries in four matches and grabbing another will keep him firmly in England coach Steve Borthwick’s thoughts.
Prop Bevan Rudd and George Ford are another two will need strong showings a week before they open their autumn campaign against Australia.