The Aviva Premiership kicked off with a bang last weekend even if eyes were looking at the Rugby World Cup. Here are my predictions for round 2.
Here is a link to my review of the quarter finals.
How did the round 1 predictions go?
4 from 6, I put too much weighting on preseason and I don’t think anyone picked Warriors winning.
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens
Both these sides kicked off with good opening day victories. Gloucester kicked their way to victory and will probably still be with out some key players. Saracens thumped Sale to top the table. I feel Saracens will cope better without key players and looked in ominous form.
Saracens by 10
Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors
Sale had a torrid time away at Saracens last weekend. They are a different prospect a home and will know that a win is a must this weekend. That’s because who they are facing rather than not wanting to start with a run of losses. Warriors will be very happy with their opening win but will know it’s going to be a hard slog. If they put up the same performance and kick their goals better then they should get the win. I think that away from home they will come up short.
Sale Sharks by 3
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons
Saints will be very upset with last weekend’s performance and result. They have not become a poor side over night and I’m expecting a big reaction in front of their home crowd. For Falcons this is probably the worst case scenario. An opening round loss followed up by last seasons table toppers on the rebound. I can only see a Saints win and I have overly conservative with the margin.
Northampton Saints by 5
Wasps v Bath
Wasps opened with a loss away to Quins and my opening weekend concerns about them still persist. Can Gopperth release their exciting backs? Bath don’t have that concern and with more of the England players going to be coming back into the sides, I think that extra familiarity will mean the away side taking the points.
Bath by 5
Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
Chiefs lost one that many people thought they should have won. They are another side that will be able to intergrate more players back into the match day squad. Irish lost to Tigers and are still waiting for some of their summer signings to arrive. It’s going to take a while for the coaches and squad to get in sync and there are gong to be painful losses along the way.
Exeter Chiefs by 10
Leicester Tigers v Harlequins
Tigers got a good victory last weekend whilst fielding quiet a few names that most won’t recognise. Is Mauger having an impact already? Again these are two sides that will be intergrating international players back into their squads. Quins did get a good victory over Wasps and their pack looked more powerful. I still think that Tigers away will be a different prospect and they will come up short.
Leicester Tigers by 5
Prediction Leagues
The European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup start soon, I’ll be posting my predictions and reviews of all rounds. Click on the competition to join in the predicting fun.
