After an exhilarating weekend of European action we are back to domestic matters. We need to keep in mind the emotional toil that Europe took on players and that some will be distracted by the up coming 6 Nations. With all that said here are my round 10 predictions.
First here is a reminder of the action from the last round.
How did your round 9 predictions go?
4 from 5, due to Quins unexpected win over Saracens.
Northampton Saints v Wasps
Great things were expected of both these sides this season but they have both been inconsistent. Wasps have shown better form at times but both have losing records to go with their European qualifications. Again both are losing players to England so there is a lot of similarities between the sides. In the end I’m going with home advantage as in the league Saints only home loss was to Saracens and Wasps have only beaten Irish away. That’s against popular opinion on Twitter so we will see who’s right.
Northampton Saints by 5
Sale Sharks v London Irish
Sharks are one of the most travel shy teams. At home they are undefeated but away they have lost all their games. This puts them in mid table comfortably clear of their visitors. Irish have shown some better form and two home wins have lifted them off the bottom of the table. As you are probably already guessing this have home win written all over it.
Sale Sharks by 7
Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Both these sides romped through their European pools, the difference being that Gloucester’s was in the Challenge Cup and Tigers the Champions Cup. Gloucester’s home record looks good on the surface having only lost to Saracens. But scratch the surface and you realise those wins have been against Warriors, Sharks and Irish. You can only beat the teams you are drawn against but Tigers will be a different prospect. Tigers are sitting comfortably in 4th and have been a revelation this season. Their two losses were away against the top two sides in the league. Gloucester aren’t that and so I’m going for an away win.
Leicester Tigers by 7
Saracens v Bath
Saracens have only suffered one loss all season and that was away to Quins. They have lost a bunch of players to England but are used to rotating players and are used to losing players. Bath are also losing players to England but it’s from a position of weakness down in 9th just above the relegation battle. They won’t be going down but it’s a drop from appearing in the final last season. Going to Saracens is never easy but when your club is in criss mode it’s Mission Impossible.
Saracens by 10
Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins
Falcons have slipped to the bottom of the table after losing to Irish away in the last round. Alarm bells must be ringing and they already know they need to scrap for every point. Providing a firm 4G surface to Quins is not going to make that any easier. Quins will be missing players but have been in fantastic form this season and this should be a comfortable away win.
Harlequins by 10
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
Another relegation side hosting a top form team. Again Exeter will be missing personal to England but more so to injury. That led to players being rested in Europe but Chiefs still snuck into the quarter finals but the finest of margins. Warriors started the season well but are now on a run of five losses in the league. Hosting the Chiefs isn’t the kind of game that halts such a run. Away win.
Exeter Chiefs by 10
Prediction Leagues
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