Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks – 15:05 KO, The Recreation Ground
Ruck’s Bath Rugby Reporter Sam Jess will be at The Rec, as the Blue, Black and Whites look to build on their recent win over Harlequins. Sam Jess predicted:
“In a repeat of last season’s semi-final, both Bath and Sale will be looking to end the first part of the Premiership season with a win. Sale’s away form has been dire, with forty points shipped in both of their away trips, while they have also lost twice at the Rec in 2024.
“Bath have been pretty strong this year but did lose their last home match to Bristol, but with a hefty pack on their side to compact the Sharks strengths and the return of Will Muir, they look strong enough to make it a third win over Sale this year.
“Both sides are losing internationals, which always makes the game interesting, but Bath’s bench has won them games already this season, and that doesn’t look like stopping this week. Bath 24-18 Sale.”
Ruck’s Northern Rugby Reporter Aled James can see the Sharks coming away with the win. Giving his prediction on the match, he said;
“Sale Sharks aim to return to winning ways following last Fridays disappointing result against Northampton Saints in round five. They face a Bath side, who despite recording four wins in the last five matches, are abundantly flooded with injury problems and rotation with several key players absent ahead of the Autumn Series.
“This could be problematic for the hosts and if Sale can be clinical in their offensive pursuit, I fancy the away side to take the spoils by 10 points.”
Saracens v Leicester Tigers – 17:30 KO, StoneX Stadium
Saturday’s late kick off comes to you from the StoneX Stadium, with Ruck reporter James Logan set for the trip to North London for the match. Logan said;
“Following a last-minute win away at Bristol Bears for the North London side, Saracens will be excited for their return to the StoneX. Sarries will be missing 8 players due to England’s Autumn international squad, but will provide some of the younger players a great opportunity to put their name in the hat for the starting squad.
“Their opponents Leicester Tigers haven’t started the season the greatest but following their win in the East Midlands Derby and a narrow win against Gloucester they would love to beat those in Red and Black. A real test for a young squad. Saracens 35-28 Leicester.”
Midlands Reporter George Wellbelove also expects a close encounter between the two Premiership powerhouses;
“This weekend’s clash will be monumental. In what is surely the pick of the week, both sides will be itching to record a win. Top of the table Saracens will be wanting to maintain their standing whilst Tigers will be trying to upset their opponent’s aims. Expect it to be a close game with a strong battle between both packs taking centre stage. In a rematch of the 2022 Gallagher Premiership final, this is not one to miss. Saracens to edge Leicester by 7.”
Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins – 15:00 KO, Twickenham Stoop
After watching on at the Stoop as Harlequins had the win snatched away from them by Bath last Sunday, Ruck Chief Rugby Writer Tom Sansom expects a strong response this weekend. Sansom predicted;
“Both sides will be frustrated by how things ended last weekend, for very different reasons. Harlequins would be gutted to have had the win taken away in the final moments of the match, whilst Exeter will be infuriated by their defeat to Newcastle Falcons.
“The Chiefs were sub-par across the board as they enabled the Falcons to end their 19 month long wait for a win in the Premiership. I can see a fired up Chiefs capitalise on a Quins side, without the likes of Marcus Smith, Joe Marler or Fin Baxter. With Henry Slade back in Devon this week as he tests his match fitness ahead of the Autumn, all signs point to a home field advantage at Sandy Park. Exeter 28 – 14 Harlequins.”
Exeter Chiefs Reporter Jack Sanderson added;
“After a shock loss against the leagues favourites to finish bottom place Newcastle, the Chiefs have got another big task ahead of them this weekend against Harlequins who are coming into the game after a tight loss to Bath and a good win against Saracens.
I think due to the Chiefs current form and the fact that they didn’t pick up a win against the Falcons last week, it will be a closer game then some might think, but I can’t see the Chiefs being able to get past the Quins to pick up their first win of the season, and I think the away side will win quite comfortably”
Ruck’s resident Harlequins Reporter George Davis is expecting a win for the Londoners, but understands how anything can happen in the Premiership. Davis wrote;
“A disappointing loss to Bath last week will revitalise this Quins side that finally look like they have a weapon in their defence. Jarrod Evan’s back at 10 is exciting and his match up against Will Haydon-Wood should be tasty. It would also be very Quinsy to lose against a team that hasn’t won all season, so anything could happen. Exeter Chiefs 17-23 Harlequins.”
