Aviva Premiership preview: Leicester Tigers v Bath
European breaks can have both adverse and favourable effects on a team’s fortunes. For every club that’s come away revitalised with wins under their belts, there’ll be another wondering how to bounce back from defeat.
It’s been three weeks since the last batch of Aviva Premiership fixtures took place, during which time both Leicester Tigers and Bath sealed crucial wins in the Heineken Cup. And this Saturday afternoon, the two clubs go head-to-head at Welford Road, hoping to keep the pressure up on league leaders London Irish.
So far this season the reigning champions, Leicester, have flattered to deceive. With just two wins from their opening five matches, it’s been an unusually uncertain start from Richard Cockerill’s side. In their last domestic fixture, the Tigers suffered their third defeat of the campaign against Saracens, and appeared to lack the same ruthlessness which fired them to glory last season.
Over the last couple of weekends, though, Leicester managed to beat both Benetton Treviso and Scarlets, suggesting their early season poor form was simply down to a slow start.
Bath, meanwhile, won one and lost one during the European interval, but were unfortunate to lose to Biarritz at the Recreation Ground. Currently two places above Leicester in the league table, Bath should be confident in their ability to match their opponents on Saturday. But the record between the two clubs suggests Steve Meehan’s men have their work cut out.
As for the Premiership leaders, the Exiles, they take on Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park later on Saturday afternoon. The newly-promoted side have struggled lately, following a blistering start to their debut campaign in the top flight, but a superb away win in the Amlin Challenge Cup against Bourgoin last week could get the club back on track. London Irish will be the strong favourites after winning four of their first five matches, but Exeter could cause a shock on their home ground.
Also, Gloucester v Harlequins is an intriguing mid-table clash at Kingholm. Both clubs have 13 points, although at this early stage, it’s still unclear as to whether either side can sustain their push towards the play-offs. Saturday should provide a strong indication as to which of the clubs is the real deal.
Before all that, though, there are two matches to keep tabs on this evening.
Bottom side Leeds Carnegie only have one losing bonus-point to show for their first five league matches. Without a win or even a draw to their name so far, Neil Back’s side have replicated last season’s dire start to the campaign. Things have to change if they’re to avoid the dreaded drop – and quickly. Tonight they face ninth place Sale Sharks, whose inconsistent form has made them a rather unpredictable outfit. In order to avoid being left behind, Leeds must win this make-or-break clash at Headingley.
Just above them in the league table are Newcastle Falcons, who host Saracens at Kingston Park. The Sarries were unimpressive in the Heineken Cup earlier this month, losing both of their matches against Clermont Auvergne and then Leinster. Head coach Brendan Venter will be hoping his players can recover from their setback in Europe, to continue their fine start to this latest Premiership campaign. As for Newcastle, who many pundits had tipped to struggle before the season kicked off, they will need to utilise their home advantage if they’re to enjoy the rest of the weekend.
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