Quins will want to require as many points as possible in the
last two rounds to give themselves any chance of reaching next season’s
European Champions Cup. Even though they’ve lost only once since the Wembley
defeat to Saracens on 28th March, this will be the first time Conor O’Shea’s
men have missed out on the play – offs since 2011.
While Bath have the second best away record this season,
behind Northampton Saints, and they’ll hope to keep up their winning streak
going as the visitors only need one win to secure their first semi – final
since 2010.
However, the West Country side haven’t won at the Stoop
since 2004 winning 18 – 14.
Another team fighting to secure a place in the Champions Cup
next season are Sale Sharks and they hope the recent dip in form will end this
weekend as Newcastle Falcons visit the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Sharks have only won once in the last five Aviva
Premiership outings beating Gloucester 23 – 6 in round 18 and despite scoring
23 points against London Irish and Harlequins in the previous two rounds Steve
Diamonds troops went on to lose both games 25 – 23.
As well as Sale, Newcastle are also struggling to find some
form having lost the last eight matches in all competitions as their last win
came against Irish in the Anglo – Welsh Cup in Feburary. The Falcons will also
be hoping to improve their away record with they’ve only won once since October
2013 came against London Welsh in round six.
As teams fight it out to into the premier European rugby
tournament, Northampton Saint are only one win away to ensure a home semi –
final for the second successive season and they have now reached the play –
offs for the past six years.
Saint have only lost four times this season – Wasps, Sales
and the double against Exeter – while their visitors London Welsh have lost all
32 first team fixtures this season in which they have received just four points
in all competitions and are on course to breaking the record for the most
points conceded in a Premiership rugby season.
With Gloucester winning the Challenge Cup against Edinburgh
last Friday which secured the play – off spot for the Champions Cup, this will
be the perfect for Irish to keep impressing their new boss as the Cherry and
Whites have nothing to prove.
They’ve been undefeated at Kingsholm in any competition in
2015 while the Exiles last away win this season was against London Welsh (no surprise)
and their Aviva Premiership record against Gloucester at Kingsholm isn’t that
great either with Irish’s last win coming in Janurary 2013.
The biggest match of the weekend will be at the Ricoh Arena
as a sold out crowd will be watching Wasps taking on Leicester as both teams
look to secure a play – off position.
Both teams come into this game on amazing form with Wasps
being one of the best home team’s this season, having only lost once and winning
the last two Aviva Premiership matches against London Welsh (of course) and
Exeter.
However, Leicester Tigers will be travelling to the Ricoh
suffering one defeat in the last seven games which was against Saracens and they
have the third best away record this season behind Bath and Saints.
Round 21 finishes off at Allianz Park with Saracens hosting
Exeter and knowing if they clinch a bonus point victory it will be enough to
reach their six consecutive semi – final and depending how the weekend results
go Sarries might need less.
Much like Wasps, Saracens have only lost once at home in the
Aviva Premiership this season against Northampton but in recent weeks both
teams have had identical records having lost two games in a row as well as
being knocked out of the semi – finals of their respected European tournaments
and then losing their following away games against Saint’s and Wasps
respectfully.
The Chiefs will be hoping to up that bad form behind them
and do the double to keep their play – off hopes alive.
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