charlie elliot
With the Six Nations just around the corner, the Premiership squad has been in decline as England internationals remain at their training camp in Girona.
Fans’ attention remains on club rugby for now, with many exciting matches taking place over the weekend.
Here are some key things to look out for in each game:
Harlequins v Northampton Saints
The most pertinent issue surrounding this game is the sheer number of England internationals who will be unavailable.
The training camp will feature six from Harlequins and seven from Saints, which has led some fans to suggest they should play at Girona (tongue in cheek).
With both teams currently outside the top four, it will be heavily rotated as both teams will be crucial to their playoff hopes.
Reigning champions Northampton will need to show the winning mentality that got them across the finish line last year, while Alex Coles is also sidelined through injury after being called up to the England squad for the first time.
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
With both teams less affected by the England call-up than the others, some interesting tweaks to the Tigers’ line-up could change the game with the Ed Slater Cup on the line.
New signing Adam Radwan will be hoping to impress on his debut on the wing after joining from Newcastle Falcons this week.
This means the link between him and Ollie Hassell-Collins can now be considered ‘the best of the rest’ in terms of not being at Test level but still being two very solid players in their own right.
It would be good to see Leicester’s center partnership with Isaia Perez and Solomone Cata starting.
Many have criticized the pair for being underpowered in attack and weak in defense, but now is the perfect opportunity to prove the doubters wrong at Kingsholm.
Gloucester’s 12- and 13-year-olds Chris Harris and Seb Atkinson are a great fit for each other and could be a more organized unit than their East Midlands counterparts.
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens
Saracens, a team ravaged by injuries and international players, will be unable to field 16 players against Exeter.
Chiefs will lick their lips at the potential of a scalp that would be difficult under normal circumstances.
The biggest manifestation of the problem facing Sarries is the fact that they have to play a 4/4 bench split.
This tactic, called the ‘bomb squad’, is essentially something you don’t see in rugby anymore, but offers a different dynamic that can be difficult to defend against.
But the truth is, if Exeter don’t win this game and dominate Saracens physically from the start, it will be a disappointing afternoon for them.
From number 12, Olly Hartley will have to act as cover for the back row, given the extent of injuries across the three positions.
The debuts of Max Eke and Louie Johnson could be a blessing in disguise as opportunities for young players to get Premier League minutes become increasingly scarce.
Bristol Bears v Newcastle Falcons
In a game that could most easily have been over, the Falcons are still winless and Bristol have a near-perfect record, marred only by a heavy 38-0 defeat at the hands of Sale Sharks.
After the disappointing news of Adam Radwan’s departure, it will be up to Callum Chick and Steve Diamond to rejuvenate the team and create some upset.
Captain Chick will face Bill Mata, who has always had the potential to physically dominate his opponent.
Fijian center Kalaveti Ravouvou started on the wing in a surprising move by Pat Lam, but could slot into the slot immediately given his ability to run with the ball in his hands.
His bosses have been praising him since he signed his new contract a few weeks ago.
It could be a long day for Newcastle, with Ravouvou having to watch from a slightly different position.
Sale Sharks v Bath
George Ford was likely to be included for Sale after returning from injury and it was unclear whether he would eventually travel to camp with England, but he is not around and Rob du Preez is back in number 10.
It must be Captain 66.Day He continued his record-breaking run, making consecutive Premier League starts.
Bath, who usually play in the centres, but spend a lot of time at flyhalf due to Ford’s injury, will be stern opponents for RDP and company.
Scrumhalf Ben Spencer has made a late addition to Steve Borthwick’s side, much to the delight of many England fans.
His exclusion paves the way for Louis Schröder to reach 50.Day A bathing appearance against the recently overlooked Gus Warr in Scotland.
It would be unfair to call up an away team without the influence of international call-ups, but considering the strength in depth it certainly seems that way.
With the best player and strongest team in the Premiership this weekend, they will need to beat a Sale team who have been unbeaten at home all season.
Read more: Christ Tsuinza – There is no panic in Exeter.
