Aviva Premiership
Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers (Edgeley Park), 7.45pm – Friday 25 February
Sale Sharks have won just one of their last eight Aviva Premiership Rugby contests: 28-22 at home to Saracens on 2 January. The Sharks have lost their last two games at Edgeley Park in all competitions.
Leicester Tigers lead the Premiership table and have put together a sequence of eight successive victories in the competition since their 12-19 reversal to Gloucester at Kingsholm on 30 October – this represents Tigers best Premiership run since season 2001/02.
The last five meetings between the two clubs in all competitions have all gone the way of the home side on the day. Leicester have won only once in seven previous visits to Edgeley Park: 26-25 on 6 April 2007.
Saturday 26th February
London Irish v Harlequins (Madejski Stadium, 3pm)
London Irish’s only win in their last eight Aviva Premiership Rugby encounters was 23-14 at home to Newcastle on 12 February. The Exiles have won their last three matches at Madejski Stadium in all competitions.
Harlequins have suffered just one defeat in their last eleven games in all competitions: 6-20 at Exeter in the Premiership on 12 February. ‘Quins have won just once on the road in the Premiership since December 2009 – 16-13 at Northampton on New Year’s Day.
Harlequins, who won 28-18 when the two teams met in round 11, are attempting a first Premiership double over London Irish since season 2002/03. ‘Quins have won on two of their last three visits to Madejski Stadium in all competitions.
Northampton Saint v Gloucester Rugby (Franklin’s Gardens, 3pm)
Northampton Saints have now suffered four straight defeats in Aviva Premiership Rugby since the turn of the year, but have not lost five in succession in the competition since season 2005/06.
Gloucester Rugby have won their last seven matches in all competitions, and have not strung together eight wins in a row since season 2007/08. Gloucester’s two away wins in the Premiership this season have come at Bath and at Wasps.
Northampton have won their last four encounters with Gloucester in all competitions, whilst Gloucester have won on two of their last five visits to Franklin’s Gardens.
Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby (Sandy Park, 8pm) Live on ESPN
Exeter Chiefs have won their last two games of Aviva Premiership Rugby, against Harlequins and Newcastle. The Chiefs’ only defeat at Sandy Park in any competition since October was 15-22 to table-topping Leicester in the Premiership on 2 January.
Bath have won their last four matches in the Premiership since their 6-11 reversal at home to Wasps on 27 November. Bath have won three of their last four away encounters in all competitions.
The only previous competitive match between the two clubs was in the 1st round of the John Player Cup on 28 January 1978 at the old County Ground where the home side achieved a 20-6 victory.
Sunday 27th February
London Wasps v Saracens (Adams Park, 1pm) Live on ESPN
London Wasps have slipped to four straight defeats in all competitions since their terrific 21-16 victory at home to Toulouse on 23 January. Wasps’ only win in Aviva Premiership Rugby since round ten was at home to Newcastle on 2 January.
Saracens have won their last four matches in all competitions since their 14-24 loss at home to Clermont Auvergne on 21 January. Sarries have won five of their last six encounters in the Premiership.
Saracens’ only defeat to Wasps in their last four clashes was 9-0 at Adams Park on 21 February 2010. Sarries have never won in seven previous visits to Adams Park in all competitions.
Leeds Carnegie v Newcastle Falcons (Headingley Carnegie, 5.30pm) Live on Sky Sports
Leeds Carnegie have lost their last four matches in all competitions, whilst their solo victory in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season came at home to Gloucester on New Year’s Day.
Newcastle Falcons have secured just one win in their last seven encounters in all competitions: 17-3 at home to Exeter in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 6 February. The Falcons’ only Premiership victory since round two also came at home to Gloucester on 21 November.
Leeds have won two of their last three meetings with Newcastle. The Falcons have a remarkable record at Headingley Carnegie, with just one defeat in nine previous visits.