Previews

Weather rules rugby programme

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 08/01/2010
Rugby Union betting

The Guinness Premiership enters another weekend, with most pundits hoping that the focus will remain on the field and not off as it did during the last round of matches.

Saracens' director of rugby Brendan Venter made most of the headlines after a verbal assault on referee David Rose for his performance in a 22-15 defeat to Leicester Tigers.

Venter, whose previously unbeaten side have now lost their last two games, said after the loss at Vicarage Road: "There is a problem and that is the game is determined by referees and not by teams.

"Everybody wants to know why the game is dying - maybe that is why."

Those comments could yet result in action from the RFU, who are looking into Venter's conduct following a disappointing display by Sarries.

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Their lead at the top of the table has been whittled down to a single point and this week they should have faced a tough test at Sale Sharks on Friday evening, however, freezing conditions have put paid to that fixture.

The Sharks have won their last five home games in all competitions, despite currently lying down in eighth place in the Premiership.

Northampton Saints are Saracens' nearest challengers after a last-gasp 24-22 win over London Irish last weekend and they will be waiting to pounce on another slip when they visit Bath, who laboured to a 20-15 victory over rock-bottom Leeds last time out.

Sadly this game has also been lost to the white-out which has covered the country.

Third-placed London Irish are on the road at Sixways, where they take on a Worcester Warriors outfit who may be 11th in the table, but have proved to be a hard nut to crack.

Mike Ruddock's men have won just twice in 12 games, but have earned four draws, including a 16-16 scoreline at the Exiles in early December.

Fourth-placed Leicester are a mere four points behind leaders Saracens and they have a home game against Wasps to look forward to.

The Tigers have started to flow in recent games, demolishing Sale 32-6 at Welford Road before their away victory at Sarries last weekend.

The fit-again Toby Flood has been a major influence, kicking 17 points in the win at Saracens, having booted 12 points in the victory over Sale.

Finally on Saturday, Harlequins should have hosted lowly Leeds Carnegie, looking to end a run of four straight defeats, with the weather having the final word again.

In fact their last success was a 30-27 at Headingley against Leeds in early December.

Sunday's game should have seen Gloucester head to Kingston Park to take on Newcastle Falcons, before a cold, icy blast put paid to the game.

The Cherry & Whites, under the charge of Bryan Redpath, have struggled so far this season, but the former Scotland scrum-half believes that his side are starting to find better form.

They will need to be close to their best, with Newcastle having won 12-6 at Wasps last time out to move into a comfortable mid-table position.

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