Joe Launchbury back for Wasps, Nick Schonert hits 100

Colin Newboult
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There are four games in the Premiership on Saturday and Sunday, with the top-two, Saracens and Exeter Chiefs, going head-to-head at Allianz Park this weekend.

Saturday

Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons

Gloucester will sign off at Kingsholm on Saturday when they take on Newcastle Falcons in the Premiership. Needing a point to clinch third place in the table, the Cherry and Whites make five changes to their starting line-up.

The point gained at Sixways last Sunday saw the Cherry and Whites secure a top-four finish for the first time in eight years, and one more from the remaining two games will guarantee a third place finish regardless of what happens elsewhere.

There are five changes to the starting line-up from the side that took on Worcester last Sunday, with the tweaks to the backline seeing Jason Woodward come in at full-back having made his comeback from injury as a replacement at Sixways. Matt Banahan reverts to the wing.

Skipper Willi Heinz is ruled out, so Callum Braley starts at scrum-half with Ben Morgan captaining the side.

Up front, there is rotation in the front-row as Fraser Balmain and Josh Hohneck return for Gareth Denman and Val Rapava Ruskin respectively. And in the back-row, Jaco Kriel replaces Jake Polledri at openside flanker.

Meanwhile, Scotland centre Alex Dunbar makes his first Premiership start when Newcastle Falcons head to Gloucester.

The 31 times-capped midfield man replaces injured countryman Chris Harris in the penultimate match of the season, with Johnny Williams joining him in the centres.

Alex Tait comes in at full-back with a head knock ruling out Simon Hammersley, while Zach Kibirige replaces the injured Vereniki Goneva on the wing.

Michael Young comes in at scrum-half for a Falcons side in search of their third successive league victory at Kingsholm. Young scored one try and made the other during last season’s man-of-the-match performance.

Newcastle have also tweaked their forward pack for Saturday’s game as England flanker Mark Wilson misses out after picking up a hamstring injury. Callum Chick comes in, while Sean Robinson makes his first start since December having returned from a broken arm.

On the bench there could be a Premiership debut for Jamie Blamire – the 21-year-old Cumbrian – as well as England Students wing/centre George Wacokecoke.

The teams:

Gloucester: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Mark Atkinson, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Callum Braley, 8 Ben Morgan (c), 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Fraser Balmain, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Josh Hohneck
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Val Rapava Ruskin, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Lewis Ludlow, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Lloyd Evans, 23 Henry Purdy

Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Zach Kibirige, 13 Alex Dunbar, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Toby Flood (c), 9 Michael Young, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Gary Graham, 6 Callum Chick, 5 Sean Robinson, 4 Calum Green, 3 Rodney Ah You, 2 George McGuigan, 1 Logovi’i Mulipola
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Sam Lockwood, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Will Witty, 20 Jamie Blamire, 21 Sam Stuart, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 George Wacokecoke

Venue: Kingsholm
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Tom Foley
Assistant referees: Jack Makepeace, Simon McConnell
TMO: Keith Lewis

Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors

Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd has made just two changes to his side ahead of this weekend’s Premiership clash against Worcester Warriors – the final match at Franklin’s Gardens this season.

Props Alex Waller and Ben Franks both come in to start in the front-row, while the departing Luther Burrell is also named at inside centre for his final home appearance in Black, Green and Gold before he makes the switch to rugby league this summer.

Saints will be hoping to complete a season’s double over the Warriors after a superb 32-6 triumph at Sixways back in December.

Boyd’s side, having won their last two Premiership fixtures against Harlequins and Newcastle (both on the road), are also bidding to win a third straight match for the first time in the league since September 2017 – and in doing so continue their march towards the play-off places.

Club captain Waller will lead out the side on his return to the starting XV, with World Cup winner Franks and hooker Reece Marshall alongside him in the front-row.

But the rest of the pack is unchanged from last Friday’s 31-17 victory at Kingston Park, with Courtney Lawes and Api Ratuniyarawa in the engine room once more, while Jamie Gibson, Tom Wood and number eight Teimana Harrison make up the back-row.

Boyd has also resisted the urge to tinker with his backline, as half-backs Cobus Reinach and Dan Biggar start together again with Burrell and Rory Hutchinson outside them.

And after winning the Premiership’s try of the week award for his blistering score against Newcastle, Tom Collins retains his place within a back three which also contains Taqele Naiyaravoro and Ahsee Tuala.

Saints are able to welcome back some reinforcements into the replacements from injury, with Piers Francis and Lewis Ludlam hoping to make an impact if introduced, while Ken Pisi will also make his Gardens farewell from the bench.

For the Warriors, tighthead prop Nick Schonert will join an exclusive club in Saturday’s Premiership match.

Schonert will become only the 21st Warriors player to make 100 first team appearances for the club and he will have the honour of leading out the side at Northampton as he reaches the landmark.

Former lock Craig Gillies holds Warriors’ appearance record with 288 and two members of the current squad – Chris Pennell, who will start at full-back on Saturday, and departing scrum-half Jonny Arr – have also played more than 200 times.

Schonert, 27, joined Warriors in 2014 from Cheetahs in his native South Africa and he has been involved with the England senior squad over the past two years but is still awaiting his first cap.

Worcester have made only one change to the side which beat Gloucester on Sunday to secure their Premiership status.

GJ van Velze has recovered from a fractured forearm and will make his first appearance since mid-February.

Van Velze, a former Northampton player, will replace Marco Mama who had been deputising as captain but who underwent surgery on Sunday on complications from a dead leg sustained against Gloucester.

Cornell du Preez will switch from number eight to the blindside flank to accommodate van Velze.

Wales wing Josh Adams has recovered from the wrist injury he suffered against Gloucester.

The teams:

Northampton: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Tom Collins, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Teimana Harrison, 7 Tom Wood, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Reece Marshall, 1 Alex Waller (c)
Replacements: 16 Samson Ma’asi, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Ken Pisi

Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 GJ van Velze (c), 7 Sam Lewis, 6 Cornell du Preez, 5 Darren Barry, 4 Anton Bresler, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Niall Annett, 1 Ethan Waller
Replacements: 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Callum Black, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Michael Fatialofa 20 Andrew Kitchener, 21 Ted Hill, 22 Michael Heaney, 23 Jono Lance

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant referees: Steve Lee, Philip Watters
TMO: Claire Hodnett

Saracens v Exeter Chiefs

Rotimi Segun will make his first Premiership start when Saracens host table-toppers Exeter Chiefs at Allianz Park in Round 21.

The winger, who made his league debut as a senior Academy player last season, played a key part in Sarries’ run to the Premiership Rugby Cup and Premiership Shield finals this term.

It will also be a special day for two of the club’s Academy players who have been named in a Premiership matchday 23 for the first time.

Flanker Sean Reffell made a club record 38 tackles in the Premier Rugby Cup semi-final win over Worcester Warriors, overtaking Jacques Burger’s number.

18-year-old fly-half Manu Vunipola’s senior debut came in the same tournament at Harlequins and his impressive progression during the 2018/19 campaign has seen him feature for England U20s.

The starting XV is much-changed from the team that defeated Wasps last time out.

Nick Tompkins is the only member of the back-line to have started in the win at the Ricoh Arena with Segun, Max Malins, Alex Lewington, Marcelo Bosch, Matt Gallagher and Richard Wigglesworth all coming in – the latter will captain the side.

In the pack, there are five alterations. Nick Isiekwe joins Will Skelton in the second-row while Calum Clark switches to six to accommodate Schalk Burger.

Ben Earl makes up the back-row and an experienced front row contains Richard Barrington, Joe Gray and Vincent Koch.

Former Wales international Dom Day could make his 100th Premiership appearance from the bench.

Meanwhile, there are first-ever Premiership starts for Josh Caulfield and Richard Capstick in the Exeter Chiefs pack, while the backs – headed up by skipper Gareth Steenson – see the return of Wales and British Lions winger Alex Cuthbert, as well as Max Bodilly, who makes his first league start of the season.

On the bench, young props Billy Keast and Marcus Street will hopefully get their chance to shine, as well Tongan international Onehunga Kaufusi, who is named in a Premiership squad for the first time.

England U20s youngster Sam Maunder also provides back-up to older brother Jack at scrum-half.

The teams:

Saracens: 15 Matt Gallagher, 14 Rotimi Segun, 13 Marcelo Bosch, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington 10 Max Malins, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Calum Clark, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Isiekwe, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Richard Barrington
Replacements: 16 Tom Woolstencroft, 17 Hayden Thompson-Stringer, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Dom Day, 20 Sean, 21 Tom Whiteley, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Dom Morris

Exeter: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Max Bodilly, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Alex Cuthbert, 10 Gareth Steenson (c), 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Tom Lawday, 7 Richard Capstick, 6 Sean Lonsdale, 5 Josh Caulfield, 4 Ollie Atkins, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Billy Keast, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Toby Salmon, 20 Onehunga Kaufusi, 21 Sam Maunder, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Tom Hendrickson

Venue: Allianz Park
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Robert Warburton, Jonathan Healy
TMO: Trevor Fisher

Sunday

Bath v Wasps

Will Chudley returns to Bath’s starting line-up as they face Wasps, who have been boosted by the return from injury of England lock Joe Launchbury, in the final game at the Rec for the season.

Chudley starts alongside Freddie Burns in the half-back pairing in an otherwise unchanged back-line. Jamie Roberts starts alongside Jonathan Joseph in the midfield, with Ruaridh McConnochie and Joe Cokanasiga occupying the wing positions.

Anthony Watson, who made his comeback last week against Sale Sharks makes his 99th appearance in Bath colours at full-back.

Beno Obano, Tom Dunn and Max Lahiff continue in the front-row, with captain Charlie Ewels and Dave Attwood the lock pairing.

Tom Ellis, Sam Underhill and Zach Mercer complete the pack.

Meanwhile, locks Launchbury and James Gaskell have both recovered from injuries to start for Wasps.

Skipper Launchbury will be set for his 99th Premiership appearance after overcoming an Achilles/calf problem while Gaskell is back in the starting line-up following a calf injury.

Elsewhere in the pack, Simon McIntyre is handed a first Premiership start since April 2018 as he replaces Zurabi Zhvania (knee), while hooker Tom Cruse also starts.

In the backs, Juan de Jongh comes into the starting 15 with Elliot Daly missing out with a knee knock. Rob Miller is named as starting fly-half for his 149th Premiership appearance in place of Lima Sopoaga, who has been at his fiancée’s side this week for the birth of their second child.

On the replacements bench Tommy Taylor returns after a back problem while loosehead prop Ben Harris and back Ross Neal are also named in the squad.

A win for either side is crucial if they are to stand a chance of securing a place in the play-offs – while points are precious in the battle for the top six – with just six points separating six teams from fourth to ninth in the table.

The teams:

Bath: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Tom Ellis, 5 Charlie Ewels (c), 4 Dave Attwood, 3 Max Lahiff, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Jacques van Rooyen, 18 Sam Nixon, 19 Levi Douglas, 20 Elliott Stooke, 21 Kahn Fotuali’i, 22 Alex Davies, 23 Max Wright

Wasps: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Marcus Watson, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Gaby Lovobalavu, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Rob Miller, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Nathan Hughes, 7 Nizaam Carr, 6 Brad Shields, 5 James Gaskell, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 Kieran Brookes, 2 Tom Cruse, 1 Simon McIntyre
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Craig Hampson, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Ross Neal

Venue: The Rec
Kick-off: 15:00 BST (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Hamish Smales, Wayne Falla
TMO: Rowan Kitt

Bath