Predictions: Saracens to dominate London derby

Colin Newboult

General view of the action during the Aviva Premiership match at the London Stadium.

With the Premiership, PRO14, Top 14 and Super Rugby all taking place this weekend, we are putting our head on the block and predicting the winners.

In the Premiership, there are several important tussles as Leicester and Northampton go head-to-head in the Midlands derby before two London sides clash on Saturday when Saracens face Harlequins.

Elsewhere in the northern hemisphere, the PRO14 returns with Edinburgh hosting Leinster, while the Top 14 sees leaders Toulouse visit La Rochelle at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre.

Meanwhile, south of the equator, Super Rugby continues as the Hurricanes host the Stormers and defending champions Crusaders take on the Waratahs in Sydney.

PREMIERSHIP

Friday: Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints kick-off Round 17 of the Premiership season in what should be a tasty East Midlands derby clash. Leicester by 6.

Saturday and Sunday: There are four Premiership games on Saturday before one takes place on Sunday, with Saracens versus Harlequins the round’s standout match.

Bristol v Worcester: Bristol by 7
Gloucester v Wasps: Gloucester by 10
Saracens v Harlequins: Saracens by 15
Newcastle v Sale: Newcastle by 4
Exeter v Bath: Exeter by 11

PRO14

Friday: There are three PRO14 matches scheduled on Friday as Cardiff Blues, Connacht and Edinburgh host Scarlets, Benetton and Leinster respectively.

Cardiff Blues v Scarlets: Cardiff by 5
Connacht v Benetton: Benetton by 3
Edinburgh v Leinster: Edinburgh by 8

Saturday: There are four PRO14 matches scheduled on Saturday with Ospreys’ Welsh derby against the Dragons at Liberty Stadium the standout fixture.

Ospreys v Dragons: Ospreys by 13
Ulster v Southern Kings: Ulster by 18
Glasgow Warriors v Cheetahs: Glasgow by 9
Munster v Zebre: Munster by 20

SUPER RUGBY

Saturday and Sunday: After the Blues defeated the Highlanders on Friday, there are six more encounters, which is rounded off by the Reds’ clash against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

Hurricanes v Stormers: Hurricanes by 12
Waratahs v Crusaders: Crusaders by 14
Sunwolves v Lions: Lions by 16
Bulls v Chiefs: Bulls by 10
Sharks v Rebels: Rebels by 5
Reds v Brumbies: Reds by 2

TOP 14

Saturday and Sunday: All seven games take place on Saturday and Sunday with Racing 92 v Bordeaux-Begles and La Rochelle v Toulouse the big clashes of the weekend.

Lyon v Toulon: Lyon by 15
Stade Francais v Castres: Castres by 6
Pau v Montpellier: Montpellier by 3
Perpignan v Grenoble: Perpignan by 8
Agen v Clermont Auvergne: Clermont by 10
Racing 92 v Bordeaux-Begles: Racing by 12
La Rochelle v Toulouse: La Rochelle by 4