Premiership: The race for the top four and Champions Cup qualification with three rounds left
The focus of the rugby world shifts from European competition back to local league action with only three rounds of the regular season remaining in the Premiership.
There is much to play for as teams push for the top four and a spot in the semi-finals as well as the top eight, which will earn Champions Cup qualification for next season.
Planet Rugby takes a closer look at which teams are on track for the semi-finals and who is pushing for European qualification.
Settled leaders and the top four
Even with the final always being played at Twickenham, finishing in the top two is still important to secure a home semi-final.
Saracens hold a healthy lead at the top of the table with 67 points in a brilliant campaign with only three losses from 17 games. The leaders have qualified thanks to their 11-point buffer and will host a semi-final. Their final three games see them travel to Northampton Saints before hosting London Irish and finally a trip to Bath to close out the regular season.
EIGHT TEAMS still in the Top 4 race as #GallagherPrem returns this weekend 😱
Name the three sides that you’re backing to join @Saracens in the semis 👇 pic.twitter.com/wKRH3GeDta
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) April 10, 2023
Things get a lot tighter below them, with Sale Sharks in second place, three points ahead of defending champions Leicester Tigers. However, Alex Sanderson’s men have a game in hand but have two away matches against Bristol Bears and Gloucester before finishing the regular season at home against Newcastle Falcons. The Sharks simply needs to keep things clean, and they will be hosting a semi-final which will be tricky considering their mixed form, with only two wins in their last five in the Premiership.
Leicester Tigers are one of the hottest teams in the competition at the moment with five wins in their last five league clashes powering them up the table. They are in a great position in the standings with 53 points and two home games against Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins to come. Richard Wigglesworth’s side will be looking to pressure Sale but should at least qualify for the top four.
Fourth-placed London Irish are also in a rich vein of form having won four of their last five league games. A home clash against the league leaders followed by a trip to Newcastle awaits, and with Northampton Saints right on their tail the Exiles will be looking for a clean run-in.
Top four hopefuls
Outside of the first four, there are two more clubs with a decent chance at shaking things up and pushing for a semi-final.
Only three points behind Irish are the Saints, who have won three of their last five in England and will be looking to make a late charge. Their final two games begin with a visit from the leaders Saracens before an away match against Newcastle. One would expect back-to-back wins to push them into the top four.
Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs lurk in sixth place, three points behind Saints and eight behind the Exiles, but with a game in hand on both. Boosted by their stunning win against the Stormers in the Champions Cup and three wins in their last five league games, Rob Baxter’s men may be hoping for a sneaky push into the top four provided other results go their way. They face Tigers away before hosting Bristol and crucially London Irish in the rest of their regular season.
Outside chancers and Champions Cup qualification
Three clubs certainly remain in the push for the semi-finals mathematically but will likely fall short. However, for these teams, there is still a great battle for Champions Cup qualification for next season.
Bristol Bears are in seventh and equal with eighth-placed Harlequins on 41 points. However, Bristol are in far better form with four wins in their last five league matches compared to a sole win in Quins’ last five Premiership matches.
The Bears have a tricky finish with a home game against Sale followed by a trip to Exeter, and close off by welcoming Gloucester for the final round. Meanwhile, Quins host Newcastle and Bath before facing the defending champions to close out their season.
The additional pressure comes from Gloucester who are one point behind the sides but with less impressive form, with a single win in the last five Premiership matches. The side will face Bath and Sale at home before very interestingly travelling to Bristol in what could be a fascinating final-round clash.
There is a great deal that can happen in the final three rounds of the Premiership season, with quite a few different permutations possible. Buckle up for a brilliant finish to the regular season.