Rugby Union Today: Weekend previews

Colin Newboult
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General view of the London Stadium before the Aviva Premiership match between Saracens and Harlequins.

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we look ahead to all the action that takes place in the Premiership and PRO14 on Saturday and Sunday.

What’s on the site

It is the first set of games in Europe’s domestic leagues since the Six Nations finished and a number of internationals will play a significant part. One of those is Billy Vunipola, who returns for Saracens’ clash against Harlequins, and that is the main Premiership game on Saturday.

It isn’t quite the same story in the PRO14, with the Irish sides in particular resting their key players following the recent tournament, but there are some big names on show and we have previewed the matches.

In Super Rugby, there was a big victory for the Blues, who won their first New Zealand derby since 2016 as they defeated the Highlanders. You can also view highlights of that match here.

Finally, check out our predictions for the encounters in those three leagues, as well as the Top 14, as we put our head on the block.

What’s in the news

The Ospreys will be without Wales stars Alun Wyn Jones and George North for the next few weeks, but it doesn’t look too serious and they should be back before the end of the season.

It is a slightly frustrating end to the second-row’s week but it won’t dampen spirits after Jones was unsurprisingly named as the Six Nations’ Player of the Championship.

Elsewhere, after months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the Sunwolves will not compete in Super Rugby following the 2020 season. The competition will revert to a 14-team round robin format when the Japanese side, who joined in 2016, depart.

What’s on social media

Plenty of praise has justifiably come Alun Wyn Jones’ way after the Wales captain was named as the Six Nations’ Player of the Championship.

What’s on TV

Following the conclusion of the Six Nations, all the domestic leagues in Europe have a full round of fixtures. In the Premiership, Leicester and Northampton go head-to-head in the big Midlands derby, while Saracens face Harlequins, Newcastle take on Sale and Bath visit league leaders Exeter, all on BT Sport.

Elsewhere, the PRO14 returns on Premier Sports with the channel showing six of the games, including the standout fixture; Edinburgh v Leinster at Murrayfield.

On Sky Sports, Stade Francais v Castres and Racing 92 v Bordeaux are being televised this weekend, but there is also plenty of Super Rugby action, continuing with the Hurricanes hosting the Stormers.

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