The short side: All Celtic final and English fly-half battle

Colin Newboult

The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s PRO14 final and Premiership semi-finals.

PRO14 final – Glasgow Warriors v Leinster

The game of the weekend sees Glasgow and Leinster go head-to-head in the PRO14 showpiece event at Celtic Park on Saturday. Despite their defeat to Saracens in the Champions Cup final, the Irish province will be favourites, but the Scottish outfit have been outstanding in the latter stages of the season.

They finished the campaign impressively and then dismantled Ulster in the semi-final, scoring seven tries in a 50-20 triumph at Scotstoun. It duly sets up an interesting encounter with Leo Cullen’s men responding well to their European loss by overcoming arch-rivals Munster at the RDS.

It will be a clash of styles as the exciting, counter-attacking Warriors faces the bruising, possession-hungry Leinster, so may the best team win.

Premiership semi-final 1 – Saracens v Gloucester

It has been another thrilling year in England’s top-tier so let’s hope the contests in the last-four matches what has gone before it. The semi-finals in 2017/18 were rather disappointing affairs, with Saracens and Exeter easy winners against Wasps and Newcastle respectively, and the fear is that these games will go the same way.

Sarries and the Chiefs have once again clearly been the best sides in the Premiership but, if there is a team that can put a spanner in the works, it is Gloucester. They have the tools to cause the Londoners significant problems with a back five of the scrum that are destructive with ball in hand and technically proficient at the set-piece, while Danny Cipriani (more on him later) has excelled under the guidance of Johan Ackermann.

Mark McCall’s men should be too strong, however, despite the absence of the injured Mako Vunipola, and will go into the game buoyed by their Champions Cup victory. With Billy Vunipola back to his best, Maro Itoje in excellent form and Will Skelton playing the best rugby of his career, the hosts’ sheer physicality may just be too much for the Cherry and Whites.

Premiership semi-final 2 – Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints

Just a week after their Round 22 clash, Exeter and Northampton will once again do battle at Sandy Park. During that encounter, the Saints showed plenty of resilience and quality, but ultimately the Chiefs, who had little to play for, were too good for the Midlanders.

Therefore, the concern, particularly for Chris Boyd and his charges, is whether the upcoming match will be a blowout. As already mentioned, nothing was riding on the result last Saturday while the visitors were playing for a place in the play-offs, and yet the Devonians were far too good.

Whatever happens this weekend it has been a superb season for Boyd’s outfit, which means the pressure is off, but they will want to start well and at least put the hosts, who are looking to regain the title they won in 2017, under duress.

Player to watch – Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)

It is going to be an emotional day at Celtic Park whatever the outcome of the PRO14 final and especially so for their Scottish international full-back. Having spent his entire professional career at the Warriors, Hogg will leave for pastures new next season when he joins Exeter Chiefs, and he will look to finish his time at the club on a high.

With the game also taking place in Glasgow, it is an extra special occasion for those associated with the Scotstoun outfit and, for the 26-year-old, he will be particularly determined to help his side claim the title.

One-v-one battle to watch – Owen Farrell (Saracens) v Danny Cipriani (Gloucester)

England’s current fly-half faces the Premiership Player of the Season in what should be an enthralling battle at Allianz Park on Saturday. While Farrell has enjoyed another outstanding campaign for the three-time European champions, Cipriani was deservedly named the best individual in the competition.

Questions have therefore been raised over the 31-year-old’s continued omission from the Red Rose squad and a superb performance against Farrell will further pile the pressure on Eddie Jones to include him in his World Cup plans.

Subplot to watch – Champions Cup qualification in the Top 14 and Premiership

The regular season might have ended in the Premiership but one team in particular is taking a keen interest in what happens over in France. Sale Sharks finished outside the top-six, meaning they missed out on automatic qualification for next season’s Champions Cup, but that could change this weekend.

For the Greater Manchester outfit to feature in Europe’s top-tier in 2019/20, they need La Rochelle to claim a place in the Top 14 play-offs. Jono Gibbes’ men are currently in seventh but are favourites to secure a game in the barrages, with the side directly above them, Montpellier, having to face second placed Clermont Auvergne at the notoriously intimidating Marcel Michelin.

Even if Vern Cotter’s charges emerge triumphant, it is difficult seeing them picking up a bonus-point, meaning the full five points for La Rochelle should be enough when they take on Bordeaux-Begles at home.