The short side: Big games, Toner’s milestone, nine duel

Colin Newboult
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s action in the Premiership and PRO14.

Premiership game to watch – Northampton Saints v Bristol Bears

In the Premiership’s game of the week, Bristol will travel to Northampton as they look to continue their terrific form against one of the most improved teams in the league this year.

Bristol have emerged victorious in nine of their last 10 matches as they built up a seven-point table lead over title holders Exeter, while Northampton overcame a difficult start to the season to win four of their six matches in 2021.

History favours the Bears in this fixture with Pat Lam’s team winning both games against the Saints in the 2019/20 season with an aggregate score of 67-24, while the Bears won the first meeting between the two sides this term, 18-17 at Ashton Gate.

Saturday’s game will be a battle between attack and defence as Bristol boast the second best attack in the league in terms of tries, with Northampton finding themselves as the joint second best in terms of tries conceded. Northampton will have to be at their very best to get the better of an impressive Bears team.

Perhaps most significantly the Saints will have to find a way of shutting down arguably the most explosive back three in the Premiership. Ratu Naulago has proven to be a beast in his debut Premiership season with six tries and Charles Piutau is one of the best full-backs in the world.

If Northampton are to defy the odds at Franklin’s Gardens, they will likely need another strong display from fly-half James Grayson. With Dan Biggar currently on Wales duty, Grayson has been starting for the Saints and was instrumental in guiding the Midlanders to a win over Sale last week, kicking 12 points.

PRO14 game to watch – Scarlets v Connacht

In the final round of fixtures in the PRO14, Scarlets v Connacht could well decide the make-up of who represents the competition in next season’s Champions Cup.

For Scarlets it is simple: win with a bonus point and they are effectively in as Edinburgh, who still have three games left, would struggle to overtake them. However, should they fail to beat Connacht, the Scots could yet defeat Glenn Delaney’s team to third place by winning their remaining fixtures, while Cardiff could also claim that spot.

Scarlets will also look to maintain their strong form, winning two of their last three. A win over second placed Connacht would boost their confidence ahead of a date with Sale in the Champions Cup knockout stages.

As for the Irish province, this game is likely to have no bearing on their season with the Galway team already confirmed as Champions Cup qualifiers for next season and will likely finish second in the Conference B.

However, like the Scarlets, Connacht also have European commitments to attend to and will want to build confidence ahead of their trip to Welford Road to face Leicester on April 3. A win will give the Galway giants a boost ahead of the return of Europe.

Player to watch – Devin Toner (Leinster)

It will be a big day for Leinster stalwart Devin Toner, who will make his 261st appearance for the province. The towering second-row will equal the record set by fellow Irish great Gordon D’Arcy when he runs out against the Ospreys on Friday.

Toner has been a magnificent servant to Irish rugby since his debut for the Dubliners in 2006, helping them to four top-tier European titles and five victories in what is now called the PRO14.

The 34-year-old has also enjoyed plenty of success for the national team, earning 70 caps and being part of three Six Nations winning squads, including the outstanding Grand Slam triumph in 2018.

Despite being criticised early in his career for his apparent lack of physicality, Toner continued to improved over the course of his 15 years as a professional and duly became a top Test lock.

His lineout expertise was unrivalled in Europe but he has arguably been an underrated part of Irish rugby’s success over the past decade. The 34-year-old certainly deserves his day in the sun this weekend after going about his business in a very self-effacing way.

One-v-one battle to watch – Ben Spencer (Bath) v Francois Hougaard (Worcester Warriors)

The battle between Wasps-bound scrum-half Francois Hougaard and Bath half-back Ben Spencer could be decisive as Bath look to kick-start their season with a win against strugglers Worcester Warriors.

Since joining Bath, Spencer has benefited from starting regularly and has been one of the few bright spots in a difficult season for the West Countrymen. Spencer dictates the game well and is an excellent box kicker, so look for the hosts to try to use that to pin Worcester into their own territory.

As for Hougaard, he’ll look to provide a bit more of an extra running threat with ball in hand and he will be determined to finish his five-year stint at Sixways before he moves on to pastures now.

Subplot to watch – The form of the Irish giants

With the disruption caused by Covid and the introduction of the South African sides, there is just the one play-off game during this shortened season. Leinster and Munster have already qualified for the PRO14 final and, with the match taking place next weekend, it will be interesting to see how they fare on Friday.

Individuals will be playing for places ahead of the showpiece event, particularly with the internationals returning to their provinces after the end of the Six Nations. The two sides also have to weigh up their respective European excursions, which immediately follows the final.

Will they both go for their strongest available teams or does the Champions Cup takes precedence? Europe has tended to be the priority for both of the Irish giants and this weekend may well be a good indicator as to who will be picked.

A good display from those that feature in the last round of the regular season could see them force their way into the side for the final, so it is worth watching the games involving Leinster and Munster.

Best of the rest

Two teams that really need a win kick off the Premiership action on Friday as Newcastle Falcons face Wasps before play-off chasing Harlequins take on Gloucester on Saturday. There is also a big game for champions Exeter Chiefs, who will look to build on their win over Quins when they host Leicester Tigers. Finally, on Sunday London Irish head to Greater Manchester to face fourth place Sale Sharks.

In the PRO14, it is the final round of the regular season, although certain teams have matches to complete following postponements earlier in the campaign. That won’t be an issue for Ulster and Zebre, however, who finish the PRO14 by going head-to-head on Friday. The next encounter in the league sees the Dragons and Glasgow Warriors face off on Monday before Champions Cup hopefuls Cardiff Blues and Edinburgh battle it out.

 

Bath