The short side: Derby delight and doors open at nine

David Skippers
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the major talking points ahead of this weekend’s action from the various European club competitions.

PRO14 game to watch – Glasgow Warriors v Edinburgh

The weekend’s big match in this tournament takes place at Scotstoun where these two Scottish teams go head-to-head in the first instalment of their battle for the 1872 Cup. With bragging rights at stake between these fierce rivals, the teams will be highly motivated to do well although Glasgow Warriors will be the more desperate side as they have battled to build momentum in all competitions so far this season and come into this fixture after going down a shock 12-7 home defeat to La Rochelle in the Champions Cup. Dave Rennie’s charges are also struggling in the PRO14 as they are currently languishing in fourth spot in Conference A with just 15 points from seven matches played. By contrast, Edinburgh are sitting pretty in third place in Conference B’s standings with 23 points after their seven games played – just two points adrift of table-toppers Munster – and they will be quietly confident after notching a 9-7 victory over Wasps in their Challenge Cup clash at the Ricoh Arena last weekend. The last time the sides met the Warriors came out on top, however, and they did it in style in April.

Premiership game to watch – Saracens v Bristol

What a game we have in prospect at Allianz Park as two top class sides face off. Saracens of course are looking to continue to chip away at their points deficit in the league standings while for Bristol Bears they could go to the Premiership summit with victory on the road. Why? Northampton face a tricky match at Sale Sharks on the same day in what will also be an intriguing clash to keep an eye on. But we’re marking our cards for twelfth versus second on Saturday as these star-studded line-ups in impressive form collide, with the Bears knowing this is a massive opportunity to throw down a marker in 2019/20. Under Pat Lam they have solidified themselves as belonging in the top flight and with huge signings improving them season by season, they are on the rise as a genuine force in England. With a freshened line-up, can they capitalise on Saracens having been in a physical clash with Munster last weekend. How much will that have taken its toll as they get back to survival mode?

Player to watch – Willi Heinz (Gloucester)

Heinz will make his first appearance for the Cherry and Whites this season after being sidelined during the early stages of the Premiership campaign with a hamstring injury sustained during England’s victory against New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup semi-final in Japan. The 33-year-old New Zealand-born scrum-half is one of the leading players in his position but he will have to hit the ground running when Gloucester host Worcester Warriors on Friday as his back-up for this fixture, Joe Simpson, has been in superb try-scoring form for the Cherry and Whites during Heinz’s absence. Heinz will have the added responsibility of captaining his team against Worcester but he is no stranger to the role and did it with aplomb in previous outings for Gloucester.

One-v-one battle to watch – George Horne v Henry Pyrgos

On the back of the news that Greig Laidlaw has retired from international rugby, there are three Scottish scrum-halves frothing over the prospect of becoming first-choice number nine in 2020 and beyond. Glasgow duo Horne and Ali Price will battle it out with Edinburgh’s Pyrgos on Saturday in the first of two games between the sides over the festive period. Price currently has his nose in front due to him being Laidlaw’s deputy in Japan but we all know the threat that Horne poses on a rugby field. Furthermore, one cannot rule Pyrgos out as he’s a steady option, much like Laidlaw was, and might well offer something different to Scotland moving forward.

Subplot to watch – The battle between Premiership strugglers

It is tight near the bottom of the Premiership and two of the teams that have started the campaign poorly, Wasps and Harlequins, go head-to-head on Saturday. Both have their issues and their recent European excursions rather highlighted the problems they have leading into the Christmas and New Year period. Neither failed to claim a win as the Coventry outfit succumbed to Edinburgh in the Challenge Cup and the Londoners were defeated by Ulster. Four games, four defeats and a whole heap of problems for a couple of sides that expect to be in and around the play-off picture. Such is the competitive nature of England’s top-tier that they may improve and start moving up the table, but recent form suggests not. Although there is currently a bit of a safety net due to Saracens’ points deduction, panic will start to set in should that close over the next few weeks. That is why this is such a crucial encounter. Wasps and Harlequins are playing without confidence and a win here will at least ease the pressure on respective bosses Dai Young and Paul Gustard.

Best of the rest

The Premiership opens with in-form Worcester Warriors, who head to Kingsholm to take on Gloucester, before eleventh place Leicester Tigers host Exeter Chiefs in what is a big game for both teams. Elsewhere, current play-off challengers Sale Sharks and Northampton Saints go head-to-head while London Irish will look to continue their good start to the season against Bath. Meanwhile, in the PRO14, it is all about the derbies as Zebre and Benetton open proceedings on Saturday before Connacht take on Munster. It is also a big weekend for the Welsh regions, who will be looking to improve on their generally poor openings to the campaign. The Scarlets are the only team with a positive record and they will look to continue their decent form against the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

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