The short side: Play-off battle and returning players

Colin Newboult
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The short side returns to Planet Rugby as we study the main talking points ahead of this weekend’s action in the Premiership, PRO14 and Top 14.

Premiership game to watch – Gloucester v Exeter Chiefs

Fourth faces first in an important match in the play-off race as the hosts look to take advantage of a Chiefs side without some key players. Director of rugby Rob Baxter is shorn of his England contingent, while Johan Ackermann can call on his strongest XV for several weeks. The Cherry and Whites have struggled in the Premiership over the Christmas and New Year period, succumbing to heavy defeats against Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers, but this is an ideal opportunity to re-find their form. With Danny Cipriani at fly-half and a back three which contains Jason Woodward, Tom Marshall and Ollie Thorley, they have the firepower to cause plenty of problems for Exeter.

PRO14 game to watch – Ospreys v Ulster

Not too far from Gloucester and another crucial play-off battle commences, but this time in the PRO14, when the Ospreys take on Ulster in Bridgend. Both sides have enjoyed improved campaigns in 2018/19 but consistency has still been an issue for the respective sides. A win for either outfit would significantly boost their top three hopes with the league remarkably finely poised. Although the Welsh outfit reside in third place, they are just two points ahead of the Cheetahs in sixth, while it is similarly tight in Conference B. Ulster may well be down in fifth, but they are not far away from Benetton, who are in second position.

Player to watch – Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)

Has been unfortunate with injury at just the wrong time after missing two months of the campaign following a knee problem suffered in December. It forced him out of the Ireland match and Jack Nowell, Chris Ashton and Jonny May all impressed against Joe Schmidt’s men, which was enough for them to keep their places for the France contest. Cokanasiga has duly returned to Bath for their Premiership encounter against Newcastle Falcons and will look to show that he is match fit for the Wales encounter. Even a stellar performance might not be enough to force his way into Eddie Jones’ thoughts for next weekend but the Australian evidently rates him and the youngster certainly adds physicality to the backline, which could be crucial against Warren Gatland’s side.

One-v-one battle to watch – Bradley Davies (Ospreys) v Iain Henderson (Ulster)

Henderson’s return provides a timely boost for both Ulster and Ireland, with the national team missing his physicality against England and Scotland, but the 26-year-old will be up against a gnarly customer in Davies. Injuries may have curtailed his Six Nations participation but the experienced second-row will no doubt look to reignite his Wales career by producing a good showing on Friday. It should prove to be a great battle between the two, with both having to step up due to the sides being depleted because of international call-ups.

Subplot to watch – Shocks aplenty

Six Nations time is always a period the top sides fear as they lose a number of players to internationals. It therefore potentially opens the door to others as they look to either boost their play-off challenge or, in the case of the Premiership, move away from the relegation zone. It is perhaps more felt in England’s top-tier than in the PRO14 as the likes Zebre also have a number of individuals away with Italy, but it is certainly a chance for the Kings and Cheetahs to pick some results. The former have already benefited, defeating a weakened Edinburgh team in late January, while the latter have come into play-off contention and will look to gain a rare away victory against Connacht.

In the Premiership, Saracens boss Mark McCall often agonises during the international breaks and Leicester Tigers will attempt to shock the Londoners. Although the visitors are themselves missing Ben Youngs and George Ford, the Six Nations rips the heart out of Sarries’ team, with vital cogs Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Billy Vunipola and Owen Farrell absent. They still have a remarkably strong side and have the talent to cover the missing players but cohesion is hard to come by when you don’t have those key individuals.

Best of the rest

The Top 14 is also affected by the Six Nations but certainly not in the same way. Squads are so large and southern hemisphere faces are so plentiful that the teams have more than enough to cover any potential absences. It does, however, mean that it should be a thrilling weekend of action, starting with a battle between play-off contenders when Stade Francais host Lyon. On Saturday night, Agen and Toulon go head-to-head in a crucial game at the bottom of the table before Racing 92 and Toulouse face-off in the big game of Round 16.

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