By a lucky chance the line-up of fixtures for Round 9 offers us drama all the way. First, Quins meet Sarries in the big showdown at the Stoop to decide who will be the first to lose this season.
For all the publicity surrounding that event, there will be far more tension at the Northern Echo Arena, where DMP Sharks and Bristol Bears will be desperate for a win to place them in the top six of the table. Both clubs have three wins and two losses, but Bristol lead 17 points to 15, thanks to bonus points.
The two educational establishments meet in the west country in another tight contest. Glos-Pury lie third, three points ahead of Lightning who will be all-out to exchange positions.
The two W’s near the foot of the table have both had a huge boost recently with a first win of the season. By rights, Worcester should have enough know-how to see off Waterloo, but we must wait to see who can continue their advance. The winners could place themselves four or five points ahead of their rivals, but the gap between them and DMP is a whopping 10 points – and the Sharks aren’t even in the top 6 at present.
The remaining game is a second London derby, regrettably overshadowed by the heavyweight bout two miles away. Wasps should have the wherewithal to keep Richmond struggling for success.
Fixtures
Darlington Mowden Park Sharks v Bristol Bears
Gloucester-Hartpury v Loughborough Lightning
Harlequins v Saracens
Richmond v Wasps
Worcester Warriors v Firwood Waterloo
A piece of wishful thinking:
Here are two ideal line-ups for Quins v Sarries (assuming everyone’s fit and available – which they aren’t!)
I fail in one position to complete two all-international teams. Who have I missed?
|
ROLLIE (SCOTLAND) |
15 |
McKenna |
|
|
Packer L |
14 |
Gregson |
|
|
Tuima |
13 |
CASEY (IRELAND) |
|
|
Burford |
12 |
Cattell |
|
|
Breach |
11 |
Clapp |
|
|
Scott E |
10 |
Harrison |
|
|
Riley |
9 |
KNIGHT (WALES) |
|
|
Cornborough |
1 |
Clark |
|
|
Cokayne |
2 |
Fleetwood |
|
|
Brown |
3 |
Botterman |
|
|
Saynor |
4 |
Galligan |
|
|
Scott A |
5 |
Green |
|
|
Beckett |
6 |
Cleall B |
|
|
FRANCO (ITALY) |
7 |
Packer M |
|
|
KONKEL (SCOTLAND) |
8 |
Cleall P |
CAPITALS – non-England caps
Italics = non-playing reserve (Super Series)
Everyone else is an England cap
