Compare the fixtures with the table below, and the first weekend of the new year looks like four foregone conclusions.
The only doubt is whether Quins can at last get their motor running properly. Never before this season has a trip north been as chancy as now. Sale shocked them in Round Two, but Tigers should be there for the taking. Quins, fresh from a big occasion at Twickenham, must put past problems behind them and start climbing the table. Amy Turner at last has Lucy Packer starting in the 9 shirt after her lengthy injury.
All neutrals will be hoping for a first ever Tigers victory, but Quins can’t afford another upset.
To everyone who claims the competition in this league is higher than ever, here is proof positive: Quins have just one other club left below them!
That conviction will feel even stronger if the less fancied sides, Lightning, Sharks, Tigers and Trailfinders, can cause some worries.
TF’s visit to the south-west offers a contest within a contest: Appleby v Mather. Both coaches have long experience; both have coached England sides. Susie Appleby has the advantage of a strong established side, but the newcomers have already proved they are not star-struck when playing top clubs.
Appleby hasn’t chosen her very strongest side, but Mather will recognise at least three of the Chiefs who used to wear Wasps’ colours.
It’s TNT’s choice for live coverage. For the record, their ongoing schedule looks like this:
Saturday 13 January: Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears
Saturday 20 January: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women
Sunday 4 February: Harlequins v Sale Sharks
Saturday 10 February: Saracens v Harlequins
Fixtures
Saturday 6 January
Gloucester-Hartpury v Loughborough Lightning, 14.00 Hartpury University Stadium
Sale Sharks v Saracens, 14.00 CorpAcq Stadium Sale
Leicester Tigers v Harlequins, 18.00 Mattioli Woods Stadium Leicester
Sunday 7 January
Exeter Chiefs v Trailfinders Women, 12.30 Sandy Park
It’s Bears’ turn to sit out.
Table
P W L B Pts
Saracens 5 5 0 5 25
Exeter 5 4 1 6 22
Glos-Pury 4 4 0 2 19
Bears 6 3 3 3 15
Trailfinders 5 2 3 3 11
Lightning 5 2 3 2 10
Sale 4 1 3 2 7
Harlequins 5 1 4 2 6
Tigers 5 0 5 1 1
