Fixtures
Saturday 14 December
Trailfinders v Chiefs, KO 12.00
Gloucester-Hartpury v Saracens KO 14.00
Loughborough Lightning v Quins KO 15.05
Sunday 15 December
Bristol Bears v Sale Sharks KO 14.00
Leicester Tigers have the day off
It’s a pity that three of the four matches bring top five sides up against bottom four. This makes surprise results all the less likely.
The one exception is the big game at Kingsholm. Two teams who hoped to be sitting top of the table find themselves second and fourth. Spectators will have to be satisfied with only 19 Red Roses on display. Orwell’s phrase comes to mind: “Some are more equal than others”.
Even if Sarries carry the day, they are unlikely to get closer to Chiefs, who have a triple advantage: they should beat Trailfinders in London, they are two points ahead and they have a game in hand.
Chiefs should take a full five points through forward power alone, but they and their coaches will no doubt have wider ambitions.
Lightning want to prove they really are on the mend, but Quins have already restored their old prominence. There’s a telling gap of 18 points between them. Even so, the Lightning back-line looks capable of devastation – Nelson, Kelter, Scarratt, Scurfield, Mataitoga, Goldthorp. But can their forwards give them sufficient ball to exploit?
Your Sunday news
No, Ilona Maher is not turning out for the Bears. Will anyone come to watch? Ow! I hear a deafening Bears’ roar. They will all be turning up to the tea-party, grateful for the chance to claim five points. It’s so tight among the top five that points, both on the field and on the table, become crucial.
Table P W Pts
Exeter Chiefs 7 7 33
Saracens 8 6 31
Quins 8 6 30
Glos-Pury 8 5 28
Bristol Bears 7 5 25
Trailfinders 8 3 17
Lightning 8 2 12
Tigers 8 1 6
Sharks 8 0 0
Afterthought
You may have all your Christmas shopping sorted, but there’s still one more round to come before the break.
