Two more rounds before the shutters come down till 30 January.
The Fixtures
Saturday 13 December
Trailfinders v Leicester Tigers KO 13.00 (YT);
Exeter Chiefs v Saracens KO 13.05 (TNT);
Harlequins v Sale Sharks KO 17.00 (BBC iPlayer)
Sunday 14 December
Bristol Bears v Loughborough Lightning KO 15.00 (YT)
Every neutral (who, only me?) Is hoping for the big upset. That means in effect one of the top three (Glos-Pury, Sarries and Chiefs) losing to one of the following five (Lightning, Quins, TF, Sharks and Bears).
We’ve come very close, with two memorable draws (Lightning v Chiefs 33-all and Sharks v Chiefs 26-all). Then there was that nail-biting 29-28 between G-H and Trailfinders last weekend. But it’s a sign of a champion side that it can pull through the tightest games.
No 4
The central interest is in that fourth position. A club may squeeze into the semis and still snatch the pot, as Quins proved in 2021 after finishing third.
At present it’s Lightning in fourth, a full 9 points behind Chiefs.
Constant Concerns
The unforgiving worries for every club are injuries and consistency.
While injuries can’t be avoided, at least most come to an end.
The ongoing concern involves the dreaded ACL. Recent research points to the relative weakness in the structuring of the female knee, making it more vulnerable to twisting and distortion.
If we assembled every member of the proud “ACL Club”, they would make a formidable XV.
This week’s good news is that Aoife Wafer should at last make her debut for Quins.
As a side-note she mentions she is taking a hefty pay-cut in moving to England. At least that’s good news for Ireland’s contracted players.
When it comes to consistency, the constant interruptions to the schedule (bye-weeks, a gap after four rounds, the Christmas/New Year and 6 Nations breaks) do nothing to help.
This week’s clashes see four members of the “Famous Five” meeting head on: Quins and Sharks, and Bears and Lightning. An away win here would be worth a lot.
Gloucester-Hartpury have the pleasure of staying at home this weekend crocheting. Their position at the top of the table is not in danger.
Once more we’re so lucky that we can watch the game of our choice; just a pity that two of them run concurrently.
