This weekend in the Gallagher Premiership will be like no other, as all five of the weekend’s matches will have the added fire of a local derby. This weekend of rivalries is certainly one to watch, with two clashing matches kicking off the action on Friday night.
We then resume our regular schedule with a mid-afternoon and late Saturday kick-offs, before a single Sunday match keeps the excitement rolling through the whole weekend. Regional pride is on the line for each of the five match-ups, and here is our run through of all the action.
FRIDAY 17th NOVEMBER
Somerset Derby – Bath Rugby vs Bristol Bears (19:45 KO, The Recreation Ground)
The first of two clashing match-ups under the now fabled ‘Friday night lights’, Bath host Bristol Bears for a Somerset derby at the Rec. Bath fans can’t get enough of their regional rivalries, after the men in blue, black and white ran out a 45-27 win over Gloucester in last weekend’s Wests Country clash. A dramatic encounter soon swayed in the favour of the visitors, as fly-half Finn Russell pulled the strings for Bath.
The Scotland talisman had a textbook outing from the tee, as he slotted five conversions and a penalty as Bath hit top gear. The Somerset side were at full capacity with the international reinforcements bolstering the squad, as England centre Ollie Lawrence powered his way over for two tries. Powerhouse winger Will Muir had a starring run out out wide, and loose-head Beno Obano dominated the up-front battle.
Bristol come into the derby looking for a return to winning form, as the Bears have lost their past three matches in a row. Defeats to Harlequins, Exeter and Sale have issued Bristol with a backwards step, after they started their Premiership campaign with back-to-back wins. Ellis Genge returns to club duties after coming back from the Rugby World Cup, with lock Ed Holmes set to make his 100th Bristol appearence. James Dun comes into the back row, and Pier’s O’Conor starts on the wing, with Fitz Harding and Noah Heward ruled out with injuries.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “We know what this fixture means to the people of Bristol, so we’re excited to represent them in what is always an entertaining West Country derby.
“Bath have had a great start to the season, and we know the challenge we will face on Friday night at The Rec. Our success there in recent seasons has been built on mindset and teamwork which is what we need to bring.”
RUCK Prediction: Bath Rugby 28 – 21 Bristol Bears
BATH RUGBY
15. Matt Gallagher 14. Joe Cokanasiga, 13. Ollie Lawrence, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Will Muir, 10. Finn Russell 9. Ben Spencer ©,1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Charlie Ewels, 6. Miles Reid, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Jaco Coetzee
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 GJ van Velze, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Orlando Bailey, 23 Max Ojomoh
BRISTOL BEARS
15. Rich Lane 14. Piers O’Conor, 13. Virimi Vakatawa 12. Benhard JV Rensburg 11. Gabriel Ibitoye 10. Callum Sheedy 9. Harry Randall (C) 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Gabriel Oghre, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Joe Batley, 6. James Dun, 7. Harry Thacker, 8. Magnus Bradbury,
16. Will Capon, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Kyle Sinckler, 19. Josh Caulfield, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. James Williams, 23. Max Malins
Northern Derby – Sale Sharks vs Newcastle Falcons (19:45 KO, AJ Bell Stadium)
Sale hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to make his home debut for the club, after his replacement appearence away to Bristol in last weekend’s 27-13 victory. Exciting fullback prospect Joe Carpenter comes back into the fray, with Rob du Preez handing George Ford a well earned rest at fly-half. 19-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set for his Premiership rugby debut, after impressing the coaching staff through the England U18s set-up and in the London Irish Academy.
Newcastle Falcons are also set to field a Premiership debutant, in former Coventry and Leeds Tykes fullback Louis Brown. The 25-year-old has already made two Falcons appearances in the Premiership Rugby Cup, yet will get his first taste of league action tomorrow evening at Kingston Park. Also, scrum-half James Elliott is primed and ready for his Newcastle debut, after his recent arrival following the collapse of Jersey Reds.
Newcastle Falcons Head Coach Alex Codling has made a staggering 13 changes from last Sunday’s defeat to Saracens, having been given just a five-day turnaround for tomorrow’s match. On the Falcons bench, there could be Premiership debuts for back-row John Kelly, fly-half Louie Johnson and academy fullback Oliver Spencer. Hooker Charlie Maddison is also set to make his comeback from a long-term injury.
The Falcons had a match to forget last time out, as they were soundly beaten by Saracens at Kingston Park. Yet to get off the mark with their first win of the season, Newcastle are currently seated at the bottom of the Premiership table, as they take on last season’s Premiership runners-up.
RUCK Prediction: Sale Sharks 34-10 Newcastle Falcons
NEWCASTLE FALCONS
15. Ben Redshaw, 14. Louis Brown, 13. Zach Kerr, 12. Cameron Hutchison, 11. Iwan Stephens, 10. Josh Thomas, 9. James Elliott; 1. Phil Brantingham, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. Murray McCallum, 4. Tim Cardall, 5. Kiran McDonald, 6. John Hawkins, 7. Guy Pepper, 8. Callum Chick (C).
Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Adam Brocklebank, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 John Kelly, 20 Josh Bainbridge, 21 Josh Barton, 22 Louie Johnson, 23 Oliver Spencer.
SALE SHARKS
15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Sam James, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Arron Reed, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Agustin Creevy, 3. James Harper, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Ernst van Rhyn, 7. Ben Curry (C), 8. Dan du Preez.
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Ross Harrison, 18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Alex Wills.