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League leaders Yorkshire are away against second-place and promotion favourites Bristol
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London Scottish will hope to close in on the top two with a win against Nottingham
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Bottom of the table Moseley welcomes newly-promoted Ealing
Friday 16th October
Moseley v Ealing
Bedford v Rotherham
London Scottish v Nottingham
Saturday 17th October
Doncaster v Cornish Pirates
London Welsh v Jersey
Sunday 18th October
Bristol v Yorkshire Carnegie
Marquee Game
Bristol v Yorkshire Carnegie
Top meets second here in a monumental Green IPA King Championship clash with just one point separating the two sides. League leaders Carnegie have won five out of six so far this season, which includes a 27-20 triumph over Doncaster at Headingley in the Yorkshire derby last weekend
Meanwhile, second-place Bristol, who have also won five and lost one, scored two tries in two minutes though Jack Wallace and Tom Vandell last time out as they overcame newly-promoted Ealing 26-21 on their travels.
The corresponding fixture last season had the hosts clinging on for a narrow 29-28 victory over Carnegie, although Bristol had won more convincingly 26-13 when they had travelled to Yorkshire earlier in the season.
RUCK Prediction: The pair are two of the favourites to finish in the play-offs after having excellent starts to the season. Bristol, who were the defeated finalists last season, are probably our preference as they have a good record against Yorkshire in recent years and are hard to beat on home turf.
Bristol by 8
Moseley v Ealing
Bottom of the pile Moseley could move to as high as tenth if they can overcome newly promoted Ealing this weekend. The visitors had started the season well with two narrow losses to Bristol and Doncaster before a victory against Cornish Pirates but have since struggled, losing three on the bounce. Moseley have had similar fortunes, also winning just one of their six games so far, which came against now high-flying London Scottish on the opening day of the season.
RUCK Prediction: Even at this early stage in the season this game is already looking like a must-win for both sides. Moseley have struggled to find any consistency in their style or selection meaning Ealing could ease their relegation worries with a second win of the season here.
Ealing by 5
Bedford v Rotherham
Rotherham came out on top of a crazy game against Moseley last weekend, winning 37-27 for a third win in their last four outings, moving up into fourth in the process. Their visitors, Bedford, started the season strongly with back-to-back wins but have since only won one of their last four, losing out 34-27 against Jersey last time out.
RUCK Prediction: Bedford have struggled as of late while their opponents Rotherham seem to have rediscovered the sort of form that secured them a play-off place last term. Although Rotherham is our favourites, they are yet to put in a convincing victory away from home, meaning it could be a very close game.
Rotherham by 3
London Scottish v Nottingham
Third-place London Scottish will look to bridge the gap on the top two when they take on Nottingham at the Athletic Ground. Scottish, who had won four on the spin before their shock loss to Cornish Pirates last time out, will be hopeful of bouncing back at the first time of asking, strengthening their spot in the play-offs in the process. Nottingham, who sit in ninth place, have not enjoyed a great start to the season but showed exactly what they are capable of with a 30-10 win against recently relegated London Welsh last time out.
RUCK Prediction: Nottingham showed they have the ability to put in a good performance last weekend, but you’d expect back on home turf, where they have won back-to-back matches, London Scottish would bounce back to winning ways at the first time of asking.
London Welsh by 10
Doncaster v Cornish Pirates
The Knights will be looking to get back to winning ways following Friday’s defeat against Yorkshire rivals Carnegie at Headingley while the Pirates will be buoyed by their best result of the campaign so far last Sunday when they overcame third-placed London Scottish 21-17.
RUCK Prediction: Saturday’s showdown between Doncaster and Cornish Pirates is a hard one to call with both sides having inconsistent starts to the season. Doncaster, who have been somewhat the surprise package, have shown much improvement from last season and will be confident of carrying that on with their high-scoring backs playing a crucial role.
Doncaster by 12
London Welsh v Jersey
Things haven’t been straightforward for London Welsh since their relegation, losing three of their opening six games, which includes a disappointing 30-10 loss to Nottingham last time out. This weekend they welcome Islanders Jersey, who sit one place and one point below Welsh in the league standings but come into the game in good spirits following their 34-27 win against Bedford last weekend..
RUCK Prediction: The Exiles will want to bounce back at the first time of asking and if they don’t win it would be somewhat a big surprise.
London Welsh by 10