Bristol vs Saracens
Kickoff: 3:05pm Saturday
Bristol have been electric to start this season, losing narrowly to Gloucester in their only defeat. Meanwhile, Saracens had started by winning their first three games before losing the London derby against Harlequins in an upset. This clash sees the top two teams in the league after four games go head-to-head which makes for exciting viewing. Bristol have been deadly in attack but sometimes porous defensively so will need to be tougher when they take on Saracens. The Londoners will be hurting after last week so this is the first big test of mentality for a new group to see how well they bounce back.
Team news
Bristol
Ellis Genge and Harry Randall return to the starting XV. However, it is not all good news as Luatua and Janse Van Rensburg both miss out due to injury. Rich Lane continues at fullback in the absence of Max Malins.
Saracens
Earl, Gonzalez, Burke and Onyeama-Christie are all missing due to injury. As a result, Alex Goode moves to fly-half and Elliot Daly will start at fullback. Former Newcastle prop Phil Brantingham will make his Saracens debut from the bench. Theo Dan starts ahead of Jamie George.
Line-ups:
Bristol
1.Genge 2.Oghre 3.Lahiff 4.Caulfield 5.Batley 6.Dun 7.Grondona 8.Harding(C)
9.Randall 10.MacGinty 11.Ibitoye 12.Jenkins 13.Bates 14.Fricker 15.Lane
Saracens
1.Carre 2.Dan 3.Riccioni 4.Itoje(C) 5.Tizard 6.Mcfarland 7.Knight 8.Willis
9.Van Zyl 10.Goode 11.Segun 12.Hallett 13.Lozowski 14.Elliot 15.Daly
My Prediction:
Bristol 34 vs 30 Saracens
Harlequins vs Bath
Kickoff: 5:30pm Saturday
Fresh off a big derby win, Harlequins will be in the mood for another giant-killing performance. It will be interesting to see if Harlequins can sustain their improved defensive performance or if Fin Russell is able to play through it. Speaking of Fin Russell, that is where most eyes will be focused. His match-up against Marcus Smith will likely prove to be decisive in the outcome of this game. It could also be a precursor to England vs Scotland in the Six Nations Championship.
Team news
Harlequins
Captain Alex Dombrandt returns to the starting XV after injury. Luke Northmore and Tyrone Green also return from injury in place of Anyanwu and Halfpenny. Exciting Argentinian prospect Isgro makes his debut on the wing as Harlequins opt for a 6-2 split on the bench.
Bath:
Will Stuart starts with Du Toit poised to make an impact from the bench. Guy Pepper starts at blindside and will join Underhill and Barbeary in the back row. Joe Cokanasiga is back and replaces Will Butt on the wing.
Line-ups:
Harlequins
1.Baxter 2.Walker 3.Lamositele 4.Launchbury 5.Lamb 6.Kenningham 7.Evans 8.Dombrandt(C)
9.Porter 10.Smith 11.Murley 12.Northmore 13.Beard 14.Isgro 15.Green
Bath
1.Obano 2.Dunn 3.Stuart 4.Roux 5.Ewels 6.Pepper 7.Underhill 8.Barbeary
9.Spencer(C) 10.Russell 11.Emens 12.Redpath 13.Lawrence 14.Cokanasiga 15.De Glanville
Prediction:
Harlequins 19 vs 27 Bath
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