Despite the disruption, the Gallagher Premiership continues to excite and there is another fine weekend ahead.
There are two games on Friday, with Sale hosting Worcester but it is Bath against Wasps that catches the eye.
No Rec Worries for Wasps
Lee Blackett’s side produced the performance of the season last Saturday in outclassing English and European champions Exeter 34-5 to make it four wins in a row.
After October’s Twickenham heartache, there is a feeling Wasps could go all the way this time around but they take on a team with a point to prove.
Bath went down 36-31 in a pulsating contest at Leicester last weekend, succumbing to a brilliant display from the Tigers’ young guns.
They also lost 23-19 to Scarlets on their last outing at The Rec, as well as being on the wrong end of a 27-23 scoreline in this fixture in 2019-20.
Another close affair is likely but Wasps’ form is tough to ignore and they seem to have the edge on Bath having done the double over them last season to take their tally to five wins in the last seven meetings.
The away win is 20/29 and those hunting for value may take note of the hosts’ recent near misses and back Wasps to win by 1-12 points at 41/20.
Expect Falcons to Fly
Newcastle suffered a setback last time out in going down 29-17 at Bristol but the Bears are a fine team and the Falcons won their sole previous league outing on their own patch, beating Sale 15-13.
They were also awarded the four points for Leicester’s inability to raise a side on Boxing Day and will be optimistic about consigning Gloucester to a fourth straight defeat.
To make things worse for the Cherry and Whites, they will also be without Ed Slater who was cited for dangerous play in last Saturday 22-19 defeat to Sale and has subsequently been banned for four weeks.
Still to win on the road this season, there is a feeling that George Skivington is still laying the foundations after moving to Kingsholm in June.
Interestingly, Gloucester have won the pair’s last three meetings and three of their last four trips to Kingston Park. However, despite that defeat to Bristol, the Falcons seem to be riding the wave and 10/11 for the home win with a -2.5 handicap is undoubtedly tempting.
Quins Too Good for Local Rivals
Finally to Sunday, and a derby between Harlequins and London Irish at the Twickenham Stoop. A coronavirus outbreak saw Quins’ trip to Worcester called off last week and they need to improve on their own patch as they have not won any of their last five at home.
The Exiles have had similar issues having seen their last two games called off but this one is expected to get the go-ahead.
Irish are yet to win on the road this season. However, they tasted victory in taking this fixture 29-15 last term but Quins got revenge in the pair’s most recent meeting, triumphing 38-15.
While Declan Kidney’s side have recently moved to the Brentford Community Stadium, they played their last five home games of the 2019-20 campaign at The Stoop but lost them all.
A happy return is unlikely with a home win short at 2/7 and it could be a tough afternoon for Irish, making the -8.5 handicap on Quins worth considering at 25/27.
*All odds correct at time of writing