Northampton v Newcastle
Northampton Saints’ only reversal in any competition this season was 17-24 at Saracens in Aviva Premiership Rugby on 26 September. The Saints only home defeat in a Premiership regular season fixture since Newcastle won at Franklin’s Gardens in February 2009 was 27-28 to Saracens in round 21 last season.
Newcastle Falcons’ only victory in their last six games in all competitions was 22-16 in Bourgoin in the European Challenge Cup on 7 October. Falcons have won just one of their last ten away encounters: 32-30 at Sale on 23 April.
Northampton did the Premiership double over Newcastle last season, whilst Falcons have won on two of their last four visits to Franklin’s Gardens.
Saracens v Exeter
Saracens have won five in a row in Aviva Premiership Rugby since their opening weekend defeat to London Irish at Twickenham. Sarries have won six of their last seven home matches in the Premiership.
Exeter Chiefs have slipped to three successive Premiership defeats and are still to open their winning account away from home in Aviva Premiership Rugby.
The two clubs have never met before in competitive rugby.
Gloucester v Leicester
Gloucester Rugby have tallied three successive victories in Aviva Premiership Rugby. Gloucester are unbeaten at Kingsholm in their last 15 matches in all competitions since Cardiff Blues won there in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on 8 November.
All six games Leicester Tigers have played in the Premiership this season have been won by the home team on the day. Tigers’ have not been victorious away from home in the competition since round 20 last season with a 31-7 win at Newcastle.
Gloucester’s only victory in their last half a dozen encounters with Leicester was 12-9 in this equivalent fixture last season. Tigers have won on three of their last four visits to Kingsholm.
Harlequins v Bath
Harlequins’ last six matches in all competitions have been won by the home side on the day. Quins’ only defeat at the Twickenham Stoop in their last nine encounters was 16-20 against Northampton on 11 September.
Bath Rugby’s only win in their last four Aviva Premiership Rugby matches was 31-16 at home to Sale in round four. Bath have been victorious once on the road in the Premiership this season: 32-16 at Leeds on the opening weekend.
Bath’s 24-13 victory at the Rec the last time the two teams met ended a four game losing run to the Londoners. Bath have lost on their last five visits to the Stoop, and have won there just once in the Premiership since 2000: 18-10 on 25 September 2004.
Leeds v Wasps
Leeds Carnegie continue to be winless in Aviva Premiership Rugby since round 21 last season. Their most recent victory at Headingley Carnegie was 12-10 against Worcester Warriors on 25 April.
London Wasps suffered their worst home defeat since 2004 when Northampton visited Adams Park on Sunday, however Wasps won their most recent away game in the Premiership 25-24 at Sale on 1 October.
Leeds achieved a Premiership double over Wasps for the first time ever last season, whilst Wasps have won on six of their last seven visits to Headingley.
London Irish v Sale
London Irish top the Aviva Premiership Rugby table following four successive victories against Gloucester, Newcastle, Leeds and Exeter. The Exiles are unbeaten at home in any competition this season.
Sale Sharks have won their last three games in all competitions since their 24-25 reversal at home to Wasps on 1 October. The Sharks have won their last two away matches in Padova and Leeds and are going for a third successive victory on the road in the same season for the first time since 2006/07.
Sale’s only victory over Irish in their last seven encounters was 14-8 at Edgeley Park on 9 January 2009. The Sharks’ most recent victory at Madejski Stadium was 31-14 on 15 October 2006.