I’ll start with the basement where there have been some really dramatic changes. Worcester must have been delighted with their performance against high flying Wasps. The 24-20 loss gained them a valuable bonus point and they couldn’t have predicted how costly the defeat would prove to be.
They seemed to have set up a nerve jangling, winner takes all relegation battle at Headingley this week. It will still be nerve jangling but only the most ardent Leeds supporter would have expected them to overcome London Irish 23-13. This result nudges the Irish out of the top four play-off places and puts Leeds into the 9th position, above Newcastle, Sale and Worcester.
Sale suffered a heavy 34-15 loss at Bath and will be looking over their shoulders at Worcester. Their Friday night home clash against fellow strugglers, Newcastle, will be crucial for both Clubs.
The weekend’s “do or die” match is almost certain to be Sunday’s Leeds v Worcester dogfight. History suggests that this could be a desperately close match. The Clubs have so far met 15 times in League matches and the aggregate stands at 7 wins each with 1 draw. Leeds have the all important home advantage but, despite their bottom position, Worcester have had less tries scored against them than anyone else in the League.
Worcester also have a points scoring machine in stand-off Willie Walker and, on paper, they have an easier fixture than Leeds on the last day of the season, next weekend. Leeds will be desperately keen to wrap everything up on Sunday.
It’s been nip and tuck at the top end of the table too. Northampton’s 38-23 win at Gloucester put them at the head of the table on Saturday. However, Leicester’s 31-7 thrashing of Newcastle put them back on top on Sunday. Northampton had a game in hand but they lost this match by a single point at Bath in midweek.
That result seems to have given the Leicester the edge. Northampton have a very tricky fixture on Saturday against Saracens who have hit a rich patch of form. Leicester are also at home but have seemingly easier opposition in Harlequins.
Rhys Morgan
