Gallagher Premiership round 10 preview

It's time to look forward to another round of Premiership rugby, hopefully it's a little less one sided than last week!

Newcastle v Harlequins

Round 10 gets us underway on my doorstep in the north east at Kingston Park.

For me this is a game that Steve Diamond will have set out to target at the beginning of the season. He'd have been hoping for a cold Friday night, and guess what? That's exactly what will greet Harlequins. The big thing for me here is how Falcons start, can they stifle and frustrate Quins? If they can the cold of Kingston Park can be a very unwelcoming place. Falcons will look to their back row of the young, impressive Freddie Lockwood, Tom Gordon who is reaping the benefits of playing week in week out and the ever dependable Callum Chick to lead from the front. They'll also be keen to put their performance at Northampton to bed.

Quins turn up with Marcus Smith at ten who will look to get the talented Quins back line firing. They've also gone for the double jackal threat of Jack Kenningham and Will Evans in the back row. A name to keep an eye out for on the bench is Lucas Friday, son of Mike as the scrum half replacement.

Phil's prediction: Falcons to make it difficult but a bit of Marcus Smith magic is going to get the win for Quins.

Gloucester v Sale

Saturday afternoon starts at Kingsholm where an injury hit Gloucester host a Sale team who impressed at Bristol last time out. At the time of writing there's no team news.

George Ford looked to pick up a knock at Bristol so may not feature for Sale. But I expect them to turn up and put in another huge physical effort at Kingsholm.

Gloucester could be without Matias Alemmano who looked to pick up an arm injury at Sandy Park, Christian Wade didn't return from a HIA and Jamal Ford-Robinson looked to have picked up an injury. Definitely missing will be Zach Mercer Ollie Thorley and Afolabi Fasogbon along with Val Rapava-Ruskin who can't seem to shake off an injury. They'll be desperate to put in a performance after their disappointing outing last week. Lewis Ludlow will lead from the front and will have to against a fearsome Sale pack.

Phil's prediction: I expect Sale to rise to the occasion at Kingsholm and back last week's win at Bristol up.

Leicester v Exeter

Leicester put in a performance at Twickenham last weekend and Exeter will be buoyed by their most complete Premiership performance of the season and first win.

I expect this to be very physical with Dan Frost who was impressive last weekend leading from the front for Exeter. For Leicester, their forwards will look to give them the platform so that Pollard can unleash a powerful centre combination whoever plays.

Phil's prediction: Leicester to win, they will still feel they owe the Welford Road faithful a performance after the Bristol home game.

Saracens v Bristol

Two teams who will be very disappointed with their round 9 performances meet in Barnet on Saturday.

Saracens will have some bodies back and will want to get a win leading into Europe. Bristol may have Harry Byrne available to play after he joined this week on a three month loan from Leinster. If he does play he has an exciting back line around him. Bristol will be desperate to put right their lacklustre display against Sale.

Phil's prediction: I expect Saracens to win this one but if Bristol can get going it could be a hugely entertaining game!

Northampton v Bath

The weekend actions finishes at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday afternoon pitting the champions against in my eyes the champions elect.

Unfortunately given we have two of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league, the weather doesn't look like it's going to play it's part. This plays into Bath's hands with their huge pack and strength in depth.

Alex Mitchell comes up against Ben Spencer in a battle of two of the best in the league. Both players make their respective team tick, the conditions could favour Spencer on Sunday though.

Phil's prediction: Bath don't look like losing in the league and assuming they don't rest before Europe, I think their forwards will dominate and take them to victory.