By Charlie Elliott
The last weekend before Christmas has some mouthwatering rugby action, and although many have already begun their festive celebrations, for the Premiership it is business as usual.
Teams have the chance to provide fans with festive cheer or be scrooges and ruin Christmas depending on results.
Here is all you need to know about this weekend’s fixtures, with predictions.
Gloucester v Harlequins
Friday night rugby awaits Gloucester and Harlequins at Kingsholm Stadium, between two of the most interesting teams in the league this season.
The Cherry and Whites have impressed with their swashbuckling style, currently sitting in fifth place and one point above Harlequins in seventh.
With the third most points scored and the most conceded, Gloucester has been arguably the most entertaining team so far.
Harlequins come off a huge win at home against South African side Stormers, but their league form has been unremarkable, having only picked up wins against Exeter, Newcastle and an impressive derby win against Saracens.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Marcus Smith of Harlequins celebrates with team mate Oscar Beard after their victory during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Saracens at The Stoop on October 13, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Despite the lack of form, they have managed to pick up plenty of bonus points, leaving them still well in the battle for playoff contention.
It will be the first Premiership game post Joe Marler for Quins, the big man could be a huge miss for the visitors.
Argentine Rodrigo Isgro has been electric in his debut campaign for the London side, but will not have an easy opposition, with former NFL player Christian Wade his opposing number.
It is a game littered with talent that should be opened by some poor defending.
Prediction: Gloucester by 7
Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears
Second placed Bristol head to Welford Road to play third placed Leicester in a potential classic of a game between two teams who have shown flashes of brilliance, mixed with a bit of inconsistency.
Although both have the same record, Bears sit five points above Tigers due to their impressive knack of picking up bonus points.
Tigers got outclassed by Sale Sharks in their last Premiership game, but improved in the recent Champions Cup matches, culminating in a massive home win against Sharks from South Africa.
Bears are the opposite, having won their last Premiership game but recently being on the wrong side of a couple of poor results, albeit against strong Champions Cup teams in Leinster and Stade Rochelais.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Viliame Mata of Bristol scores a during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Harlequins and Bristol Bears at The Stoop on November 29, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Last season in this same fixture, Bristol won with the last kick of the game thanks to AJ MacGinty.
It seems right to put MacGinty as part of the matchup to watch, with the fly-half battle between him and Handre Pollard being crucial in this match.
Both are outstanding kickers and will likely be crucial in putting points on the board in what could be a cagey affair.
Tigers will likely try to organise themselves better and show more bite than against Sale, but Bristol will attempt to keep the expansive play that has treated them well so far this season.
Prediction: Tigers by 3
Newcastle Falcons v Bath
Kingston Park seems to have its magic back this year, with a couple of huge wins already for the unfancied Falcons.
Bath sits top with only a defeat to Bristol in the second round of fixtures stopping them from having a perfect win record.
The losing finalists of last year have shown that they are good value for going one step better this year, with some huge wins that have shown both quality and know-how.
BATH, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 06: Will Muir of Bath Rugby with the ball during the Investec Champions Cup match between Bath Rugby and Stade Rochelais at The Recreation Ground on December 06, 2024 in Bath, England. (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)
Newcastle will be happy with their start to the season, with a couple of wins already to their name, which is better than what most fans would have expected going into the campaign.
Having won 50% of their home games so far, there is potential for another Newcastle shock, and with it approaching Christmas time, strange results could be on the cards.
Sammy Arnold and Ollie Lawrence go head-to-head in the centre, with the one-time Ireland international being up against it if he is to stop England star Lawrence. If Newcastle are to get anything from this game, their players need to be absolutely impeccable and Bath need to have an off day.
Prediction: Bath by 12
READ MORE: It’s time for Bath to take control
Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
Sale’s form so far this season can effectively be put into two categories: home and away. They have been unstoppable at the Salford Community Stadium and extremely poor on their travels.
For this game against winless Exeter, this is a good omen for the Sharks. Their opposition may have not won yet, but performances have been there, and the consensus is that they have simply not been clinical enough in either 22.
Sale DoR Alex Sanderson has spoken about not making this a physical game, as that is where Exeter are dangerous. Should the visitors be able to assert dominance on the hosts, they stand a chance of breaking their duck.
Tom Roebuck is unfortunate on England duty that he has one of the best wingers in the game ahead of him, in Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. Roebuck has been in some outstanding form recently and scored a lovely try against Racing 92 last week.
This game represents a good chance for Roebuck to show that he is capable of outperforming Feyi-Waboso and potentially helping in his quest to become a consistent England player.
Prediction: Sharks by 15
Saracens v Northampton Saints
Saints have failed to impress after their title-winning campaign of last year, sitting in a lowly eighth place and looking a good distance away from the top four. The poor nature of the start to the season means that games like these are pretty must-win.
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Fraser Dingwall of Northampton celebrates with team-mates after scoring their first try during the Investec Champions Cup match between Northampton Saints and Castres Olympique at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens on December 07, 2024 in Northampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Saracens occupy fourth now but suffered an embarrassing loss to Newcastle in their last Premiership game. Bouncing back by any means necessary will likely be the mentality of Sarries going into it.
Northampton have shown flashes of brilliance, such as in their huge win at home to Sale, but as is the case with much of the league, inconsistency has had a huge effect on them.
Ben Earl and Tom Pearson are two of the best flankers in the league, with both being on the fringes of England contention. This game is a good chance for them to showcase their talent against direct opposition and potentially propel up the pecking order.
It could be a scrappy game, so winning this battle will also have a large bearing on the game.
Prediction: Saracens by 5
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