It is still all to play for and the only thing guaranteed so far is that Saracens and Leicester Tigers will be playing Heineken Cup rugby again next season. But what do the last three weeks of the season have in store?
Round 20
April 13/14/15
Match of the day is Tigers against Wasps and, with both sides chasing a place in the top four, it’s just like old times. Tigers are the top try-scorers in the Premiership while Wasps have the two top-scoring individuals in wings Tom Varndell and Christian Wade.
Harlequins and Saracens will be chasing points at home, while Gloucester must go to Sale Sharks.
Round 20 Fixtures
Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
London Welsh v Northampton Saints
Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Pointer: Just two points separated Tigers and Wasps at Adams Park in Round 9, and the last eight games between these old rivals have been won by the home side on the day.
Round 21
April 20/21/22
Gloucester against Saracens will provide a full-blooded encounter at Kingsholm. Tigers and Harlequins are on the road and Northampton chase victory in their final home game of the season. The battle of the Exiles is at the Madejski Stadium.
Round 21 fixtures
Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens
London Irish v London Welsh
Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Pointer: London Irish celebrated victory over London Welsh in their only two previous league meetings prior to Round 9 this season. At this stage last season Northampton leap-frogged Exeter and into the last semi-final place with a memorable and vital victory at Sandy Park.
Round 22
May 4
All matches kick-off simultaneously on Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm, with the TV companies waiting to see where to set up their cameras to capture the major drama on the final day of the regular league programme. Is there one fixture that holds the key to the whole conundrum of play-off places, home semi-finals, European slots and settles the fate of a team at the foot of the table?
Round 22 fixtures
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Northampton Saints
Leicester Tigers v London Irish
London Welsh v Worcester Warriors
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
Saracens v Bath Rugby
Pointer: In one of the tightest Premiership seasons ever, it is likely that most parts of the puzzle will not be solved until the last day, with the battle for fifth and sixth – and a Heineken Cup place – ensuring there is somethng to play for at all six venues. Add the long-term implications of any nervy mistake and this is certainly not a day for the faint-hearted – in the stands or on the pitch.
