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For eight of the twelve competitors the 2015-2016 Aviva Premiership is coming to a close this weekend. Week 22 marks the final round of regular competition with the top four advancing to contest the Semi Finals later this month. Already confirmed as the top four are Saracens, the Exeter Chiefs, Wasps and the Leicester Tigers. The only question is who will face who and where in the Semi Finals.
To prevent any club having an advantage over another all six matches are to be played simultaneously. Strugglers Bath will host the already-qualified Leicester Tigers in a dead-rubber. With Leicester already in the Semi Finals the Tigers lineup is to be second-string. Marcos Ayerza will not play nor will Horacio Agulla who has made his final appearance for Bath.
Having been saved from relegation the Newcastle Falcons are already preparing for next season. The team’s home fixture against the Sale Sharks is of no consequence to the Falcons. For Sale, however, it could mean qualification for the European Champions Cup. The club needs to overtake the Harlequins who host the Exeter Chiefs.
Involved for Newcastle this weekend will be Juan Pablo Socino and Belisario Agulla. Socino has been named to start at inside center with Agulla set to be a replacement outside back. Not included are Eagles Todd Clever and Eric Fry. Either or both may yet be playing PRO Rugby very shortly.
Unfortunately for London Irish the relegated club is still required to play this weekend, doing so against Semi Finalists the Wasps in Coventry. Canadians Ciaran Hearn and Jebb Sinclair have both been named as replacements for the Exiles.
Sixways ought to be the setting for some thrilling rugby as the Worcester Warriors host Saracens in the remaining fixture. The visitors remain the favorites to win the title but need to juggle the Premiership with next weekend’s European Champions Cup Final in Lyon, France. Starting this weekend will be Chris Wyles and Marcelo Bosch on the left wing and outside center respectively. Juan Figallo, Titi Lamositele and Hayden Smith are all to feature from the bench.
