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It’s back to a full slate of action in European club rugby as the Aviva Premiership returns for Round 18 of 22. Starting things off on Friday afternoon is a pivotal match for Bristol as they host Gloucester at Ashton Gate. Gastón Cortes will start at tighthead prop in a game that Bristol must win if they hope to stave off relegation. With only a handful of opportunities left this game will have been targeted by the coaching staff as a possible five-pointer.
Saturday has two games of interest for Americas fans. AJ MacGinty starts for Sale Sharks in a tough match away at Sandy Park to play Exeter Chiefs. The Sharks have had a rough season but are still a dozen points up on Bristol and while not quite mathematically in the clear, it would take a serious meltdown for them to see the drop from this position.
Newcastle Falcons march on Harlequins at The Stoop in what is a winnable match for the club in the midst of revival. Juan Pablo Socino continues in the midfield beside former Ohio Aviators star Dom Waldouck for Falcons, but Evan Olmstead will have to wait his turn on the bench. Dean Richards has instead opted for greater mobility with flanker Mark Wilson shifting to the second row. St. Lucia native Marland Yarde mans the right wing for home side Harlequins.
Joe Taufete’e will celebrate his new extended deal with Worcester as he runs out in the front row once again for Warriors against table-toppers Wasps on Sunday. With a seven-point buffer over Bristol his side look in decent shape but even a losing bonus point at this stage could be decisive in the fight to stay up.
Defending champions Saracens are six points short of Wasps and will field their strongest available side at Allianz Park against visiting Bath. Juan Figallo and Marcelo Bosch continue in their usual spots of tighthead prop and outside center respectively, with another Eagles front rower in Titi Lamositele occupying a reserve prop role on the bench.
