Filed under: Rugby Union, Premiership
The Six Nations may be in full flow, but it hasn't stopped the Aviva Premiership from stealing the headlines. Tony Hanks and Andy Key have left their positions at London Wasps and Leeds Carnegie respectively after below-par seasons.And even though the glut of internationals will be missing as the Six Nations championship takes a one-week break, it doesn't mean the latest round of games take on less importance.
MATCH OF THE WEEKEND:
Leicester Tigers v Wasps
Welford Road, Saturday January 19. Kick off: 1730 GMT
If heading to leaders Leicester wasn't a tough another task, Wasps are now searching for a new coach. With Hanks' 21-month reign over, Shaun Edwards will step up into caretaker role. But he's been away on international duty with Wales so Wasps' preparations have been hit and they must be fearing the worst. The Londoners have won only one of their last six games and Hanks has paid for price for struggling to replace the likes of Danny Cipriani and Tom Palmer.
Key man: Tom Croft (Leicester)
Key stat: Leicester have opened up a six-point lead at the top - thanks to their eight bonus points.
Key quote: "It's going to be tough we know that. Wasps are a good side and we've got lots of guys missing on international duty." Leicester coach Richard Cockerill.
BEST OF THE REST:
Bath v Northampton Saints
The Rec, Saturday February 19. Kick off: 1500 GMT
Lewis Moody is poised to return from injury and the Bath flanker will be desperate to enhance his international prospects. The England captain knows Martin Johnson will be watching against a Northampton side still smarting from back-to-back defeats. Hit by the international programme more than most, it leaves Jim Mallinder's side facing an uphill task if they want to remain in title contention.
Key man: Nick Abendanon (Bath)
Key stat: Bath are the Premiership's form team having won six out of seven games in 2011.
Key quote: "We don't want to be rushing Lewis back but he will have to get through everything first and please all the medical staff." Bath coach Steve Meehan.
Newcastle v Exeter Chiefs
Kingston Park, Friday February 18. Kick off: 2000 GMT
Newcastle will have targeted this match as they bid to ease their relegation fears. The north-east side are being pegged back by Leeds and are in danger of dropping to the foot of the table. They need a win here against a newly-promoted Exeter side who have lost their way following their impressive start in the top-flight. But a win over Harlequins last time out gave them much-needed breathing space and they should have already done enough to preserve their spot at this level next season.
Key man: Euan Murray (Newcastle)
Key stat: This is the fourth time these two sides have met this season.
Key quote: "We talked after the Harlequins game and said the disappointment would be if we don't follow it up." Exeter coach Rob Baxter.
Gloucester v London Irish
Kingsholm Stadium, Friday, February 18. Kick off: 1945 GMT
This game could well play a huge part in these respective side's play-off ambitions this term with Gloucester sat in fourth spot and Irish in fifth. Irish will be desperate to avenge their woeful 41-8 LV=Cup loss against Gloucester just two weeks ago. Fourth placed Gloucester will not be helped by the loss of James Simpson-Daniel who is injured but will feel confident that the return of Rory and Scott Lawson from international duty will help their cause while for Irish, Chris Malone comes in for Ryan Lamb at fly-half while Faan Rautenbach replaces Paulica Ion in the front row.
Key man: Olly Morgan (Gloucester)
Key stat: Just a single point separates these two sides in the Premiership although Gloucester have two games in hand.
Key quote: "They didn't perform well last time and they'll be here to prove a point. They got a win last weekend and they'll have nothing to lose coming to Gloucester. They'll learn from the last two weeks and they'll be fired up. Gloucester coach Bryan Redpath
Harlequins v Sale
Twickenham Stoop, Saturday, February 19. Kick off: 1500 GMT
Quins have won four of their last six games and will be hoping to continue that impressive run against a Sale side that has struggled this season. Quins loss to Exeter Chiefs last weekend will not have helped their confidence, particularly as they are still trying to force their way into play-off reckoning. Sale have underperformed but the fact renowned Munster prop Tony Buckley has agreed to join the club will convince many that their ambitions remain as high as ever.
Key man: Nick Evans (Harlequins)
Key stat: Of the 25 times these sides have played in the Premiership, Sale have won a surprising 17 of them.
Key quote: "The season is slowly building up to an exciting crescendo for all Quins fans, and this weekend is one of only eight regular season games left for us to try and make the top four. Last weekend was of course very frustrating for everyone involved with the club, and it was an unwelcome end to the winning run that we have worked so hard for in the last couple of months." Quins' Mark Lambert
DON'T WAIT UP FOR:
Saracens v Leeds Carnegie
Vicarage Road, Sunday February 20. Kick off: 1500 GMT
The removal of Key from the Leeds' job will cast a shadow over this game for the visitors and it is a shadow they can ill-afford as they sit bottom of the league. Their weekend is hardly likely to get any better by having to visit second placed Sarries, who have won four of their last five games even though the home side have been rocked by the loss of flanker Jacques Burger who injured his knee against Northampton last week. The numbers are against Leeds as well as they have not won at Vicarage Road since 2004.
Key man: David Strettle (Saracens)
Key stat: In the 15 Premiership matches between them, Saracens have scored 360 points while Leeds have 260 to their name.
Key quote: "First of all, I would like to say that I am proud of the achievements we have made here at Leeds Carnegie during my time at the club. Whilst I am disappointed not to be seeing the vision through to its conclusion, having met with the management, I understand the direction they want to take the club in." Leeds departing director of rugby Key.
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