| At the top Gloucester Rugby travel to London Wasps in this weekend’s Round 21 with Ian McGeechan’s team looking to continue their fantastic recent run with a ninth straight Premiership win. Should they achieve that they could move within a point of Gloucester – while the way would be open for Bath Rugby to go to the top if they overcome Saracens in front of the Sky Sports cameras on Saturday evening.
Saracens, back from their valiant Heineken Cup effort, will need a bonus point win at The Rec. if they are to have any hope of returning to the premier European Competition next season.
Of the other play off contenders Harlequins meet Sale Sharks, with both still eyeing a top four finish, while Leicester Tigers are at Newcastle Falcons.
London Irish, who will want to get back to the Heineken Cup next season after their run this year, will need to win against relegated Leeds Carnegie – while a bonus point victory could keep their outside hopes of a semi final place alive.
ROUND 21 FIXTURES
Saturday 3rd May
Bristol Rugby v Worcester Warriors (Memorial Stadium) 3pm
Bath Rugby v Saracens(Recreation Ground) 6pm. Live on Sky Sports.
Sunday 4th May
Harlequins v Sale Sharks (Twickenham Stoop) 3pm
London Irish v Leeds Carnegie (Madejski Stadium) 3pm
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby (Adams Park) 3pm
Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers (Kingston Park) 3pm
ROUND 14 (Delayed) FIXTURE
Wednesday 7th May
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps (Kingston Park) 8pm
ROUND 20 PREVIEWS
Bristol Rugby v Worcester Warriors
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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Date
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Venue
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B
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W
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Bristol Rugby scorers
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Worcester Warriors scorers
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Fri 18 Nov 05
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Sixways
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15
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24
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Joe El Abd(T) David Lemi(T) Jason Strange(C/P)
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Thinus Delport(T) Aisea Havili Kaufusi(T) Shane Drahm(C/4P)
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Fri 27 Jan 06
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Memorial Stadium
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23
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26
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Lee Robinson(T) Jason Strange(T/2C/3P)
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Aisea Havili Kaufusi(T) Drew Hickey(T) Shane Drahm(2C/4P)
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Sat 2 Sep 06
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Sixways
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41
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11
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Gareth Llewellyn(T) Lee Robinson(2T) Craig Morgan(T) Shaun Perry(T) Jason Strange(2C/4P)
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Phil Murphy(T) Shane Drahm(2P)
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Sat 7 Apr 07
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Memorial Stadium
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22
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17
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Danny Gray(2C/D) Sam Cox(T) David Lemi(2T)
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Shane Drahm(2C/P) Mark Tucker(T) Thinus Delport(T)
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Sat 26 Jan 08
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Sixways
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5
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25
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Tom Arscott(T)
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Loki Crichton(2C/2P) Pat Sanderson(T) Greg Rawlinson(T) Dale Rasmussen(T)
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Bristol Rugby have lost their last four matches in the Guinness Premiership including three successive home defeats at Memorial Stadium.
European Challenge Cup finalists Worcester Warriors have lost back to back games in the Guinness Premiership
Worcester won 25-5 when the two teams met at Sixways on 26 January. The Warriors have won twice before at Memorial Stadium: 10-3 in National One in November 2003 and 26-23 in the Premiership in January 2006.
Bath Rugby v Saracens
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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Date
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Venue
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B
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S
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Bath Rugby scorers
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Saracens scorers
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Sat 1 Jan 05
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Recreation Ground
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6
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13
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Olly Barkley(2P)
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Richard Haughton(T) Glen Jackson(C/2P)
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Sun 13 Nov 05
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Recreation Ground
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12
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12
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Andy Dunne(3P) Michael Stephenson(D)
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Glen Jackson(4P)
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Sun 12 Feb 06
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Vicarage Road
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34
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29
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Frikkie Welsh(T) James Hudson(T) David Bory(T) Alex Crockett(T) Chris Malone(4C/2P)
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Penalty Try(2T) Steffon Armitage(2T) Glen Jackson(3C/P)
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Sun 15 Oct 06
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Vicarage Road
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23
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55
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Nick Abendanon(T) Jonny Fa'amatuainu(T) Olly Barkley(C/3P) Shaun Berne(C)
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Kameli Ratuvou(T) Matt Cairns(T) Kevin Yates(T) Ben Johnston(T) Rodd Penney(2T) Glen Jackson(4C/D/4P) Ross Laidlaw(C)
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Sat 24 Feb 07
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Recreation Ground
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20
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20
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Olly Barkley(2C/2P) David Bory(T) Chris Malone(T)
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Richard Hill(T) Tomas De Vedia(T) Glen Jackson(2C/2P)
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Sun 27 Jan 08
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Vicarage Road
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20
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26
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Olly Barkley(T/C/P) Butch James(T) Jonny Fa'amatuainu(T)
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Glen Jackson(2C/4P) Brent Russell(2T)
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Bath Rugby reached the final of the European Challenge Cup with their 36-14 semi-final victory over Sale on Saturday. Bath have won their last four matches in all competitions.
Saracens have lost their last three matches in all competitions. Sarries have also lost five in a row away from home in the Guinness Premiership – their poorest away run since 2003/04.
Bath’s only win in their last four encounters with Saracens was 31-30 in last season’s European Challenge Cup semi-final. Saracens have won just once in their last six visits to the Rec.
Harlequins v Sale Sharks
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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Date
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Venue
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H
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S
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Harlequins scorers
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Sale Sharks scorers
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Fri 19 Dec 03
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Edgeley Park
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27
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27
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Ceri Jones(T) Jim Evans(T) Simon Keogh(T) Andy Dunne(3C/2P)
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Jos Baxendell(T) Mark Cueto(2T) Braam Van Straaten(3C/2P)
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Fri 19 Nov 04
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Edgeley Park
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19
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13
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Simon Keogh(T) Jeremy Staunton(C/4P)
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Robert Todd(T) Byron Hayward(C/2P)
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Sat 30 Apr 05
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Twickenham Stoop
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22
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23
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Jeremy Staunton(T/2C/P) James Hayter(T) Gavin Duffy(T)
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Steve Hanley(T) Mark Cueto(T) Charlie Hodgson(2C/3P)
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Fri 24 Nov 06
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Edgeley Park
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12
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17
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Adrian Jarvis(4P)
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Daniel Larrechea(D/3P) Magnus Lund(T)
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Sat 28 Apr 07
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Twickenham Stoop
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49
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0
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Mel Deane(T) Ceri Jones(2T) Andrew Mehrtens(T/5C/D/2P) Mike Brown(2T)
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|
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Fri 25 Jan 08
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Edgeley Park
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13
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20
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Adrian Jarvis(C/2P) Tani Fuga(T)
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Oriol Ripol Fortuny(T) Charlie Hodgson(2C/P) Chris Jones(T) Luke McAlister(P)
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Harlequins 6-13 loss at London Irish last time out ended a four game winning run for Dean Richards’s men. Quins have won their last four matches at the Twickenham Stoop.
Sale Sharks have won four of their last five games in the Guinness Premiership, but have lost three of their last four away matches in all competitions.
Harlequins have won just one of their last five games against Sale in all competitions. The Sharks won 49-0 on their last visit to the Stoop in April 2007.
London Irish v Leeds Carnegie
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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Date
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Venue
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LI
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LC
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London Irish scorers
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Leeds Carnegie scorers
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Fri 6 Feb 04
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Headingley Carnegie
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16
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9
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Geoff Appleford(T) Mark Mapletoft(C/P) Barry Everitt(2D)
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Gordon Ross(3P)
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Sat 16 Oct 04
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Madejski Stadium
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12
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16
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Barry Everitt(4P)
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Dan Hyde(T) Gordon Ross(C/D/2P)
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Fri 28 Jan 05
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Headingley Carnegie
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5
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16
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Scott Staniforth(T)
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Andre Snyman(T) Gordon Ross(C/3P)
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Sat 3 Sep 05
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Twickenham
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27
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11
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Rodd Penney(T) Delon Armitage(T) Justin Bishop(T) Kieron Dawson(T) Barry Everitt(2C/P)
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Tom Biggs(T) Gordon Ross(2P)
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Sat 15 Apr 06
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Madejski Stadium
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28
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24
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Declan Danaher(T) Nils Mordt(T) Delon Armitage(T) Riki Flutey(2C/3P)
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Justin Marshall(T) Chris Bell(T) Tom Biggs(T) Nathan Thomas(T) Roland De Marigny(C) Gordon Ross(C)
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Sun 27 Jan 08
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Headingley Carnegie
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26
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24
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Delon Armitage(T) Tomas De Vedia(T) Peter Hewat(2P) Sailosi Tagicakibau(T) David Paice(T)
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Tom Biggs(T) Alberto Di Bernardo(C/4P) Leigh Hinton(T)
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London Irish have won their last three matches in the Guinness Premiership since losing 16-19 at Bath on 22 March. The Exiles have won 11 of their last 12 outings at Madejski Stadium in all competitions.
Leeds Carnegie have suffered three straight defeats in the Guinness Premiership and have not won an away game in the Premiership since a 16-12 win at Bath on 25 November 2005.
London Irish have beaten Leeds in each of their last three encounters. Leeds have not won in Reading since a 16-12 victory in the Premiership on 16 October 2004.
London Wasps v Gloucester Rugby
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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|
|
Date
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Venue
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L
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G
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London Wasps scorers
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Gloucester Rugby scorers
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|
Mon 27 Dec 04
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Adams Park
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33
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20
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Jonny O'Connor(T) Josh Lewsey(T) Simon Shaw(T) Mark Van Gisbergen(3C/4P)
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James Forrester(T) Henry Paul(5P)
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Mon 26 Dec 05
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Adams Park
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32
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25
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John Hart(T) Paul Sackey(T) Simon Shaw(T) Josh Lewsey(T) Alex King(3C/P) Mark Van Gisbergen(P)
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Ludovic Mercier(T/2C/2P) Penalty Try(T) James Bailey(T)
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Sat 6 May 06
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Kingsholm
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37
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32
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Joe Worsley(2T) Mark Van Gisbergen(T/4C/3P) Paul Sackey(T)
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Anthony Allen(2T) Ryan Lamb(T/3C/2P) James Bailey(T)
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Sat 18 Nov 06
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Kingsholm
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21
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27
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James Haskell(T) Mark Van Gisbergen(C/3P) Joe Ward(T)
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Anthony Allen(T) James Bailey(T) Willie Walker(C/5P)
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|
Tue 26 Dec 06
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Adams Park
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33
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12
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Danny Cipriani(C) Alex King(3C) Tom Palmer(2T) James Haskell(T) Paul Sackey(T) Tom Voyce(T)
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Anthony Allen(T) Rory Lawson(T) Mike Tindall(C)
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Sat 26 Jan 08
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Kingsholm
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17
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18
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Dominic Waldouck(T) James Buckland(T) Danny Cipriani(2C/P)
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Ryan Lamb(6P)
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London Wasps have won eight games in succession in the Guinness Premiership, since losing 17-18 to today’s opponents at Kingsholm on 26 January. Wasps have won their last 13 home games in all competitions.
League leading Gloucester Rugby have won their last two games in the Guinness Premiership, but away from home have lost their last six matches in all competitions.
Gloucester have already visited Adams Park this season; losing 26-29 in the EDF Energy Cup on 4 November. Wasps have won their last 20 home games in all competitions against Gloucester – their last victory on Wasps soil being 23-19 at Sudbury in the 3rd round of the Pilkington Cup on 27 January 1990.
Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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|
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Date
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Venue
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N
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L
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Newcastle Falcons scorers
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Leicester Tigers scorers
|
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Sat 19 Feb 05
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Welford Road
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10
|
83
|
Mark Mayerhofler(T) Tom May(C/P)
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Austin Healey(T) Ollie Smith(2T) Daryl Gibson(T) Leon Lloyd(2T) Henry Tuilagi(T) Neil Back(2T) Will Johnson(T) Geordan Murphy(T) Andy Goode(11C/2P)
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|
Fri 14 Oct 05
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Welford Road
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16
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16
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Robbie Morris(T) Jonny Wilkinson(D/P) Matt Burke(C/P)
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James Hamilton(T) Andy Goode(C/3P)
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|
Fri 24 Feb 06
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Kingston Park
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24
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16
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Matt Burke(7P) Tom May(D)
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Henry Tuilagi(T) Ian Humphreys(3P) Sam Vesty(C)
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|
Sun 7 Jan 07
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Kingston Park
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31
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29
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Toby Flood(T/2C/4P) John Rudd(2T)
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Andy Goode(T/2C/4P) Leon Lloyd(T) Sam Vesty(P)
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|
Sat 27 Jan 07
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Welford Road
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5
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39
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Anthony Elliott(T)
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Jordan Crane(T) Marcos Ayerza(T) Ian Humphreys(C) Paul Burke(3C/2P) Shane Jennings(T) Tom Varndell(2T)
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|
Sat 26 Jan 08
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Welford Road
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14
|
41
|
Toby Flood(T) Jonny Wilkinson(3P)
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Jordan Crane(T) Martin Corry(T) Marcos Ayerza(T) Andy Goode(3C/D/4P) Johne Murphy(T)
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Newcastle Falcons have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions since February: 40-13 against Castres in the quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup on 5 April 2008. The Falcons’ last home win in the Guinness Premiership was 16-14 over Saracens in 17 February.
Leicester Tigers’ 32-14 victory over Bristol at Welford Road on 19 April ended a three game losing run in all competitions. Tigers’ have lost their last three away games in all competitions.
The last four encounters between the two clubs have been won by the home side on the day. Leicester’s only win in their last six visits to Kingston Park since August 2000 was 44-15 on 2 October 2004.
ROUND 14 (Delayed) PREVIEW
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps
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HEAD TO HEAD - RECENT PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS
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|
|
Date
|
Venue
|
N
|
L
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Newcastle Falcons scorers
|
London Wasps scorers
|
|
Sun 6 Feb 05
|
Kingston Park
|
29
|
28
|
Mark Wilkinson(T) Phil Dowson(T) Tom May(2C/3P) Dave Walder(2P)
|
Mike Roberts(2T) Ayoola Erinle(T) Mark Van Gisbergen(2C/3P)
|
|
Sun 27 Nov 05
|
Kingston Park
|
17
|
15
|
Mike McCarthy(T) Jamie Noon(T) Matt Burke(2C) Dave Walder(P)
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Paul Sackey(T) Jeremy Staunton(T) Mark Van Gisbergen(C/P)
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|
Sun 8 Jan 06
|
Adams Park
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6
|
21
|
Matt Burke(2P)
|
Paul Sackey(2T) Matt Dawson(T) Mark Van Gisbergen(P) Jeremy Staunton(P)
|
|
Sun 15 Oct 06
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Adams Park
|
15
|
35
|
Mathew Tait(T) Jamie Noon(T) Toby Flood(C/P)
|
Dan Leo(T) Tom Voyce(T) Tom Rees(T) Paul Sackey(T) Josh Lewsey(T) Jeremy Staunton(2C/2P)
|
|
Fri 23 Feb 07
|
Kingston Park
|
37
|
11
|
Matt Burke(T) Loki Crichton(3C/2P) Joe McDonnell(T) Jamie Noon(T) Matt Thompson(T) Mark Mayerhofler(T)
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Dave Walder(2P) Mark McMillan(T)
|
|
Sun 25 Nov 07
|
Adams Park
|
12
|
35
|
Jon Golding(T) Steve Jones(C) David Wilson(T)
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Danny Cipriani(2T/2C/2P) Riki Flutey(T) Paul Sackey(2T)
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This rearranged round 14 game was originally postponed due to high winds on 29 February.
Newcastle Falcons host Leicester Tigers in the Guinness Premiership on Sunday.
London Wasps play at home to Gloucester on Sunday, and have won their last four away games in the Guinness Premiership since their 17-18 reversal at Gloucester on 26 January.
The two sides have already met twice this season at Adams Park, with Wasps winning both encounters 35-12 in the Guinness Premiership and 24-6 in the EDF Energy Cup. Wasps have not won at Kingston Park since a 23-20 victory in the Premiership on 29 November 2003.
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