With Gloucester vs Newcastle given the go-ahead in light of the recent weather warning, we take a look at this weekend’s fixtures and what a win might mean for both teams.
In this Saturdays Aviva Premiership match, fourth plays sixth with both teams still hopeful of reaching the playoffs.
Newcastle Falcons are looking to extend their run of good form after recent wins against Bath and Harlequins whilst Gloucester will be looking to get back on track after drawing with Wasps in their last game at the Kingsholm.
In their most recent head-to-head at the start of February, Newcastle ran out 31-19 winners and with the Falcons sitting in fourth, they will be looking to cement their playoff place with a solid performance.
Bath, who currently sit in fifth place, can put pressure on the two teams by beating Harlequins on Friday night. A win would see them move up into that final playoff place, for the time being at least.
If Bath fail to win and Gloucester beat Newcastle, then it would see the Cherry and Whites move up into that coveted fourth position. With only seven Premiership games left of the current season, the race for the playoffs is really heating up.
Gloucester are boosted by the return of Owen Williams from international duty and he is likely to feature in place of the injured Billy Burns, whilst Ross Moriarty also returns to the fold.
When asked about the prospect of moving above Newcastle in the table, Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann told Gloucestershire live:
“Everything in life when you’re in sport matters in the sense of results but the reality is this game will have an influence and the next couple of games will also have an influence.
We must just still strive to play decent rugby and the main thing is you look at the last few weeks and we haven’t really played for the full 80 so that’s the next step for us to start well and to end well.
At this stage we’re getting the one part right but not the other part so that’s where we have to get consistent.”
Kick-off for Gloucester Rugby Vs Newcastle Falcons is at 3:00pm this Saturday at the Kingsholm stadium.
