It is another big weekend in the Aviva Premiership this weekend, with important games at both the top and bottom of the table spread across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The highlight of the weekend looks likely to be Northampton v Leicester in the classic midlands derby, both sides had narrow victories last week, with Northampton involved in one of the most spectacular games of the season against London Wasps.

The result from Friday night’s encounter between Gloucester and Harlequins could have a big impact on the Midlands derby too. Over the course of the Six Nations Harlequins have slipped down to 3^rd, with defeat against Saracens last week a real killer blow, they now sit just a point above Northampton, with Gloucester snapping at their heels in 5^th.

The big story of the week though has been the RFU’s decision to uphold their sanction against London Welsh, who have been docked five points for fielding an ineligible player and as a result they now sit five points adrift of Sale at the foot of the table.

The misery is compounded for Welsh as they face a tricky away trip to The Rec to face Bath on Saturday, whilst an improving Sale have an eminently winnable game against London Irish on Sunday, meaning the Exiles could find themselves even further adrift by the end of the weekend.

Worcester and Exeter both play on Saturday afternoon too, Exeter suffered a narrow defeat to Leicester last week, while Worcester took a bit of a beating from London Irish that they will be looking to rectify in the strongest possible terms on Saturday.

Wasps v Saracens completes the fixtures line up this weekend, they play on Saturday afternoon with Saracens looking to back up that tremendous victory against Harlequins last week, whilst London Wasps will want to translate the excitement and flair that they have been showing into a valuable win, a win which could see them put real pressure on the top four.

Whatever happens, the table is likely to have a very different feel to it on Sunday evening as the top six all playing other sides in the top six, while the bottom six all do likewise in their half of the division.

The dogfight for 3^rd and 4^th place looks likely to become very interesting, with Gloucester and Wasps really beginning to find form and put pressure on those in the play off places.

As ever though, the Midlands derby will dominate with all eyes pointing towards Franklin’s Garden’s, Saints’ Coach Jim Mallinder has said that his side ‘owe Leicester one’, and agrees that this weekend could be key:

“The top six are playing each other this weekend and lots can happen, we have got momentum, we have won four on the bounce and it’d be fantastic if we could get that win against Leicester and make it five.”

Fixtures (predictions in bold):

Friday

Gloucester v Harlequins

Saturday

Bath v London Welsh

Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers

London Wasps v Saracens

Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs

Sunday

London Irish v Sale