The third round of the Gallagher Premiership commences this evening, with two action-packed matches set to kick off under the iconic ‘Friday night lights’. Round three gets underway across the East Midlands and North West, as Northampton Saints host Harlequins, and Sale Sharks take on Gloucester Rugby in tonight’s double-header.
There is plenty of reason for the Premiership stars to impress, as the contention for international places heats up ahead of next month’s Autumn Series. We have challenged the Ruck writing staff to predict the outcomes of this weekend’s matches, as we peered into the crystal ball once again. Here’s what we found:
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RUCK’s Predictions: 2024/25 Premiership Rugby Round Three
Friday 4th October
Northampton Saints vs Harlequins – 19:45 KO, Franklin’s Gardens
Tom Sansom, Ruck Chief Rugby Writer said: Northampton and Harlequins under the Friday night lights of Franklin’s Gardens, the stage doesn’t get much better for fans of fast-flowing attacking rugby. I predict a win for the Saints, who have the Gardens a real fortress to visit, with Phil Dowson’s side eyeing up back-to-back Premiership wins.
Harlequins enter the match with a real assortment of injury issues, whilst Northampton have a near enough full bill of health with the exception of Alex Mitchell. Both sets of players will be looking to impress England head coach Steve Borthwick, with an enticing battle within the war between competing fly halves Fin and Marcus Smith. A Saints win is expected, but Quins get a losing bonus point.
George Davis, Ruck Harlequins Reporter said: “After their first win of the season Quins will be looking to make it 2 from 3, but there aren’t many harder places to do it than Franklins Gardens. Danny Wilson’s side will be without Cassius Cleaves and Luke Northmore while question marks remain over Leigh Halfpenny’s fitness.
“New Argentine signing Rodrigo Isgro could also feature in what could be a very different looking back three. Wilson is expecting an open game and I agree, but I will struggle to see the London side coming away with anything more than a point. Northampton 37- 28 Quins.”
Sale Sharks vs Gloucester Rugby – 19:45 KO, Salford Community Stadium.
Zaara Altaf, Sale Sharks Reporter said; “With an unfortunate loss for Gloucester in the match against Sale sharks just a few months ago, it could be argued this the opportunity for redemption, however looking at the last 26 games of head to head matches, Gloucester vs Sale, they have achieved substantially more losses than wins. Sale winning 20, Gloucester with 6, it is evident whose performance has been exceeding, this may be history repeating itself once again with Sale coming out on top with the victory.”
Ben Baker, Gloucester Rugby Reporter said: “After a massive win against West Country rivals Bristol Bears, The Cherries will be looking to carry their momentum against a Sale Sharks side who sit eight in the table. I can see this being a very tight game that goes right down to the wire, but I do think Gloucester will win it at the death once again by as little as 5 points, once again playing the attacking rugby they played against the Bears.”