Gallagher Premiership Predictions: Round 2 - Bristol Bears triumph in West Country derby

We have tasked the Ruck writing staff to come up with their predictions for each match, ahead of what promises to be another thrilling weekend of Premiership rugby action. Bristol and Gloucester commence the schedule with their 19:45 kick off tonight, with Pat Lam's home undefeated streak against the Cherry and Whites on the line at Ashton Gate.

"After last weeks victory against Newcastle, I think Bristol should come into the game brimming with confidence and ready to go again. However, it’s derby day and Gloucester have a number of world class players, such as Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe so I think it’ll be a really exciting game, with a lot of open play rugby. My prediction is that Bristol edge Gloucester, scoring late to win by eight points."

"Gloucester will be hoping for an improved performance against fellow West-Country side Bristol Bears. After a disappointing performance against Saracens on the opening weekend, The Cherry and Whites will be looking to cause an upset against a Bears side who narrowly missed out on the play offs last season. I think the Bears will scrape a victory by about 5-10 points, especially with the backing of the home crowd."

"Quins welcome Newcastle to the Stoop on Saturday and I can only see it going one way. (Harlequins win). Newcastle look stronger under Steve Diamond but this will be a huge mountain to climb Quins showed huge amounts of resilience in defence last week and that can hurt a Newcastle side that struggle ball in hand. With Captain Alex Dombrandt out injured and Vice Captain Cadan Murley still out who will take the armband against Newcastle?"

"After a tight losing finish against Sale, Harlequins will be looking to bounce back against Newcastle. The Falcons showed positive defence in their first game, but lacked any major attack and any use of their set piece. Meanwhile, Harlequins are back at the stoop for the first time this season, looking to right their wrongs from a nervy match in Sale. I don’t think Newcastle have much going for them playing away, with Harlequins looking much more like a finished article to their opponents. I think it’ll be a 40+ point whitewash of the Falcons down at the stoop."

"Both sides enter the second round of the Premiership with a win, yet it was Saracens that recorded the more convincing victory of the opening weekend. Sale won by a whisker against Harlequins, with the one-point margin going down to the wire thanks to the boot of George Ford and an initial uncharacteristic Leigh Halfpenny missed penalty.

"Saracens put in an impressive performance against Gloucester, with their five try win laying down a marker in the opening round. The new Sarries fly half Fergus Burke stepped up into Owen Farrell's boots, but had a mixed bag from the tee. Burke added two penalties, but missed three conversions in the 35-26 win. I expect another nail-biter for Sale fans, but I can see the Sharks falling onto the losing side of the score-line this week at the StoneX for a narrow Saracens win."

"Both Sale and Saracens will be hoping to build on opening-day wins, with Sarries looking convincing against Gloucester despite two late tries that flattered their opposition. Sale, on the other hand, scrimmaged well to win 12-11 to Harlequins, with their points all coming from George Ford penalties.

"I think both sides will step it up a gear this week and it will be interesting to see how Gus Warr stands up to the long kicking game provided by Elliot Daly and Ivan van Zyl, as he did well last week with Quins targeting him. My prediction is that it will be a tightly fought contest with Saracens’ home advantage pushing them over the line to a 25-21 victory."

"A game for the forwards to shine at the Gardens on Saturday. It will be down to who can dominate the set piece and find the space for the backs. Exeter have dangers of their own in the likes of Feyi-Waboso, however, I think Northampton have the stronger squad going into Saturday and will benefit from a home-crowd advantage. I think Phil Dowson's men make a big statement with a bonus point win and the score will be 28-15 Saints."

Tom Sansom's prediction: (Chief Rugby Writer)

It was a heartbreaking way for the Chiefs to start their new season last weekend, as a last minute Leicester Tigers try snatched the points out of their grasp. Rob Baxter's men will be looking to rally back for their second round, and take home the bragging rights from this West Country derby against the blue, black and whites.

However, the Chiefs are currently in the midst of an injury crisis, with multiple first XV stars out of action. The likes of Henry Slade, Dafydd Jenkins and Duane Vermeulen stay on the sidelines, whilst Northampton boast a stunning back-line of blistering England internationals. The advantage has to sway towards the Saints for this one, with Phil Dowson's men eager to lay down a marker at Franklin's Gardens, with a solid eight-point win to climb up off the bottom of the Premiership table.

"Both Tigers and Bath start the season with victories, Bath more convincingly. Leicester will need to be physical than they were in Exeter, needing more moments like Freddie Steward on Chiefs centre Joe Hawkins. However Tigers have a great record against Bath home and away but i predict Bath to maul the Tigers this weekend."

Leicester vs Bath is always one of the games of the season, and this Sunday should be no different. After a winning start to life last week for Micheal Cheika in the Premiership, now for his first home game at Welford Road, which should give the Tigers that extra edge, but can they use it?

Bath were one of the favourites for the title heading into the start of the new season, and after last week's dominant victory of Northampton, it looks like they were right to be called that. The form books say Bath should win, Ben Spencer and Finn Russell look even better as a partnership, while their pack is full of options. However, Welford Road is not a happy hunting ground for the blue-black and white, with just two league wins there since the turn of the decade.

Leicester under Cheika are an unknown quantity, but expect them to show more attacking life than anything they put together, especially with new signing Izaia Perese looking for offloads left, right and centre. However, despite it being Cheika's Welford Road homecoming and Bath's poor record at the Tigers, I think Johann van Graan's side will come away with a victory in a closely fought-contest. Leicester 16- 24 Bath Rugby