Predictions: Premiership Rugby Round 6 - Who will step up with England stars absent?

Round Six brings about the end of the first 'block' of Premiership matches, before the Autumn Nations Series takes centre stage. Replacing the domestic league for the clubs will be the return of the Premiership Rugby Cup, with the Premiership and Championship clubs commencing their respective campaigns, as they work towards winning the first available piece of silverware of the season.

After the double header of Friday night fixtures last weekend, there is one sole match this evening, before a trio of Premiership matches make for a busy Saturday afternoon. Sunday's singular fixture sees Harlequins make the journey down to Devon to take on Exeter Chiefs, with the Londoners eager to bounce back following their heartbreaking last-ditch defeat to Bath last weekend at the Stoop.

Once again, we challenged the Ruck writing staff to come up with their predictions, for the final round of the Premiership ahead of the international break. Here is what we saw after peering into the crystal ball, for Round Six of the Gallagher Premiership.

- 17:30 KO, StoneX Stadium

Friday - Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints

Saturday - Gloucester Rugby v Newcastle Falcons / Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks / Saracens v Leicester Tigers

Sunday - Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins

Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints - 19:45 KO, Ashton Gate

Ruck's Bristol Bears Reporter Ben Thorne will be heading down to Ashton Gate tonight, to see if Pat Lam's side can end their run of defeats at their home ground. Giving his prediction for the match, Thorne wrote;

"After a massive victory over Sale last time out, the Saints will come into the tie full of confidence expecting to get into a similar groove which saw them go on a long unbeaten stretch last term. They face a Bristol side who lost narrowly to Saracens last Saturday and will be looking to get their first win at Ashton Gate for the season.
Both sides play free flowing rugby so I’m expecting another high scoring affair, I think this time Bristol will steal the game late on. Prediction: Bristol Bears 39-35 Northampton Saints."

Ruck's Northampton Saints Reporter Ben Grundy heard from Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, with the boss excited to see who steps up for his side with numerous England stars away in camp. Ben Grundy predicted:

"Northampton Saints are without five key players as they travel down to the south west of the country. It’s big ask to travel to a traditionally high-scoring Ashton Gate fixture and keep up in the back line with so many absentees. I think Saints will struggle and continue a run of away form that does not mirror their potential. It will be a big day for some of the youngsters and a huge result if they prevail. However I think it is too tall and order and Phil Dowson’s side will take their third defeat on the road and lose by 10 points."

Heading down to Kingsholm tomorrow afternoon, is Ruck's West Country reporter Harrison Clifford. After Newcastle secured their first win in the Premiership for 19 months last weekend against Exeter Chiefs, all eyes will be on the Falcons for a win over the Cherry and Whites. Harrison Clifford predicted:

"Newcastle Falcons shook the rugby stage with their home win against Exeter last week, making it their first win after 25 league games. Gloucester Rugby will play host on Saturday at Kingsholm, yet the cherry and whites are yet to see a win at their home terf.

Gloucester are ahead of Newcastle on the table with bonus points, so there’s no doubt it will be a close game which could see Newcastle rise from bottom spot. Or maybe the roar from the Shed will intimidate the Falcons enough to fly away. Gloucester 21 - 14 Newcastle."

Ruck's resident Newcastle Falcons Reporter Harvey Allen gave his thoughts, on whether Steve Diamond's team have what it takes for back-to-back Premiership wins. Harvey Allen wrote;

"Newcastle Falcons will look to build upon their long awaited win with a visit to Gloucester. The hosts have only recorded one win this year too, having faced a tough first five matches.

"Gloucester will still field a strong side, with forward power especially in the back row, and electrifying pace in the back three. Falcons can match the quality player-for-player, but I think the hosts have home advantage and an extra edge over the visitors. Gloucester by 12."

Ruck's Bath Rugby Reporter Sam Jess will be at The Rec, as the Blue, Black and Whites look to build on their recent win over Harlequins. Sam Jess predicted:

"In a repeat of last season's semi-final, both Bath and Sale will be looking to end the first part of the Premiership season with a win. Sale’s away form has been dire, with forty points shipped in both of their away trips, while they have also lost twice at the Rec in 2024.

"Bath have been pretty strong this year but did lose their last home match to Bristol, but with a hefty pack on their side to compact the Sharks strengths and the return of Will Muir, they look strong enough to make it a third win over Sale this year.

"Both sides are losing internationals, which always makes the game interesting, but Bath’s bench has won them games already this season, and that doesn’t look like stopping this week. Bath 24-18 Sale."

Ruck's Northern Rugby Reporter Aled James can see the Sharks coming away with the win. Giving his prediction on the match, he said;

"Sale Sharks aim to return to winning ways following last Fridays disappointing result against Northampton Saints in round five. They face a Bath side, who despite recording four wins in the last five matches, are abundantly flooded with injury problems and rotation with several key players absent ahead of the Autumn Series.

"This could be problematic for the hosts and if Sale can be clinical in their offensive pursuit, I fancy the away side to take the spoils by 10 points."

Saracens v Leicester Tigers - 17:30 KO, StoneX Stadium

Saturday's late kick off comes to you from the StoneX Stadium, with Ruck reporter James Logan set for the trip to North London for the match. Logan said;

"Following a last-minute win away at Bristol Bears for the North London side, Saracens will be excited for their return to the StoneX. Sarries will be missing 8 players due to England’s Autumn international squad, but will provide some of the younger players a great opportunity to put their name in the hat for the starting squad.

"Their opponents Leicester Tigers haven’t started the season the greatest but following their win in the East Midlands Derby and a narrow win against Gloucester they would love to beat those in Red and Black. A real test for a young squad. Saracens 35-28 Leicester."

Midlands Reporter George Wellbelove also expects a close encounter between the two Premiership powerhouses;

"This weekend’s clash will be monumental. In what is surely the pick of the week, both sides will be itching to record a win. Top of the table Saracens will be wanting to maintain their standing whilst Tigers will be trying to upset their opponent’s aims. Expect it to be a close game with a strong battle between both packs taking centre stage. In a rematch of the 2022 Gallagher Premiership final, this is not one to miss. Saracens to edge Leicester by 7."

Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins - 15:00 KO, Twickenham Stoop

After watching on at the Stoop as Harlequins had the win snatched away from them by Bath last Sunday, Ruck Chief Rugby Writer Tom Sansom expects a strong response this weekend. Sansom predicted;

"Both sides will be frustrated by how things ended last weekend, for very different reasons. Harlequins would be gutted to have had the win taken away in the final moments of the match, whilst Exeter will be infuriated by their defeat to Newcastle Falcons.

"The Chiefs were sub-par across the board as they enabled the Falcons to end their 19 month long wait for a win in the Premiership. I can see a fired up Chiefs capitalise on a Quins side, without the likes of Marcus Smith, Joe Marler or Fin Baxter. With Henry Slade back in Devon this week as he tests his match fitness ahead of the Autumn, all signs point to a home field advantage at Sandy Park. Exeter 28 - 14 Harlequins."

Exeter Chiefs Reporter Jack Sanderson added;

"After a shock loss against the leagues favourites to finish bottom place Newcastle, the Chiefs have got another big task ahead of them this weekend against Harlequins who are coming into the game after a tight loss to Bath and a good win against Saracens.

I think due to the Chiefs current form and the fact that they didn't pick up a win against the Falcons last week, it will be a closer game then some might think, but I can't see the Chiefs being able to get past the Quins to pick up their first win of the season, and I think the away side will win quite comfortably"

Ruck's resident Harlequins Reporter George Davis is expecting a win for the Londoners, but understands how anything can happen in the Premiership. Davis wrote;

"A disappointing loss to Bath last week will revitalise this Quins side that finally look like they have a weapon in their defence. Jarrod Evan’s back at 10 is exciting and his match up against Will Haydon-Wood should be tasty. It would also be very Quinsy to lose against a team that hasn’t won all season, so anything could happen. Exeter Chiefs 17-23 Harlequins."