Round three of Super Rugby continues on Saturday while there are also games in the Premiership and PRO14 this weekend.
Let’s see who will come out on top.
SUPER RUGBY
Sunwolves v Rebels
Preview: The Sunwolves will be looking for their first triumph of the season when they host the Melbourne Rebels at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.
Prediction: The Rebels to make it two from two. Rebels by 20.
Crusaders v Stormers:
Preview: The Crusaders will be hoping to continue with their impressive start to the campaign when they host the Stormers in Christchurch on Saturday.
Prediction: The champions won't have too much trouble in seeing off their visitors from Cape Town. Crusaders to win by 15 points.
Sharks v Waratahs
Preview: Despite enduring contrasting fortunes in the opening two rounds of the season, both of these sides will be seeking an improvement this weekend.
Prediction: Results over the past few years have shown that playing at home is an advantage when these sides go head-to-head and we see no reason for that to change, particularly with the South Africans looking an improved outfit. Sharks by 8.
Bulls v Lions
Preview: Plenty of expectation awaits the Bulls and the Lions when the two teams do battle in a Super Rugby round three match-up at Loftus Versfeld.
Prediction: We expect a close game, but the Lions have the bulk of the team which has taken them to two consecutive Super Rugby finals in the past two seasons and their experience should prove the difference at the end of the 80 minutes.Lions to win by 10 points.
Jaguares v Hurricanes
Preview: Three games between them and not one victory for the Jaguares and Hurricanes ahead of their Super Rugby clash in Buenos Aires on Saturday.
Prediction: The visitors should have too much quality in broken play and will punish the Jaguares if the game opens up. Hurricanes by 15.
PREMIERSHIP
Following the postponement of the Harlequins v Bath game until Sunday, proceedings begin on Saturday with Northampton Saints against Sale Sharks and Gloucester facing Newcastle Falcons.
Northampton have improved since Alan Gaffney’s arrival and they will host a Sale team that have lost their previous two matches. Meanwhile, the other encounter on that day sees a battle between two play-off chasers, with the Cherry and Whites, who reside in sixth, looking to overtake Newcastle in the table.
The final four games, weather depending, are therefore due to take place on Sunday. The contest of the round sees Exeter play Saracens, while Bath and Leicester will be hoping to boost their top-four credentials by overcoming Harlequins and Worcester respectively.
Here’s our predictions:
Northampton v Sale: Northampton by 5
Gloucester v Newcastle: Gloucester by 4
Exeter v Saracens: Exeter by 2
Harlequins v Bath: Bath by 8
Wasps v London Irish: Wasps by 20
Worcester v Leicester: Worcester by 4
PRO14
Cheetahs v Connacht
After the cancellation of five matches, only one game will take place on Saturday with the Cheetahs taking on Connacht.
The South African outfit have enjoyed a good campaign in their first season in the PRO14 and have been particularly strong at home.
Connacht, meanwhile, have struggled, although they could close the gap on their opponents in Conference A following a victory. Only Glasgow Warriors have managed to overcome the hosts in Bloemfontein, however, so it could be a long night for the Irish province. Cheetahs by 10.
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