Premiership Rugby have today confirmed the fixtures for rounds 13-16 of the Gallagher Premiership, with the East Midlands derby taking centre stage.
With the Premiership now reduced to 10 teams, each match is crucial as teams vie for the top four, and that is very much the case with some huge fixtures set to take place at the end of March and early April.
The pick of the bunch in round 13 is undoubtedly the grudge match between Saracens and Harlequins. Quins will be eyeing up a chance to get back at their fellow Londoners following the heavy defeat inflicted on them at the Stoop by Mark McCall’s band of merry men, but can they do it at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?
Elsewhere in round 13, Sale Sharks travel down to Bath in what could be an enthralling encounter, Bristol Bears face table toppers Northampton Saints, Leicester take on Gloucester and Exeter welcome Newcastle Falcons to Sandy Park.
In round 14, Harlequins again take centre stage as they welcome Bath to the Stoop. Both teams are capable of some free-flowing champagne rugby, so this should be another treat for the eyes. Elsewhere, Newcastle take on Leicester, Saracens venture to Franklin’s Gardens to face the Saints, two west-country sides face off in the form of Gloucester and Bristol, and Luke Cowan-Dickie could get his first shot at his old side as Exeter travel north to face Sale.
Round 15 will see the latest instalment of the East Midlands derby as Northampton take on Leicester. The Tigers were victorious last time out, so Phil Dowson’s side will be on the hunt for revenge. Other round 15 fixtures include Saracens v Gloucester, another west-country derby in the form of Exeter Chiefs v Bath, Bristol Bears v Newcastle Falcons and lastly Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Rounding off this block of fixtures, Bath’s clash against Saracens will draw the attention of all rugby fans. Both teams have been competiing at the top of the league this campaign, and with round 16 being so close to the end of the campaign they will both be keen to lay down a marker of their title credentials.
Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears, Harlequins v Northampton Saints, Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks complete the Spring time offerings.
Rounds 13-16 in full:
Round 13 (March 22-24)
Friday 22 March
19:45 – Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints – TNT Sports/discovery+
19:45 – Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby – TNT Sports
Saturday 23 March
15:00 – Exeter Chiefs v Newcastle Falcons – PRTV Live
15:05 – Saracens v Harlequins – TNT Sports
Sunday 24 March
15:00 – Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks – TNT Sports
Round 14 (March 29-31)
Friday 29 March
19:45 – Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers – TNT Sports/discovery+
19:45 – Northampton Saints v Saracens – TNT Sports
Saturday 30 March
15:00 – Gloucester Rugby v Bristol Bears – PRTV Live
15:05 – Harlequins v Bath Rugby – TNT Sports
Sunday 31 March
15:00 – Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs – TNT Sports
Round 15 (April 20-21)
Saturday 20 April
15:00 – Saracens v Gloucester Rugby – PRTV Live
15:05 – Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers – TNT Sports
17:30 – Exeter Chiefs v Bath Rugby – TNT Sports
Sunday 21 April
15:00 – Bristol Bears v Newcastle Falcons – TNT Sports/discovery+
15:00 – Sale Sharks v Harlequins – TNT Sports
Round 16 (April 26-28)
Friday 26 April
19:45 – Bath Rugby v Saracens – TNT Sports
Saturday 27 April
15:00 – Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears – TNT Sports/discovery+
15:05 – Harlequins v Northampton Saints – TNT Sports
Sunday 28 April
15:00 – Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs – TNT Sports
TBC – Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks – PRTV Live