After two weeks of the LV= Cup, we now have two weeks of Aviva Premiership rugby, before our back to back Heineken Cup matches against Toulon.
Here's the programme for the coming weekend:
FIXTURES
Friday 23rd November
Bath Rugby v Harlequins (Recreation Ground, 7.45pm)
Worcester Warriors v Saracens (Sixways, 8pm)
Saturday 24th November
Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks (Kingsholm, 12 noon)
Northampton Saints v London Welsh (Franklin's Gardens, 1pm)
Sunday 25th November
London Wasps v Leicester Tigers (Adams Park, 2.30pm)
London Irish v Exeter Chiefs (Madjeski Stadium, 3pm)
ROUND 9 PREVIEWS
Bath Rugby v Harlequins
Referee: J P Doyle (49th Premiership game)
Bath Rugby's only defeat in their last six matches at The Rec in all competitions was 14-18 to
Northampton Saints in Aviva Premiership Rugby on 14th September. Bath have not tallied a try bonus point in the Premiership since March.
Harlequins have won their last six encounters in all competitions, and have lost just once away from
home this season: 28-42 at Exeter in the Premiership on 6th October.
Harlequins have won their last three clashes with Bath including a 21-12 victory last Friday at the
Twickenham Stoop in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (55th Premiership game)
Worcester Warriors' last five games in all competitions have all been won by the home side on the
day. The Warriors are unbeaten in their last five matches at Sixways since their 23-24 reversal there
to Bath on 1st September.
Saracens' 23-25 defeat at Sale Sharks in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Friday ended a seven game winning run in all tournaments. Sarries only defeat on the road in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season was 12-14 at Exeter Chiefs in round four.
Worcester won the most recent encounter between the two clubs: 16-11 at Sixways on 24th February, whilst Saracens have not won at Sixways since 6th October 2007.
Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks
Referee: Luke Pearce (8th Premiership game)
Gloucester Rugby tripped up to table-topping Harlequins in round eight of AvivaPremiership Rugby - only their second defeat in the competition this season.
Gloucester have won their last six competitive matches at Kingsholm since Northampton won there
on 1st September.
Sale Sharks beat Saracens 25-23 at the Salford City Stadium in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Friday but
have not won back-to-back games since April. The Sharks opened their winning account in this
season's Aviva Premiership Rugby with a 21-9 home victory over London Irish in round eight.
Sale achieved the Premiership double over Gloucester in 2011/12.
Northampton Saints v London Welsh
Referee: David Rose (103rd Premiership game)
Northampton Saints' unwanted four game losing run ended at Newport Gwent Dragons in the
Anglo-Welsh Cup on Sunday. The Saints have slipped to three successive defeats in Aviva
Premiership Rugby - their worst run for twelve months. Northampton have lost their last two games
at Franklin's Gardens but have not lost three in a row at the famous old ground since 2007.
London Welsh beat Bath 16-9 at Kassam Stadium in round eight. The Exiles have lost their last two
away games in all competitions.
This is the two clubs' first ever meeting in the Premiership, but Northampton have won the last four
matches between the two in lower leagues and cups. London Welsh's most recent competitive
victory over the Saints was 16-14 in League Division Two at Franklin's Gardens on 2nd January 1988
London Wasps v Leicester Tigers
Referee: Sean Davey (110th Premiership game)
London Wasps last seven matches in Aviva Premiership Rugby have all been won by the home side
on the day. Wasps have a 100% winning record at Adams Park in all competitions this season.
Leicester Tigers last seven competitive games have also all been won by the home side on the day.
Tigers have slipped to three straight away defeats but haven't lost four in a row on the road since
2009.
The last seven games between the two sides have all been won by the home team, whilst Leicester
have not won at Adams Park since 2007.
London Irish v Exeter Chiefs
Referee: Llyr ApGeraint Roberts (6th Premiership game)
London Irish have won just one of their last four games: 34-28 at home to Sale Sharks in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The Exiles have won four of their last five contests at Madejski Stadium in all competitions.
Exeter Chiefs have won their last three fixtures in all competitions, but are yet to be victorious on the road in Aviva Premiership Rugby this season.
The Chiefs claimed a maiden victory over London Irish last season with their 18-11 win at Sandy
Park in March.
TV & RADIO
Aviva Premiership Rugby On TV
Friday 23rd November
Bath Rugby v Harlequins - live on Sky Sports
Saturday 24th November
Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks - live on ESPN
Sunday 25th November
London Wasps v Leicester Tigers - live on ESPN
Aviva Premiership Rugby highlights show - ITV4 at 20.00
Aviva Premiership Rugby highlights show - ITV1 at 23.45
Monday 26th November
Aviva Premiership Rugby highlights show - ITV4 at 18.00
Aviva Premiership Rugby On Radio
BBC Radio 5 Live Sport Extra - live commentary of Bath Rugby v Harlequins, Friday 23rd November, kick off 19.45.
BBC Local Radio stations provide live commentary on every Aviva Premiership Rugby game. Many are on radio and all are broadcast online.
TalkSPORT - Full Contact is the only dedicated weekly rugby show on national radio, and reviews all the action from 8pm Sunday night.
Following Saturday's game at Gloucester, Sale Sharks return to the Salford City Stadium to play Northampton Saints in Round 10 of the Aviva Premiership on Friday 30th November, kick off 7.45pm.
For tickets, ring 08444 994 994 or you can buy online.
