Predictions: Premiership Rugby Round 5 – Falcons or Chiefs will get their first season win
10/18/2024 03:37 AM
The fifth round of the 2024/25 Gallagher Premiership season is upon us, with two matches kicking off under the trademarked ‘Friday Night Lights’. The action ignites across the East Midlands and North East of England, with clashes at Franklin’s Gardens and Kingston Park set to bring the fire to a chilly October evening.
Newcastle Falcons continue their search for a win in the Premiership, as they host Exeter Chiefs for a 19:45 KO. The men from Devon would have already commenced the seven hour trek up North, with a monstrous 368 mile journey ahead of them from Sandy Park to Kingston Park. The Chiefs are also without a win so far this season, with their four points coming from losing bonus efforts.
There’s plenty on the line in this battle of the bottom two, with an out of form Chiefs providing the perfect opponent for the Falcons to grab their first Premiership win since March 2023. Kicking off at the same time is Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks, with the hosts hoping to rally back from their disappointing East Midlands derby defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend.
Whilst Sale come into this match hot off a win over the Falcons, they are still without their talisman George Ford, who remains on the injury sidelines. Once again, we challenged the Ruck writing staff to compile their predictions, for the upcoming round of Gallagher Premiership action. Here is what we saw when we looked into the crystal ball.
FIXTURES: GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP RUGBY ROUND 5
FRIDAY: Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs / Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks
SATURDAY: Bristol Bears vs Saracens / Harlequins vs Bath
SUNDAY: Leicester Tigers vs Gloucester Rugby
Newcastle Falcons vs Exeter Chiefs – Kingston Park, 19:45 KO
Newcastle Falcons Reporter Matthew Prudroe said: “Chiefs have a creative set of backs and a hard forward pack. Even though they're also 0-4 alongside Falcons their performances have been a lot more positive than Newcastle's. Falcons haven't been much of a threat to any teams they're have faced this season. Their defensive performances have been poor and Exeter will exploit these weaknesses. Chiefs will beat Falcons by at least 3 tries.”
Chief Rugby Writer Tom Sansom added: “With both teams still searching for their first victory of the season, this is the ultimate opportunity for Newcastle Falcons to spread their wings for a win. The pressure is on Exeter Chiefs to take the win back down to Devon, but Steve Diamond’s men will be looking at the fixture with eager anticipation. the Whilst the heart would love to see the Falcons finally get off the mark and end their run of Premiership sorrow, the mind believes that Exeter have the capabilities of a confident second half win, after perhaps trailing at the break. Newcastle 19 – 34 Exeter Chiefs.
Northampton Saints vs Sale Sharks – cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, 19:45 KO
Northampton Saints Reporter Ben Grundy predicted: “A game that will ultimately come down to physicality in my opinion. Northampton will have to manage Sale's brute force and improve on taking their chances, which they failed to capitalise on in Leicester and be clinical.
“Phil Dowson's men will not want to start the way they have in the last few games by conceding early as I fear it may allow for a wave of pressure to overwhelm them.
Both sides are hurt with injuries to big names like George Ford and Alex Mitchell but Northampton have shown up at Cinch Stadium in their last 16 games there and I can't see this being much different. A high-scoring closely fought battle with Northampton just getting the better of the Sharks by 5 points is my prediction.”
Sale Sharks Reporter Elayna Towell said: “Sale sharks produced a great performance against Newcastle last round with a 6 try, 43-10 win. Northampton Saints, however, are coming off off the back of a hard defeat by the Harlequins and are an injury-stricken side as several players, including scrum-half Alex Mitchell, will be absent from the squad. I predict Sale will be beat Northampton by at least 10 points.”
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