Premiership preview: Leicester bring in the heavy mob against Wasps to protect play-off hopes

A look ahead to this weekend's fixtures

James Haskell (GETTY IMAGES)

Wasps v Leicester

(3.15pm Saturday)

Just like the old days? Sort of. The leading English sides of the Noughties are not quite what they were when they shared nine Premiership titles and four of the European variety in the space of a decade, but there will be no shortage of competitive venom when they meet in front of a 32,000-plus sell-out at the Ricoh Arena, the only club rugby ground in the country that doubles as a licence to print money.

Victory for Wasps, for whom the England flanker James Haskell will make his 150th senior appearance, will take them above their great rivals of yore and leave the Tigers in mortal danger of failing to reach the play-offs – the kind of crushing blow most recently suffered by the Liberal Democrats.

Hence Leicester’s determination to throw the kitchen sink at it. Back comes the Puma prop Marcos Ayerza; by common consent the world’s best loose-head operator, and his fellow front-rower Dan Cole. There is an interesting move in the back row too, with the red-rose lock Geoff Parling starting on the blind-side flank. It seems the Welford Roaders are taking the heavy-duty approach.

Saracens v Exeter

(2pm Sunday)

There is an equal amount at stake in north London, where Exeter must beat the European Champions Cup semi-finalists to give themselves a realistic shot at play-off qualification. Jack Nowell’s knee problem denies the West Countrymen the services of their one current international, so a Test player in waiting, Henry Slade, moves from outside-half to centre.

On the flipside, Ben White returns to offer some specialist know-how at open-side flanker.

Saracens ought to make the top four irrespective of what happens – their final game of the league campaign is, after all, against the hapless London Welsh – but they would prefer to get it done and dusted. Their most talked-about forwards will be there en masse, with the notable exception of the No 8 Billy Vunipola, who is limping around on a dodgy ankle. However, there is no starting place in midfield for Owen Farrell.

Sale v Newcastle

(2pm Saturday)

Dedicated England stalwart, one club man, all round top bloke – if ever a player deserved to run down his career with victory on his last home appearance, it is Mark Cueto. Sale have made a good deal of the World Cup wing’s farewell performance in the north-west and quite right too: while the Workington-born wing was worth his weight in gold when the national team found themselves in dire need of a sense of direction in the back field, the good humour and approachability he displayed throughout his career was of even greater value in a rugby age soured by an ever-growing distance between players and supporters. The least Newcastle can do is give him a try for free. Which they won’t.

Gloucester v London Irish

(3pm Saturday)

Gloucester, missing a couple of blind-side flankers, give the Welsh forward Dan Thomas a first top-flight start following his excellent performances for Hartpury in the third tier of the English game. The Exiles, six points behind their hosts in the lower reaches of the table, have restored the gifted Shane Geraghty to their midfield combination.

Northampton v London Welsh

(3pm Saturday)

Victory, pretty much a foregone conclusion, will guarantee Northampton a home semi-final, and judging by their selection, they are in no mood to muck about. The champions are at full strength, give or take a Test prop or two and a couple of injured backs, and should therefore be far too good for the relegated visitors.