After a five month break, the northern hemisphere welcomes back professional rugby this weekend with England’s Gallagher Premiership resuming their season. Luke Pearce gets the action underway as Harlequins take on Sale on Friday night. That starts a full round of Premiership matches, all of which are being played behind closed doors.
There may yet be some rejigging in the South as Aukland has re-entered lockdown status. At the time of going to press, the games are still on schedule, but a decision is expected soon on whether the two games can go ahead and if so, where. The Crusaders clinched the Aotearoa title last week.
Edit: The Blues v Crusaders match has now been cancelled (result declared a draw with 2 points each), and the Highlanders-Hurricanes will now be played behind closed doors.
In Australia, Nic Berry and Damon Murphy are looking after the two round seven fixtures.
Enjoy your weekend rugby!
Keith
Gallagher Premiership – Round 14
Harlequins v Sale Sharks
Referee: Luke Pearce
ARs: Karl Dickson & Paul Dix
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Worcester Warriors v Gloucester Rugby
Referee: Christophe Ridley
ARs: Andrew Jackson & Wayne Falla
TMO: Keith Lewis
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers
Referee: Tom Foley
ARs: Greg Macdonald & Jonathan Healy
TMO: Stuart Terheege
Bath Rugby v London Irish
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
ARs: Rob Warburton & Phil Watters
TMO: David Grashoff
Bristol Bears v Saracens
Referee: Matthew Carley
ARs: Adam Leal & Jack Makepeace
TMO: Claire Hodnett
Northampton Saints v Wasps
Referee: Karl Dickson
ARs: Anthony Woodthorpe & Hamish Smales
TMO: Graham Hughes
Super Rugby Aotearoa – Round 10
Highlanders v Hurricanes
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
ARs: Mike Fraser & James Doleman
TMO: Chris Hart
Blues v Crusaders
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
ARs: Paul Williams & James Doleman
TMO: Mike Fraser
Super Rugby Australia – Round 7
Force v Waratahs (at CBUS Stadium, Gold Coast)
Referee: Nic Berry
ARs: Graham Cooper & Amy Perrett
TMO: Brett Cronan
Reds v Rebels (at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane)
Referee: Damon Murphy
ARs: Nic Berry & Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
