Chiefs set for busy festive period

By Mark Stevens
19/12/18

Gallagher Premiership Rugby makes its return this weekend as players prepare for the beginning of a busy festive period, with a tantalising trio of matches live on BT Sport.

And they don’t come much more tantalising than the top two facing off at Sandy Park on Saturday as unbeaten Saracens test their record against an Exeter Chiefs side who are back to form after suffering back-to-back defeats against Harlequins and Gloucester Rugby.

A 29-17 win in the Heineken Champions Cup last weekend got the Chiefs back on track, and they will need to be at their best to down reigning Champions Saracens, who are unbeaten in 22 games in all competitions.

BT Sport 2 beckons at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon, while you can also watch the build up on Channel 5 from 2.45pm ahead of the Christmas cracker kicking off at 3pm.

Meanwhile, Tom Foley takes charge of the game, which is the first meeting between the two clubs since last season's Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham.

Reigning champions Saracens know a win will see them extend their two-point lead at the top of the table, while the Chiefs will be looking to leapfrog Mark McCall’s men with a victory in front of their home supporters.

Foley will be assisted on the day by Christophe Ridley and Greg Macdonald, with Geoff Warren on TMO duty, as he takes charge of his 58th fixture in the division.

Elsewhere, the live action kicks-off on Friday night when Worcester Warriors host Northampton Saints, two sides that sit level on 17 points after nine rounds of Gallagher Premiership Rugby action.

Both teams enter this one off the back of successful Challenge Cup jaunts, with Saints – whose match last weekend was called off due to dramatic snowfall in Romania – comprehensively downing the Dragons last time out, while the Warriors beat Pau on home soil.

It’s a fixture that has traditionally been closely matched, with both sides tasting victory in recent years, and it looks as though history may well repeat itself at 7:45pm on BT Sport 1 and 4K UHD.

And Sunday’s offering sees two Gallagher Premiership Rugby heavyweights square off in a fixture that is rich with history.

Bath Rugby make the trip to the Ricoh Arena to face a Wasps side looking to keep their place in the top four over Christmas.

For the visitors’ part, a win would drag them within touching distance of their opponents as they look to gain ground on the pacesetters with fixtures coming thick and fast. Tune into BT Sport 1 at 3pm for a feast of rugby that can also be seen in 4K UHD.

And if you miss any of the live action you have two chances to catch up on the highlights on Channel 5 which will be on at 1.05am on Christmas Eve and again at 9am on Boxing Day.

TELEVISED ROUND 10 FIXTURES

Friday 21 December

Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints, BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD (7pm)

Saturday 22 December

Exeter Chiefs v Saracens BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 4K UHD (2:30pm) Channel 5 (2:45pm)

Sunday 23 December

Wasps v Bath Rugby, BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD (2:30pm)