Premiership Rugby derby weekend preview

The first derby weekend of the 2024/25 Premiership Rugby season is upon us.

Bragging rights are on the line across five thrilling matches, starting with the battle of the north as Sale Sharks host Newcastle Falcons on Friday night.

Meeting of the minds in the north

It’s a case of friends turned enemies from the coaches box as longtime pals Alex Sanderson and Steve Diamond go head to head. 

What better way for Falcons to end their winless run than at the home of northern neighbours, with more than seven years having passed since their last league victory over Sharks, which incidentally also came under the Friday night lights.

Diamond was on the wrong end of the scoreline but will be hoping for a similar result as Falcons look to kickstart their season. He can at least call upon the experience of captain Callum Chick – the sole survivor from the 13-12 victory – but it will be a tall order for Falcons, with Sharks having suffered just one home defeat in the last two years.

Bears bid for eighth consecutive away win

Saturday’s extravaganza begins in the West Country with games at Sandy Park and Kingsholm kicking off just five minutes apart.

Chiefs’ fortress was breached by Leicester Tigers on the opening weekend and that will give away day specialists Bristol Bears plenty of heart heading into this one.

Indeed, the Bears have not lost on the road since November last year, with their greatest heist coming at The Rec last weekend. 

And yet, Chiefs have done the double over Bears in each of the last two seasons, denying Pat Lam’s side a bonus point on both occasions last term.

Rob Baxter will be seeking improvements in both facets of the game following three consecutive defeats, but his biggest worries will likely be defensive ones. 

Bears boast the slickest attack in the league and September’s Player of the Month, Max Malins, who has already equalled his tally from last season with five tries.

Can Russell silence the shed once again?

Venture up the M5 and there is an entertainment guarantee as free-scoring Gloucester Rugby host well-fancied Bath Rugby. 

Last season’s clash is best remembered for Finn Russell shushing The Shed in a 45-27 victory, one of the most memorable moments in the league's recent history. 

The formbook is with Bath, with Johann van Graan's charges having come out on the top in each of the last three matches, with the Cherry & Whites having won five in a row before then.

Undoubtedly the standout triumph in that streak was the 64-0 demolition job in April 2022, a match which ultimately proved to be a line in the sand for Bath.

So will Bath further erase those painful memories with a third successive win at Kingsholm or will the hosts record their third home win of 2024?

Fab 15s to fight it out in Tigers town

The battle for the East Midlands is always a must-watch but the fight to be England’s starting full-back adds a little extra needle to this one.

Freddie Steward looked set to amass a mountain of caps as England's 15 but has seemingly been dethroned by George Furbank, who has started five of the last six Tests, only missing the second summer tussle with New Zealand through injury.

Much like the sides they represent, the pair offer very contrasting styles. Roadrunner Steward has the edge when it comes to metres gained and defenders beaten in 2024 but the Saints captain is a bigger try threat, playmaker and more secure defensively.

Saints as a whole have been uncharacteristically leaky so far this term, conceding 12 tries in three games while Tigers have shipped just six.

One point separates the sides before kick-off in the league table and you suspect there will be little to choose between them on Saturday.

Will Harlequins finally end Saracens voodoo?

The first Covid lockdown was still two months away the last time Harlequins beat Saracens.

That puts into perspective just how much North Londoners have enjoyed this fixture in recent times, winning each of the last eight league meetings.

The last match in that run will no doubt be playing on Quins minds this weekend, with Saracens running out 52-7 winners for their largest ever win over their old foes in March.

There’s a different conductor in place this time round for Saracens but they haven’t stopped singing and dancing since the season kick off.

Fergus Burke and co are the only side with three wins from three and will smell blood ahead of a Sunday trip to The Stoop with their hosts ravaged by injury.

But of all 10 teams in action this weekend, Quins will arguably be more motivated to win than any other side as they seek to finally break their duck. 

Which begs the questions: which Premiership rivalry is the fiercest? Click here to listen to the Ruck Rugby podcast as Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds share their thoughts.