Wilkinson - back in the frame. (Getty Images)
HODGSON TO ENJOY WIN OVER JONNY
By David Gee
Betting Box Tipping Guide
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BETTING BOX
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FIXED ODDS
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3pts on Sale (+4) to beat Newcastle at 5/6 (Skybet & VC Bet). |
History against them but Sale can finally come out on top. |
NEWCASTLE v SALE (Sunday, 14.30)
Sunday sees a clash of two of the Premiership's in-form teams as Sale travel to Kingston Park to take on Newcastle.
Both of these sides registered a victory last Monday, with Sale overcoming Bath at Edgeley Park and Newcastle taking the spoils at Headingley against Leeds.
This match takes on extra significance this weekend as it is the first time that Jonny Wilkinson has started a Premiership match for several weeks.
Wilkinson came on in the match against Leeds last weekend and quickly showed Newcastle - and England - exactly what they had been missing with three penalties and a drop-goal
within the twenty minutes he was on the pitch.
This means Wilkinson will go head-to-head with his England understudy Charlie Hodgson this weekend in a clash which is sure to be heavily scrutinised by the press.
And it looks very much like Wilkinson could have the upper hand - physiologically anyway as Sale have never managed to beat Newcastle anywhere in any competition, which is some statistic.
Having said that, there are lies, damned lies and then there are statistics and a full-strength Sale outfit should be too good for the Falcons, even though Newcastle have a fully-fit Jonny on their hands.
Hodgson will be keen to usurp England's darling though and this head-to-head should be one of the most fascinating match-ups in Premiership history.
Hodgson's side should win out though.
Verdict: Sale by eight.
HARLEQUINS V WASPS (Sunday, 15.00)
This weekend's London derby sees Wasps make the short journey to the Stoop to play `local' rivals Harlequins in a match that is never easy for the away side.
Quins have bounced back from an appalling start to the season to post a couple of encouraging results of late, but their morale will have suffered a dent after Boxing Day when they fought out an 8-8 draw in a poor spectacle against Saracens.
Quins will be looking for a result here to avoid getting drawn back into the relegation mire at the bottom of the table, whilst Wasps will be looking to kickstart their season after last weekend's disastrous news that they have been kicked out of the Powergen Cup.
They are currently nine points behind Leicester in the Premiership and cannot afford to slip up here and they look to close that gap.
However, recent statistics show that the Stoop has not been a happy hunting ground for Warren Gatland's men.
Wasps have not won in their last three visits to the Middlesex venue, whilst Quins are now unbeaten in their last four league games.
This could well be a lot closer than people anticipate and should go all the way to the wire.
However, Wasps' class should see them through, although it could pay to side with Quins on the handicap.
Verdict: Wasps by five.
GLOUCESTER v LEICESTER (Sunday, 17.00)
The Sky cameras are at Kingsholm this Sunday evening to take in what is arguably the best match of the weekend as Gloucester host Leicester.
The two powerhouses of union square up in the first big clash of 2005 which looks all set to be a cracker.
Kingsholm is always a fearsome venue but Leicester
look set to take this in their stride, as they have only lost once in the Premiership this season (against Sale on the first day) and are beginning to look as if they can return to their long-held position as the cream of
English rugby.
Neverthless, Gloucester are not the sort of side to lie down and let the Tigers maul them in their own back yard.
However, Gloucester's problem this season has not been their lack of talent, but their long injury list, which is beginning to exasperate coach Nigel Melville.
Leicester coach John Wells is able to recall lock Ben Kay and flanker Lewis Moody, while Welsh international prop Darren Morris starts instead of injured England loosehead Graham Rowntree.
Melville is sweating on the fitness of several of his players and has hence delayed naming his side until nearer kick-off.
A fully fit Gloucester side would be of some interest at home against Leicester here but as it stands, the Tigers cannot be opposed at the moment and can keep their winning streak alive.
Verdict: Leicester by ten.
