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How the Premiership play-off race is looking heading into Super Sunday
By PA
The 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership regular season reaches a thrilling climax on Super Sunday with four clubs chasing the three remaining play-off places.
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Title favourites Exeter are already through to next weekend’s semi-finals, but Wasps, Bath, Sale Sharks and Bristol also have eyes on the prize.
Here is how the top five are shaping up ahead of what is certain to be a dramatic afternoon.
Exeter – 74 points
The Chiefs have led this season’s play-off charge for months, booking their semi-final spot with three games to spare, and they are now guaranteed top spot and a home tie.
? #GallagherPrem Round 2??2?? fixtures ?
Super Sunday is fast approaching and we CANNOT wait ?
Catch all the drama LIVE on @btsport as the fascinating fight for the semi-final spots comes to a dramatic conclusion ? pic.twitter.com/KjEY4TjYTr
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) October 1, 2020
Exeter remain on course for a Premiership and European Cup double, which has been achieved by only three other English clubs – Leicester, Wasps and Saracens – and a fifth successive Premiership final appearance at Twickenham is within touching distance.
Rob Baxter’s team, packed with international talent from full-back to No8, will take some stopping.
Wasps – 66 points
Wasps were outside the play-off zone when Premiership action restarted in August following a five-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic, but seven wins in eight games mean they hold second place heading into the Supr Sunday Ricoh Arena finale against Exeter where victory should be enough for a runners-up finish behind the Chiefs and home advantage in the play-offs.
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Wins at Bath, when Wasps triumphed despite seeing four forwards go off injured before half-time, Saracens and Harlequins highlight their progress under head coach Lee Blackett.
Bath – 65 points
Like Wasps, Bath are on a roll, losing once in eight starts and holding third spot ahead of Sunday’s trip to Saracens, where they need a win to secure qualification.
A club’s total number of victories – the first tie-breaker when teams are level on points (see league table here) – means Bath hold an advantage over their rivals, and they wind up the 22-game Premiership campaign against a side playing for the final time before relegation to the Championship, which was part of Saracens’ punishment for salary cap breaches.
They will want to make a statement before departing, and when Saracens are in the mood, very little stops them.
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Watch out, Bath!https://t.co/3jwcOGBMDz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 1, 2020
Sale Sharks – 64 points
Sale last won the Premiership 14 years ago when players like Jason Robinson, Charlie Hodgson and Sebastien Chabal were in their pomp, and they are well-placed to make another major title challenge.
A bonus-point victory at home against Worcester on Sunday should be enough to progress, although the Sharks have entered the Premiership’s final lap without influential England centre Manu Tuilagi, who suffered an achilles injury on Tuesday and faces a lengthy lay-off.
Sale possess immense forward power and a scrum-half in Faf De Klerk who can dominate games.
Bristol – 64 points
Bristol have played some scintillating rugby this season, dazzling opposition defences through the skills of players such as centre Semi Radradra, full-back Charles Piutau and wing Luke Morahan.
That heady mix should help give them the bonus point win they need at London Irish on Sunday, but the west country club also realistically require Wasps or Bath to lose if top-four ambitions are to be realised.
On their day, Bristol are capable of taking any team apart, and a presence in the play-offs would mean no rival could rest easily.
“I’ll be looking to chat with Manu, definitely. We had a very good shaking hands agreement" https://t.co/dPe8XDVUDZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 2, 2020
