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We preview the best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this weekend as the focus returns to club rugby, but not before the Autumn Internationals go out with a bang as England host Australia.
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Aviva Premiership: Bath vs Saracens (Saturday December 3, 8:15pm HKT)
As the smoke clears from the Autumn Internationals, which go out with one last bang at Twickenham later on Saturday, the the Aviva Premiership returns to focus. Bath sit a respectable third on the table despite being handed their second defeat of their Premiership campaign last weekend by serial giant-killers Harlequins. Top of the table, of course, is Saracens, whose last outing saw them secure a 24-20 win over Gloucester. But with their England stars still on international duty, they could be vulnerable to an upset at the Rec this weekend.
Autumn Internationals: England vs Australia (Saturday December 3, 10:30pm HKT)
The Autumn Internationals schedule has been saving the best for last. England’s winning juggernaut whitewashed the Wallabies 3-0 in Australia in June and are looking for their 13th test win in a row this weekend at Twickenham. Their biggest threat at this point could be attrition – influential back-rower Billy Vunipola the latest loss to injury. The Wallabies’ November Grand Slam dreams were dashed by Ireland last week and they are mad as hell about it; combine that with the lingering pain of their June series humiliation and they will be coming into this game extremely fired up. Don’t miss it.
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Pro12: Cardiff vs Ulster (Sunday December 4, 1:15am HKT)
This is a big game in the seasons of both Cardiff and Ulster, who sit 7th and 6th on the table respectively. That means if the season ended right now Ulster would make the Champions Cup and Cardiff wouldn’t. But the season’s not ending right now, and both sides very much still harbour playoff aspirations. A win here for either side would get them very close to cracking the top four; a loss, on the other hand, might mean they suddenly find themselves with a fair bit of catching up to do.
Top 14: Toulon vs Bordeaux (Sunday December 4, 11:15pm HKT)
The Top 14 kept on truckin’ right through the Autumn International break, during which time Bordeaux have gone on a mini 3-game winning streak and carved out a nice foothold near the top of the table. Toulon, shorn of all their expensive international stars, lost two of their last three during the same timeframe. But for all their struggles Toulon are still fifth on the table and could leapfrog their opponents with a win at Stade Mayol this weekend. With their internationals starting to filter back, Bordeaux’s winning streak could be about to come to an end.
