Rugby focus

Sale v Saracens

Edgeley Park, tomorrow, 7.45pm Tel: 0161 286 8888. Tickets: £18-£28 (Concs £14-£20, U-16s £8-£15)

After finally getting a win over Newcastle (though doing their best to throw it away, it seemed), Saracens will now be hoping Sale haven't recovered from their pitiful collapse against Northampton. Unfortunately, Sale are a much tougher prospect at home than away. Verdict: SARACENS FALL SHORT

Newcastle v London Irish

Kingston Park, Saturday, 2.50pm Tel: 0870 085 6060. Tickets: £13 (Concs £7)

Leicester gave the Exiles a hiding last week, muscling them all over the park, and in that sense at least the Irish can look forward to a slightly easier afternoon on Saturday. But if Newcastle don't have quite the same physical presence as the Tigers, they are strong in their own right at home, and this will be a difficult trip. Verdict: IRISH SUFFER

Wasps v Pertemps Bees

Causeway Stadium, Sunday, 3pm Tel: 01494 769471. Tickets: £10-£20 (Concs £7-£13)

Of all teams to get an easy draw . . . the champions, having scraped through against unlucky Quins despite missing about 14 players, will not be trembling at this visit by a team in third place a division below. Wasps should be able to afford to rest some of their big names, rather than add to an already hefty workload. Verdict: WASPS GO THROUGH

NATIONAL LEAGUE ONE

Bristol v London Welsh

The Memorial Stadium, Sunday, 3pm Tel: 0117 311 1461 Tickets: £11-£15 (Concs £2-£4)

Not long ago, a visit by Welsh to Bristol could have been written off in one line: they came, they saw, they were beaten to a pulp. But Bristol are possibly the highestprofile casualty of the professional era and a mere shadow of their former selves. Both teams are mid-table; home advantage may be the key. But it could be tight. Verdict: WELSH LOSE

Henley v Worcester

Dry Leas, Saturday, 2.30pm Tel: 01491 574499. Tickets: £10-£13 (Concs £5-£8)

If every cloud has a silver lining, this one is barely electroplated on. Worcester will be champions and they are too good for Henley, who are going to get a beating. But at least they don't have to drive home. Verdict: WORCESTER TOO STRONG

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO

Bracknell v Nottingham

Lily Hill Park, Saturday, 2.15pm Tel: 01344 424013. Tickets: £7 (Concs £5)

Nottingham's resurgence this season has come as something of a surprise, whereas Bracknell's position in mid-table has a certain air of inevitability about it. The visitors are just on top thanks to points difference, and will want to improve that. Verdict: BRACKNELL BEATEN