Week 13 Championship preview

With the B and I cup games now put to bed until April, the Championship embarks on the second half of the season with a round of fixtures that could all have a big say on  what happens come the end of the season.

There are 4 games on Saturday, and Yorkshire’s top club, Rotherham will be hoping to strengthen their position in the top four with a win at Jersey, a team who now find themselves nervously looking over their shoulders at bottom place in the league. I expect the Titans to win this, but I imagine the conditions will not be ideal for running rugby, so a 4 point win may be the reward.

Ealing sit beneath Jersey at the moment, and they travel to Billesley Common knowing a win could take them to the lofty heights of 11^th. Moseley will know that victory for them will almost secure safety, and although there may not be much in it, I’m going for a home win.

Bedford and Nottingham meet up at Goldington Road, with both clubs, unusually, struggling to find any consistent form. Nottingham are not out of relegation danger yet, and with a Blues victory the likely outcome, the Greens could still be languishing too near the trapdoor for comfort.

Tomorrows other game sees London Scottish host the Pirates, with both teams needing to grab a victory to avoid losing touch with the top four. Scottish threw away an 18 – 3 lead last week, and if they haven’t recovered from that, I fancy a Pirates win down in Richmond.

On Sunday, Bristol, still reeling from the shock of losing star winger George Watkins at the end of the season take on Plymouth Albion in a ‘local’ derby. These games can be tense and tight, but Albion are struggling against the better teams, and it is hard to see beyond a home success. 

Finally, weather permitting, Leeds travel to Oxford to take on table topping London Welsh, in the match of the round. Welsh edged a superb game back at Headingley, mainly on the back of some poor discipline from Leeds after they had built up a 24 – 12 lead. Leeds have influential players missing this week, but Ryan Burrows returns, and another cracking game is in prospect. The elements may play a significant part, and Leeds must keep the penalty count down, but if they can do that, they are playing well enough to gain their revenge. A narrow away victory awaits.

Whoever you support, enjoy your weekend rugby.