In the shadow of the Natwest Six Nations, Aviva Premiership rugby returns after a month away due to the European Rugby and Anglo-Welsh Cup schedules.

With international stars away on international duty, the period during the Natwest Six Nations traditionally tests the depth of Premiership squads and offers an opportunity for rising stars to stake their claim.

Bath Rugby v Northampton Saints 

First up in Round 14 is a Friday night lights clash at The Recreation Ground between fifth-placed Bath Rugby and a struggling Northampton Saints.

Midlands club Saints find themselves languishing in 10th after 13 rounds of action and have just one win in their last eight Premiership outings, while Bath Rugby will be seeking to consolidate a top four place with as they look to back up their impressive recent form.

PREDICTION: Bath Rugby Win
Match odds: Bath 21/50 Northampton 9/5
Unibet pick: Bath -5.5 @4/5

Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors 

Runaway Aviva Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs entertain 11th-placed Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Defending champions Exeter lost only their third match in Round 13 to Newcastle Falcons, while Worcester Warriors have recently pulled away from bottom club London Irish, with a 10-point gap between them and the drop, but can they upset the reigning kings of England?

PREDICTION: Exeter Chiefs Win
Match odds: Exeter 1/12 Worcester 13/2
Unibet pick: Exeter -18.5 @10/11

Gloucester Rugby v Leicester Tigers 

Gloucester Rugby are our to underline their knockout stage credentials on Saturday as they host Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm Stadium.

The Cherry and Whites currently stand fourth in the Premiership table, one point behind third-placed Wasps, while the Tigers are way down in eighth, but just six points separate the clubs ahead of Round 14.

PREDICTION: Gloucester Rugby Win
Match odds: Gloucester 7/25 Leicester 13/5
Unibet pick: Leicester +8.5 @17/20

Saracens v Newcastle Falcons 

Defending Champions Cup winners Saracens will look to keep pace with top side Exeter Chiefs on Saturday when they welcome Newcastle Falcons to Allianz Park in Barnet.

Sarries are five points adrift of leaders Exeter and recent European performances have shown they are hitting their ruthless best, while Newcastle have fallen down to sixth in the Premiership ladder after their flying start to the campaign.

PREDICTION: Saracens Win
Match odds: Saracens 1/9 Newcastle 23/4
Unibet pick: Saracens -10.5 @10/11

London Irish v Sale Sharks 

Rock bottom London Irish will aim to breathe some life in their Aviva Premiership campaign on Saturday as they welcome Sale Sharks to the Madejski Stadium.

The Exiles’ winless run extends to 12 matches, leaving them nine points behind safety already with eight rounds to play, while Sale Sharks are enjoying a fine stretch of form with four wins in their last five top flight outings.

PREDICTION: Sale Sharks Win
Match odds: Irish 22/25 Sale 22/25
Unibet pick: Sale -3.5 @4/5

Harlequins v Wasps 

Sunday’s lone offering in the Aviva Premiership comes from the Twickenham Stoop as ninth-placed Harlequins hosts third-placed Wasps.

Historically rival clubs, Wasps’ postcode switch to Coventry means it is no longer a derby, but make no mistakes, there is no love lost and both clubs will be keen to bank points as the season heats up.

PREDICTION: Harlequins Win
Match odds: Harlequins 27/20 Wasps 4/7
Unibet pick: Harlequins 27/20