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SARACENS v NRB (Cup) PREVIEW
This strange disjointed rugby season wends its way onward this weekend with a return to the Premiership Cup. You’ll be forgiven for forgetting that we’ve already played R1 (which was back in September with a tryfest 96-42 win over Northampton Saints). This also makes 3 different competitions in 4 weeks! The break for the autumn internationals/Nations Championship means we now have 3 cup fixtures in a row: home to Newcastle Red Bulls and Quins, away to Tigers. Which deluded version of AI thought it would be a good idea to play Newcastle Red Bulls at home on successive Saturdays I have no idea but that is what the fixture computer has given us. A sense of déjà vu? Well maybe but it will be interesting to see how many of the squad who played last Saturday will re appear this Saturday?
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Newcastle captain Christie extends contract
Newcastle Red Bulls captain Tom Christie has extended his contract through to the end of the 2028-29 season. The 28-year-old New Zealander joined Newcastle from Super Rugby side Crusaders in August 2025. The flanker has scored six tries in 24 appearances for the Prem side.
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Saracens v Newcastle Red Bulls Premiership Report
I would say a fair summary of this game was such - six second-half tries rescued us a bonus point win against a Newcastle side who fought and played hard. I confess I was not in attendance for this game, however had some hopes that it would be an improved performance from the shambles of last weekend (not sure how Quins away could’ve been any worse to be frank). From the first 40, I had my head in my hands again. We hadn’t lost at home to Newacastle in nearly 20 years. Was this going to be the one that broke the chain? Thankfully, it was not. The 2nd half was so much better but still not completely comfortable. We slipped into the old habit of gifting teams tries in the last 5 mins when we knew we’d already secured the win. 39-31 the final score and Newcastle took away 1 bonus point to our 5 match points.
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Another Big Test
Gloucs head off to last season's champs full of confidence after our best start to the season for years - you can't do better than being top having accrued five points more than fourth placed Saints. Saturday 5.30 kick off.
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Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins
TEAMS, MATCH INFORMATION, PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION THREAD AND SCORE PREDICTIONS
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Round 8: Bishop's Stortford v Plymouth Albion
On All Hallows Eve Albion will want to avoid any horror stories as they travel to Hertfordshire to take on Bishop's Stortford.
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Where can I watch the rugby this weekend 30th Oct - 1st Nov
Thanks to Chris for sending this over
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TRICK OR TREAT? BATH v SALE
Halloween at the Rec, and the scariest thing on show lately has been the phantom tries we’ve missed out on from our trips to the opposition 22 in recent games. Bath have had phase on phase in the red zone in recent matches, yet we come away with a fraction of the points that the territory and pressure should earn - and did earn until recently. The nightmare started with the held up try in the Exeter semi-final last year, and ever since an out of sorts attack has often been stumbling in the final few inches, sleepwalking into held-up turnovers.
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Blues v Hartpury
This week we facy Hartpury at Goldington Road 3pm Saturday, but hopefully it won't be another horror show on halloween! Hartpury like Nottingham have not been as good as last season so far winning 1 and losing 4. However they are never an easy side to play.
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Saracens v Newcastle Red Bulls Premiership Preview
I do like the small ironies in life. Christian Wade needs one try to own the Premiership try-scoring record outright, and this is the game where he gets his chance. He drew level with a former Saracen himself Chris Ashton the other week and he gets the chance to make history at the ground Ashton used to play at. I’d like him break the record somewhere else if at all possible. After 2 shambolic performances in league (v Quins) and Europe (v Connacht), we are back at the StoneX for a pretty vital game against Newcastle. Lose this, and you feel our season really has gone to pot before it’s even got properly going.
