Check out our previews and predictions ahead of the weekends games.
NATIONAL ONE
Bedford Blues v NEC Harlequins
Leaders Harlequins take on what could be their biggest test yet with the away visit to third placed Bedford Blues in front of a sell out crowd at Goldington Road.
Bedford were beaten last time out in the league as they lost their unbeaten status in the league at Plymouth Albion. At Goldington Road this season they have done well and have a 100% record winning all five and scoring over 30 points in four of them.
Quins eased into the quarter finals on the Powergen National Trophy at Bridgwater & Albion last Saturday and have won all 12 of their competitive matches this season.
Away from home they have been give a tough time in all their league matches but have had enough to come through and win them all especially in the final quarter when their fitness comes to the fore.
These two sides last met in the league when Bedford were a Premiership outfit backing the 1999/00 season and Quins did the double over the Blues who were relegated that season.
PREDICTION: Quins to win by 15 points.
Pertemps Bees v Newbury
Sixth placed Newbury travel to 11th placed Pertemps Bees looking to consolidate their win over Nottingham last time out which ended a three match losing run in the league.
The Bees ended a four match losing run last time out in the league with an away win at Otley 22-19.
At home this season they have manage two wins out of five matches and lost their last two against Rotherham and Cornish Pirates.
Newbury were just winner’s last time out in a high scoring match against Nottingham coming out 40-37 winners with a last minute try to snatch the win and return to winning ways.
On the road this season Newbury have picked up just one win in four matches and last time out away form home were beaten by Doncaster 26-16.
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These two sides last met in the league in the 1999/00 season when the Bees won the fixture at Sharmans Cross Road and the game at Monks Lane ended in a 15 all draw.
PREDICTION: Home win by four points.
Exeter Chiefs v Otley
Two sides who are struggling this season to match last seasons exploits meet at the County Ground as seventh placed Exeter Chiefs entertain 10th placed Otley.
The Chiefs were convincing winners over National Two side Redruth last Saturday in the 6th round of the Powergen National Trophy running out 57-0 victors to make it four wins in a row in league and Cup
At home they have won four out of five with on the Cornish Pirates managing to win although they did convincingly 43-16.
Otley also progressed to the next quarter final of the Powergen National Trophy last Saturday with an away success at the Pertemps Bees who had beaten them the previous Saturday at Cross Green. That defeat in the league was their third in a row although two of them were away at Plymouth and the Cornish Pirates after a three match winning run had seen them climb the table.
On the road this season they have lost four out of five with their only success coming against bottom of the table London Welsh.
The Chiefs were convincing winners in this fixture last season with a comfortable41-15 win. At Cross Green later in the season Otley were 37-7 winners.
PREDICTION: Home win by seven points.
London Welsh v Earth Titans
Bottom of the table London Welsh entertain Earth Titans who are up to fifth in the table after some good form recently.
The Welsh will be buoyed by last weeks 6th round Powergen National Trophy success over Coventry as they look for just their second league win of the season. Their only other win came at Old Deer Park when they were 25-15 winners over the Pertemps Bees backing September.
The Titans moved into the quarter final of the Powergen National Trophy last Friday night with an away success over high flying National Two side Moseley 29-13.
In the league they are looking for a hat trick of wins and a second successive on the road after winning at the Pertemps Bees in their last match on the road.
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Last season when these two sides met at old Deer Park the Titans were 29-12 winners and with a 43-13 home success over the Welsh did the double over them.
PREDICTION: Away success by eight points.
Nottingham v Doncaster
Ninth placed Nottingham entertain 12th placed Doncaster with the Yorkshire side knowing a win could well see them move above them in the National One league table.
Nottingham were winners last Saturday against National Three North side Blaydon 33-17 but only went in ahead 13-12 at the break thanks to an injury time converted try.
Nottingham have slipped in the league after a promising start and are looking to end a five match losing run which stretches back to the 1st October when they beat London Welsh at home 22-16. Last time out they thought they had broken that run at Newbury leading 37-33 until a late late Newbury try saw the Berkshire side snatch the win, although they pick up two bonus points.
Doncaster had a week of after their Powergen National Trophy exit at the hands of Redruth in the previous round.
All three of Doncaster’s wins this season have come at home whilst their best result on the road was a 27 all draw at fellow strugglers London Welsh. They have lost their other four away matches although they did hold the mighty Quins to just 22 points at the Stoop which no other side has done this season.
These sides have met four times in league rugby and so far Nottingham have won all encounters. They last met in the 2003/04 season when Nottingham won this fixture 22-19 and went on to do the double over Doncaster with an even narrow victory 21-19just after Christmas.
PREDICTION: Home win by nine points.
Cornish Pirates v Coventry
Both sides go into this match looking to get away defeats in the 6th round of the Powergen National Trophy out of their systems.
The Pirates were beaten at Plymouth Albion 36-20 and that made it back to back defeats following on form their loss to the leaders Harlequins at the Stoop in their last league match. Prior to that, they had been going really well in the league with eight wins form nine matches.
At home this season they are unbeaten in the league with four wins and have claimed the four try bonus point in each of them.
Coventry were knocked out of the Powergen National Trophy last weekend at Old Deer Park by London Welsh.
In the league of late they have put together a three match winning run to climb the table to 8th spot. On the road they lost their first two matches but have won their last two at Nottingham and Newbury.
The Pirates were 29-14 winners in the fixture last season although they were well beaten at the Butts Arena 30-3.
PREDICTION: Home win by 10 points.
Sedgley Park v Plymouth Albion
Fourth placed Plymouth Albion, travel to Park Lane to take on second bottom Sedgley Park in good form winning their last six matches in all competitions. .
Park sit second bottom in the table but a win could see them move out of the relegation zone. They have just two wins to their credit this season with one of those coming at Park Lane when they beat London Welsh 32-28 they also have a draw at home sharing 33 points with the Pertemps Bees.
Albion have own their last two matches on the road after losing their first three road trips with wins at Coventry and London Welsh. After losing three in a row against the Earth Titans, Newbury and Doncaster they have put together a four match winning run in the league and will be confident of making it five on Saturday and continue their climb up the National One league table.
Plymouth Albion were 32-21 winners in this fixture at the start of last season but were given a real run for their money at Brickfields as well before coming through 24-19 to complete the double over Park.
PREDICTION: Away success by eight points.
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