The dates and kick-off instances for the Gallagher Premiership play-offs have been confirmed, with Bath handed the Friday night slot, on June sixth, kick-off 7.45pm.
RugbyPass understands the runaway Premiership leaders’ most well-liked possibility was to play their semi-final towards the fourth-place staff on the Saturday, which as a substitute will function second versus third.
Tub began the league season at residence on a Friday evening, towards reigning champions Northampton in a re-run of final 12 months’s closing. Johann van Graan’s staff overturned the Twickenham end in September with a 38-16 win over Saints, however their Premiership document beneath the Friday evening lights at The Rec in the previous couple of seasons is blended.
In van Graan’s first season, they performed three league video games at residence on a Friday evening and received only one, a 19-18 victory towards Leicester. The next season (2023/24), they received by a one-point margin once more, 20-19 vs Bristol, however then misplaced 15-12 to Saracens in what was a distinctly below-par efficiency.
General, Tub, who’re at the moment 15 factors clear on the prime of the league and red-hot favourites for his or her first Premiership title, solely have a 50% Premiership win document beneath van Graan at The Rec on a Friday evening.
Given their dominance, Tub will again themselves to beat no matter opposition comes their manner on any given day and one upside to taking part in on a Friday evening is that it offers the staff barely extra relaxation earlier than the ultimate – in the event that they get that far.
The burden of historical past can be behind Tub, and whoever finishes because the second seeds. Whereas Harlequins’ outstanding comeback win from 28-0 down towards Bristol at Ashton Gate in June 2021 proves that miracles do occur, the play-off ties are usually residence staff bankers. You need to return 10 seasons, to 2014/15, to search out the following instance of an away staff win (29-24 win for Saracens at Northampton).
Whereas Tub confirmed their primary seed standing with three rounds to go, the three different play-off locations are nonetheless up for grabs.
Leicester solely want some extent at residence to bottom-placed Newcastle to ebook their place within the play-offs, whereas a win would assure them a house semi-final as second seeds.
Sale, who’re two factors behind Leicester in third, journey to an bettering Exeter within the closing spherical, whereas Bristol, who occupy the ultimate place within the play-offs heading into the ultimate weekend of the common season, host Harlequins at Ashton Gate.
Gloucester and Saracens are each at residence, towards Northampton and Tub respectively, as they give the impression of being to maneuver into the highest 4. Each have two factors to make up on Bristol, with all three groups having received 9 matches apiece.
Each fixtures might be broadcast stay on TNT Sports activities.
Gallagher Premiership 2024/25 play-offs
Friday, June 6: Tub Rugby vs 4th (7.45pm)
Saturday, June 7: 2nd vs third (3.30pm)
