Premiership

Premiership Round 17: Best head-to-head matchups of the weekend

by
Charlie Elliott
16 May 2025

Every player in the Premiership will need to be at the top of their game this weekend, with so much riding on all of the fixtures.

Whether it be a must-win or a chance to spoil the party, each team and player has their own motivations in the penultimate weekend of the Prem.

The top four are still undecided, with six teams now in the running for the play-off spots.

Here, Charlie Elliott goes through the best matchups of the weekend, with at least one per game.

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Ben Redshaw v Christian Wade

Newcastle Falcons host Gloucester at Kingston Park, looking to end their season strongly.

Redshaw v Wade on the wing represents an interesting battle because Redshaw is set to be Wade’s successor next season.

Try-scoring machine Wade is leaving rugby union for Super League side Wigan Warriors, so he won’t be at Kingsholm next season. With Redshaw already confirmed as a signing, it looks as if he is going to be the replacement out wide.

At only 20 years old, it is a good opportunity for the future Cherry and White to show that he is worthy of stepping into the shoes left behind by his predecessor.

Ben Curry v Fitz Harding

Sale Sharks v Bristol Bears is arguably the biggest game of the weekend, with it being third against fourth and the loser potentially dropping out of the play-off picture with only one game left after this weekend.

Tom Curry is unavailable due to injury for the hosts, but his brother Ben starts on the back row.

The battle between Curry and Harding on the flanks represents the two captains going toe-to-toe, and the winner of this will stamp their mark on the game and put out a real statement.

Both are crucial for their teams in terms of playstyle, so this will be one to watch.

Tom Roebuck v Gabriel Ibitoye

Two very interesting wingers in their own right will also face off in Sale v Bristol. Roebuck is an aerially dominant and bulky winger who is good on both sides of the ball.

Ibitoye, on the other hand, is a superb technician with the ball, but his quality without it remains to be seen.

As Bristol are such an attacking team, he will likely get a lot of touches on the ball, and Pat Lam will want his side to play on the front foot, but Sale’s physicality could blow them away.

We might see Roebuck steamroll Ibitoye, or Ibitoye gliding past his opposing number.

Henry Pollock v Tom Willis

Northampton Saints have a great opportunity to spoil Saracens‘ season as a win would put Sarries in a tough spot regarding the top-four race.

Henry Pollock starts at eight in Juarno Augustus’ absence and is against one of his biggest competitors for a British and Irish Lions shirt.

Pollock got the nod from Andy Farrell at Willis’ expense, so the latter will be hugely up for this game to prove that he would have been a better option.

So far, the Saints youngster has overcome plenty of big names, with Willis the next that he will look to outplay.

Ciaran Donoghue v Freddie Steward

Youth v experience at fullback in Bath’s game v Leicester Tigers. Donoghue has burst onto the scene recently with some stellar performances at fly-half, but is moved to 15 for this game.

He is up against one of England‘s best in the position, Freddie Steward and could well put in yet another statement performance.

Steward is only two years Donoghue’s senior, but it feels like he has been around for so much longer.

In such a big game, the youngster could really show his credentials against a very high-level opponent.

Danny Care v Stu Townsend

Last but certainly not least, Danny Care may not be starting this weekend, but all eyes will be on him regardless, following his announcement of retirement this week.

On the bench in his final game at The Stoop, Care will certainly come onto the pitch at some point and will be greeted with a hero’s farewell from the club that he has spent almost the last 20 years at.

Given the number nine shirt despite not starting is a nice touch, and if Stu Townsend stays on the pitch for Exeter Chiefs, he will be his opposing number.

In a game that doesn’t have much riding on it, Care is the biggest one to watch for Quins.

By Charlie Elliott