Premiership Round 18: Best head-to-head matchups of the weekend 

The Premiership will see a final weekend packed with action, as teams have lots still to play for. 

Now that the lineups are out, there is a good indication as to how many teams are treating their games. 

Those who don’t have much to play for have opted for rotation, while those needing wins have gone full-strength. 

This means that lots of games will see unknown quantities matching up against big-name players with points to prove. 

Here are the best matchups of the weekend. 

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Henry Slade v Rekeiti Ma’asi White 

Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks is not only a big game for Sale’s top-four bid but could also determine England‘s squad selection in their summer tour to Argentina. 

Ma’asi White has been widely touted as the next Manu Tuilagi and has been pulling up plenty of trees since getting his first meaningful minutes for Sale in the new year. 

Slade has been around for a little while now and has been underwhelming in an England jersey, leading to many believing that his position is under threat. 

While Slade is a 13 and Ma’asi White usually a 12, so they aren’t necessarily in direct competition, if the youngster outplays his more experienced opponent, then it could signal the end of Slade’s England career. 

Julian Montoya v Jamie Blamire 

The master faces the apprentice as future Leicester Tigers man Blamire faces the man who he will be replacing in legendary hooker Julian Montoya. 

Montoya will look to end his Tigers career with a bang and secure their place as home semi-finalists ahead of the play-offs. 

It will be the Argentinian international’s last regular-season game, and it will be a fitting way to end it, against the man who is taking over the reins. 

With Newcastle Falcons not having anything to play for apart from pride, their number two will be hoping to give off a good impression to his future fans. 

Bill Mata v Alex Dombrandt 

Bristol Bears need to win in order to secure their place in the semis and face a Harlequins side with nothing to lose. 

Quins have rotated, but captain Alex Dombrandt is one of the players selected who has managed to get a fair few games in this season. 

As one of the more experienced men, the back row will want to provide some serious work rate and guide the fringe players. 

He will be up against the powerful Bill Mata, who has a habit of making some huge tackles on opposing players this season. 

With the Bears needing a win, Mata sending out a statement to Dombrandt and Quins could be the difference and could hugely help mentally. 

Gabriel Ibitoye v Cadan Murley 

Two of the most exciting wingers in the Prem will go head-to-head in this game too, as Ibitoye and Murley will look to provide serious speed out wide. 

Murley was recently selected in an England training camp by Steve Borthwick, ahead of the Argentina tour, while Ibitoye was left out. 

A 51% tackle success rate so far this season has led many to question Ibitoye’s defence, and if he is to be a serious contender for Test rugby, he needs to improve in this area. 

This game does give him a chance to be in direct competition with an England rival, so he will look to bring his A-game. 

Alex Goode v Jack Woods 

Bath don’t have anything to play for against Saracens, so they have opted for plenty of rotation. 

One of those coming in is fullback Woods, who is set to make his first-ever Prem appearance. 

The 18-year-old Wales U20 international starts the game at 15 and is up against a man who is just ending his career. 

Nearly 20 years his senior, Alex Goode is calling time on a career that has seen him play 400 times for Sarries, and this game will mark his final one at the StoneX Stadium. 

There is no better way to make your debut than against one of the best in recent history, and Woods is being thrown straight into the deep end. 

Woods will be hoping that youth proves to be a better weapon than experience in this instance. 

Santi Carreras v Jake Garside 

In a similar fashion to the Goode v Woods matchup, Gloucester will say their farewells to an important player, who will be up against a youngster at fullback. 

Garside impressed for Northampton Saints in their defeat against Exeter Chiefs, which consisted of their B-team giving an almost full-strength Chiefs side a very tough game for large portions of the game. 

Given that Saints have nothing to play for, they have given opportunities to plenty of young talent to prove their worth. 

Carreras has been very good this season for the Cherry and Whites but will leave for Bath in the summer, meaning that this will be his last game at Kingsholm. 

Despite the sour taste the transfer has left many Gloucester fans feeling about Carreras, if he is to guide them to a top-four finish, then he will be forgiven. 

By Charlie Elliott

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