How things stand in the Premiership as the play-offs loom

The 2021-22 Premiership is drawing to a close as just three rounds remain before the play-offs, for which competition is still heated as the teams battle it out not only for a chance at the coveted Premiership title, but for a chance to compete in the 2022-23 edition of the Champions and Challenge Cups as well. 

As things currently stand, Leicester’s titanic efforts over the season have been rewarded with occupation of the number 1 spot on the log for most of the competition, although their once formidable lead has shrunk to four points. 

Looking down the table, Saracens are emerging as a real danger to the Tigers, the former edging closer and closer with 77 points to their name.  

In third spot, defending champions Harlequins have put together a useful season thus far but, while they enjoy a good, 9-point lead on Northampton Saints, they remain some distance away from Saracens.  

Saints currently hold the last play-off spot but will have to work hard to maintain it as Exeter Chiefs breathe down their necks with only a single point separating the two sides. 

Round 24 will see Leicester host Bristol at Welford Road – a game Steve Borthwick’s men will be expected to take.  

Saracens will travel to Sixways and, unless a dramatic upset is in the pipeline, make short work of Worcester.  

Quins will be tested by Saints in a 3rd & 4th place contest at Franklin’s Gardens. 

Apart from the top four, Exeter, Gloucester, London Irish and Wasps are all in line to participate in the next instalment of the Challenge Cup. Sale Sharks, however, are knocking on the door of the top 8 and trail Wasps by just one point. Alex Sanderson’s men have built up a good lead (14 points) on 10-placed Bristol though, and are thus not expected to drop down.  

Sale and Wasps will meet each other on 20 May – the penultimate round – on the latter’s home turf in what will be a juicy contest.  

While Leicester and Saracens appear pretty safe at the top of the table, competition for the other two play-off spots is still wide open, making for an interesting conclusion to what has been another fantastic tournament.