Some talking points ahead of this weekends Premiership action

How will Burgess do in new role

Sam Burgess will take to the field on Friday night and become only the 9th Premiership player to have started a game in both the backs and the forwards. After playing centre for Mike Ford’s side for the entire season, Burgess will start at blindside flanker against Newcastle Falcons. After it was announced that Burgess would be signing for Bath last February it was originally thought that he would be signed to play in the back-row. However that was not the case and he was played all of his games in the centre. Unfortuneatley he has failed to impress in the centre and Friday’s game against Newcastle will be his first taste as a forward and if he impresses it could be his new position in the Bath side.

Can Barritt earn a start against Clermont

Brad Barritt returns to the Saracens starting XV to take on Leicester Tigers this weekend after a month on the sidelines. Barritt replaces Chris Wyles at inside centre and he will now look to impress Mark McCall and earn a start for the crucial Champions Cup semi-final against Clermont Auvergne next weekend. Saracens and Leicester Tigers have been involved in some pulsating games in recent years and Barritt will look to be at his best and be instrumental in Saracens defeating the Tigers and earn himself a starting spot for next weekend.

Can Exeter do the double over the Saints

Exeter Chiefs go into Sunday’s game against Northampton Saints looking to secure home and away wins over Jim Mallinder’s side after defeating the Saints in Franklin Gardens in November. Sunday’s game will also be a huge opportunity for the Chiefs to return to the top four as they look to secure a semi-final spot. After an embarrassing defeat to Clermont last weekend Northampton will look to get back to winning ways as they look to secure a home semi-final.