Friday Night Lights

By Mark Stevens
25/2/21

Get your remotes at the ready, because there is going to be plenty of Gallagher Premiership Rugby action to flick between as Round 11 gets into full flow this weekend, starting with a mammoth clash tomorrow night on BT Sport 1HD.

The weekend’s action gets underway under the AJ Bell Stadium lights, as Sale Sharks welcome defending champions Exeter Chiefs to town in what is likely to be a barnstorming affair between the two high-flying sides.

Both teams may have come out of Round 10 with a defeat, but they will be itching to set the record straight in this one, and you can see all the build-up from 7pm ahead of the 7.45pm kick-off.

Rob Baxter’s side, however, will travel in confident mood having picked up recent away wins at Worcester Warriors and Newcastle Falcons - and safe in the knowledge that they have won on their last five visits to Salford.

Karl Dickson will be the man in the middle for the game and he will be supported by Andrew Jackson and Jamie Leahy, while Ian Tempest will be keeping an eagle eye on things from the TMO booth.

With four matches to keep track of on Saturday, you will never be far away from an outstanding offload, tasty tackle, or tantalising try if you keep your channel changing hand free throughout the afternoon.

First off league leaders Bristol Bears welcome Leicester Tigers to Ashton Gate for a 1pm kick-off, with all the action in that one being shown on BT Sport Extra 2HD.

Pat Lam’s side come into the weekend after playing their part in a pulsating 34-34 draw with London Irish to close the curtain on Round 10, while Tigers claimed a crucial 27-8 victory over Wasps last time out.

And Wasps will be looking to get back to winning ways themselves later in the day, as they welcome London Irish to the Ricoh Arena, with the BT Sport Extra 3HD cameras rolling for the 3pm kick off in Coventry.

Meanwhile on BT Sport Extra 2HD, Newcastle Falcons will be hosting Harlequins, with that match also set to kick off at 3pm, so you will have to keep your wits about you in your quest to capture every try of the weekend.

And with these two around there are sure to be plenty, Harlequins are the in-form side in the division at the moment, having yet to taste defeat in 2021, and playing some free-flowing rugby to boot.

Falcons, meanwhile, may have cooled off after their scorching hot start, but we all know what they are capable of producing, and that one is set to be a swashbuckling affair.

Saturday’s bonanza continues on BT Sport Extra 1HD, as Gloucester Rugby and Worcester Warriors go head-to-head at Kingsholm in a 3.15pm kick-off, with both sides eager to get a crucial victory in the derby clash.

The sixth and final match from Round 11 will be on Sunday afternoon, as Bath Rugby travel to Franklin’s Gardens to take on Northampton Saints, with the home side sure to be buzzing after last week’s victory over Exeter.

That 13-12 victory lifted Chris Boyd’s side into the top four ahead of the weekend’s action, and you can see if they can keep their place among the leading pack live on BT Sport 2HD from 12.30pm, with kick-off at 1pm.

As ever, if you miss even a second of this weekend’s action, you can catch all the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Highlights on Monday, just switch over to Channel 5 at 7pm.

Friday February 26

Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs (AJ Bell Stadium) - coverage starts at 7pm, kick-off at 7.45pm on BT Sport 1 HD

Saturday February 27

Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers (Ashton Gate) - coverage starts at 1pm, kick-off at 1pm on BT Sport Extra 2 HD

Newcastle Falcons v Harlequins (Kingston Park) - coverage starts at 3pm, kick-off at 3pm on BT Sport Extra 2 HD

Wasps v London Irish (Ricoh Arena) - coverage starts at 3pm, kick-off at 3pm on BT Sport Extra 3HD

Gloucester Rugby v Worcester Warriors (Kingsholm Stadium) - coverage starts at 3.15pm, kick-off at 3.15pm on BT Sport Extra 1 HD

Sunday February 28

Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby (Franklin’s Gardens) - coverage starts at 12.30pm, kick-off at 1pm on BT Sport 2HD

Monday March 1

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Highlights - 7pm on Channel 5