Premiership: Key storylines to follow as the regular season wraps up on Saturday

This Saturday will see our screens bombarded with mouth-watering match ups to determine the final play-off team, the number one seed, Champions Cup competitors and would-be relegated side.

When three o’clock (BST) rolls around on June 4, here are the key storylines to look out for as the last round of the 2021/22 Premiership campaign unfolds.

Since mid-March, an outstanding run of form from Northampton has seen them push up the table leaving them now with a shot at the Premiership play-offs should they secure a win at home to Newcastle, or else they just need Gloucester to lose to a Saracens’ “b” team. The hot-streak from Chris Boyd’s side came after a four-game losing run, which almost seriously damaged their chances before they fought back. They won five in a row to lift themselves into the top-four but that was halted by Sarries in Round 25, with the Saints losing 42-38 in west London.

This week, Northampton have a chance to make-up for that defeat (and possibly face Saracens again in the play-offs) should the aforementioned criteria be met. The Saints have already cruised past Newcastle this season, leaving the North East with a 44-8 victory. Judging by Northampton’s recent performances and the form (or lack thereof) of the Falcons, it’s safe to say that the midlands team are strong favourites for victory, meaning the Gloucester result may be meaningless in the play-off race.

George Skivington has worked wonders with the West Country team this year after rugby media were unanimous in their scepticism of Gloucester’s squad for this season following a dire 2020/21 campaign. With one game to play at home to Saracens, a play-off spot may be up for grabs if Northampton crumble at the hands of Newcastle. Although unlikely,