The countdown to the end of the season kicks off with Round 18 this weekend, with all the international players back and available for their clubs, and some massive fixtures throughout the programme.
Leicester Tigers go to Exeter Chiefs, while the top two in the table – Harlequins and Saracens – clash at Allianz Park, and there is everything to play for at Adams Park as Wasps host Northampton Saints.
The top two fixtures in Round 19 throw Saints and Tigers together at Franklin's Gardens, while Wasps host Saracens.
After a week away for the European quarter-finals, the Round 20 fixtures in April pairs Tigers with old rivals Wasps at Welford Road and a week later Gloucester against Saracens provides an interesting clash at Kingsholm, with Tigers and Harlequins also away from home. The Irish and Welsh exiles meet at the Madejski Stadium.
The final day of the league season sees all matches kick off simultaneously on May 4, with Quins, Saracens and Tigers hoping to make the most of home advantage, though anything can happen with league standings, the semi-final line-up, European qualification and relegation all to be confirmed by 4pm.
Round 18: March 22/23/24
Sale Sharks v Bath Rugby
Gloucester Rugby v London Welsh
London Irish v Worcester Warriors
London Wasps v Northampton Saints
Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers
Saracens v Harlequins
Round 19: March 29/30/31
Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins
Bath Rugby v London Welsh
London Wasps v Saracens
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v Exeter Chiefs
London Irish v Sale Sharks
Round 20: April 12/13/14
Sale Sharks v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Bath Rugby
Exeter Chiefs v London Irish
London Welsh v Northampton Saints
Saracens v Worcester Warriors
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Round 21: April 19/20/21
Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers
Gloucester Rugby v Saracens
London Irish v London Welsh
Worcester Warriors v Harlequins
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
London Wasps v Exeter Chiefs
Round 22: May 4
Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby
Harlequins v Northampton Saints
Leicester Tigers v London Irish
London Welsh v Worcester Warriors
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
Saracens v Bath Rugby
Every season is different, but here’s a benchmark guide to some of the key points totals in recent years:
Top spot
2012 Harlequins 75
2011 Leicester Tigers 78
2010 Leicester Tigers 73
2009 Leicester Tigers 71
2008 Gloucester Rugby 74
Fourth place
2012 Northampton Saints 65
2011 Northampton Saints 65
2010 Bath Rugby 61
2009 Bath Rugby 65
2008 Leicester Tigers 64
12th place
2012 Newcastle Falcons 32
2011 Leeds Carnegie 23
2010 Worcester Warriors 28
2009 Bristol Rugby 17
2008 Leeds Carnegie 12
Click here for the current league table.
