The Tight Five: This Week’s Biggest Matches on Rugby Pass

We preview the five best matches to catch on Rugby Pass this week.

Super League: Widnes vs Warrington (Saturday April 23, 4:00am HKT)
Both these teams came flying out of the Super League traps like a pair of prize greyhounds, but have been clipped by the other dogs going around the first turn. Widnes have come out the worse for wear, falling from the top of the table back to 5th after losing their last four in a row. But a 62-6 win over third-tier Rochdale Hornets in the Challenge Cup last weekend could be the confidence boost they need going into this weekend’s game. Their opponents Warrington remain top of the table despite having lost their last two, including a shock defeat to bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Giants last weekend. A loss this weekend would almost definitely see them cede top spot, while another loss for Widnes would see them fall to the bottom half of the table for the first time this season.

Super Rugby: Hurricanes vs Chiefs (Saturday April 23, 3:35pm HKT)
It’s still relatively early in the Super Rugby season, but at this stage the New Zealand teams look to be running away with the competition. If the regular season ended today only the Blues would miss out on a playoff spot – the Chiefs would progress as the top seed and the Hurricanes would go through in 6th. The Chiefs are coming in off a Bye, and haven’t lost since Round 2 when they were upset by the Lions.The Hurricanes haven’t lost since Round 2 either, but they haven’t played another New Zealand side since they beat the Blues in Round 3. SInce then they’ve had comfortable wins over the Force, Kings, Jaguares and Rebels. Which team will extend their winning streak on Saturday is anyone’s guess. Best bet might be on a draw.

NRL: Cowboys vs Eels (Saturday April 23, 5:30pm HKT)
After a long few years of disappointment in Parramatta, the Eels have finally showed up to play this season. 2015’s top try scorer Semi Radradra is one of the most exciting players in the NRL, and the addition of playmakers like Kieran Foran and Michael Jennings has provided the experience required to go deep in the competition. They come up against their toughest assignment yet this weekend: playing the defending champion Cowboys in Townsville. Since losing the Greatest Regular Season NRL Game Ever to the Broncos in Round 4, the Cowboys have demolished the Dragons and Rabbitohs and seen off a spirited Panthers. They’re firm favourites to make it four in a row against the resurgent Eels.

Champions Cup: Wasps vs Saracens (Saturday April 23, 10:00pm HKT)
The semi finals of the European Champions Cup kick off at the Madejski Stadium with an All-England match between Wasps and Saracens. The top seeded Saracens qualified for the semis with a 29-20 win over Saints a fortnight ago, while Wasps snatched a nail biter over Chiefs when Jimmy Gopperth converted Charles Piutau’s last-minute try to win 25-24. The two teams have shared the spoils in the Aviva Premiership this season, with both teams losing at home. This match is at a neutral venue, and Saracens are the favourites.

Champions Cup: Leicester vs Racing 92 (Sunday April 24, 10:15pm HKT)
The second Champions Cup semi final is being played at City Ground in Nottingham where Leicester meet the only remaining non-English side Racing 92. Racing left it late in their quarter final against Toulon, with a 78th minute penalty finally securing them safe passage to the semis. They have also been struggling in the Top 14 of late, with three losses in their last four games seeing them drop back to 4th on the table. They’re still favourites here, but could an upset be on the cards? Leicester easily defeated Stade Francais in their Champions Cup quarter final, running out 41-13 winners, and have won three of their last four in the Aviva Premiership.