Wary Balding says Saints will fight for lives

The Gloucester captain Adam Balding has warned that Northampton will be "playing for their lives" as the Zurich Premiership season reaches its climax.

The Gloucester captain Adam Balding has warned that Northampton will be "playing for their lives" as the Zurich Premiership season reaches its climax.

The relegation-threatened Saints travel to Kingsholm today, aiming for another significant scalp following their victory over Leicester. And Gloucester, reeling from an agonising extra-time Powergen Cup semi-final defeat against Bath, are wary.

"Northampton know what they have got to do, and they will be playing for their lives in the remaining games," said Balding, the Cherry and Whites' No 8. "This is very much the business end of the season. Everyone knows how many games are left, and we have also got our target, which is a top-three finish."

Gloucester are eight points off the play-off pace, but the gap on third-placed Sale could close this weekend, given how the Sharks, who face Saracens tomorrow, have been hit by injuries and representative calls.

Bath, one point behind Gloucester, will have 18 players unavailable - including eight centres - when they entertain Worcester this afternoon.

Andrew Higgins, who suffered a recurrence of hamstring trouble in midweek, is out, while Alex Crockett will have a hernia operation on Monday and is unlikely to play again this season.

Bath's coach John Connolly can recall the hooker Jonathan Humphreys and prop David Flatman to the front-row following long injury absences.

"Preparations have been difficult without so many players again this week," said Connolly. "And we know it will be a tough match against Worcester, who are an extremely good side. They have a big pack and are able to grind out wins."

A Worcester victory - which would be their eighth in 18 games since being promoted - would effectively guarantee safety by moving them closer to mid-table.

Newcastle, for whom the England superstar Jonny Wilkinson is likely to be a substitute, face Harlequins at the Stoop tomorrow having confirmed the lock Craig Hamilton's departure at the end of this season. The Scottish international will move north of the border, although he starts in Falcons colours this weekend.

Newcastle's director of rugby Rob Andrew said: "We have been talking with Craig for some time now, and he has aspirations to get back involved with his national squad after touring with them in the summer, which will be best achieved by a move to Scotland. He has been a great servant for us during his time at the club after coming through the academy, and although he still had a year left on his contract, we have agreed for him to return home and wish him well."

Hamilton's exit has been offset by the second-row prospect Andy Buist signing a new two-year contract.

Elsewhere tomorrow, second-placed Wasps could open a considerable lead over Sale if they defeat the Powergen Cup finalists Leeds at the Causeway Stadium. The Tykes, despite booking a 16 April Twickenham date with Bath, currently prop up the Premiership, one point behind Northampton.

"It has been a massive boost for us to have reached the Powergen Cup final, but that is on the back-burner now and we need to produce top quality performances in the Premiership," said Leeds' director of rugby, Phil Davies.

"I think that a lot of the hard work we have been putting in over the last weeks and months is now beginning to come off for us, and hopefully that will lead to more consistency in our game."