Fallen giants are in a scrap and Saracens can overhaul them

Bath, Leicester and Wasps need to find their identity fast as big games loom in relegation fight

Bath, Leicester and Wasps will be in big trouble if they do not start winning Premiership matches very soon, because Saracens will be breathing down the neck of whoever is in 11th as we head into 2020.

Exeter will want to give them the late Christmas present of a hammering at Sandy Park a week on Sunday, but I cannot see Saracens in a relegation battle, despite their points deduction. They could even come close to the top six if everyone beats one another.

While the champions have won some close, tough games – particularly the 15-6 victory over Munster last weekend – they have not been springing to life as often as we have seen them. They have not quite been attacking through the middle, throwing offloads and making breaks. There certainly seems to be a monkey on their backs. Having said that, I would be surprised if Saracens do not get at least 50 points from the 17 matches remaining this league season.

Bath, Leicester and Wasps were the three biggest names in English rugby before the current era of Saracens and Exeter dominance. Now they are in a scrap to see who goes down. All three lack identity.

We know how Northampton want to play. We definitely know the identity that Pat Lam has instilled at Bristol.

You know the stories of Saracens and Exeter, who have played in a similar way for the past five years. You know who they are, what they are about, what their values are.

So, when did Bath, Leicester and Wasps cease to be a destination for ambitious people? And when did those clubs start becoming just another place to pick up a job?

When I was a teenager, any player who received a phone call from Bath and Leicester thought: “Wow, they are interested in me? That is amazing.”

In the mid-2000s, Wasps would have had the same affect. Now, those three monstrous clubs with fantastic histories are fighting not only to stay in the division, but to rediscover who they are.

Historically, you would associate Bath with having a big pack, fantastic centres and great wide play. Now, on the face of it, some of those ingredients are there. They have a massive pack, with props Beno Obano and Will Stuart in wonderful form, and a brilliant back three when everyone is fit. But they just do not play.

There have to be issues with leadership and coaching, as well as who is taking ownership of things off the field. Has the shift of power gone wrong somewhere?

In the glory years under Warren Gatland, Wasps were basically a rugby league team. They had an all-court attack and they did not care about the set-piece because they could beat you up anyway. They were aggressive, tackled hard and were physically fitter than you.

Over the past couple of seasons, though, injuries have crippled them and they just cannot seem to get any continuity.

Leicester look to have a squad full of players that are simply available. The turnaround of coaches at the Tigers has been ridiculous, too. Since when was that good enough for them?

They have lost their way as far as recruitment, and the stardust is

Anyone apart from the top three will find themselves in danger if they get on a bad run

fading. Although they are trying to work their way back, it might be too late. It might be impossible.

These next three rounds of the Premiership could see Exeter, Bristol and Saints break away as a top three. At the same time, the bottom three could drift off on their own.

This competition is all about momentum, and that is why I think Premiership Rugby should push harder for longer chunks of back-to-back league games.

With blocks of seven and eight consecutive matches, there is the scope for teams to shoot up the league or sink down it. Otherwise it becomes like the Top 14 in France, where everyone is bunched around the middle and you get to the top by winning all your home games and nicking five on the road.

Anyone apart from the current top three could get relegated, although I would be shocked if Sale or Gloucester go down. Any one of the others will find themselves in danger if they get on a bad run.

Equally, if Tigers beat Exeter tomorrow – although that will be extremely hard – they can hope to beat Harlequins away and then Bristol at home. All of a sudden, they are back in the top six.

Either way, this next batch of games will start to shape the table.