The Weekend Preview - time to walk the talk

Coventry v Plymouth (Friday, Butts Park Arena, 7.45pm)

With Joey Carlisle pulling the tactical strings anything is possible and that's a source of hope as well as concern for Phil Maynard.

The youngster is as likely to throw an interception as a try-scoring double mis-pass and could well come up with both.

What the Cov pack must do is subdue their visitors and work them over around the fringes because traditionally there's not much room outside.

They must also deprive them of the ball because contrary to their public statements the Albion 15-man rolling maul, is not a thing of the past.

Prediction: Coventry by 10
Last week's prediction: Nottingham by 7
Result: Nottingham by 5

Worcester v Harlequins (Saturday, Sixways, 3pm)

Ruddock is hoping Quins will be so exhausted by their Heineken Cup exploits, which have produced defeats by Cardiff and Toulouse, that they'll come to Sixways with a whimper.

He's also hoping his refreshed Worcester side will be too energetic for the visitors. In fact it's all hope as not much expectation.

Worcester needed their Challenge Cup break but it's interrupted a period in which they had built up a decent head of steam. I'm not sure they can recreate that against so talented a back line.

Willie Walker will need to have an excellent day with the boot if he is to win the kicking battle with Nick Evans and Warriors must take the one or two chances that come their way. Time for Sam Tuitupou to produce the goods.

Prediction: Worcester by 3
Last week's prediction: Worcester by 50
Result: Worcester by 33

Moseley v London Welsh (Saturday, Billesley Common, 3pm)

Everyone on the Common thinks Welsh are better than their league position suggests. I haven't seen them this season but from what I hear they are a very decent side.

And so they should be with all the money they've poured into their squad.

Moseley tend to struggle in this fixture and it'll be hard again because they are in danger of becoming over reliant on Neil Mason and Aly Muldowney as ball carriers.

They were also very narrow against Bristol and it really doesn't suit them, particularly when Tristan Roberts has an off day.

I'd like to see them break the field up and have a real go at Welsh rather than die not knowing and that means whichever of Henry Trinder of Jonny May plays 13 they need a big day.

Prediction: Moseley by 6
Last week's prediction: Bristol by 14
Result: Bristol by 10

Wharfedale v Stourbridge (Saturday, Thresfield, 3pm)

Both sides are missing key players, Duncan White and Adam Billig will be as big a loss for Stour as Chris Malherbe will be for the hosts.

For some reason Stour have an excellent record in the Dales and I expect them to continue it.

They have got some momentum into their season and with Sam Robinson, Ben Barkley and Craig Richards in the threequarters they will threaten any team.

Expect an upset.

Prediction: Stourbridge by 5
Last week's prediction: Stourbridge by 5
Result: Stourbridge by 33

Cornish Pirates v Bees (Sunday, Camborne Rec, 2pm)

Pirates are not the force they were when Moseley went down there on the second game of the season but they'll still be good enough to beat rag tag Bees.

Russell Earnshaw's men don't have a kicking game or a lineout which makes it virtually impossible to win away from home.

Which means it's a bonus point by half time for the hosts and maybe eight tries in all.

Prediction: Pirates by 40
Last week's prediction: Exeter by 28
Result: Exeter by 30