The Guardian's Paul Rees previews the potentially key clash between Sale Sharks and Newcastle Falcons on Boxing Day.
"Four Aviva Premiership sides are looking to put the punch back into their campaigns after falling away in the autumn. Sale and Newcastle, who meet each other at Edgeley Park, have both won only one of their past four league matches, the same record as Gloucester and Wasps, who face each other at Kingsholm.
Newcastle will go into the new year at the bottom of the table if they fail to leave Stockport with at least a point. They are six points behind Worcester and entertain Northampton on the last day of this month. The Falcons have lost all their five away matches in the Premiership season and have not mustered a bonus point."
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