Former England and Lions star Guscott is a BBC rugby union pundit

There's plenty to talk about in the rugby union world as the season moves towards its climax, and former Bath, England and Lions centre Jeremy Guscott is on hand to answer your questions.

Some of the topics Jerry gives us the lowdown on are:

- Who will win the race for the Premiership play-off positions

- The reasons for Saracens, the ultimate grinders, suddenly coming to life

- The absurdity of the play-off system in the Championship, English rugby union's second flight

- Dominic Waldouck's chances of stepping up to the international stage

- And which was the noisiest club ground Jerry ever played on.

If you have any questions for Jerry, please use the postform supplied on this page. He will answer as many as possible next week, but unfortunately not every question submitted can be used.

Jerry, as a lifelong Sarries fan I would be interested in your views as to whether Saracens can become English champions. It looks like they are coming good at the right time. Or do you think that our pack is still too lightweight to take on the might of the East Midlands? Would it at least not be good to see a perennial underachiever in the Guinness Premiership final.
Dutchman, Netherlands

Schalk Brits has been at the heart of some spectacular Sarries displays

Dutchman, Sarries have pretty much secured a play-off spot, we just don't know if they're going to finish third or fourth? We will certainly get a good idea over the next two Premiership rounds whether Sarries have what it takes to become champions because they are playing Northampton and then Leicester, both games away from home! Saracens' good run of form of late would suggest that they will compete and give Northampton and Leicester a good run for their money. I would say they have the form forward - Schalk Brits - and back - Brad Barritt - in the Premiership and they are inspiring their team with their performances. I think the Sarries forwards will be exposed more by the Tigers than the Saints. Tigers like to squeeze teams at the set piece, whereas Saints are more likely to join in if it is a more open game. If Sarries don't win the Premiership this season at least they have laid good foundations for next year's campaign.

I came home on Saturday after a fantastic afternoon's rugby watching Saints get their bonus point win over Gloucester (who weren't short of tries themselves) only to learn there'd been two other bonus point wins, then another on Sunday! Why do you think we saw so many tries this round - the new interpretation of the breakdown rules, the sunshine, or the passion to win at this end of the season when every team seems to have something to fight for?
John Myhill, UK

John, I think the change has come about because a lot of teams have come to terms with the new laws, plus the refs are giving very clear directions that the tackler must release the tackled player and move out of the way. I am surprised it's taken this long, but I'm pleased teams are starting to concentrate more on attack than defence.

Jerry, I for one am looking forward immensely to the Saints v Saracens match on Saturday at Franklin's Gardens. What with Saracens discovering how to score tries now, (16 in their last four matches, compared to their original tally of 16 in 16 matches) it truly looks to be one of the most intriguing match-ups of the Premiership so far. What do you believe has been the main factor in aiding Saracens over the try line and playing an expansive form of rugby?

However, with the recent saga surrounding prop Soane Tonga'uiha, who has decided to stay at Northampton having nearly moved to Sarries, do you think this will have any effect on the rugby played? Thanks
Sam, England

Sam, maybe it's because Steve Borthwick isn't playing! (Only joking). I heard that the players had a real heart to heart with boss Brendan Venter and his coaching team and off the back of that Venter understands that the players want to play differently to how they had been at the start of the season. It's good of Venter to realise players need a say in how they play and it has so far made a huge difference. I don't think the Tonga'uiha debacle will have any effect on what happens.

Hi Jerry, what do you think about Bath's new ownership situation, and do you think (potentially) having access to a lot of cash is going to set unrealistic expectations for future success?
Dave Parsons, UK

Rob, I watched the Queensland Reds v Bulls Super 14 game at the weekend and thought it was tremendous - Rod Davies's try was sensational in terms of skill and precision of passing

Dave, expectations will certainly rise although while the salary cap remains as it is all the cash in the world won't make a difference at any club. The biggest bonus for the club is Bruce Craig's decision to move the administration and the team training out to Farley House and making that the headquarters. Having those sorts of facilities will certainly help to attract new players and keep players already at Bath.

Jeremy, Geordan Murphy said recently that the Guinness Premiership should "scrap the salary cap" as England's teams will quickly lose touch in Europe with France, Ireland and even Wales! What do you think about the salary cap?
Angus, England

Angus, I like the salary cap in terms of sustainability of a business - having the cap controls the spending at a club to a large degree. The pros and cons are varied. Look at Formula 1 and Premier League football, the teams with money get stronger and stronger and for teams below the only real chance of catching up with the top tiers is through acquiring big bucks from a benefactor. I believe there is room for a salary increase in the English game but I hope it doesn't go so high it prices out some teams. I think the Premiership has been very competitive this season and I would like it to remain that way. I do understand that English teams will want the salary cap to increase so they can compete on a level playing field with the French and Irish.

Hi Jeremy. Sale Sharks are currently in unfamiliar territory and fighting for survival at the bottom of the Premiership. How did they get there and if you were Kingsley Jones, what would you do to ensure a competitive side?
Adam Barker, UK

Adam, Sale are in their current predicament simply because they have lost games. A lot of quality players left the Sharks last season and they haven't been adequately replaced. Kingsley will be plotting like mad a gameplan to beat Newcastle in the next match - a win plus a Worcester loss will secure Premiership status for next season. If it doesn't work out against Newcastle then Sale have had a good run against Harlequins this season and they will fancy their chances against Quins.

Jeremy, I am a big fan of Leeds and this weekend they caused an upset against London Irish. I've had confidence in Leeds all season where some pundits haven't, what do you think of Leeds now and what do they have to try and do next season should they stay up? Which they will now!
Kyle, England

Kyle, with what appears to be a less than star-quality squad of players, Neil Back, the coaches and the players have found a formula that has produced a standard of performance in the second half of the season that will keep them in the Premiership. Part of what Back has done is to make his squad very fit and that has worked out well because they have fought right to the end of games to get results, and it also means that at the end of the season they are still full of running. Back's defensive qualities as a player are written all over his team and that has benefitted the squad. Leeds need to retain their best players and recruit one or two star performers for next season.

Is Waldouck in line for an England tour this summer?

Following Dom Wouldock's string of impressive performances for Wasps over recent weeks, how long do you think it is until he gets a well-deserved England call-up? Cheers.
Teddy, England

Hi Jeremy, having watched Dominic Waldouck from when he was a kid at Wasps, I feel that he is an outstanding tackler with great vision. Does he deserve a shot at England?
Hugh, England

Jeremy, I thought Dominic Waldouck's performances in the last couple of weeks have been just what Wasps have needed. However, after seeing him depart the field in the first half against Worcester, Wasps just fell apart in both attack and defence. Can one player make that much difference?
Olly Nunn, London, England

Teddy, Hugh and Olly, Waldouck has performed well but will he go on the summer tour to Oz and New Zealand? His competition will be players like Olly Barkley, Jordan Turner-Hall, Jon Clarke, Mike Tindall, Riki Flutey (provided he gets over his latest injury), Shontayne Hape and Mathew Tait - I've probably missed others. England are taking a very large squad on tour so you're looking at possibly as many as six centres. If Waldouck's fit enough to finish off the rest of the season and puts in good performances against Bath and Newcastle he will be in with a big shout. My doubt for him would be Martin Johnson's opinion of smaller guys at international level. Smaller guys may do well in the Premiership, however, when it comes to internationals, very few transfer their performances to the next level. Waldouck has good all-round skills and I would like to see him play at international level to see if he has what it takes.

Who is going to win the battle for the last play off place in the Premiership? Wasps, London Irish or Bath.
Al Cartwright, England

Jerry, most pundits see the last two play-off spots going to two of three sides. With Irish's patchy away form, the eight pointer at Twickenham and their game in hand, are Bath being written off too early?
James, England

Al and James, Bath are certainly in with a big shout but they have to beat Northampton and Wasps, with a bonus point from at least one of the games. If Bath lose on Tuesday against Northampton they will kiss goodbye to fourth. Wasps are in the box seat and can pretty much secure it by beating Bath at Twickers on 24 April, both teams are flying performance wise and it will be a cracker of a game. I think Irish are playing themselves out of contention but have an opportunity to prove to themselves they are as good as last year by beating Gloucester away and then seeing off Northampton at home! Wasps look favourites.

Jerry, do you think it is right that, after the end of the regular season, the teams in the Championship should be made to in effect play another tournament to earn promotion to the Premiership?
Bart Hulley, France

Bart, quite simply no, I think it's ridiculous and should be scrapped for next season. Teams coming up need to prepare for the transition, the earlier they know the better their recruitment can be in order to get a squad together that can compete in the Premiership. Playing extra games is also no help in terms of player welfare, scrap it.

Jerry, have you seen the skills on display during some of the performances by the Queensland Reds this season? Do you think Brian Smith should look to his old club for some attacking inspiration?
Rob, Australia

Quade Cooper has shone as the rejuvenated Reds shake up Super 14

Rob, I watched the game at the weekend against the Bulls and thought it was tremendous. Rod Davies's try was sensational in terms of skill and precision of passing, plus the individual discipline to remain deep and not overrun the inside player. It will be interesting to see if the Reds can hold on to fourth place. The Bulls are a great team but it won't take sides long to work them out, just as English Premiership sides worked out Sarries!

Do you think that players in the England team will benefit from having a little less rugby to play having missed out on the next phase of Heineken Cup action? A little extra rest will only benefit the players as the go into a very important tour Down Under?
>Simon, England

Simon, I agree the fewer games players play the more rest they get and that can only help the players going on tour. What is critical is that players get the full pre-season break, I think it's 13 weeks.

Jerry - As yet another Leeds youngster gets cherry picked by the bigger clubs - Callum Clark, Joe Ford, Scott Armstrong are all joining Northampton, while previously Danny Care and Jordan Crane have also left Leeds) can something be put in place to prevent this in order to allow smaller teams to keep talent they have developed and create a more competitive competition?
David, England

David, unfortunately you can't stop this, when a contract ends it ends and a player wants what's best for him, if a transfer fee is paid they've paid the price the club wanted.

What would be your opinion of a Toulouse/Biarritz final in the Heineken Cup?
Carolyn Capalbo, USA

Carolyn, that's very brave for anyone to think Toulouse and Biarritz are going to take both Irish teams out. As a neutral it would be good to have one French team in the final as it's being played in Paris, plus it would have a more international flavour with it being France against Ireland. Having said that, if both Irish sides made it I'm sure Stade de France would be sold out.

Jeremy, what is the loudest Guinness Premiership ground you had to play in?
Angus, England

Angus, in my day it was Welford Road. On the odd occasion Leicester beat us (Bath) they really got noisy!!

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