London Irish vs Cardiff Blues - THE TEAMS

London Irish: Delon Armitage; Topsy Ojo, Jonathan Spratt, Shontayne Hape, Adam Thompstone; Adrian Jarvis, Darren Allinson; Clarke Dermody (capt), David Paice, Faan Rautenbach, Nick Kennedy, Matt Garvey, Bryn Evans, David Sisi, Alex Gray.

Replacements: James Buckland, Alex Corbisiero, Paulica Ion, Bob Casey, James Sandford, Tom Homer, Steven Shingler, Paul Hodgson.



Blues: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Casey Laulala, Gavin Henson, Chris Czekaj; Dan Parks, Lloyd Williams; Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Taufa'ao Filise, Bradley Davies, Paul Tito (capt), Michael Paterson, Sam Warburton, Xavier Rush.

Replacements: Ryan Tyrell, John Yapp, Scott Andrews, Maama Molitika, Josh Navidi, Richie Rees, Ceri Sweeney, Richard Mustoe.

Referee: Mr Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Blues do look stronger on paper, but the way both of these sides seasons have been so far, it's a really tough one to call.

Strongest Blues team for a while - Roberts is the only one missing

Im surprised that Filise is back in for Andrews :/ - Andrews has been playing well and does not deserve to be dropped.

Henson at 12 will be interesting

Blues should win this *fingers crossed*

13 internationals in the Blues starting lineup, and 4 on the bench

But, its form that matters and a lot of player seem to have been struggling with injury - I hope they havent been rushed back too soon for this game. Our bench isnt that strong and a lot of injuries early on and we will suffer.

Blues bench looks ok to me wales606.

In contrast on ours we have no back row forward and 2 locks, with us already having a lock playing at 6, and an 8 at 7.

Blues team looks strong on paper, interesting to see Henson back at 12.
isn't nugget fit again now? half expected him to be on the bench but Navidi more than deserves his place in the team.

Not familiar with the Irish back row ozz, any info on those players? and quite surprising to see Tom homer on the bench.

Didn't notice Homer on the bench. He almost beat us single handed at ccs. Glad he isn't starting

wales606 wrote:Didn't notice Homer on the bench. He almost beat us single handed at ccs. Glad he isn't starting

Second that!

J_D wrote:Blues team looks strong on paper, interesting to see Henson back at 12.
isn't nugget fit again now? half expected him to be on the bench but Navidi more than deserves his place in the team.

Not familiar with the Irish back row ozz, any info on those players? and quite surprising to see Tom homer on the bench.

Bryn Evans is a once capped former All Black lock who can do a job at 6, David Sisi in the summer was playing for England U18's and is an 8 rather than a 7, and Alex Gray is last seasons England U20 captain.

All good players individually but as a unit doesn't sit right, but not a lot else we could have put out with Danaher, Gibson, Hala'ufia, Thorpe, Siggery and Alexander injured and Treviranus on paternity leave in Samoa.

That's not a convincing Irish side, only half of them look first choice.

as an Irish fan, the back row worries me. It just doesn't look right at all, but basically with all our injury problems there isn't much we can do about it. The rest of the side looks pretty good, surprised Homer isn't starting but Jarvis has done OK with the boot recently.

This game just because a lot more significant

Edinburgh won away at Racing

This pool will come down to the final weekend now.

big win for Edimburgh

means Cardiff really need the win tomorrow.

Sisi at 7? Irish really do have injury problems.

Hope London Irish win this as its better for Ulster that way and I never thought I'd want the not-nots to win anything. Blues do look a bit stronger though - when is Pretorious back by the way?

this is going to be a nervewracking match. i reckon irish have the advantage. the blues have a good XV but playing away is going to be tough.

the blues have to come away with a win or our heini campaign is pretty much over.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

J_D wrote:Blues team looks strong on paper, interesting to see Henson back at 12.
isn't nugget fit again now? half expected him to be on the bench but Navidi more than deserves his place in the team.

Not familiar with the Irish back row ozz, any info on those players? and quite surprising to see Tom homer on the bench.

Bryn Evans is a once capped former All Black lock who can do a job at 6, David Sisi in the summer was playing for England U18's and is an 8 rather than a 7, and Alex Gray is last seasons England U20 captain.

All good players individually but as a unit doesn't sit right, but not a lot else we could have put out with Danaher, Gibson, Hala'ufia, Thorpe, Siggery and Alexander injured and Treviranus on paternity leave in Samoa.

Pretty unlucky with injuries then ozz, Gray looks like one for the future then, be interesting to see how they cope with Warburton

Someone wanna PM me with a link for this?

KickAndChase wrote:Someone wanna PM me with a link for this?

me too if someone has one?

me2 please pretty please

And me too if anyone has one?

Thank yooou

Found one sending the message. Andrew Cotter commentary YAY

Andrew Cotter is my favourite (living) commentator.

My top 100.

1. Andrew Cotter
2. Greg Clarke

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.
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.
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100. Eddie Butler

101. Brian Moore

What am I talking about he's a legend for all the wrong reasons.

BritishLion I was told off yesterday for posting links in the forum - apparently you gotta do private message or the mods come after ya

Cotter on Dan Parks:

"Sometimes [his performance] a little less than impressive"

Oh Cotter, marry me.

KickAndChase wrote:101. Brian Moore

What am I talking about he's a legend for all the wrong reasons.

BritishLion I was told off yesterday for posting links in the forum - apparently you gotta do private message or the mods come after ya

I am petrified.

See the Aironi v Clermont score?

82-0 jeez. Our very on Byrney boi got 2 tries.

BritishLion wrote:See the Aironi v Clermont score?

82-0 jeez. Our very on Byrney boi got 2 tries.

Did he get the points without having to do a football dive or a clothesline this time?

Anyone think Jarvis looks like Flood's brother?

That is a monster from Halfpenny. Why couldn't he do that in the world cup semi final? I'm convinced it was something to do with the balls. Everyone had a problem with them.

I bet Henson is itching to take some of those big kicks.

early exchange of penalties, not much going on so far.

London Irish need a new identity. Reading is 40 miles from London, none of the players are Irish (most seem to be Welsh these days).

Outside break nearly came off by the new Welsh centre Jenkins

Question:

Who do you play at 15 in for Wales?

A form Lee Byrne
A form Halfpenny?

Reading Welsh doesn't have the same ring

I was thinking just Reading.

Wow Henson got smashed.

Superb tackle on Henson!

BritishLion wrote:Question:

Who do you play at 15 in for Wales?

A form Lee Byrne
A form Halfpenny?

Halfpenny.

More difficult: Byrne or Shingler?

great hit from Armitage on Henson prevents a certain try!

BritishLion wrote:I was thinking just Reading.

it sounds crap I love it

BritishLion wrote:Question:

Who do you play at 15 in for Wales?

A form Lee Byrne
A form Halfpenny?

For me it would be Halfpenny but I have feeling it will be Byrne with Halfpenny on the wing.

Great offload by Sam, where was the support great hit on Henson.

Byrne or Shingler for what?

I think it will Halfpenny and North on the wings. Too soon for Cuthbert and if Byrne is playing well he is a great asset.

Byrne or Shingler for full back. I think it's close. (I don't like Byrne).

Henson on track to be lions 13 I can see

I can see a few surprise youngsters being thrown in early to the Poland camp.

Winning the Six Nations is important especially after a decent world cup, but Gatland will have one eye on the benefits of bringing so much youth through.

I think there will be some youngsters included especially in places where we do not have strength in depth and need to blood future options.

So not Byrne then

Why isn't Parks kicking ? That's all he's there for.

Poor kick.

What will be interesting is what will happen with Matthew Morgan and Biggar if they continue to improve. Will the Ospreys continue to rotate them depending on opposition and game situation or will they try Morgan in other positions from time to time or will one of them eventually move to another club?