Aviva Premiership Round One Discussion Thread

[Ozzy3213]

It's here folks, the Aviva Premiership season starts on Saturday. Rivalries will be renewed, and everyone will have an opinion on everything. Here is a discussion thread for Round One, with the fixtures listed. As teams are announced I will add them to the thread. I shall save my predictions until I start seeing line ups, as at this stage of the season nobody has any form with which to base a guess on. best of luck to all, but most importantly...



COME ON YOU IRISH

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London Wasps vs. Harlequins
Preview

London Wasps
1 Tim Payne 2 Tom Lindsay 3 Fabio Staibano 4 Joe Launchbury 5 Marco Wentzel 6 James Haskell 7 Jonathan Poff 8 Billy Vunipola; 9 Joe Simpson 10 Nick Robinson 11 Tom Varndell 12 Andrea Masi 13 Elliot Daly 14 Christian Wade 15 Hugo Southwell

Replacements: 16 T Rhys Thomas 17 Simon McIntyre 18 Zak Taulafo 19 Tom Palmer 20 Ashley Johnson 21 Nic Berry 22 Tommy Bell 23 Chris Mayor

Harlequins
15. Mike Brown 14. Tom Williams 13. Matt Hopper 12. Jordan Turner-Hall 11. George Lowe 10. Nick Evans 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler 2. Joe Gray 3. James Johnston 4. Olly Kohn 5. George Robson 6. Maurie Fa'asavalu 7. Chris Robshaw 8. Nick Easter

Replacements: 16. Rob Buchanan 17. Mark Lambert 18. Will Collier 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Tom Guest 21. Karl Dickson 22. Ben Botica 23. Ross Chisholm

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Exeter Chiefs vs. Sale Sharks
Preview

Exeter Chiefs
15 Phil Dollman 14 Josh Tatupu 13 Ian Whitten 12 Jason Shoemark 11 Matt Jess 10 Ignacio Mieres 9 Will Chudley; 1 Brett Sturgess 2 Chris Whitehead 3 Craig Mitchell 4 Tom Hayes 5 Aly Muldowney 6 Tom Johnson 7 James Scaysbrook 8 Richard Baxter

Replacements: 16 Simon Alcott 17 Ben Moon 18 Chris Budgen 19 James Hanks 20 James Phillips 21 Kevin Barrett 22 Gareth Steenson 23 Luke Arscott

Sale Sharks
15. Rob Miller 14. Will Addison 13. Johnny Leota 12. Sam Tuitupou 11. Corne Uys 10. Nick Macleod 9. Dwayne Peel; 1. Eifion Lewis-Roberts 2. Joe Ward 3. Vadim Cobilas 4. Richie Gray 5. Fraser McKenzie 6. James Gaskell 7. David Seymour (c.) 8.Andy Powell

Replacements: 16. Marc Jones 17. Ross Harrison 18. Tony Buckley 19. Kearnan Myall 20. Richie Vernon 21. Cillian Willis 22. Danny Cipriani 23. Jordan Davies.

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Gloucester vs. Northampton Saints
Preview

Gloucester
15. Jonny May 14. Charlie Sharples 13. Mike Tindall 12. Billy Twelvetrees 11. James Simpson-Daniel 10. Freddie Burns 9. Dan Robson; 1. Nick Wood 2. Darren Dawidiuk 3. Rupert Harden 4. Tom Savage 5. Alex Brown (capt) 6. Matt Cox 7. Akapusi Qera 8 Ben Morgan

Replacements: 16. Dan Murphy 17. Huia Edmonds 18. Shaun Knight 19. Will James 20. Sione Kalamafoni 21. Dave Lewis 22. Henry Trinder 23. Martyn Thomas

Northampton Saints
15. Ben Foden 14. Ken Pisi 13. George Pisi 12. Dominic Waldouck 11. Vasily Artemyev 10. Ryan Lamb 9. Lee Dickson; 1. Soane Tonga'uiha 2. Dylan Hartley 3. Brian Mujati 4. Samu Manoa 5. Christian Day 6. Phil Dowson 7. Tom Wood 8. GJ Van Velze

Replacements: 16. Mike Haywood 17. Alex Waller 18. Paul Doran-Jones 19. Mark Sorenson 20. Rhys Oakley 21. Martin Roberts 22. Stephen Myler 23. Luther Burrell

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Worcester Warriors vs. Bath Rugby
Preview

Worcester Warriors
15 Chris Pennell 14 Josh Drauniniu 13 Alex Grove 12 Josh Matavesi 11 David Lemi 10 Andy Goode 9 Shaun Perry; 1 Matt Mullan 2 Aleki Lutui 3 John Andress 4 James Percival 5 Dean Schofield 6 Chris Jones 7 Sam Betty 8 Semisi Taulava

Replacements: 16 Ollie Hayes 17 Ceri Jones 18 James Currie 19 Craig Gillies 20 Matt Kvesic 21 Jonny Arr 22 Joe Carlisle 23 Ben Howard

Bath Rugby
15. Nick Abendanon 14. Tom Biggs 13. Dan Hipkiss 12. Matt Banahan 11. Kyle Eastmond 10. Olly Barkley 9. Michael Claassens; 1. Paul James 2. Lee Mears 3. David Wilson 4. Stuart Hooper (c) 5. Dominic Day 6. Carl Fearns 7. Francois Louw 8. Ben Skirving

Replacements: 16. Ross Batty 17. Nathan Catt 18. Kane Palma-Newport 19. Dave Attwood 20. Will Skuse 21. Mark McMillan 22. Ollie Devoto 23. Jack Cuthbert

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Saracens vs. London Irish
Preview

Saracens
15 Alex Goode 14 Chris Ashton 13 Joel Tomkins 12 Brad Barritt 11 Chris Wyles 10 Charlie Hodgson 9 Richard Wigglesworth; 1 Mako Vunipola 2 Schalk Brits 3 Petrus du Plessis 4 Steve Borthwick 5 Mouritz Botha 6 Kelly Brown 7 Will Fraser 8 Ernst Joubert

Replacements: 16 Jamie George 17 Rhys Gill 18 Carlos Nieto 19 Eoin Sheriff 20 Jackson Wray 21 Neil de Kock 22 Nils Mordt 23 James Short

London Irish
15. Tom Homer 14. Topsy Ojo 13. Jonathan Joseph 12. Sailosi Tagicakibau 11. Marland Yarde 10. Steve Shingler 9. Tomás O’Leary; 1. Max Lahiff 2. Scott Lawson 3. Leo Halavatau 4. George Skivington 5. Bryn Evans (Captain) 6. Jamie Gibson 7. Ofisa Treviranus 8. Jon Fisher

Replacements: 16. Brian Blaney 17. Halani Aulika 18. Cai Griffiths 19. Kieran Low 20. Declan Danaher 21. Alex Gray 22. Shane Geraghty 23. Jack Moates

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London Welsh vs. Leicester Tigers
Preview

London Welsh
15 Tom Arscott 14 Phil MacKenzie 13 Sonny Parker 12 Hudson Tonga'uiha 11 Joe Ajuwa 10 Gordon Ross 9 Jonah Holmes; 1 Franck Montanella 2 Neil Briggs 3 Paulica Ion 4 Jonathan Mills 5. Kirill Kulemin 6 Ed Williamson 7 Lee Beach 8 Daniel Browne.

Replacements: 16 Greg Bateman 17 Tom Bristow 18 Arthur Joly 19 Martin Purdy 20 Alfie To'oala 21 Nick Runciman 22 Seb Jewell 23 Nick Scott

Leicester Tigers
15. Geordan Murphy 14. Scott Hamilton 13. Manu Tuilagi 12. Anthony Allen 11. Vereniki Goneva 10. Toby Flood 9. Micky Young; 1. Lugovi'i Mulipola 2. Tom Youngs 3. Dan Cole 4. Rob Andrew 5. Geoff Parling 6. Steve Mafi 7. Julian Salvi 8. Thomas Waldrom

Replacements: 16. George Chuter 17. Boris Stankovich 18. Martin Castrogiovanni 19. Brett Deacon 20. Jordan Crane 21. Sam Harrison 22. George Ford 23. Matt Smith

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[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

[Ozzy3213]

You confident of an opening day win Asbo?

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

You confident of an opening day win Asbo?

Not brimming over, that's for sure - I know that we're difficult to beat at home, but tbh pre-season has been mixed and we've not really found our rhythm yet. There are also a couple of selections that are still up in the air, both props (dependent on injury), boiler room (all 4 have done about the same in pre-season), no8 (no standout yet for me), centres (is big Naqer the answer?), plus Sale have been going pretty well, with their newbies settling in nicely - so, all in all, quietly nervous

[Ozzy3213]

I know that feeling mate. We have some really exciting players to call on that I am looking forward to seeing, but there are also a few jerseys where there are question marks, mainly in the front row. Whole raft of emotions going in to Saturday. Confidence in the fact that I know we will be better than last season, excitement at the prospect of actually competing this year, and nervousness that it could all go jubblies up on the big day.

You gotta love the start of the new rugby season!

[Ozzy3213]

Has Dean Mumm arrived for your lot yet?

[HongKongCherry]

Oh how i've missed the rugby season. There is only so long that I can take DIY and shopping before going mad

I shall be going for mostly home wins with the exception of Oxford and the away sides at Twickenham - I think Sarries will have a good season, but can see Irish getting this one.

More importantly I shall be going to Castle Grim and shouting for all my worth. Hopefully I'll be rejoicing by the end, but either way I'll be happy the season has started... barring any disaster performances, but Glaws aren't known for those...

[HammerofThunor]

Remember everyone, all the games can be streamed from the premiership rugby website. I think it's the full games 3 hours after the game has finished and highlights for each game 24 hours after the game has finished (it's still on the website so I'm assuming they will anyway )

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Has Dean Mumm arrived for your lot yet?

Mid September apparently

[Driver]

Feels wierd preparing for a season in the championship ahead of the stars and fireworks of the Aviva Premiership.


Here's to a swift return

[Ozzy3213]

I'm pretty sure the Falcons will be straight back up Driver. Richards in charge will not settle for mediocrity.

[Ozzy3213]

If any line ups get announced today then let me know folks and I will add them to the OP.

[bluestonevedder]

Feels wierd preparing for a season in the championship ahead of the stars and fireworks of the Aviva Premiership.


Here's to a swift return

I agree with Ozzy, Driver. It won't be long, and I think it will do some of your younger players the world of good- a good solid season of hard-graft rugby, and then promotion. With Richards in charge, I think you'll going to develop a really physical style of play, and look forward to seeing it!

[maestegmafia]

I'll be supporting my new local club Bath RFC away to Worcester. Apparently we always win the first game of the season.

[yappysnap]

First Rugby Club of the season tonight i'd really hoped ESPN would do their own version of it this year but no joy.

As for Quins i'm fairly confident/nervous. We should win this game going on previous form but does that really count for anything now? There's been a lot of talk about how insanely intense preseason has been this year so hopefully the players will be fitter then ever, combine that with some good weather and I think we could do well.

I'm still worried by the lack of signings (two players, the nearest club to that was 4) but hopefully i'll be proved wrong.

So Quins by 5

[Jimpy]

I can see Tigers ripping Oxford Welsh a new one.

On the other hand.....

[bluestonevedder]

For Tigers, I'm worried about our current injuries, especially in the backrow and second row. I'm hoping that our new signings can comfortably slot into place and perform. Because of that, I think Tigers won't put as many points on LW as they possibly could with their full strength squad. Regardless, I'm going for Tigers by 20.

[formerly known as Sam]

Cockers has come out and said that Thompstone, Benjamin and Bowden will all be in the A League team for Monday night as they were either coming back from injury or picked up knocks in pre season. Expect to see a starting line up of something like:

Mulipola, T Youngs, Castro
Andrew, Parling
Salvi, Waldrom, Mafi
Young, Flood
Allen, Manu
Goneva, Murphy, Hamilton

Bench: Stanko, Hawkins, Cole, Crane, Thorpe, Harrison, Ford, Smith.

[bluestonevedder]

GLad to hear those three are making a swift return. Goneva impressed me a lot so far- big and powerful runs on the wing.

Sam, what about Kitchener in the second row I was hoping he'd be making some regular appearances in the first team now?

[formerly known as Sam]

Sam, what about Kitchener in the second row I was hoping he'd be making some regular appearances in the first team now?

I've not been to any of the pre season friendlies so I've had to make do reading the reports and according to those he's not played yet. I'd assume he'll be in the A league team on Monday trying to get some match fitness for the new season. Worryingly Stanko hasn't played this pre season either so I wouldn't be to suprised to see either Balmain or Harris on the bench as specialist loosehead cover.

[Ozzy3213]

To be fair Sam, whoever your loosehead is he will have a field day up against Ion unless he has massively improved on his scrummaging performances for us last season.

[bluestonevedder]

Thanks for the info Sam. Has he been injured then? (Kitchener that is) I don't recall him being injured, but it's odd he hasn't started any of the pre season games.

[yappysnap]

How are Croft and Crane coming on? Did Crane get any pre season time? Looking forward to seeing them both turning out for Tigers along side Salvi, that'll be one mean backrow!

[LondonTiger]

Croft may, but probably not, be in contention for the HC.

Crane featured in every pre-season game, scoring a few tries. He came off the bench against Nottingham, sneaking a pushover try when we pushed them off their own scrum. Overall he looked good, so expect to see a lot of rotation between him and Waldrom.

[formerly known as Sam]

To be fair Sam, whoever your loosehead is he will have a field day up against Ion unless he has massively improved on his scrummaging performances for us last season.

To be fair the young lad Balmain is looking a real talent, Cockers has actually said he could break into the first team squad this season from the academy. That's a big step at Tigers who like their props to be hard and mean with plenty of experience. Harris the other young lad is older, has championship experience with Notts and is of only any real use in the scrum. The scrum should hold up but we may lose out around the park.

Has he been injured then? (Kitchener that is)

A 'knock' was mentioned before the Ulster game and I've not heard or seen anything since.

How are Croft and Crane coming on?

Crane grabbed 1 start, 2 sub appearences and I think he got 3 tries in the end. He seems to be coming along nicely with some more game time off the bench in Sept and then all out competition for the 8 shirt come Oct. Croft won't be back before October and didn't play in any pre season games.

Tait didn't play in any pre season games either but I chatted to someone the other day who had seen him warming up with the squad in one of the friendlies (can't remember which friendly it was). So he should be on track to make his come back in the A League at some point in September as planned.

[Ozzy3213]

Interesting interview with George Skivington...

http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12550/8033134/Top-target-for-Exiles

Basically says that the players are realistic about the challenges ahead this season but they believe we can make the top 4.

I think Skivs could be a massive signing for us, very underated player in my opinion.

[formerly known as Sam]

He's a good player Ozzy. Gets around the park, decent in the lineout and seems to excel at tormenting the opposition 9. I think had he been either better at the lineout (he isn't great at calling a lineout but is a decent jumper) or more physical (able to be the enforcer) he would have a lot of England caps by now. Unfortunatly for him he falls somewhere in between the two traditional roles and so is often overlooked.

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah, he's sort of a 4 and half as opposed to a 4 or 5 really isn't he. Interestingly for us, Bryn Evans is also a 4 and half, so we will have to wait and see how their partnership in the engine room works.

[Cumbrian]

Feeling really positive about the coming season (even though we're not in the league ). Everywhere you look in the Jeff squads you see players with potential, players you want to watch. Every match up provides potential fireworks.

I've got a feeling that this could be a watershed year for the young English talent coming through. Players like George Ford and Jonny May will be sticking their hands up and demanding attention from the national team management.

In some ways it will be quite nice to be a neutral and just observe all of this.

[yappysnap]

Give him the captaincy Ozzy! He looked far better at Wasps when he was leading them, seems to be a player that enjoys the extra responsibility.

[Ozzy3213]

He was my choice for captain yappy, but I suspect that with all the changes at the club that Brian Smith wanted a remaining senior player to lead the troops through the season. Danaher is club captain, but Smith has identified a leadership group who will most likely all at some point be captain on a matchday with rotation and everything. I am pretty sure that Skivs will be part fo that group.

[ChequeredJersey]

Good matches to start the season, gutted that I was too poor to get my usual double header tickets! Can't wait to try and watch the running Rugby at Twickers on Telly, we need to win with some confidence to get as close to emulating last year's (helped by the RWC) early season form as possible

[yappysnap]

That's the danger Chequered. Trying to emulate that crazy run of games could be our undoing. We can't play the 1st XV every game so there'll need to be a lot of rotation within the squad, not a problem except we'll be targeted a lot more by other clubs now and they won't be missing too many players to the WC etc.

I'd be happy with being within a couple of points of the top two teams by Xmas and then trying to make a good run after that. It's not an issue if we drop a few matches now as long as the squad are well bedded in and ready for the home run next year.

[ChequeredJersey]

But our form is always poor just after Christmas when the weather inevitably gets Poopie!

[Ozzy3213]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19422321

I will be overjoyed if we see a similar picture to this come the end of the season!

[yappysnap]

True CJ, I just don't want to get too hung up on every game right now. And after the performance of the forwards in the latter part of last season maybe christmas this year will be different?

Pete you'd have to prize our hands off it first!! (And they are literally taped on)

[Ozzy3213]

I thought some teams would be announced today, but guess all clubs are leaving it until tomorrow now.

At a guess I think we will line up as follows;-

Homer, Ojo, Joseph, Shingler, Tagicakibau, Geraghty, O'Leary; Lahiff, Lawson, Halavatau, Evans, Skivington, Danaher, Treviranus, Fisher.

Geraghty and Shingler may be the other way round, but they are pretty interchangable at 10 and 12 anyway.

[LondonTiger]

Looks like you have a few injury problems Pete, based on this message on the LI Website

Due to injury, London Irish has had to postpone the 'A' League fixture with London Welsh which was scheduled to take place on Monday 3rd September at Sunbury.

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah, we have a few, mainly in the front row, which I suspect is the reason for calling off the A league game.

[DaveM]

Cockers has come out and said that Thompstone, Benjamin and Bowden will all be in the A League team for Monday night as they were either coming back from injury or picked up knocks in pre season. Expect to see a starting line up of something like:

Mulipola, T Youngs, Castro
Andrew, Parling
Salvi, Waldrom, Mafi
Young, Flood
Allen, Manu
Goneva, Murphy, Hamilton

Bench: Stanko, Hawkins, Cole, Crane, Thorpe, Harrison, Ford, Smith.

6 English starters (well 7 including Waldrom)? That's a slightly disappointing start to the season.

[Ozzy3213]

The anticipation of the team announcements is starting to get to me. i had forgotten what Fridays were like during the season!

[yappysnap]

Probably still better then most though.

Quins team should be:

Marler
Gray
Johnston
Robson
Kohn
Fa'Asavalu
Robshaw
Easter
Care
Evans
Williams/Smith/Stegmann
Turner-Hall
Lowe
Monye
Brown

14 of those 15 are set in stone, only question mark will be Tom Williams, Seb Stegmann or Sam Smith at 11. I'd prefer Smith I think as he's more threatening then Williams but safer then Stegmann, but I think we'll see Williams for his security and experience.

Bench will be interesting should be something like:
16. Brooker/Buchanan
17. Fairbrother
18. Croall?
19. Mayhew
20. Guest
21. Dickson
22. Clegg/Botica
23. Hopper/Chisholm

Question marks for the bench are fly half, will we stick with Clegg or give the new guy a go as he covers 12 as well? And then the utility back space will either go to Hopper to cover 13 and wing or Chisholm to cover wing and fullback to be honest it's too close to call there.

[Ozzy3213]

London Irish team to face Saracens....

15. Tom Homer; 14. Topsy Ojo*13. Jonathan Joseph*; 12. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 11. Marland Yarde 10. Steve Shingler; 9. Tomás O’Leary; 1. Max Lahiff; 2. Scott Lawson*; 3. Leo Halavatau; 4. George Skivington; 5. Bryn Evans (Captain)*; 6. Jamie Gibson; 7. Ofisa Treviranus*; 8. Jon Fisher

Replacements: 16. Brian Blaney; 17. Halani Aulika*; 18. Cai Griffiths; 19. Kieran Low; 20. Declan Danaher; 21. Alex Gray; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Jack Moates

[ChequeredJersey]

Side looks good Ozzy

[Cumbrian]

The Sarries team:

15 Alex Goode
14 Chris Ashton
13 Joel Tomkins
12 Brad Barritt
11 Chris Wyles

10 Charlie Hodgson
9 Richard Wigglesworth

1 Mako Vunipola
2 Schalk Brits
3 Petrus du Plessis
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Kelly Brown
7 Will Fraser
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Rhys Gill
18 Carlos Nieto
19 Eoin Sheriff
20 Jackson Wray
21 Neil de Kock
22 Nils Mordt
23 James Short

[ChequeredJersey]

Harlequins team to face London Wasps
15. Mike Brown
14. Tom Williams
13. Matt Hopper
12. Jordan Turner-Hall
11. George Lowe
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Joe Gray
3. James Johnston
4. Olly Kohn
5. George Robson
6. Maurie Fa'asavalu
7. Chris Robshaw ©
8. Nick Easter

Replacements

16. Rob Buchanan
17. Mark Lambert
18. Will Collier
19. Charlie Matthews
20. Tom Guest
21. Karl Dickson
22. Ben Botica
23. Ross Chisholm

[LondonTiger]

Tigers and LW teams up:
http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/14857.php

Tigers start with Cole ahead of Castro in the only change to last weekends starting XV, with Bobo Stankovich and Brett Deacon on the bench.

[Cumbrian]

Gloucester Rugby:

Jonny May; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall, Billy Twelvetrees, James Simpson-Daniel; Freddie Burns, Dan Robson; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Tom Savage, Alex Brown (capt); Matt Cox, Akapusi Qera, Ben Morgan

Replacements:

Dan Murphy, Huia Edmonds, Shaun Knight, Will James, Sione Kalamafoni, Dave Lewis, Henry Trinder, Martyn Thomas

[LondonTiger]

Ooh Joel Tomkins starting! No matt Stevens nor Owen Farrell in Sarries sqaud - injuries?

[ChequeredJersey]

Ugo not fit for us yet then

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