Aviva Premiership - Round 2 Preview

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Friday 13th September 2013

Harlequins v Northampton 19:45

Round 2 starts with a real humdinger of a match as last years losing finallists travel to the previous year's champions. BT have chosen to make this game free-to-air via Freeview, BT TV, Sky and Virgin and plenty will turn in to watch what will hopefully be a great clash. Last week both sides won, but by all accounts Saints put on the better display. Their first half demolition of Exeter must have been impressive to watch. Quins on the other hand were a little disappointing - but the won. The likes of Corbisiero, Hartley and North for Saints, Robshaw, Care and Brown for Quins will garner much of the media attention. however it is the smaller contests that will fascinate me. PDJ after his unhappy time at Franklins Gardens will be eager to play and make his mark. Will we see both Dickson's on the field at the same time?
Last season Saints struggled against the other top 4 teams - there only win coming in the play-off when they stormed all over Sarries. Do they really believe they can win this game? If Fotuali'i (or Dickson) can guide Myler through this, Saints shoudl have too much for Quins even away from home. However if Quins can start well the we will see just how fragile the Northampton confidence is.

Harlequins Team:
TBC

Saints Team:
15 Ben FODEN, 14 Ken PISI, 13 James WILSON, 12 Luther BURRELL, 11 George NORTH, 10 Stephen MYLER, 9 Kahn FOTUALI’I
1 Alex CORBISIERO, 2 Dylan HARTLEY (capt), 3 Tom MERCEY, 4 Courtney LAWES, 5 Christian DAY, 6 Tom WOOD, 7 Calum CLARK, 8 Samu MANOA

Replacements
16 Mike HAYWOOD, 17 Alex WALLER, 18 Gareth DENMAN, 19 Sam DICKINSON, 20 Phil DOWSON, 21 Lee DICKSON, 22 George PISI, 23 Jamie ELLIOTT



Sale v Newcastle 20:00

Contrasting fortunes last week for two of the team favoured to be amongst the few fighting of relegation. Sale travelled to Gloucester and in front of a stunned Kingsholm completely outplayed a fancied Gloucester team. Falcons however hosted Bath on a wet and windy night, picked a side for an armwrestle and proceeded to be crushed by the Bath juggernaut of a pack. Those were the conditions that Falcons would have hoped to make the most of, but they looked underpowered and, sad to say, devoid of any attacking intent. This week it is their turn to travel on a Friday night. The Falcons pack have to raise their game, and someone has to control things at 9 or 10. Mike Blair was poor last week but he can play much better. Phil Godman however just is not good enough.
So long as Sale do not make changes at 10, I would expect them to win by a decent margin. The key for Falcons is to be competitive - and to score.




Saturday 14th September 2013

Exeter v London Wasps 15:00

Rob Baxter will have been really disappointed by last weeks display - especially in the first half when he stated that his side "looked like they were just going through the motions". We can expect training this week to be tough. Wasps struggled at scrum time against Quins and with injuries to key players in the backs, rarely worked the ball to their wingers with anything like the panache we saw last season. Joe Simpson is not the first scrum half, nor will he be the last, to struggle at the base of a scrum that is being shoved or wheeled almost at will. He really needs to find form, and fast though if he is to help Wasps start to win a few matches.
Whichever side loses this game will be anchored at the foot of the table. I suspect that will be Wasps.



Worcester v London Irish 15:00

Another match up between two teams who both lost last weekend. There is no real consolation in defeat, but Worcester perhaps will have taken more confidence from their match. They looked solid and direct (if a little lacking in inspiration) and will as usual be a hard side to beat. However a lack of any real attacking game and flaky goalkicking from Mieres always allows opposition to be in with a shout.
London Irish showed they can score tries - yet at the same time they looked seriously underpowered and at times fragile against Saracens. Dean Ryan and his Worcester team will have targeted this early fixture. They need a win and defeat to potential relegation rivals would put a huge dent in their season. For this reason I feel that a physical Worcester side will be too strong for a game and talented London Irish.



Bath v Leicester 15:15

The second of this weekends televised fixtures pits two clubs celebrating a centenary of inter club fixtures. It has been a while since the two were rivals at the top of the table, but Bath do look as if finally they are getting their recruitment right. In horrid conditions we saw little of thei backs at Kingston Park, but we did see just how strong the Bath pack will be. Again you feel that this is a battle that will be won up front, and having done a real number on Mulipola at the end of the season, David Wilson will be looking for more of the same.
Leicester will hope to welcome back England trio YoungsB, flood and Manu - which would strengthen the backs immeasurably and the absence of Francois Louw will help the Tigers cause. however I find it hard to look past a home win.



Sunday 15th September 2013

Saracens v Gloucester 14:00

The weekend's final fixture will again be live on BT Sport. Saracens, boasting ever impressive strength in depth, will be seeking another TBP win to finish the weekend firmly at the head of the table. A Gloucester side, coming off the back of a disappointing and disjointed effot, have the talent to move the ball at real pace and threaten the famed Saracens defence. Sarries however will resort to their power game and look to crush the visitors. Potentially an interesting match up between the main contenders for the England 12 shirt, both Barritt and Twelvetrees will be looking for improved performances




Good luck everyone, but not so much to Bath (sorry)

Londontiger I agree. The missing is irrelevant because you have a strong team.

That Mele bloke for example seems to be a great contrast to Youngs. He provides quick ball which is always good.

Whilst I would have rather seen Walker on the bench than Smith, that is a considerably better (still missing my first choice 2nd row) team from us than last week. Buchanan unlucky not to start, maybe Botica too

Benjamin/Kitchener both Saxons, Scully. Ok pushing it a bit but forgot that Mafi should be back

Not excuses Beshocked we just think we're likely to struggle. Bath have a powerful pack marshalled by a very experienced 9 and a back division laden with explosive talent. Away from home they'll be a lot of pressure and missing some big names isn't going to help the cause, as seen vs Worcester.

Cipriani would have left in the summer if anybody would have taken him. He's not a Diamond type of player, he wants people who will put their bodies on the line and bleed for the shirt. The two show pony big signings from last season didn't want to do that and he has successfully ditched one. Feel sorry for Rob Miller, for the last couple of seasons their best player and now consigned to the bench after opting to stay lat season.

beshocked wrote:Londontiger I agree. The missing is irrelevant because you have a strong team.

That Mele bloke for example seems to be a great contrast to Youngs. He provides quick ball which is always good.

It is irrelevant in terms of trying to win the league a you just have to make do and cope. There will always be injuries and for decent sides international call-ups.

BUT

When looking at who will win a fixture you have to take into account the relative strengths of the players available. At the end of last season Bath mashed us up front (much like Northampton did to you). Bath strengthened their team in the Summer (much like Northampton have). Now if you were going to Franklin's gardens this weekend, and if you were selecting a second choice prop who had struggled last week and had been taught a lesson in scrummaging by Saints last season, and if you had Mordt at 10, second choice 12, 4th choice 13, second choice FB - well would you be a little pessimistic of your chances?

That's all it is, we got beasted by Bath when we were close to full strength. So if we are some way away from that then surely it is OK to state that the extra missing players will be missed?

On the plus side, Logo apart, our pack is very strong still - and Bath will miss Francois Louw. Now while you have made clear you do not rate him, for me he is one of only a few world class players in the Aviva. so if Logo can survive Davy Wilson's assualt, if Tom Youngs is not splintered from his loosehead, if Dan Cole can get the better of Paul James then heck we coudl do very well.

If we get parity at the scrum and lineout then we stand a good chance. If we can get better than parity and put pressure on Ford we will do very well. We've got to be at our savvy best this week, there's no time for the headless chicken second half rubbish we saw last Sunday against Worcester.

If Mulipola wants a starting shirt now is his chance to make a big statement, Ayerza and Cole are quality and it is up to him to prove that It's not a simple case of penning their names in the starting lineup for all the big games.

Leicester Tigers (v Bath Rugby, The Recreation Ground, Saturday 3.15pm)
15 Niall Morris
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Vereniki Goneva
12 Anthony Allen (c)
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Ryan Lamb
9 Dave Mélé
1 Logovi'i Mulipola
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Ed Slater
5 Sebastian de Chaves
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Neil Briggs
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Jamie Gibson
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Sam Harrison
22 Owen Williams
23 Dan Bowden

Bath Rugby
15 Anthony Watson
14 Semesa Rokoduguni
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Gavin Henson
11 Matt Banahan
10 George Ford
9 Peter Stringer
1 Paul James
2 Rob Webber
3 David Wilson
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Dave Attwood
6 Matt Garvey
7 Guy Mercer
8 Leroy Houston

Replacements
16 Ross Batty
17 Nathan Catt
18 Anthony Perenise
19 Dominic Day
20 Alafoti Fa'osiliva
21 Micky Young
22 Tom Heathcote
23 Tom Biggs

The Glaws side is:
Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Henry Trinder, Billy Twelvetrees, James Simpson-Daniel; Freddie Burns, Tavis Knoyle; Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Rupert Harden; Tom Savage (capt), Lua Lokotui; Matt Kvesic, Akapusi Qera, Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements:

Koree Britton, Dan Murphy, Yann Thomas, Elliott Stooke, Ben Morgan, Dan Robson, Mike Tindall, Martyn Thomas

I think the dropping of Morgan and Robson is a fair reflection from last week. We're into the 2nd week of the season and my enthusiasm has gone already. I'm going Sarries by 40  

My worries have just increased for saturday.

was hoping for Williams to start ahead of Lamb. oh well lets see how he goes against a monster pack.

15 Chris Wyles; 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Joel Tomkins, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 David Strettle; 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Richard Wigglesworth ; 1 Rhys Gill, 2 Jamie George, 3 Matt Stevens, 4 Steve Borthwick ©, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 6 Billy Vunipola, 7 Jacques Burger, 8 Ernst Joubert.
Replacements;
16 Schalk Brits, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 James Johnston, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Jackson Wray, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Nils Mordt, 23 Ben Ransom

You just beat me to it LT!

First start for Henson at Bath, bit of a shame Eastmond couldn't make it. Other interesting selection is Mercer at 7, Gilbert played well last week and we only conceeded 4 or 5 penalties all game. Mercer has struggled with certain referees before, so I hope Lamb doesnt bring his kicking boots. As expected, the Tigers pack doesn't look as weak as some would have you believe!

Worcester Warriors vs. London Irish
15 Chris Pennell
14 Josh Drauniniu
13 Ravai Fatiaki
12 Josh Matavesi
11 David Lemi
10 Ignacio Mieres
9 Paul Hodgson

1 Paul Andrew
2 Ed Shervington
3 Euan Murray
4 Mike Williams
5 Chris Jones
6 Jonathan Thomas (C)
7 Sam Betty
8 Semisi Taulava
Replacements
16 Nick Seymour
17 Ofa Fainga'anuku
18 John Andress
19 Dean Schofield
20 Jake Abbott
21 Jeremy Su'a
22 Danny Gray
23 Jon Clarke

London Wasps team
15 Andrea Masi
14 Christian Wade
13 Chris Bell (captain)
12 Charlie Hayter
11 Josh Bassett
10 Andy Goode
9 Joe Simpson
1 Matt Mullan
2 Tom Lindsay
3 Jake Cooper-Woolley
4 Joe Launchbury
5 Tom Palmer
6 Ashley Johnson
7 Sam Jones
8 Ed Jackson
Replacements
16 Neil Cochrane
17 Simon McIntyre
18 Will Taylor
19 James Cannon
20 Guy Thompson
21 Charlie Davies
22 Tommy Bell
23 Ben Jacobs

London Irish team to face Worcester:

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Marland Yarde*; 13. Guy Armitage; 12. Eamonn Sheridan; 11. Andrew Fenby; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Tomás O’Leary* (Captain); 1. Matt Parr; 2. David Paice*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. Nic Rouse; 5. Kieran Low; 6. Jon Fisher; 7. Ofisa Treviranus*; 8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements: 16. Jimmy Stevens; 17 John Yapp*; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19.Bryn Evans*; 20. Jebb Sinclair*; 21. Declan Danaher; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Darren Allinson


Justy two backs on the LI bench

LondonTiger wrote:London Irish team to face Worcester:

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Marland Yarde*; 13. Guy Armitage; 12. Eamonn Sheridan; 11. Andrew Fenby; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Tomás O’Leary* (Captain); 1. Matt Parr; 2. David Paice*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. Nic Rouse; 5. Kieran Low; 6. Jon Fisher; 7. Ofisa Treviranus*; 8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements: 16. Jimmy Stevens; 17 John Yapp*; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19.Bryn Evans*; 20. Jebb Sinclair*; 21. Declan Danaher; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Darren Allinson


Justy two backs on the LI bench

I think they can guess what there going to get from the Worcester team. Let's see if Worcester can calm down a bit from last week or if we'll get another moan from Dean Ryan.

Bathman_in_London wrote:You just beat me to it LT!

First start for Henson at Bath, bit of a shame Eastmond couldn't make it. Other interesting selection is Mercer at 7, Gilbert played well last week and we only conceeded 4 or 5 penalties all game. Mercer has struggled with certain referees before, so I hope Lamb doesnt bring his kicking boots. As expected, the Tigers pack doesn't look as weak as some would have you believe!

Our main worry, other than Wilson v Mulipola, was in the midfield. Now the pack is clearly weaker than last week's fixture against Worcester (First choice lock pairing replaced by a member of the second choice and 3rd choice pair - so 4th and 5th choice players) and 2nd choice 6. The backs though look stronger - certainly defensively - withy Bowden removed allowing Allen, and Goneva to step inside one position to their more natural shirts.

LondonTiger wrote:London Irish team to face Worcester:

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Marland Yarde*; 13. Guy Armitage; 12. Eamonn Sheridan; 11. Andrew Fenby; 10. Ian Humphreys; 9. Tomás O’Leary* (Captain); 1. Matt Parr; 2. David Paice*; 3. Halani Aulika*; 4. Nic Rouse; 5. Kieran Low; 6. Jon Fisher; 7. Ofisa Treviranus*; 8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements: 16. Jimmy Stevens; 17 John Yapp*; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19.Bryn Evans*; 20. Jebb Sinclair*; 21. Declan Danaher; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Darren Allinson


Justy two backs on the LI bench

Couple of big calls from Brian Smith. Tagicakibau not in the 23 is absolutely right. He is a huge favourite of mine, but carried no threat whatsoever last week. Fenby was good in pre season and deserves the start. Hala'ufia had to come back in, the question being who to leave out, and I think Smith has made the right call benching Evans and shifting Low and Fisher positionally. Happy with that line up to be honest.

I'm a little bit concerned over Goneva and his tendency to rush out the line particulay vs Flood who knows he does it and who will take the ball flat and pass players into gaps. Still better than the can't tackle, won't tackle pairing of Bowden and Lamb from last week though.

No vice captain Deacon is a big blow as he is just the man to help negate what Bath will look for in the tight. Parling and Kitchener out means that calling the lineout falls to Ed Slater, he'll need to step up in that regard vs a lineout veteran in Hooper. De Chaves fills me with no confidence and with no lock on the bench he'll probably be on for the duration.

Of our six Lions we have only two present. That's a worry as we need to get the others back and bedded in before the HEC though England will probably steal them and break them again after that.

I hope Mele is kicking and not Lamb.

I feel ashamed by my actions and feel I need to confess my sins to all... I have just backed Bath for a win on SuperBru  

It will be home wins all round in my view.

Having just seen the Wuss team I hope LI stuff them. I understand they want to develop from an experienced core but there is no attempt to field any EQ players there. They seem to have turned their back on the academy that has given them (and others) so much.

To be fair Sam, with all the changes to our team seeing NEQs replacing EQ counterparts, only 7 of our starting XV are EQP this week.

Never fear formerly known as Sam, we will put Wuss to the sword this week!  

 COME ON YOU IRISH!!!!!  

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE LONDON WASPS

15 Phil Dollman
14 Ian Whitten
13 Sam Hill
12 Jason Shoemark
11 Tom James
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Haydn Thomas
1 Brett Sturgess
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Hoani Tui
4 Dean Mumm (capt)
5 Damian Welch
6 Tom Johnson
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Dave Ewers

16 Chris Whitehead
17 Ben Moon
18 Craig Mitchell
19 Tom Hayes
20 Ben White
21 Dave Lewis
22 Henry Slade
23 Matt Jess

With Sireli Naqelevuki still not at full fitness, young England U20 JWC start, Sam Hill, gets the nod in the centres for his first prem start. That promotion sees Ian Whitten move out to the wing in place of Matt Jess who drops to the bench and takes Hill's vacated slot. In the forward, no change, other than Craig Mitchell back at full fitness as TH replacement in place of the LH-covering Carl Rimmer

LondonTiger wrote:

beshocked wrote:Londontiger I agree. The missing is irrelevant because you have a strong team.

That Mele bloke for example seems to be a great contrast to Youngs. He provides quick ball which is always good.

It is irrelevant in terms of trying to win the league a you just have to make do and cope. There will always be injuries and for decent sides international call-ups.

BUT

When looking at who will win a fixture you have to take into account the relative strengths of the players available. At the end of last season Bath mashed us up front (much like Northampton did to you). Bath strengthened their team in the Summer (much like Northampton have). Now if you were going to Franklin's gardens this weekend, and if you were selecting a second choice prop who had struggled last week and had been taught a lesson in scrummaging by Saints last season, and if you had Mordt at 10, second choice 12, 4th choice 13, second choice FB - well would you be a little pessimistic of your chances?

That's all it is, we got beasted by Bath when we were close to full strength. So if we are some way away from that then surely it is OK to state that the extra missing players will be missed?

On the plus side, Logo apart, our pack is very strong still - and Bath will miss Francois Louw. Now while you have made clear you do not rate him, for me he is one of only a few world class players in the Aviva. so if Logo can survive Davy Wilson's assualt, if Tom Youngs is not splintered from his loosehead, if Dan Cole can get the better of Paul James then heck we coudl do very well.

Well it's not quite the same - our 2nd choice fly half would be Farrell or Hodgson. 4th choice no 13? Well that would probably be Streather. Not bad at all. 2nd choice full back - Wyles not bad again. 2nd choice prop - well that would be Gill or Vunipola. If you mean tight head that's Stevens or Johnston - could be worse. 

As it stands we are missing 6 of our 1st XV from last season but I am pessimistic? No, the strength is depth is great. Plus technically Bosch could count as an absentee too. 

Actually I changed my tune in regards to Louw. He played very well against you last season.

Bath look outclassed in the backrow department despite Tigers missing Croft. I know Bathite thinks the current Bath backrow is world class but I am not convinced yet.

Mulipola,Youngs and Cole are very good around the park. That's something you haven't taken into account. Frontrow isn't solely about scrummaging these days. Defence,breakdown work and carrying are all important too.

Lamb vs Ford will be interesting. Goal kicking will in all likelihood be important. That's one area I felt Lamb looked under par and does in general - admittedly I only saw the first 40 mins of Leicester-Worcester.

Lamb scared the bejesus out of me last week.

In fact I may try and get my ex-wife to the Falcons game. We may never see him again

True LT but that is injury led. Ideally we'd have one of the three missing English locks ahead of de Chaves, Croft ahead of Mafi, Youngs over Mele, Manu or Smith over Goneva and Tait over Hamilton. Worcester don't seem to have the same injury concerns. If anything players like Warwick and Creevy will come in and take more EQ players out of the first team.

Beshocked, against most teams I'd be fairly confident and I'd even be confident at WR but away from home against a Bath team with a massive pack and their tails up I think we'll struggle.

not much hope for this game with rain like this.

Not had much luck with Friday night games have we?  Second washout in a row.

I picked Quins on Superbru,  if I'd looked at the weather reports I would have gone with Saints.

Cumbrian wrote:Not had much luck with Friday night games have we?  Second washout in a row.

I picked Quins on Superbru,  if I'd looked at the weather reports I would have gone with Saints.

i went for NH by 10. That will earn me as much as britain in the eurovision song contest.

Nervous now

good luck CJ!

Indeed. Good luck to both teams!

who was sick on NH's kit?  

I can't get used to seeing North in a Saints' shirt!

Excellent kick

Weak attempt by Saints, rushed that

Penalty correct decision, reason for it plain wrong

Ref seemed pretty confident Marler was infringing.

interesting approach by Marler in that scrum.

Need to take those points

I think Marler's ability to get the long bind and flexibility will eventually lead him to become a very good scrummager in the future.

Cumbrian wrote:Ref seemed pretty confident Marler was infringing.

He was. Just not in the way the ref thought

Ah feck. At least Buchanan is a good (better on recent form) replacement

Such a shame for Gray, he seems to pick up some pretty bad injuries.

Defs a high tackle, oh well. Handling pretty good in this rain

Good positive play from Quins.

Not sure I agree with that one

Cumbrian wrote:I think Marler's ability to get the long bind and flexibility will eventually lead him to become a very good scrummager in the future.

unless the refs see it as something thats causing the scrums to become unstable.