Aviva Premiership - Round 19

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Table:

Pos	Team	__Pld__	__Won__	_Drawn_	_Lost_	__For__	_Against_	__TF__	__TA__	__TBP__	__LBP__	__Pts__
1	Saracens	18	16	0	2	507	260	53	27	8	0	72
2	Northampton Saints	18	14	1	3	451	269	52	22	5	2	65
3	Leicester Tigers	18	12	2	4	422	342	43	30	4	2	58
4	Bath Rugby	18	12	1	5	410	313	40	32	3	2	55
5	Sale Sharks	18	11	0	7	323	296	31	25	2	5	51
6	Harlequins	18	11	0	7	337	288	32	26	2	3	49
7	London Wasps	18	7	0	11	341	364	33	33	2	9	39
8	Gloucester Rugby	18	7	0	11	328	425	33	46	2	6	36
9	Exeter Chiefs	18	7	0	11	324	349	28	34	1	6	35
10	London Irish	18	5	0	13	283	390	24	37	0	6	26
11	Newcastle Falcons	18	3	0	15	200	414	15	45	1	6	19
12	Worcester Warriors	18	1	0	17	224	440	18	45	0	6	10

Fixtures:

Fri 11th Apr 14
19:45 Sale Sharks  v   Harlequins BT Sport

Sat 12th Apr 14
15:00 Leicester Tigers  v   London Wasps
15:00        Worcester Warriors  v   Exeter Chiefs
15:15 Gloucester Rugby  v   Bath Rugby BT Sport

Sun 13th Apr 14
14:00 Saracens  v   Northampton Saints BT Sport
15:00 London Irish  v   Newcastle Falcons

I wish commentators and pundits knew the laws.

Great skill by Myler but it WAS a knock on. Ball comes forward of his hand onto the Sarries player's bicep before Myler claws it back.

HT - Irish 40 Falcons 12 (6 tries to nil!)

Complete disgrace Pete.

I may be wrong but I think that's Irish's first TBP this season, after 28mins!

40-12 at half time to a team of Irish's standard(to any standard to be fair) is a disgrace.

You are right it's our first TBP this season. I'm not at the game (gutted) but I would agree that you boys have some serious problems. You must be thanking the lord that Worcester are quite so terrible right now.

It's got gradually worse through the season. Richards position needs looking at I think, he seems out of touch.

I was there and what would worry me for Falcons is that they spent nearly the entire 2nd half attacking but still couldn't score … bizarre match, 52 points in total in the 1st half and not one in the 2nd half ...

Its jut horrific.

And whats worse is now is Season ticket renewal time. That's a great advert to renew isn't it!!

Amateurish. In fact I think the majority of the crowd could have a better game plan and tactics.

Hang on. Wasn't Deano the Messiah?

My bet is that by this time next year he will be and there'll be talk of comfortable recosolidation.

It's the guys darn sarf wot need to worry imo. Probably the insects or the Oirish.

Howay the Lads!

Portnoy,

Its the tactics he's employing, and the selections changes constantly. No one can work out what the hell is going on.

For example he's played Fury at 9 so often who's absolute garbage...and his continuous selection of Godman until recently, who isn't fit to wear my local clubs 10 spot is just mind blowing.

GF,
"My bet is that by this time next year he will be there" [or thereabouts] "and there'll be talk of comfortable recosolidation.

It's the guys darn sarf wot need to worry imo. Probably the insects or the Oirish.

Howay the Lads!"

Quins still have a lot to do. Bath getting the win was bad news for us, now there's 5 points difference and we must must must beat Leicester this Friday.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:The same game you did.

His kicking from hand was dreadful, as was his goal kicking. I thought his game management was poor and his tackling sub standard. I thought he had a real stinker.

 
Neither side was convincing really, I actually thought Glaws played with the most attacking intent...
 
Wigglesworth stifled what was already a turgid match.
 
However, the behaviour of Glaws as a team (and if you believe the allegations, the fans at the match too) was disgraceful. I have a friend who is a lifelong Glaws supporter and she publicly Facebooked to say she had never been so ashamed as she was on Saturday - to be associated with a team behaving like that was deeply embarasssing in her eyes. The whole season has been a litany of poor discipline, poor play and poor tactics.

yappysnap wrote:Quins still have a lot to do. Bath getting the win was bad news for us, now there's 5 points difference and we must must must beat Leicester this Friday.

Bet you don't, don't, don't....

Portnoy,

I hope he turns it round, like we all hoped.
He's bringing the kids through, the signings of Socino and Green for next year are good, Sinoti is a good signing. Tipuna looks a decent one.

Its the tactics thats concerning everyone.

Jimpy wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Quins still have a lot to do. Bath getting the win was bad news for us, now there's 5 points difference and we must must must beat Leicester this Friday.

Bet you don't, don't, don't....

We will

Arguably the win is more important to Quins than Tigers. We do however need to win to keep the pressure on Saints.

Quins form has not looked great, though from reports I understand form was better against Sale. If that is so, then we need to be better than we were on Saturday.

My gut feel, Quins take an early lead - but Leicester slowly squeeze them out of the game and seal a tense win in the last 10 minutes.

LondonTiger wrote:Arguably the win is more important to Quins than Tigers. We do however need to win to keep the pressure on Saints.

Quins form has not looked great, though from reports I understand form was better against Sale. If that is so, then we need to be better than we were on Saturday.

My gut feel, Quins take an early lead - but Leicester slowly squeeze them out of the game and seal a tense win in the last 10 minutes.

 
Strangely, I think Tigers will beat Quins fairly comfortably, but struggle to beat Sale (which I expect). Saracens at home last match is anyone's guess, but Saracens may have one eye on the final by then and might well rest key players. Either way, I think Tigers will take 2nd spot and reach the final this year.

Sarries will have secured a home semi already and probably secured top spot, and may also be looking towards an HEC final. As such they may elect to rest players for the last round of the regular season.

Tigers shouldn't struggle against Sale, although they're good the quality of players is drastically different between the sides.

This Friday will be a close one if we keep our composure, if we try too much too early then it'll just be feeding Tigers. We need to cut down the handling errors, straighten the line more often and take our chances when they're on.

Quins v Tigers on a Friday night is an interesting one.

Things in Quins' favour
---------------------
1. It's their 3rd Friday-nighter on the trot so they're used to the routine and they'll have had a full 7 days to prepare
2. It's at home (which is just about an advantage this season)
3. They'll probably be able to field an unchanged team for the 3rd week running
4. Quins are finding some form - they've been on an upward curve the last 3 games
5. There are some good players coming back to fitness - Ross Chisholm and Tom Williams for instance
6. The weather's likely to be dry and warm, which suits Quins' style
7. It's a must-win game for Quins but probably less critical for Tigers
8. Did I read that Mulipola might be out injured?

Things in Tigers' favour
----------------------
1. They've had the edge in this fixture the last couple of times
2. Their form is generally better and they're riding higher in the table
3. They're Tigers. It's the run in. Is there more to be said?

Being home is an advantage because we have been rubbish away!

Depends who the ref is. Wayne Barnes interpretation of the breakdown and scrums benefits Quins more than Tigers. After Saturday please nor Andrew Small!

Should be a close game with both sides getting the vast majority of their injured players back. Mulipola has only taken a knock and was subbed on precaution (allegedly).

Cockers has said it was a minor thing and will be fine for Friday.

 Whether that is true we will see.

 Also plus points for tigers:

 - haven't lost in the premiership this year (2014).
 - Have taken 34 points in the last 7 games.
 - Have taken 19 points in the last 4 games.
 - Niall Morris and Geoff Parling are fit and ready to go.
 - Allen, Ayerza and Deacon been given a weeks rest.

don't agree with quins have more to play for.

 a win for tigers means they are def in the Play-offs and will be wanting to overtake Saints for 2nd for the first time (although saints will overtake them again if they beat irish which they should).

Please no Wigglesworth as ref!! Watching him maim thy GlosvBath game was just horrific.

Welly wrote:don't agree with quins have more to play for.

 a win for tigers means they are def in the Play-offs and will be wanting to overtake Saints for 2nd for the first time (although saints will overtake them again if they beat irish which they should).

If Quins lose, they are almost certainly out of the playoffs, whereas by your own example Tigers can only improve their position if other results go their way, and are pretty certain of a playoff place anyway. It's marginal, but I would compare it to the equivalent game two years ago - which IIRC was 1st v 2nd but a Quins win would have secured 1st place for definite. The situation is slightly different but it was clear after the game that Tigers wanted it more.

By the way, after that game Cockers said of Croft's injury (and I quote pretty much verbatim, because I was in the press room when he said it): "He's fine. He's walking around and he's a bit embarrassed about it to be honest, he should be OK to play next week." I take Cockers' post match injury reports with a pinch of salt.

Abendanon and James cited for punching and stamping.

Abendanon for running in at the end. James is for the stamp on Knight's hand earlier I think. When Knight did the fake 'butt'

Poorfour wrote:

Welly wrote:don't agree with quins have more to play for.

 a win for tigers means they are def in the Play-offs and will be wanting to overtake Saints for 2nd for the first time (although saints will overtake them again if they beat irish which they should).

If Quins lose, they are almost certainly out of the playoffs, whereas by your own example Tigers can only improve their position if other results go their way, and are pretty certain of a playoff place anyway. It's marginal, but I would compare it to the equivalent game two years ago - which IIRC was 1st v 2nd but a Quins win would have secured 1st place for definite. The situation is slightly different but it was clear after the game that Tigers wanted it more.

By the way, after that game Cockers said of Croft's injury (and I quote pretty much verbatim, because I was in the press room when he said it): "He's fine. He's walking around and he's a bit embarrassed about it to be honest, he should be OK to play next week." I take Cockers' post match injury reports with a pinch of salt.

Te be fair, Cockers said that straight after the game without Croft being assessed. Logo had been assessed when he mentioned it. Still, wouldn't trust what he says regarding injuries - he tends to keep them close to his chest.

LondonTiger wrote:Abendanon and James cited for punching and stamping.

Post match level one citings though, which is the equivalent of a yellow. So they should be free to play next week I think. Bendy has dodged a bullet there.

The whole Croft thing was a bit embarrassing for Cockers. The initial assessment was that it was only a stinger it wasn't until they'd got him back to Leicester and done the full assessment that they realised the extent to the injury.

He could be back in a couple of weeks though I fear that may be too late for him to feature this season with Matera looking a beast off the bench.

formerly known as Sam wrote:The whole Croft thing was a bit embarrassing for Cockers. The initial assessment was that it was only a stinger it wasn't until they'd got him back to Leicester and done the full assessment that they realised the extent to the injury.

He could be back in a couple of weeks though I fear that may be too late for him to feature this season with Matera looking a beast off the bench.

Tigers have been going well without Tom, I think it's time Croft's future at the club was given consideration. Let's face it, good though he is, he's hardly played a match for club or country in two years. Too injury prone.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Missing 3 tackles isn't average, it's poor.

I'm not suggesting he is a bruising tackling 10 but you expect an Int 10 to make his tackles at AP level.

If Ford can't deal with Tindall, Cook etc, how can he be expected to deal with Nonu, Savea?

We obviously have very differing opinions of what is average.

Bath fans might well be patting themselves on the back, but the fact is that they were average. Glaws had to go down to 12 men before Bath were able to nick the win. Couple of good line breaks by both sides, but for 70 minutes it was like watching paint dry.

We were completely average. But it's a very difficult place to go, we haven't won there in a very long time and it is a crucial win to secure that top 4 place. I would have taken a 3-0 win!

Jimpy wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:The whole Croft thing was a bit embarrassing for Cockers. The initial assessment was that it was only a stinger it wasn't until they'd got him back to Leicester and done the full assessment that they realised the extent to the injury.

He could be back in a couple of weeks though I fear that may be too late for him to feature this season with Matera looking a beast off the bench.

Tigers have been going well without Tom, I think it's time Croft's future at the club was given consideration. Let's face it, good though he is, he's hardly played a match for club or country in two years. Too injury prone.

He fits Leicesters style...and may come back strong. Would he make the England squad?

I don't think he would make the England squad at the moment, simply because it has been so long since he played a match. If he were to get a good run with Tigers he might be looked at for next year's 6N. I mean, he is a very mobile and physical ball carrier - but is he better than the incumbents? Can't see it myself.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Jimpy wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:The whole Croft thing was a bit embarrassing for Cockers. The initial assessment was that it was only a stinger it wasn't until they'd got him back to Leicester and done the full assessment that they realised the extent to the injury.

He could be back in a couple of weeks though I fear that may be too late for him to feature this season with Matera looking a beast off the bench.

Tigers have been going well without Tom, I think it's time Croft's future at the club was given consideration. Let's face it, good though he is, he's hardly played a match for club or country in two years. Too injury prone.

He fits Leicesters style...and may come back strong. Would he make the England squad?

The England coaches are massive fans, so yes if fit I believe he would be in the England squad.

As to his future at Leicester - well with Mafi probably gone (and also injury prone) and gibson effectively being a Croft-lite I feel he still has a massive role to play for us. We have recently liked having that sort of a 6. Would be great if we could dvelop Harry Wells to offer the more physical option also.

Who would Croft be knocking out of the current England squad then?

Would Croft fit in with the balance that Lancaster seems to like in the back row?

ChequeredJersey wrote:Who would Croft be knocking out of the current England squad then?

Well he is already in the EPS so technically no-one. From the 6Ns squad either Johnson or Kvesic (as management deem Wood capable of playing 7 - which he does more often than not for Saints).

GF, as to style - Croft is capable of filling the role that Wood does for England. Assuming Catt did not want him wider out of course.

I assumed you meant match day squad, sorry

Croft would take Johnson's place. As for balance - perhaps with a powerhouse 8 like Morgan or Billy there, Croft might be okay at 6. He was good when Morgan wore the 8 shirt after all.

Could always stick Croft on the wing, would probably be better than our current 2!

7 is the biggest conundrum.

Oh and Wood as a 8 yet again was a failure. He must stick to 6.

i would hope that with Billy, Ben Morgan, Ewers, Dickinson etc we wouldnt have to see Wood at 8 again.

Can Croft do the nitty gritty stuff as well as Wood? Wood just seems to be neck deep in the midst of everything whilst Croft ....never does.

As for our wingers i dont think we'll see May on the wing ...but you may see Nowell. I think it'll be between Nowell, Yarde and Ashton. Possibly 11 Yarde 14 Ashton with Nowell on the bench.

beshocked wrote:Croft would take Johnson's place. As for balance - perhaps with a powerhouse 8 like Morgan or Billy there, Croft might be okay at 6. He was good when Morgan wore the 8 shirt after all.

Could always stick Croft on the wing, would probably be better than our current 2!

7 is the biggest conundrum.

Oh and Wood as a 8 yet again was a failure. He must stick to 6.

You REALLY don't like Nowell do you?

Jimpy I think he's hugely overrated.

beshocked wrote:Jimpy I think he's hugely overrated.

ie He had the audacity to take Splashton's place

beshocked wrote:Jimpy I think he's hugely overrated.

Don't think anyone over-rates him actually. I can't recall seeing any posts on here to that effect.

I did see a lot of people during the 6N say that for a young and inexperienced player, he did well enough. The general consensus was that he is still a stop gap but a pretty able one.

Over-rated? Not at all.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

beshocked wrote:Jimpy I think he's hugely overrated.

ie He had the audacity to take Splashton's place

PMSL!   

I'm kind of with Beshocked on Nowell, I think he's a talent but not good enough for Int rugby yet. He offers very little threat and makes mistakes.

I'd be happy with Ashton, Wade or Yarde on the right wing.

I think Nowell showed promise. Not exhilarating...but something there to work with.

I think it'll probably be Yarde and Nowell on the wing for the 1st test...with Ashton coming in for the next two. Ashton could thrive working off Burrell, Twelvetrees and Tuilagi and the way England have sorted their attack out.

Is Wade going to be back in time for the tour?