London Irish 2014/15 Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

  Welcome to this seasons thread for talking about all things London Irish.  

Senior Squad (36)
Hooker: David Paice, Michael Mayhew, Jimmy Stevens 
Prop: Tom Court, Matt Parr, Johnny Harris, Geoff Cross, Halani Aulika, Leo Halavatau, Jamie Hagan
Second Row: George Skivington, Nic Rouse, Sean Cox, Dan Leo 
Back Row: Kieran Low, Blair Cowan, Jebb Sinclair, Ofisa Treviranus, Tom Guest, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen 
Scrum Half: Tomas O'Leary, Darren Allinson, Scott Steele 
Fly Half: Shane Geraghty, Myles Dorrian, Chris Noakes 
Centre: Eamonn Sheridan, Eoin Griffin, Guy Armitage, Fergus Mulchrone
Wing: Topsy Ojo, Andrew Fenby, James Short
Full Back: Tom Homer, Alex Lewington

Senior Academy Squad (11)
Hooker: Gerard Ellis, Ollie Adams 
Prop: Tom Smallbone, Richard Palframan 
Second Row: Ollie Curry, Theo Vukasinovic 
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy 
Centre: Ross Neal, Tom Fowlie
Wing: Harry Lightfoot-Brown 
Full Back: Cameron Cowell

Season Preview

After what can only be described as a disappointing 2013/14 season there is cause for some optimism as we approach the season.  For the first time in a number of seasons, there are more players coming in than leaving, and those arriving are bring with them international experience in varying amounts.  Of those who have gone, only Marland Yarde and James O'Connor would be guaranteed starters this season, and overall the squad looks stronger in terms of both the first XV and depth behind it.  

Up front international props Tom Court and Geoff Cross have joined the club, and Halani Aulika returns after missing the whole of last season through injury.  These three players could be key for us, as an improvement in the set piece will be required if we are to improve on our league position this season, and I am confident that these guys will see us right in that area.  Behind them the combative Sean Cox and powerful Dan Leo have also arrived and should bring the sort of physicality needed to be successful in the Premiership.  In the back row Tom Guest, Luke Narraway and Conor Gilsenan will give us options that we did not have last season, and hopefully Jon Fisher has now recovered from the concussion that saw him miss all of last season.  In short the pack looks far better equipped to provide a platform to play from this time around, and one or two injuries shouldn't hurt us as much as they have done over the last couple of seasons.

Behind the scrum Scott Steele has arrived and has been highly touted to challenge for 9 jersey, and Chris Noakes arrives from Super Rugby to challenge at 10.  Shane Geraghty however may have other ideas after finishing the season strongly in that jersey, but whatever happens, the competition for places can only be good for the team moving forwards.  Eoin Griffin arrives from Connacht in the centres, and looks to be a very good player.  With all of the four senior centres able to play 12 or 13 there could well be some mixing and matching and horses for courses selections over the season, and that is not to mention Tom Fowlie in the academy, who impressed every time he put on the jersey last season, be it at centre or on the wing.  James Short arrives to bolster the wing options and is a proven finisher who the fans will hope can fill the hole left by the outgoing Marland Yarde.

From the academy, Gerard Ellis, Tom Smallbone and Tom Fowlie should get some extended game time this season.  Ellis in particular impressed at the back end of last season and has spent the summer in Australia to assist with honing his skills at hooker, and Smallbone has been in New Zealand playing club rugby and continuing his development as prop by working on his skills with the father of All Black props Owen and Ben Franks.

Whilst we will most definitely be a better side this season than last, it is fair to say that most other sides have also recruited well and will be stronger than last time around.  After a very poor start in 2013 we spent the majority of the year in the relegation scrap, and lost a lot of games by narrow margins.  The key for us will be turning those narrow losses into narrow victories if we want to finish higher than last season, and I think we have recruited well enough to do that.  We must start the season better though, and that won't be easy as we play all of last seasons top four in our first six games.  We will have to raise our game immediately, although it is fair to say that some of our best performances last season came against those sides, and we should be able to draw from those performances this time around.  

I fancy us to steer reasonably clear of the relegation scrap this time around and improve on last years finishing position.  Whatever happens though, one thing will always remain true, and that's I'd rather be a paddy than Quin!!!       

Ozzy's prediction: 8th

Fixture List

Day	Date	KO	Opponents	Venue	Competition	Result
Sat	6th Sep 14	16.30	Harlequins	Twickenham	Aviva Premiership	L 15-20    (7th)
Sun	14th Sep 14	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Kingston Park	Aviva Premiership	W 20-18   (7th)
Sat	20th Sep 14	15.00	Saracens	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership	L 23-36    (8th)
Sat	27th Sep 14	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Welford Road	Aviva Premiership	W 22-19    (6th)
Sat	4th Oct 14	15.00	Northampton Saints	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	11th Oct 14	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Sandy Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	19th Oct 14	15:00	TBC	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Fri	24th Oct 14	19:30	FC Grenoble	Stade Lesdiguières	European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
	TBC		Wasps	Adams Park	LV Cup
Sat	15th Nov 14	14.00	Sale Sharks	Salford City Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	22nd Nov 14	15.00	Bath Rugby	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sun	30th Nov 14	15.00	Gloucester	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			Cardiff Blues	BT Sport Arms Park	European Challenge Cup
			Cardiff Blues	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
Sun	21st Dec 14	14.00	Wasps	Adams Park	Aviva Premiership
Fri	26th Dec 14	15.00	London Welsh	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	3rd Jan 15	15.00	Saracens	Aliianz Park	Aviva Premiership
Sun	11th Jan 15	15.00	Exeter Chiefs	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
			FC Grenoble	Madejski Stadium	European Challenge Cup
			TBC		European Challenge Cup
	TBC		Scarlets	Parc y Scarlets	LV Cup
	TBC		Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	LV Cup
Sat	14th Feb 15	15.00	Northampton Saints	Franklins Gardens	Aviva Premiership
Sat	21st Feb 15	15.00	Leicester Tigers	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	28th Feb 15	14.30	London Welsh	Kassam Stadium	Aviva Premiership
Sat	7th Mar 15	15.00	Harlequins	The Stoop	Aviva Premiership
					LV Cup Semi Final
					LV Cup Final
Sat	28th Mar 15	15.00	Newcastle Falcons	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Quarter Final
Sun	12th Apr 15	15.00	Sale Sharks	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Semi Final
Sat	25th Apr 15	15.00	Bath Rugby	The Rec	Aviva Premiership
					European Challenge Cup Final
Sat	9th May 15	15.00	Gloucester	Kingsholm	Aviva Premiership
Sat	16th May	15.00	Wasps	Madejski Stadium	Aviva Premership

Links

Official website
The Craic
Wikipedia page
London Irish ARFC
London Irish Supporters Club website

London Irish RFC Twitter feed
RugbyLI Twitter feed
LISC Twitter feed

[SirBurger]

I'm interviewing Topsy Ojo and Tom Court tomorrow if anybody has any questions for either of them?

Nice one mate...

Will have a think and reply later. Initial thoughts:

1. Is Topsy likely to have to cover full back again and if so is he happy in that role? (I thought he did an admirable job there at the start of last season)

2. How impressed has Topsy been in training by the new batch of young backs coming through like John Williams (who I think has been training with the full squad), Ross Neal, Cameron Cowell and Tom Fowlie etc?

3. Main question for TC would be the injury he picked up against Montpellier and how that is holding up - although I guess we will get some indication when the team for Friday is announced.

[Poorfour]

I'm interviewing Topsy Ojo and Tom Court tomorrow if anybody has any questions for either of them?

"What are your tactics for the London Double Header?"
"What are the weakest parts of your defence?"

Answers in a plain brown envelope to Mr. C O'Shea, The Stoop Memorial Ground, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham.

[Ozzy3213]

I'm interviewing Topsy Ojo and Tom Court tomorrow if anybody has any questions for either of them?

"What are your tactics for the London Double Header?"
"What are the weakest parts of your defence?"

Answers in a plain brown envelope to Mr. C O'Shea, The Stoop Memorial Ground, Langhorn Drive, Twickenham.

  

[Sam]

Ojo - Does he still hold international aspirations and has Stuart Lancaster been in touch?

What are his thoughts about 'that night' on the England tour of NZ in 2008 - would he have acted differently in hindsight?

[Ozzy3213]

Cracking time at Hazelwood today. Will be doing a proper report from it but two bits of news. Hago definitely being looked at as a loosehead, and on a team list that was up on the wall in the office, Andrew Fenby was in at full back. Never seen him play there, but when I asked Topsy about himself playing full back, he said he would be happy to play there again, but that Tom homer has a real point to prove this season.

[Ozzy3213]

My report from the media day at Hazelwood yesterday.

[exileray]

pete, do you now think that we will finish higher in the league than you first thought.
any news on more signings.


 ray...........6th for me  

[Ozzy3213]

Ray

The way I see it is that the top 4 are nailed on (Saints, Sarries, Tigers and Bath) as they have so much more depth to their squads than everyone else. I also think the bottom two is set and will be Falcons and Welsh.

The other six of us I don't think there is much between (with the exception of maybe Quins who are little closer to the big 4) and we could finish in any order between 5th and 10th. If we get a decent start, then yeah, I can see us finishing in the top half of that group, so 5th, 6th or 7th.

[Ozzy3213]

Sadly I didn't make it to the game with Bristol on Friday night, due to a trip up the hospital, but from what I've heard we were very good for the first 20 minutes and built a good lead, then took our foot of the gas and let them back into it. Second half was scrappy after a heavy downpour.

Anyone who was there got any more information.

[SirBurger]

We were worth more than the one point margin in my opinion, but Bristol are a good side. Aulika was awesome until he went off, as was Treviranus. The pack looks really mobile and will make us very difficult to play against. Dan Leo also hit a number of rucks like an absolute beast. The backs looked fairly sharp. Steele was again quick around the park and his pass is a rocket. Sheridan butchered one try, but otherwise his passing game looks to have come on. Ojo looked very sharp which was good to see. Sadly Fenby and Fowlie didn't come on, but I suspect this was due to the weather conditions which were truly appalling for the last twenty minutes - bringing with them extra risks of injury and making it difficult for the players on the bench to get properly warm I suspect.

The main thing is that we are really trying to play the game at a high pace. Naturally this comes with the risk of errors and, only two games into such an approach, I think it is understandable that we are not getting the success that we want to see. However, two from two isn't bad and I genuinely believe we will be a very different prospect by the time the double-header comes about and that from there on we will only get better.

[SirBurger]

Oh, also, Homer was back kicking which was reassuring after SG kicked against Montpellier. Got 100% and looked sharp around the park as well. Good to see.

[Ozzy3213]

All good to hear. High tempo game was the vibe I got talking to Tom Court on Thursday. I think the key man for us this season is Steve Walsh. His strength and conditioning regime seems to have us a lot fitter already and able to maintain a high intensity game.

[SirBurger]

I agree. We do look fitter. It is the mental fitness of playing such a high tempo game that will take a bit longer to come, but I think it will over time. Individually, we've got 6 or 7 guys in the forward pack who are perfectly suited to such a game. Collectively it will come and we can be a force to be reckoned with. I have been impressed with Dan Leo so far in that respect. He clears rucks like a rocket and does the hard yards that may go unnoticed but are crucial for keeping the ball.

[Ozzy3213]

I didn't have Dan Leo down as a starter a few weeks back, but he was very good against Montpellier.  I think Smithy might change it up a bit this week and we might see Jebb and Nic Rouse in the second row with Skivs and Dan first choice now and getting a rest ahead of beating Quins the week after.

[SirBurger]

I agree. I had Dan down as an impact sub, but I think he has played his way into the starting line-up. I am a huge fan of Nic Rouse, but I think Dan Leo brings us something extra offensively.

[SirBurger]

On that note, a week later my 23 for Quins would now be:

Court
Paice
Aulika
Skivington
Leo
Cowan
Treviranus
Guest

TOL
Geraghty
Fenby
Sheridan
Mulchrone
Ojo
Homer

Bench: Ellis, Parr, Cross, Rouse, Narraway, Steele, Dorrian, Short

One thing I forgot to say was Narraway came on for Guest (who had a good game despite the huge error) and LN's leadership was very noticeable. He was our most vocal forward and steadied the ship in a difficult period. It will be very tight between them but Guest looks slightly ahead at the moment. I think Narraway will prove very useful though due to his experience.

[Ozzy3213]

I have to say that before we started playing the pre season games Narraway was my pick at 8, but Guest has looked good, so agree that could be a great battle for us.  I also prefer big Trev as a flanker so am really pleased that we have two proper number 8's now.

If the LDH was tomorrow then my 23 would be;-

15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Fergus Mulchrone
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. Andrew Fenby
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Scott Steele

1. Tom Court
2. David Paice
3. Halani Aulika
4. George Skivington (c)
5. Dan Leo
6. Blair Cowan
7. Ofisa Treviranus
8. Tom Guest

16. Gerard Ellis 17. Matt Parr 18. Geoff Cross 19. Nic Rouse 20. Luke Narraway 21. Tomas O'Leary 22. Myles Dorrian 23. Tom Fowlie


I also had Geoff Cross starting at tighthead prior to Friday night, but Halani is most definitely back.  What a great position to be in thought to be able to bring an international class tighthead off the bench in the final quarter of the game.

I'd also start Steele.  He looks a real find.  Quick to the back of the ruck and has a bullet of a pass.  He also has a running game to keep the opposition fringe defence honest which is something we've not had for a while at Irish.  I'd keep O'Leary back to see the game out if needed.  I'd also have Fowlie in the 23 jersey, as he covers the centres as well as the wing.

Really hoping to see Hagan get a run at loosehead (possibly off the bench) this week, and hopefully Griffin and Armitage in the centres.  My team to face Munster would be;-

15. Alex Lewington
14. James Short
13. Guy Armitage
12. Eoin Griffin
11. Andrew Fenby
10. Myles Dorrian
9. Tomas O'Leary

1. Matt Parr
2. Gerard Ellis
3. Leo Halavatau
4. Jebb Sinclair
5. Nic Rouse
6. Kieran Low
7. Conor Gilsenan
8. Luke Narraway (c)

16. Mike Mayhew 17. Jamie Hagan 18. Richard Palframan 19. Theo Vukasinovic 20. Ollie Curry 21. Darren Allinson 22. Ross Neal 23 Tom Fowlie

[Ozzy3213]

This is the Munster team that we'll be facing on Friday night:

Johne Murphy; Ronan O'Mahony, Andrew Smith, Cian Bohane, Darren Sweetnam, Johnny Holland, Cathal Sheridan; John Ryan, Kevin O'Byrne, Stephen Archer, Donncha O'Callaghan Capt., Billy Holland, CJ Stander, Sean Dougall, Robin Copeland. 

Replacements: Ger Slattery, Duncan Casey, Alan Cotter, BJ Botha, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Shane Buckley, Barry O'Mahony, Duncan Williams, David Johnston, Ivan Dineen, Rory Scannell.

[Ozzy3213]

Team's up to face Munster:

http://www.london-irish.com/h/news/london-irish-announce-squad-to-face-munster/bp41/

1. Matt Parr; 2. David Paice; 3. Halani Aulika; 4. Jebb Sinclair; 5. Nic Rouse; 6. Kieran Low; 7. Conor Gilsenan; 8. Luke Narraway; 9. Tomás O’Leary; 10. Myles Dorrian; 11. Will Harries*; 12. Guy Armitage; 13. Tom Fowlie; 14. Alex Lewington; 15. Andrew Fenby


16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Court; 18. Leo Halavatau; 19. Blair Cowan; 20. Ofisa Treviranus; 21. Mike Mayhew; 22. Darren Allinson; 23. Shane Geraghty; 24. James Short; 25. Eamonn Sheridan; 26. Topsy Ojo; 27. Tom Homer; 28. Chris Noakes


I'm guessing Paice and Aulika will play 40 minutes to get some game time after not featuring against Montpellier, but the rest of the pack is as I predicted.  Interesting that we have Will Harries as a trialist on the wing, but fantastic that Guy is fit and starting and Tom Fowlie gets a run at 13.  Also great to see that Chris Noakes is fit enough to take his place ont he bench.

   COME ON YOU IRISH!!!  

[Sin é]

Highlights from the friendly between Munster v LI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aeJINbWqKc

[Ozzy3213]

Thanks Sin e.  From the sounds of it we weren't great, but of the XV who started only 1 is guaranteed to start our first league game, so not too worried about the result.

Roll on Saturday and Quins at HQ.

[SirBurger]

Less than a week to go now. No major injury worries, or at least not in areas where we don't have cover. I wonder what the status is with Rouse who limped off at Munster. I think we will see something like:

Court
Paice
Aulika
Skivington
Leo
Cowan
Treviranus
Guest

Steele
Geraghty
Short
Sheridan
Mulchrone
Ojo
Homer

Bench: Ellis, Parr, Cross, Sinclair, Narraway, O'Leary, Dorrian, Fowlie

[Ozzy3213]

I can't wait for the team announcement on Friday.  I think 15. Homer, 12. Sheridan, 10. Geraghty, 1. Court, 2. Paice, 4. Skivington, 5. Leo, 6. Cowan, 7. Treviranus and 8. Guest are nailed on. 

Aulika should, and probably will start at 3, but there is the chance that Smithy will go with Cross starting and Halani off the bench for impact.  I also don't know if he trusts Steele to start at 9 yet.  I hope he does as his pace to the breakdown and service have been excellent.  The wing spots are wide open I reckon, and I would love to see Fowlie at 13 but suspect that Mulchrone will start, which I won't be unhappy about either.

Can't wait!!!

[HongKongCherry]

Did any of you read this weekend's TRP? Nick Cain was predicting you'll be relegated on the basis of your half backs. For my money you guys have put together an experienced pack which will be more than good enough to avoid the relegation scrap. Do you think Cain has a point?

[Heaf]

oh dear ... that one caused a bit of a storm on the Craic site ... largely because he didn't seem to know who our half backs actually are this season

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah, quality journalism.  Apparently we are light at lock and will go down despite the quality of our half backs O'Leary (not guaranteed first choice) and Humphreys (no longer at the club).

[Ozzy3213]

I'll be amazed if we go down HKC.  The pack looks a lot stronger this season.  I can't see beyond Welsh for the drop really.

[HongKongCherry]

Me too. Falcons are the team with weak half backs, but their scrum will save them, whereas Welsh just don't have any one area of real strength. Furthermore, the Jeff is even more competitive than when they were here last. I can see Irish being well clear of both sides. You strike me more of a side in the Sale mold, no show ponies or stars, but grafters. The likes of Court, Skivington and Leo all have the experience and nous to grind out games.

[Ozzy3213]

Precisely.  There seems to be a real togetherness and it will be collective effort led by the pack this year.  I don't see us challenging for the top 6, but I do see us well clear of Falcons and Welsh.

[Driver]

I'd argue that Tomas O'Leary and Iain Humphries/Shane Gereghty are a good enough half back pairing for a 4-6th placed Premiership side.

We've got 1 good scrum half and a load of crap 10s. But we do have a 12 who looks like he could be a better 10 than our actual 10s.

[Heaf]

iHumph has gone ... we've recruited Chris Noakes from the Auckland Blues so it will be interesting to see how he gets on - Shane did a good job last year. We've also got a new SH Scott Steele from Tigers who is sounding like he could be a good signing.

[Submachine]

Any idea whats happening with Hagan? Don't think he's had a minute of pre season games but no news that he's injured either.

[SirBurger]

Any idea whats happening with Hagan? Don't think he's had a minute of pre season games but no news that he's injured either.

He is definitely being converted to the loosehead side. I am not 100% sure why he hasn't had any game time over pre-season, as he is the only senior prop not to have been given a chance, but I am guessing it is to do with the fact that he is in the middle of converting and perhaps wasn't deemed ready for three fairly tough fixtures.

[Ozzy3213]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kesqmFGMoZ0&feature=youtu.be

[Ozzy3213]

Love, love, love our line up for tomorrow.  First start for Steele and bench places for Ellis, Gilsenan and Fowlie says to me there is no pecking order now, you play well and you're in, which is how it should be.  

15. Tom Homer
14. Topsy Ojo
13. Fergus Mulchrone
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. James Short
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Scott Steele

1. Tom Court
2. David Paice
3. Halani Aulika
4. George Skivington (Captain)
5. Dan Leo
6. Blair Cowan
7. Ofisa Treviranus
8. Tom Guest

Replacements:
16. Gerard Ellis
17. Matt Parr
18. Leo Halavatau
19. Kieran Low
20. Conor Gilsenan
21. Tomás O’Leary
22. Chris Noakes
23. Tom Fowlie

[SirBurger]

Impressive thing is that, compared to previous seasons, we can probably put out an A League side on Monday night of something like:

Hagan, Mayhew, Palframan; Curry, Vukasinovic; Sinclair, Berry, Narraway; Allinson, Dorrian; Fenby, Neal, Armitage, Lewington, Cowell

Already looks like a decent side...and that is with a few injured lads still to return.

[Welly]

great to see Steele starting

[Ozzy3213]

My thoughts on our performance yesterday

[Driver]

I'v always thought Short to be a good player , seems to have raw genuine pace. 

Isn't Tom Fowlie meant to be something special at 13 aswell?

I think Irish will be 8th this year and have a good run in the ECC and the LV.

[SirBurger]

My thoughts on our performance yesterday

Interesting read. I am personally not too worried about Trev and Cowan as I think they are just playing left and right. We will see over the coming weeks anyway. Yet again they were our two best players I thought.

Midfield - I am really worried about that area now. I have to say though, I'm not sure whether I would change things for the time being. Away to Newcastle we may need our toughest defensive combination in order to grind out a win. A big call to be made. I thought Noakes looked decent but then again he only touched the ball four or five times.

I think Skivs should remain captain. I wasn't as livid as you were with the decisions not to kick for the corner. I am not sure who else would be suited to the role anyway?

[Ozzy3213]

I was apoplectic when we kicked for goal when they were down to 13 men.  It was beyond conservative and I never had us pegged as that sort of side.

The centres are an issue.  I remember saying on the craic a couple of months back that I'd like to see a pairing of Griffin and Armitage and people were outraged saying Sheridan was one of our best players last year.  He was, and he has many fine qualities, not least his defensive ability,  ut he needs to improve his distribution as a fair few attacks faltered with him in the 12 channel yesterday.

[Welly]

How did Steele do?

[SirBurger]

I was apoplectic when we kicked for goal when they were down to 13 men.  It was beyond conservative and I never had us pegged as that sort of side.

The centres are an issue.  I remember saying on the craic a couple of months back that I'd like to see a pairing of Griffin and Armitage and people were outraged saying Sheridan was one of our best players last year.  He was, and he has many fine qualities, not least his defensive ability,  ut he needs to improve his distribution as a fair few attacks faltered with him in the 12 channel yesterday.

I have no issue with BS opting for Sheridan - he went well in pre-season and was a rock for us in defence last season. However, last season we had Yarde and JOC who could create stuff from nothing. We don't have the luxury of being able to carry players who don't and can't create anything in attack. To be honest, though, it isn't even his distribution that bothers me, it is his lack of impact when carrying. For a player of his size he should be making so many more metres and generating quick ball for us. Due to a lack of pace he is stopped more easily than he should be and the resulting ball is slowed up.

Welly - Steele was pretty poor sadly. Again, I think it was the right call to go for him, but the occasion got the better of him. TOL to return to the starting side for what is a huge game against Newcastle.

Court
Paice
Aulika
Skivington
Leo
Cowan
Trev
Narraway (in for the extra leadership he brings - Guest was another slight disappointment to be honest)

TOL
Noakes
Fenby
Geraghty
Mulchrone
Short
Lewington

If the other options at 13 were fit and firing I would be tempted to move Fergus back to full back as he looks the most solid defensively and under the high ball. However, Griffin probably won't be ready in time, Armitage still isn't right from the little I have seen and I would worry about Fowlie's lack of experience if paired with Shane.

[ChequeredJersey]

Give Guest time- can't drop people after one match really or they'd never get a chance to gel with the side

[SirBurger]

Give Guest time- can't drop people after one match really or they'd never get a chance to gel with the side

Not so much of a dropping as just a horses for courses selection. I rate Guest higher than Narraway, but was impressed with Narraway's vocal leadership in pre-season and think away to Newcastle in what is going to be a bit of a slug-fest that may be a needed skill. I am sure Guest will come good.

[Geordie]

Next game is a big one i think.

Although judging by Welsh and Gloucesters performances we should both be fine

[SirBurger]

Next game is a big one i think.

Although judging by Welsh and Gloucesters performances we should both be fine

If we lose to you next weekend I won't be so sure. Glaws have the players to come good and Welsh will be a different prospect by the time we face off against them. I think a lot of us are hoping that Chris Noakes and Eoin Griffin can miraculously solve our lack of creativity. I think they will make a difference but I am not sure if it will be enough to turn us into a top attacking force. I know it is only one game, but my pre-season optimism has waned significantly.

[Heaf]

Yes it's unfortunate that we don't meet those two early on before they've had a chance to settle themselves a bit. The fixture list doesn't look kind to us.

[Geordie]

Im not sure about Welsh.

I think they made a mistake getting rid of so many players....especially with the Championship play offs a handicap in terms of time.

They may come together about christmas time...but by then it may be too late anyway.

Gloucester should be fine. I dont judge much on that perfromance...im sure they're not the only one who will take a humping of saints this season.

[beshocked]

Quins are one of the hardest defences to break down. They were 2nd in least tries conceded last season. You have to take that into account when looking at irish's inability to break them down.

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