Aviva Premiership - Round 20 Preview

by **LondonTiger** Wed 22 Apr - 15:29

First topic message reminder :

Just 3 rounds to go and, Gloucester aside, clubs are nor concentrating only on this.

Positions:

Saints 67pts
Saracens 61pts
-------------------------------------
Bath 61pts
Exeter 58pts
====================
Leicester 55pts
Wasps 53pts
++++++++++++++++++++
Sale 48pts
***************************
Quins 43pts
Gloucester 38pts
Irish 37pts
Falcons 26pts
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Welsh 1 point

Fixtures:

Fri 24th Apr 15

19:45 Bath v London Irish BT Sport
Bath host their feeder club in the opening fixture of Round 20. On paper they have the easiest run-in of the top clubs, but their set piece will have to perform better than it did in Newcastle and Dublin if they are to cash in fully. Irish have little to play for other than pride and their form has been hot and miss. Bath should have the form and the class to win at a canter. An upset may be too much to ask for, but the other teams vying for a home play-off semi will hope Irish can defend stoutly and deny Bath a TBP.

Sat 25th Apr 15

14:00 Sale Sharks v Harlequins
Not the sort of fixture that a stuttering Quins team will be relishing. If they are to have any realistic chance of making the Champions Cup (via play-off) they simply have to win this match. The last thing quins needed was to be struggling with injuries. they will need every ounce of effort and inspiration they can get from Robshaw and Care to stand any chance.

15:00 Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons
Gloucester will be focussing on next week, Falcons on next season. For any at the game I hope this means they have an entertaining one.

15:00 Leicester v London Welsh
Leicester struggled to get the four tries at the Kassam earlier. Surely they will find it easier at home?

15:15 Northampton v Saracens BT Sport
Huge, possibly season defining, fixture. Saints looked nailed on for top spot in the table when the 6 nations ended. after two thumpings, confidence will not be high and defeat to the team they beat in last years final will suddenly have them worrying about facing an away semi. Mallinder and Doreen gave the guys a week off and will hope the batteries have been recharged. Biggest worry for Saints has been the poor form of their biggest names. Corbisiero and Hartley are struggling, while Manoa has been off colour. Throw in misfiring half backs and centres and it has been a struggle. The last team they would wish to face in this state are Sarries - who will be buoyed by this fixture being at a "neutral" venue. Performance wise Sarries have been a shadow of their Barnet selves away from home, but in general have found a way to win. Unless Saints can rerun to something approximating to their early season form the Sarries juggernaut should prevail.

Sun 26th Apr 15

14:00 Wasps v Exeter BT Sport

With consecutive home matches against the two teams directly above them, Wasps are still masters of their own destiny. Win both and Wasps could find themselves back in the Top 4. Exeter need to put any Challenge Cup disappointment firmly behind them. With two tricky away fixtures in a row (Sarries next week) they could find themselves dropping from 4th to 6th before the final round. Both sides like to throw the ball around, so this has all the makings of a classic. Probably instead we will get a nervy penalties only game.

by nathan Sat 25 Apr - 18:18

HongKongCherry wrote:
Sgt_Pooly wrote:Some performance from Falcons.

You can see why May & Twelvetrees aren't starting for England.

What a bizarre statement! May went off concussed very early on and did absolutely nothing wrong. You don't have an axe to grind do you Poorly??

Glaws were awful for 67 minutes then finally started to play. Not the best warm up for next week especially losing May, Kalamafoni and Murphy to injury. Full credit to Falcons who really came to play rugby and Ive never seen Clegg play that well.

I'm finding it hard to think of a player pooly actually likes

by Sgt_Pooly Sat 25 Apr - 18:20

I like Twelvetrees but he was dreadful in that first half, picked up a bit in the 2nd.

There's only Youngs and Thacker I don't like from Tigers, you lot are so precious!

by HongKongCherry Sat 25 Apr - 18:30

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Poorly?

I thought May was on longer but was poor from the off tbh.

Forum names should be compatible with autocorrects!

What did May do that was poor? I genuinely feel you'd struggle to cite one fault

by lostinwales Sat 25 Apr - 21:10

HongKongCherry wrote:
Sgt_Pooly wrote:Poorly?

I thought May was on longer but was poor from the off tbh.

Forum names should be compatible with autocorrects!

What did May do that was poor? I genuinely feel you'd struggle to cite one fault

And I don't yet know the circumstances of him going off but if there was any delay between getting a blow to the head and leaving the field then he has an excuse for playing bad for a couple of minutes

by HongKongCherry Sat 25 Apr - 21:32

Nope, he went straight off. I think Pooly either mistook him for someone else or his stream was a bit patchy as there genuinely could be no way you could say he was poor in the 8 minutes he played.

by Welly Sat 25 Apr - 21:52

Sgt. poorly ha.

I like wish it was my forum name now.

by **Ozzy3213** Sat 25 Apr - 22:22

Just seen Hala'ufia's red card. Complete disgrace. Deserves a long ban.

by Bathite Sat 25 Apr - 23:44

Did he get the red for smashing the streaker?

by Margin_Walker Sat 25 Apr - 23:50

Nope, got it for this

http://sport.bt.com/sport-hurts/halaufia-sent-off-for-shoving-rivals-head-into-ground-91363977720013

Should get a decent ban too. Possibly career ending give, he's getting on a bit

by Heaf Sun 26 Apr - 2:38

nathan wrote:
beshocked wrote:True nathan but to be fair to Saints they've been better in the 2nd half than Saracens.

I just can't see Saracens winning unless they can create something special. Unfortunately unlikely.

They deserve it but I hate seeing things missed just for one side

You must have really hated the Bath v LI match then

by nathan Sun 26 Apr - 8:02

Heaf wrote:
nathan wrote:
beshocked wrote:True nathan but to be fair to Saints they've been better in the 2nd half than Saracens.

I just can't see Saracens winning unless they can create something special. Unfortunately unlikely.

They deserve it but I hate seeing things missed just for one side

You must have really hated the Bath v LI match then

I didn't see the game to be honest

by nathan Sun 26 Apr - 8:03

Sgt_Pooly wrote:I like Twelvetrees but he was dreadful in that first half, picked up a bit in the 2nd.

There's only Youngs and Thacker I don't like from Tigers, you lot are so precious!

Precious! Lol I don't think anyone really cares on your opinion, it just gets a bit boring when all you do is talk about the negatives I players

by nathan Sun 26 Apr - 8:06

nathan wrote:
Sgt_Pooly wrote:I like Twelvetrees but he was dreadful in that first half, picked up a bit in the 2nd.

There's only Youngs and Thacker I don't like from Tigers, you lot are so precious!

Precious! Lol I don't think anyone really cares on your opinion, it just gets a bit boring when all you do is talk about the negatives in players

by yappysnap Sun 26 Apr - 8:31

That red card was well deserved, what a complete c#*t! Didn't he do something similar in the past too?

Also I was unimpressed with Hartley yesterday, Wray was knocked out cold and players from both sides asked the ref to halt play, he does and Hartley can be seen shouting at him for it, total lack of respect.

by HongKongCherry Sun 26 Apr - 9:35

Hala'ufia has a long track record of ill discipline but this is one of his worst and most cowardly. It is time he was made an example of and given a very long ban.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 26 Apr - 9:57

It was a brace of cheap shots from the PI number 8. Seemed to be targeting his opposite number Pearce who had grabbed a couple of tries. Not what we need in the game and he should get a long time off.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Apr - 10:20

nathan wrote:
nathan wrote:
Sgt_Pooly wrote:I like Twelvetrees but he was dreadful in that first half, picked up a bit in the 2nd.

There's only Youngs and Thacker I don't like from Tigers, you lot are so precious!

Precious! Lol I don't think anyone really cares on your opinion, it just gets a bit boring when all you do is talk about the negatives in players

You obviously care or you wouldn't remember or be posting about it thumbsup

Anyway to counter, I thought young Purdy was excellent when he came on. He has a great step off the left foot where he doesn't don't seem to lose any speed.

by HongKongCherry Sun 26 Apr - 10:43

Purdy started the game but I agree he had a good game. I'm not sure he has the pace for an out and out winger and has played most of his games at OC this season but he is likely to get Young Player of the Season and you do have to question why Tigers let him go.

On the Newcastle front I thought Welch played excellently and seemed to be everywhere and I would say he bettered Kvesic, which very few have done this season. Brookes also carried very well and tied up a number of defenders every time he got the ball.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Apr - 10:50

Probably Welch's best game of the season HK and Clegg's. We seem to freeze up in the final 20 of games when ahead which is costing us in these tight games.

The game should have been sewn up with such a lead, I can't imagine many other sides letting that margin slip.

Fantastic spectacle though, great attacks and poor defence.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 26 Apr - 11:22

HongKongCherry wrote:Purdy started the game but I agree he had a good game. I'm not sure he has the pace for an out and out winger and has played most of his games at OC this season but he is likely to get Young Player of the Season and you do have to question why Tigers let him go.

Because MOC couldn't develop a back line player to save his life. We also tried Purdy on the wing a lot because we have Catchpole coming through at 13 (he's coming through nicely now MOC is gone). Purdy on the wing looked good in attack but couldn't catch a cold let alone the high ball in defence. I think he suits the Glaws back line more than ours so it was a good move for him.

by nathan Sun 26 Apr - 11:45

Sgt_Pooly wrote:
nathan wrote:
nathan wrote:
Sgt_Pooly wrote:I like Twelvetrees but he was dreadful in that first half, picked up a bit in the 2nd.

There's only Youngs and Thacker I don't like from Tigers, you lot are so precious!

Precious! Lol I don't think anyone really cares on your opinion, it just gets a bit boring when all you do is talk about the negatives in players

You obviously care or you wouldn't remember or be posting about it

Anyway to counter, I thought young Purdy was excellent when he came on. He has a great step off the left foot where he doesn't don't seem to lose any speed.

Caring and remembering are two different things! I remember Britney spears when she was on TV, but God I don't care about her! Haha

by Heaf Sun 26 Apr - 12:13

nathan wrote:
Heaf wrote:
nathan wrote:
beshocked wrote:True nathan but to be fair to Saints they've been better in the 2nd half than Saracens.

I just can't see Saracens winning unless they can create something special. Unfortunately unlikely.

They deserve it but I hate seeing things missed just for one side

You must have really hated the Bath v LI match then

I didn't see the game to be honest

Well if you hate seeing only one side reffed then I recommend you don't watch it - Bath were good for their win but the ref was horribly one-sided.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Apr - 12:36

Compairing me to Britney Spears Nathan? Would you like to see me in a school girls outfit? Wink

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 26 Apr - 12:38

You two need to get a room.

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Apr - 12:42

I've got the pics ready to send kiss

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 26 Apr - 12:42

So glad I'm not eating right now! vomit

by Sgt_Pooly Sun 26 Apr - 12:49

Haha....yea whatever Ozzy, like you've never imagined it.

by **Ozzy3213** Sun 26 Apr - 12:57

I've imagined some terrible things in my time Pooly, but sure that would be bottom of the barrel even for me! Laugh

by yappysnap Sun 26 Apr - 13:39

This'll cheer you up Ozzy

https://twitter.com/benkay5/status/592257195313647616

by Welly Sun 26 Apr - 13:54

HongKongCherry wrote:Purdy started the game but I agree he had a good game. I'm not sure he has the pace for an out and out winger and has played most of his games at OC this season but he is likely to get Young Player of the Season and you do have to question why Tigers let him go.

On the Newcastle front I thought Welch played excellently and seemed to be everywhere and I would say he bettered Kvesic, which very few have done this season. Brookes also carried very well and tied up a number of defenders every time he got the ball.

Purdy was given a new contract as it was between him and Catchpole Catchpole had impressed more than Purdy when they had played.

Purdy was pretty average at both Nottingham and Leicester LV cup games IMO.

So it wasn't like he was knocking on doors at the time, mind you he mainly played wing and fullback his handling let him down a bit.

Also he was more of a wasps product than a Leicester product.

by kingelderfield Sun 26 Apr - 15:05

Watching Wasps v's Exeter, scrappy game but boy the players have no respect for this referee, his judgement is poor and he's often indecisive. Quality of refereeing is not great in the premiership - players respect strong referee's. It stops the niggle and all the fringe offending.

by BigTrevsbigmac Sun 26 Apr - 18:43

Joe Simpson proving yet again he needs to be in the England set up.

by nathan Sun 26 Apr - 18:54

Well, that comment degraded the conversation!

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 10:38

Well, we are 4th again, and could seal a playoff spot against Wasps. However we need to play a thousand times better than that to avoid being thumped in the new Midlands Derby match.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 27 Apr - 13:54

The only way we'll win that is if half the Wasps team get either injured or suspended.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 16:00

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Poorly?

I thought May was on longer but was poor from the off tbh.

Sometimes, as I had to re Tomas Francis, it is better to admit you wee wrong rather than keep digging a hole. In his 8 minutes May saw the ball 3 times. Twice he carried well and half broke the tackle. Only defensive duty he had was a clearance kick under pressure off the wrong foot. That kick looked ugly but found touch and made good ground.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 16:13

25 minutes into the first half and Twelvetrees seems to be playing pretty well.

Noticeable that good as he is when in possession with the ball, sinotti is fecking lazy when Glaws have the ball - especially when he is out of position he cannot be arsed to get into position causing others to cover for him.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Apr - 16:28

All opinions LT, nobody is more right than anyone else.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 16:31

Sgt_Pooly wrote:All opinions LT, nobody is more right than anyone else.

Which I am prepared to accept on 36. but please explain how May was poor.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Apr - 17:10

Poor Cockerill annoyed with Welsh:

"It was a poor game of rugby, They played negatively and it was refereed inconsistently, shall we say. It was a poor spectacle.

"Everything was a mess and a bun fight. They walked to every scrum and line-out and ran the clock down and the referee didn't deal with it. As a result, the game became more and more stale."

Diddums, did little Welshy not roll over for you Mr Cockerill? That bloke is such a whinge bag.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 17:29

Of course you could also have included:

"We turned the ball over and did not play the stuff we practised. We got what we deserved and were behind at half-time. The way we played was pretty ordinary. Put all that into the mix and it was a poor spectacle."

But hey, why should we ever expect you to provide a balanced view?

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 17:42

Oh and Welsh were appallingly bad. A decent team would have put 70-80 points on them. However we are not a decent team.

by nathan Mon 27 Apr - 18:49

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Poor Cockerill annoyed with Welsh:

"It was a poor game of rugby, They played negatively and it was refereed inconsistently, shall we say. It was a poor spectacle.

"Everything was a mess and a bun fight. They walked to every scrum and line-out and ran the clock down and the referee didn't deal with it. As a result, the game became more and more stale."

Diddums, did little Welshy not roll over for you Mr Cockerill? That bloke is such a whinge bag.

your quote that has been cut down and posted is so very GG!

by **LondonTiger** Mon 27 Apr - 18:53

nathan wrote:
your quote that has been cut down and posted is so very GG!

I assumed it was a diversionary tactic to avoid having to explain just why he thought May was poor in an 8 minute cameo when he did everything right. Mind not the worst thing May has been accused of on here, after all it was his fault that we lost the Grand Slam in 2014.

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Apr - 18:54

Haha, that's an insult if I've ever heard one Nathan!

by nathan Mon 27 Apr - 18:58

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Haha, that's an insult if I've ever heard one Nathan!

haha, im not far wrong though!

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Apr - 19:44

It was quite a whinge.

Did Cockers expect Welsh to go out all guns blazing? They've got 1pt and they're up against one of top 6 sides in the AP. They're going to look to look to spoil.

by HongKongCherry Mon 27 Apr - 19:51

So Pooly are you going to say why you think May had a poor game?

by nathan Mon 27 Apr - 20:21

HongKongCherry wrote:So Pooly are you going to say why you think May had a poor game?

he's too busy putting up some diversion signs!

by Sgt_Pooly Mon 27 Apr - 20:36

Still talking about bloody May?!?!

The initial comment was spurned off the cuff from one incident when he done his normal headless chicken run with better options available.

I posted as it happened and then lost my feed, I missed 2 Falcons tries and didn't realise May had went off. He was on when I made the comment, poor was probably harsh.

He's such an infuriating players as he has so much speed and he's a big lad, he could be fantastic. His problem is his lack of a rugby brain, he has no awareness of other players and more often than not makes the wrong decision.

He might get away with it in the AP but just doesn't seem to have the brains to step up consistently.

Can we put May to bed now?

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