Aviva Premiership - Round 9

by **LondonTiger** Thu 07 Jan 2016, 12:14 pm

Table

Team	--P--	--W--	--D--	--BP--	Points
Saracens	8	8	0	4	36
Exeter	8	6	0	6	30
Harlequins	8	5	1	5	27
Leicester	8	6	0	1	25
Northampton	8	4	0	5	21
Gloucester	8	4	1	2	20
Sale Sharks	8	3	1	3	17
Bath	8	3	0	4	16
Wasps	8	3	0	3	15
Worcester	8	2	0	4	12
Newcastle	8	1	1	0	6
London Irish	8	1	0	0	4

Fixtures

Fri 8th Jan 16

19:45 Bath Rugby Bath P - P Sale Sharks
Postponed to allow Bath to travel to Toulon.

Sat 9th Jan 16

15:00 Exeter Chiefs v Gloucester Rugby
Both sides have growing injury lists, but at home Chiefs should have too much and maintain their place at second in the table.

15:00 Harlequins v Saracens
Common wisdom is that Quins are incapable of beating Saracens. common wisdom is that they will struggle up front and then run into blind alleys. Common wisdom states that Saracens are too clinical, too ruthless and just too awesome for a fragile Harlequins.
Well Love sacks to common wisdom. Quins are tougher up front this year and should conditions be dry have easily enough to run the famed Sarries defence ragged, especially if McCall decides to conhcentrate on next weeks visit from Ulster. Will it be dry though?

15:15 Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints BT Sport
Saints are in the poorest form I have seen since the relegation season - yet win at their old rivals and they will be in the Top 4! Will Mallinder decide to come with his strongest team, or will he be looking ahead to the Glasgow fixture next week? To be honest I am not sure the visitors can afford to worry about next week, they have to win this weekend in front of what will be the biggest ever crowd at Welford Road. Saints will be ruing the injury to Brookes, but will be certain they can get scrummage control - though it is possible that young Paul hill may learn a lesson or two from Marcos Ayerza. Saints will look to replicate the Sarries template from last week, take the scrum penalties, kick to the cornes and maul like crazy. They have shown little creative ability otherwise this season - but may well be looking for a Penalty Try TBP.
This game is free to air, for any interested.

Sun 10th Jan 16

13:00 London Irish v Newcastle Falcons BT Sport
Huge game for both clubs, but even more so for the hosts. They cannot afford to lose but can their half backs give them the control they need? Newcastle will look to dominate at scrum time, but have to improve at the lineout if they are to secure a vital away win. In their favour, the lineout is an area that LI have really struggled in. LI will be looking to take advantage of what has been at times a porous defence and certainly have some speedy backs who could prosper.

14:00 Wasps v Worcester Warriors
Wasps have looked like Gods in the ECC, but like dogs at times in the AP. Gopperth has had his one good display of the season and shoudl be dispensed with. Simpson needs to regain his earlier form. Most of all though they need hughes and Smith to be fit.
Wuss will fight for everything and never give up. If Wasps are not on top form they could prosper.

by Scottrf Thu 07 Jan 2016, 12:37 pm

Exeter
Saracens
Tigers
Irish
Wasps

Some evenly matched games this week, with the exception of Exeter Gloucester

by Geordie Thu 07 Jan 2016, 12:44 pm

Scottrf wrote:Exeter
Saracens
Tigers
~~Irish~~Falcons
Wasps

Some evenly matched games this week, with the exception of Exeter Gloucester

That's better.... Very Happy

by Scottrf Thu 07 Jan 2016, 12:47 pm

But do you believe it?!

by Geordie Thu 07 Jan 2016, 12:54 pm

The truth is its the hardest to call.

Both sides have shown the odd glimpse recently of improvement...but we both seem to manage 40 mins of decent rugby at best and both have still played some utter dross.

One team just needs to take the game by the scruff of the neck...and either side is capable of doing that.

by HongKongCherry Thu 07 Jan 2016, 1:13 pm

I'm clinging on to the fact that in the last 2 seasons games between Chiefs and Glaws have been won by the away team. All sense and reasoning would suggest a comfortable Chiefs win, but I've never known anyone from Gloucester be referred to as sensible...

by formerly known as Sam Thu 07 Jan 2016, 2:53 pm

Tigers are making plenty if noise about making amends for last week. They'll need to. The Welford Rd crowd will be unforgiving if they play as poorly against rivals Northampton. To many fans from the south of the county will see this as the big derby game and will want bragging rights. Being done over up front and conceding penalty tries will not go down well.

Expect a strong as possible Tigers team for this one. Be interesting to see what Saints do as LT says they need a win in Europe but also need some AP form and don't have the biggest squad.

by Scottrf Thu 07 Jan 2016, 3:26 pm

Honestly I think that Brookes is such a miss that I'd put us as favourites was he playing.

by yappysnap Thu 07 Jan 2016, 4:05 pm

Common wisdom is that Quins are incapable of beating Saracens. common wisdom is that they will struggle up front and then run into blind alleys. Common wisdom states that Saracens are too clinical, too ruthless and just too awesome for a fragile Harlequins.
Well Love sacks to common wisdom. Quins are tougher up front this year and should conditions be dry have easily enough to run the famed Sarries defence ragged, especially if McCall decides to conhcentrate on next weeks visit from Ulster

Love this

As an old poster used to say

BELIEVE!

by yappysnap Thu 07 Jan 2016, 4:06 pm

Oh and...

Exeter
Tigers
Irish
Wasps

by **Ozzy3213** Thu 07 Jan 2016, 7:01 pm

Weather forecast for Sunday at the MadStad is dry, so hopefully both sides will try to play rather than kicking the leather of it. I just hope it's not one of those cagey affairs as the best thing for us will be for the team go out firing from the off, get the crowd involved and hope that in turn spurs the team on even further.

by WELL-PAST-IT Thu 07 Jan 2016, 7:32 pm

Got a feeling that Ayerza will, if fully fit teach young Hill a few lesson ( I rate him as one of the best in the world at the moment, truly world class). Who are Tigers likely to pick as locks, they have a good selection. I see that as the most influential area, apart from front row. Saints back row has been going very well so far, in particular Harrison, Gibson has a string of MotM awards recently as well and Dickinson is also on good form. If Saints CAN attain parity in the scrum, I feel that 4 good options in the lineout should give them enough choice / variation to win most of their own ball and give them a spare jumper to try and disrupt the Tigers throw in.

Cole vs Waller/Wallers will be interesting

I really rate Dickson, he is one of the few 9s that can really put pace on the game, Youngs may be quicker and pose more of a threat on the break, but he does not get the ball away any thing like a s quick as Dickson. Saints confidence is starting to rise, especially in the pack, IF the backs can click we may well spring a surprise.

Can someone somehow detain Ayerza for a few hours Saturday afternoon, until the game is over, without him, I fancy Saints chances. Tigers are a different outfit with him playing though.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 07 Jan 2016, 8:06 pm

I predict a starting Tigers team of; Ayerza, Youngs, Cole, Kitchener, Fitzgerald, McCaffery, O'Connor, Pearce, Youngs, Williams, TV, Smith, Betham, Thompstone, Tait.

Slater, Bateman, Leo, M Williams, JDV, Manu, Morris and maybe Croft are injured. Barrow suspended. JDV and Manu likely to be involved against Treviso next weekend.

I suspect the surprise of he round will be Worcester who might just upset an out of sorts Wasps. Especially if Gopperth is a ten again.

by doctor_grey Thu 07 Jan 2016, 8:24 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:I predict a starting Tigers team of; Ayerza, Youngs, Cole, Kitchener, Fitzgerald, McCaffery, O'Connor, Pearce, Youngs, Williams, TV, Smith, Betham, Thompstone, Tait.

Slater, Bateman, Leo, M Williams, JDV, Manu, Morris and maybe Croft are injured. Barrow suspended. JDV and Manu likely to be involved against Treviso next weekend.

I suspect the surprise of he round will be Worcester who might just upset an out of sorts Wasps. Especially if Gopperth is a ten again.

The club I play for could uposet Wasps if Gopperth plays.....

by formerly known as Sam Thu 07 Jan 2016, 8:47 pm

I just don't understand it. Wasps have a ten who has proved he can make their back line tick and he's left on the bench for a player who's best contribution to the season so far was a three match suspension. To be honest I'm unsure how Gopperth is still getting starting contracts at top clubs.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 1:17 am

I expect us to lose by a fair bit but will be delighted and not that surprised if we win by over a score.

by Poorfour Fri 08 Jan 2016, 10:35 am

Quins v Sarries is hard to call. We have struggled against them ever since something special started happening at Saracens, and they've started the season in ominous form.

But... Quins have had the tougher initial schedule and but for a few crucial lapses of concentration could have won all their games, and are not struggling to cross the line this year. And Sarries' away games against the top half of the table have been pretty close affairs.

The likelihood is that Quins won't get through 80 minutes without a few silly mistakes, and that Sarries will exploit those mistakes ruthlessly. But if Quins keep their concentration up and Sarries have one eye on the Champions Cup, it could be a close-run thing.

Forward dominance is likely to be crucial, and a key factor in that is going to be Craig Maxwell-Keys, reffing his 9th AP game. If both teams can get on his wavelength for the scrums and breakdowns, I'd back Quins to achieve parity and then we'll have a game.

The weather forecast is for thunderstorms, which could add a bit more excitement if any were necessary.

In the other games:
Chiefs by less than 7 - winning at Sandy Park feels like too much of a stretch for Gloucester, especially given recent injuries
Tigers by less than 7 - neither team has hit top form, but I can't see Tigers letting this one slip away from them
Irish by more than 7 - a game they just can't afford to lose
Wuss by less than 7 - I'm going to stick my neck out and say that Worcester will build on their second half performance last week and surprise a Wasps team with one eye on the ERCC.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 10:58 am

Other matches - Exeter, Tigers, Irish, Wasps win

by Scottrf Fri 08 Jan 2016, 11:06 am

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I really rate Dickson, he is one of the few 9s that can really put pace on the game, Youngs may be quicker and pose more of a threat on the break, but he does not get the ball away any thing like a s quick as Dickson.

Can't agree at all. He's really slowed down a lot. Waits ages now to get the ball out, trying far too hard for a penalty. Kicks away possession far too often. He's been dreadful this season. We have a SH who on his day is one of the best in the NH, and we make captain a guy who can't make the England squad. Khan is far more physical, cleverer and makes a much bigger impact. It's nice to have options but clear to me who is the better player.

by Margin_Walker Fri 08 Jan 2016, 11:52 am

The Dickson of the last few years is well off the pace. Must be watching a different player. Agree with Scott, he seems to spend far too much time waving his arms trying to win clever penalties than putting any kind of pace on the game.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:07 pm

Falcons:

15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Craig Willis, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (C) 7 Nili Latu, 8 Ally Hogg

16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Taione Vea, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Todd Clever, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Andy Goode, 23 Belisario Agulla

Welsh injured is a huge loss, we could be in for a hard time in the scrum. I'd fancy Irish to win but if we turn them over it'll go a long way to helping securing survival.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:15 pm

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Saturday 3.15pm)
15 Telusa Veainu
14 Peter Betham
13 Mathew Tait
12 Matt Smith
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Owen Williams
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Sebastian de Chaves
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Fitzgerald
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Lachlan McCaffrey

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Laurence Pearce
20 Tom Croft
21 Sam Harrison
22 Freddie Burns
23 Vereniki Goneva

Northampton Saints: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Jamie Elliott, 13 George North, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Tom Collins, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Lee Dickson (c); 1 Alex Waller, 2 Mikey Haywood, 3 Paul Hill, 4 Courtney Lawes, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Jamie Gibson, 7 Teimana Harrison, 8 Sam Dickinson
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Gareth Denman, 19 Christian Day, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Tom Kessell, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Harry Mallinder

good to see Tom Wood starting his return from injury.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:16 pm

There are four changes to the starting team which beat Worcester Warriors last week.

Rob Buchanan and Adam Jones are named in the front row as Jack Clifford starts at number 8, rotating with Nick Easter.

In the backs Marland Yarde returns to the starting team on the wing.

Among the replacements, Seb Adeniran-Olule will look to make his first Premiership appearance of the season.

Saturday's match is sold out and supporters without match tickets are advised not to travel to The Stoop as tickets will not be available to purchase on the day.

Harlequins' Principal Partner DHL has three pairs of tickets to give away to supporters. Follow @DHLRugbyUK on Twitter and retweet their competition before 16:00 on Friday 8th January for a chance to win them!

Harlequins Team
15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. George Lowe
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ross Chisholm
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care©

1.Joe Marler
2. Rob Buchanan
3. Adam Jones
4. James Horwill
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Luke Wallace
8. Jack Clifford

16. Dave Ward
17. Seb Adeniran-Olule
18. Will Collier
19. George Merrick
20. Nick Easter
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Harry Sloan

All our props injured, technically nobody covers LH except Marler :/
Big pick with Clifford at 8, could be genius or lack Easter's nous, though at least Easter will still have an impact off bench and he is old now so probably needs some rest, shame Luamanu still isn't back because we could use his power with Easter covering lock.

Just worried about second half scrums :/

Looks like we've picked a good pack at the breakdown though, and with Ward to come on, we could trouble even Sarries there

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:17 pm

Quins Website wrote:Harlequins Team
15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. George Lowe
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Ross Chisholm
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care©

1.Joe Marler
2. Rob Buchanan
3. Adam Jones
4. James Horwill
5. Charlie Matthews
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Luke Wallace
8. Jack Clifford

16. Dave Ward
17. Seb Adeniran-Olule
18. Will Collier
19. George Merrick
20. Nick Easter
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Harry Sloan

Saracens Team
15 Alex Goode
14 Chris Ashton
13 Marcelo Bosch
12 Duncan Taylor
11 Mike Ellery
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock

1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George©
3 Petrus Du Plessis
4 Jim Hamilton
5 George Kruis
6 Jackson Wray
7 Will Fraser
8 Billy Vunipola

Replacements
16 Jared Saunders
17 Rhys Gill
18 Titi Lamositele
19 Maro Itoje
20 Jacques Burger
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Charlie Hodgson
23 Nick Tompkins

by Welly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:18 pm

Tigers team looks excellent.

Fingers cross it will all click.

Smith and Tait midfield looks interesting.

by Scottrf Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:19 pm

How did you rate Gibson at Tigers? He's been excellent for us.

Not convinced with the half back pairing.

by Welly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:21 pm

He was excellent for us.

But he was also not what Cockerill wanted i reckon.

Gibson plays like a 6.5, and i think cockers wanted a 6 who was a hard hitter AKA Mike Williams.

Gibson was prob considered too much a croft lite in many ways.

Excellent club player but i wouldn't pick him in for the England squad.

by Geordie Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:23 pm

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Falcons:

15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Craig Willis, 9 Michael Young, 1 Rob Vickers 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (C) 7 Nili Latu, 8 Ally Hogg

16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Taione Vea, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Todd Clever, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Andy Goode, 23 Belisario Agulla

Welsh injured is a huge loss, we could be in for a hard time in the scrum. I'd fancy Irish to win but if we turn them over it'll go a long way to helping securing survival.

Glad Willis is given the chance to continue from Bath. Im not a fan of Micky Young at all but Tipuna and Takalua are both injured.

Paddy Ryan will be interesting at TH.

We need to get right at them and just be relentless.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:28 pm

London Irish team to play Newcastle Falcons:

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Alex Lewington; 13. Ciaran Hearn*; 12. Johnny Williams; 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma*; 10. Chris Noakes; 9. Brendan McKibbin; 1. Tom Court*; 2. David Paice*; 3. Ben Franks*; 4. Matt Symons (Captain); 5. Will Lloyd; 6. Jebb Sinclair*; 7. Luke Narraway*; 8. Ofisa Treviranus*

Replacements: 16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Smallbone; 18. Halani Aulika*; 19. Joe Trayfoot; 20. Blair Cowan*; 21. Scott Steele; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Fergus Mulchrone

by Mad for Chelsea Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:31 pm

pleased to see Quins at least put out a decent team against Sarries (cough Leicester cough), in fact pretty much their strongest XV available except for maybe Easter? Sarries have made a few changes from their first-choice XV (Hamilton, De Kock, Bosch, Ellery) as some players get a rest, but it's still a pretty strong outfit you'd have to say. As most people have already said, a lot depends on if Quins can get parity at the set-piece, and keep the errors down to a minimum. Could be a decent game.

Irish team against Falcons

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Alex Lewington; 13. Ciaran Hearn*; 12. Johnny Williams; 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma*; 10. Chris Noakes; 9. Brendan McKibbin; 1. Tom Court*; 2. David Paice*; 3. Ben Franks*; 4. Matt Symons (Captain); 5. Will Lloyd; 6. Jebb Sinclair*; 7. Luke Narraway*; 8. Ofisa Treviranus*

Replacements: 16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Smallbone; 18. Halani Aulika*; 19. Joe Trayfoot; 20. Blair Cowan*; 21. Scott Steele; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Fergus Mulchrone

Two changes: Ojo in at FB, and Jebb Sinclair into the backrow (which I'm a bit unconvinced by TBH). Hope we can get on top in the scrum, which has been going well recently, and build from there.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:33 pm

I think Clifford's been picked to add go forward off any retreating scrums, strengthen the breakdown with ward on the bench and to let Easter rest and make an impact coming on (also potentially at lock)

by formerly known as Sam Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:35 pm

Welly I'd have preferred De Chaves on the bench with Pearce at 8 personally. That way we'd have more control at the base and concede less penalties.

Gibson was a very good player for us. Caught between 6 and 7 though. Our replacement for him Mike Williams is a proper brute and was outstanding until he broke his arm vs Wuss so we've not really missed Gibson that much.

by Scottrf Fri 08 Jan 2016, 12:39 pm

Pumped for this game.

by Heaf Fri 08 Jan 2016, 1:18 pm

Mad for Chelsea wrote:pleased to see Quins at least put out a decent team against Sarries (cough Leicester cough), in fact pretty much their strongest XV available except for maybe Easter? Sarries have made a few changes from their first-choice XV (Hamilton, De Kock, Bosch, Ellery) as some players get a rest, but it's still a pretty strong outfit you'd have to say. As most people have already said, a lot depends on if Quins can get parity at the set-piece, and keep the errors down to a minimum. Could be a decent game.

Irish team against Falcons

15. Topsy Ojo*; 14. Alex Lewington; 13. Ciaran Hearn*; 12. Johnny Williams; 11. Aseli Tikoirotuma*; 10. Chris Noakes; 9. Brendan McKibbin; 1. Tom Court*; 2. David Paice*; 3. Ben Franks*; 4. Matt Symons (Captain); 5. Will Lloyd; 6. Jebb Sinclair*; 7. Luke Narraway*; 8. Ofisa Treviranus*

Replacements: 16. Gerard Ellis; 17. Tom Smallbone; 18. Halani Aulika*; 19. Joe Trayfoot; 20. Blair Cowan*; 21. Scott Steele; 22. Shane Geraghty*; 23. Fergus Mulchrone

Two changes: Ojo in at FB, and Jebb Sinclair into the backrow (which I'm a bit unconvinced by TBH). Hope we can get on top in the scrum, which has been going well recently, and build from there.

Disappointed that both Maitland and Fenby are injured - also wonder why Cowan isn't starting ...

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 1:39 pm

Wayne Barnes has the whistle, again, for the East Midlands derby. I always panic if he is ref when we face quins, but his style seems to suit us a lot more than Saints.

by Welly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 1:47 pm

Eddie will be at the Tigers Saints game tomorrow not the Sarries Quins game.

by Poorfour Fri 08 Jan 2016, 1:51 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:I think Clifford's been picked to add go forward off any retreating scrums, strengthen the breakdown with ward on the bench and to let Easter rest and make an impact coming on (also potentially at lock)

Agreed. Clifford over Easter gains us as much as it gives away. It's a question of style. If we want to play a fast game, Clifford will give us more in attack and Easter showed in the RWC warm-ups that he can change a game from the bench.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 2:00 pm

Some "interesting" moments from previous fixtures:

http://www.follow-rugby.com/videos/2820/category/Handbags/10/Dylan-Hartley-RED-CARD-vs-Leicester-Tigers

by yappysnap Fri 08 Jan 2016, 2:06 pm

Usually is a spicy game, fingers crossed for another.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 2:09 pm

Welly wrote: Eddie will be at the Tigers Saints game tomorrow not the Sarries Quins game.

Are you sure?

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 2:11 pm

Pretty sure he's going to the Stoop. The Tigers match is televised anyway, he can record it Wink

by Scottrf Fri 08 Jan 2016, 2:16 pm

No highlights of the Tom Wood try in the Semi Final at the Gardens?

Best moment, 'surprised' you missed it.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 08 Jan 2016, 3:21 pm

Scottrf wrote:No highlights of the Tom Wood try in the Semi Final at the Gardens?

Best moment, 'surprised' you missed it.

Think I prefer the Agulla try at Welford Road with assist from Slater and Murphy. That game really was a try fest with spicy bits.

by Welly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 4:02 pm

ChequeredJersey wrote:Pretty sure he's going to the Stoop. The Tigers match is televised anyway, he can record it

https://twitter.com/chrisjones51/status/685412112353640448

https://twitter.com/neilfissler/status/685399544511729664

I'm sure.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 08 Jan 2016, 4:39 pm

Well he'll want to see see Youngs vs Haywood to work out who's going to be back up to Jamie George.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 4:59 pm

Fair enough, missing out on the backrow battle, front row battle, his best scrum half, 2 prospective wingers to replace May, fullback battle then!

by BamBam Fri 08 Jan 2016, 5:01 pm

Seems a bit odd, unless he's already got his mind made up on Quins/Sarries players, which seeing as there's only 5 days before the squad announcement might make sense

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 08 Jan 2016, 5:08 pm

Perhaps he's seen what he needs to from both sides?

There's a lot of England regulars in the Tigers game who've not shown much form(Hartley, Cole, Youngs, Woods, Lawes, Burrell) and a few potential bolters(Haywood, Waller, Hill, O'Connor, Harrison, Smith, Kitchener).

If I was in Jones position, I'd be going to Welford Rd this weekend.

by ChequeredJersey Fri 08 Jan 2016, 5:33 pm

But he can watch the whole Welford Road match any time, the Stoop match isn't being broadcasted...

by **LondonTiger** Fri 08 Jan 2016, 5:34 pm

Scottrf wrote:No highlights of the Tom Wood try in the Semi Final at the Gardens?

Best moment, 'surprised' you missed it.

did not lead to a red card, unless I missed that of course.

Woul dhave included Corry's red if matches back then were televised as now - but not his try when he ran 50m down the wing outpacing the entire Saints back line Wink

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