Aviva Premiership - Round 12

Fri 12th
19:45 Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers BT Sport


Sat 13th
14:30 Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs
15:00 Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins
15:00 Northampton Saints v London Irish
15:00 Worcester Warriors v Bath Rugby


Sun 14th
16:00 Saracens v Wasps BT Sport

Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, away, Friday 7.45pm)
15 Telusa Veainu
14 Peter Betham
13 Mathew Tait (c)
12 Matt Smith
11 Gonzalo Camacho
10 Freddie Burns
9 Sam Harrison
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Tom Croft
7 Lachlan McCaffrey
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Greg Bateman
19 Sebastian De Chaves
20 Laurence Pearce
21 Jono Kitto
22 Oli Bryant
23 Jack Roberts

I hope TV can show why he went to the RWC rather than the man they named twice. We need Leo to go better in the lineout than last week. Even so LBP perhaps most we can hope for.

Newcastle Falcons vs Leicester Tigers

15 Simon Hammersley, 14 Alex Tait, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Marcus Watson, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Michael Young, 1 Bobby Vickers, 2 Scott Lawson, 3 Taione Vea, 4 Mark Wilson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (c), 7 Nili Latu, 8 Ally Hogg.

16 George McGuigan, 17 Alex Rogers, 18 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 19 Mouritz Botha, 20 Alesana Tuilagi, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Craig Willis, 23 Juan Pablo Socino.

A couple of Tigers OBs.

When did Rob Vickers become Bobby, and is he taking the Mickey out of Young?

Is that Alex Tuilagi covering the Falcons back row? Well two of his brothers have played 8 at international level and he's big enough.

Hope Bryant gets a run out at 12 as the game breaks up, he's got a great passing game and he could be a Mauger style 12 going forward. Would like to see him put Betham and TV through gaps with those long miss passes he showed in pre season.

I am too pessimistic about our chances if winning.

We've been idiotic thus far during the 6N. Although they aren't in their best form, I (though I'd love to be wrong and think we are perfectly capable of a big win) have to say I expect Gloucester to beat Quins. Would be deeply upset but not especially surprised if we now lose every game during the 6N period

Come on LT - we need your guys to do LI a favour ... it's bad enough that both Falcons and Wuss get to play Quins during the 6Ns ....

I can see Falcons nicking a close one tonight. Will wait for the imminent team announcements before predicting the rest of the games.

London Irish:

Andrew Fenby; Topsy Ojo, Fergus Mulchrone, Johnny Williams, Ciaran Hearn; Shane Geraghty, Scott Steele; Tom Court, David Paice, Halani Aulika; Matt Symons, Will Lloyd; Jebb Sinclair, Luke Narraway, Rob McCusker.

Replacements: Gerard Ellis, Tom Smallbone, Leo Halavatau, Ian Nagle, Ofisa Treviranus, Darren Allinson, Theo Brophy-Clews, Dom Waldouck.

SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY LONDON IRISH
Aviva Premiership Round 12
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, February 13th, 2016
Kick off 3pm

15 Ben Foden
14 Jamie Elliott
13 Luther Burrell
12 Harry Mallinder
11 James Wilson
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson (capt)
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 James Craig
5 Christian Day
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood
8 Sam Dickinson

16 Reece Marshall
17 Ethan Waller
18 Gareth Denman
19 Victor Matfield
20 Teimana Harrison
21 Tom Kessell
22 JJ Hanrahan
23 George Pisi

Sale Sharks:
15. Mike Haley, 14. Will Addison, 13. Sam James, 12. Johnny Leota, 11. Nev Edwards, 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Peter Stringer, 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Tommy Taylor, 3. Vadim Cobilas, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Andrei Ostrikov, 6. Cameron Neild, 7. David Seymour (captain), 8. Mark Easter

Replacements: 16. Neil Briggs, 17. Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 18. Brian Mujati, 19. Jonathan Mills, 20. Magnus Lund, 21. Chris Cusiter, 22. Joe Ford, 23. Tom Arscott

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE SALE SHARKS
15 Phil Dollman 14 Olly Woodburn 13 Ian Whitten 12 Sam Hill 11 James Short 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Will Chudley 1 Ben Moon 2 Jack Yeandle (capt) 3 Moray Low 4 Jonny Hill 5 Geoff Parling 6 Don Armand 7 Julian Salvi 8 Thomas Waldrom

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie 17 Alec Hepburn 18 Harry Williams 19 Ollie Atkins 20 Kai Horstmann 21 Dave Lewis 22 Will Hooley 23 Max Bodilly

Gloucester Rugby:

Billy Burns; Charlie Sharples, Billy Meakes, Billy Twelvetrees (capt), Steve McColl; James Hook, Willi Heinz; Paddy McAllister, Richard Hibbard, John Afoa; Tom Savage, Mariano Galarza; Sione Kalamafoni, Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan

Replacements:

Tom Lindsay, Dan Murphy, Paul Doran-Jones, Jeremy Thrush, Jacob Rowan, Callum Braley, Mark Atkinson, Rob Cook

Harlequins team
15. Ross Chisholm
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. Harry Sloan
11. Tim Visser
10. Nick Evans©
9. Tito Tebaldi

1. Mark Lambert
2. Joe Gray
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. George Merrick
5. James Horwill
6. Luke Wallace
7. Dave Ward
8. Mat Luamanu

16. James Chisholm
17. Owen Evans
18. Will Collier
19. Charlie Matthews
20. Ben Botica
21. Calum Waters
22. Winston Stanley
23. Tim Swiel

Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Andy Symons
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Luke Baldwin
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Niall Annett
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
5 Darren Barry
6 Phil Dowson
7 Carl Kirwan
8 GJ van Velze (C)

Replacements
16 Jaba Bregvadze
17 Na'ama Leleimalefaga
18 James Johnston
19 Dan Sanderson
20 Dewald Potgieter
21 Charlie Mulchrone
22 Ryan Lamb
23 Ryan Mills

Bath Rugby team to face Worcester Warriors:

15 Tom Homer
14 Semesa Rokoduguni
13 Max Clark
12 Matt Banahan
11 Horacio Agulla
10 Adam Hastings
9 Niko Matawalu
1 Nick Auterac
2 Rob Webber
3 Henry Thomas
4 Stuart Hooper (c)
5 Tom Ellis
6 Leroy Houston
7 Guy Mercer
8 Amanaki Mafi

Replacements

16 Ross Batty
17 Beno Obano
18 David Wilson
19 Charlie Ewels
20 Dominic Day
21 Matt Garvey
22 Jonathan Evans
23 Jeff Williams

Saracens team to face Wasps

15 Marcelo Bosch (55*)
14 Mike Ellery (15)
13 Nick Tompkins (28)
12 Brad Barritt (158)
11 Chris Wyles (193)
10 Charlie Hodgson (122)
9 Ben Spencer (64)
1 Richard Barrington (68)
2 Schalk Brits (159)
3 Petrus Du Plessis (117)
4 Jim Hamilton (36)
5 Alistair Hargreaves (c) (74)
6 Michael Rhodes (13)
7 Jacques Burger (108)
8 Samu Vunisa (4)

Replacements

16 Jared Saunders (26)
17 Rhys Gill (153)
18 Titi Lamositele (10)
19 Hayden Smith (56)
20 Will Fraser (69)
21 Richard Wigglesworth (142)
22 Nils Mordt (54)
23 Ben Ransom (57)

Wasps team to play Saracens at Allianz Park on Sunday 14 February, 4pm Kick Off.

15. Charles Piutau
14. Christian Wade
13. Elliot Daly
12. Siale Piutau
11. Josh Bassett
10. Ruaridh Jackson
9. Dan Robson

1. Simon McIntyre
2. Ashley Johnson
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. James Cannon
5. Kearnan Myall
6. Thomas Young
7. George Smith ©
8. Nathan Hughes

Replacements
16. Carlo Festuccia
17. Matt Mullan
18. Phil Swainston
19. Will Rowlands
20. Alex Rieder
21. Jamie Stevenson
22. Jimmy Gopperth
23. Rob Miller

Team gathering marathon complete. Some interesting lineups: Bosch at FB, Bath replicating England with a 6/2 bench, Adam Hastings (who?) at 10 for Bath,

I think he's an academy lad LT.

Injuries and 6 nations call ups hitting some teams pretty hard.

He's the son of Gavin and is in the Bath academy. It's hard to see beyond a wuss win I think.

How many of those bath players are from there academy?

Any LI fans that can help answer that

13 Max Clark
10 Adam Hastings
5 Tom Ellis
7 Guy Mercer
23 Jeff Williams

are Bath acadamy players Welly

Fascinating match up between Harry Mallinder and Johnny Williams at 12 in our game.

Ah its in the bag this one.

Beat Quins, an agonising loss to Wasps that we should have won....only one result here.

Falcons will tame the mighty Tigers

Sean Robinson will prove yet again what a formidable lock forward that young man is...he out played Itoje you know!

Falcons to win by 23.

Tigers playing basically d team so you should

Being a touch more serious, I can easily see another 10-3 scoreline for a Tigers game - I just hope this week we are the ones who take the chance.

LondonTiger wrote:Being a touch more serious, I can easily see another 10-3 scoreline for a Tigers game - I just hope this week we are the ones who take the chance.

A losing bonus point for (an injury ravaged) Falcons at an injury ravaged Tigers?

At one time we would have been ecstatic at the thought, in fact not so long ago escaping a hiding would be acceptable (steady drinking before and during the match was the only palliative), but it looks like we might have started turning a corner and a win would not be the miracle it might have been.

Of course we might all have been reading too many 6 nations forums and been cross infected with the Welsh boundless optimism virus- 'we can beat ANY team...on our day.'

You never know...

LondonTiger wrote:Team gathering marathon complete. Some interesting lineups: Bosch at FB, Bath replicating England with a 6/2 bench, Adam Hastings (who?) at 10 for Bath,

He played very well for Scotland U20 against England at the weekend. All Scotland fans will be eager to hear how he plays, I imagine - and not just because he is Gavin's son. Bath could have eased him into the game though; they have partnered him with Matawalu!

TrailApe wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Being a touch more serious, I can easily see another 10-3 scoreline for a Tigers game - I just hope this week we are the ones who take the chance.

A losing bonus point for (an injury ravaged) Falcons at an injury ravaged Tigers?

At one time we would have been ecstatic at the thought, in fact not so long ago escaping a hiding would be acceptable (steady drinking before and during the match was the only palliative), but it looks like we might have started turning a corner and a win would not be the miracle it might have been.

Of course we might all have been reading too many 6 nations forums and been cross infected with the Welsh boundless optimism virus- 'we can beat ANY team...on our day.'

You never know...

LI have an horrific injury list too - is it just me or do injuries seem to be getting worse?

I think it's just this time of year. Cold weather means slippy surfaces and muscles cooling quicker. Makes for more pulls and strains. Less control in the coach area meaning more soft tissue damage. The greater knowledge surrounding concussion means more players are missing games but that is really a positive.

Tigers are normally missing more players at this time of year. Having said that our unavailable (injured, called up, banned) XV this weekend is pretty good.

Augero, Youngs, Cole
Slater, Barrow
M Williams, Fonua, O'Connor
Youngs, O Williams
JDV, Manu
Thompstone, Bell, Goneva

Is Barrow injured?? No cant be true....

Looking at the Tigers side...I guess I have to be honest and ay ill be happy with a losing bonus point...BUT dammit id love to sneak a cheeky win

He's banned again, I have a horrible feeling about this game and think we'll lose.

Completely forgot about Andy Goode, look at the size of him!

He moves like a ballerina on the pitch though Nathan

I Can't understand why Saint shave Harrison benched again. He has been their stand out player all season playing both 7 and 8. I know Wood and Gibson are class but the are both sixes Wood can paly 7 very well, but he lacks Harrison's breakdown skills and pace hitting the pop pass and making ground.

Mallinder is starting to look too much like Lancaster for my liking.

A backline than includes Myler, Mallinder Jnr, and Burrell is going to take a lot of defending against. The duel between Williams and Mallinder is going to be interesting, but only if Irish can gain parity at the breakdown. The Saints front row is class even without .

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:I Can't understand why Saint shave Harrison benched again. He has been their stand out player all season playing both 7 and 8. I know Wood and Gibson are class but the are both sixes Wood can paly 7 very well, but he lacks Harrison's breakdown skills and pace hitting the pop pass and making ground.

Mallinder is starting to look too much like Lancaster for my liking.

A backline than includes Myler, Mallinder Jnr, and Burrell is going to take a lot of defending against. The duel between Williams and Mallinder is going to be interesting, but only if Irish can gain parity at the breakdown. The Saints front row is class even without .

How much rest has Harrison had? Don't forget it's a pretty long and busy season this year.

Nice little break by Watson

Think Goode was a bit too heavy there lol

AH dammit!!!!

But greaat recovery from Watson

He's a great player Watson

Yeah doing very well Nathan. We're very impressed with him at the Falcons.

Ah andy man cant afford to miss those

Did he miss the kick? Lol I think your about a minute ahead of me

Ha ha ah nightmare

Need to make Goode run more

17 years playing the prem. That's impressive by Goode mind. That's the experience he brings us

Wow what a tackle by Croft

Harrison needs to

1) Watch his feet around the ball
2) get it out quicker

That's the way Hammersley