Gallagher Premiership 2019/20

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Table

Pos	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Pts Difference	Bonus	Points
1	Northampton Saints	7	5	2	0	194	146	48	3	23
2	Exeter Chiefs	6	4	2	0	142	97	45	4	20
3	Gloucester Rugby	7	3	4	0	149	121	28	6	18
4	Bristol Bears	7	3	3	1	157	165	-8	4	18
5	Bath Rugby	7	4	3	0	139	145	-6	1	17
6	Worcester Warriors	7	4	3	0	122	144	-22	1	17
7	Sale Sharks	7	3	4	0	144	105	39	5	17
8	Harlequins	7	3	3	1	158	169	-11	3	17
9	London Irish	7	2	4	1	128	179	-51	2	12
10	Wasps	7	2	5	0	134	191	-57	3	11
11	Leicester Tigers	7	1	5	1	118	191	-76	0	6
12	Saracens	6	5	1	0	158	87	71	-32	-13

Bath
Last Season - 6th

Players in: Lewis Boyce (Prop), Christian Judge (Prop), Will Stuart (Prop), Mike Williams (Utility Forward), Josh McNally (Second Row), Ollie Fox (Scrum Half)
Promoted from Academy: Miles Reid, Will Vaughan, Sam Nixon, Tom de Glanville, Will Britton, Jack Davies, Tom Doughty, Levi Davis promoted (X Factor permitting)

Players Out: Dave Attwood (Second Row), Paul Grant (Back Row), Luke Charteris (Second Row), James Wilson (Utility Back), Kahn Fotuali'i (Scrum Half), Jacques van Rooyen (Prop), Jack Wilson (Wing), Cooper Vuna (Wing), Anthony Perenise (Prop), Michael van Vuuren (Hooker), Max Lahiff (Prop)


Bristol Bears
Last Season - 9th

Players in: Dave Attwood (Second Row), Nathan Hughes (Back Row), Nicky Thomas (Prop), Max Lahiff (Prop), Tyrese Johnson-Fisher (Wing)
Promoted from Academy: Sam Bedlow, John Hawkins, Toby Fricker

Players out: Nick Haining (Back Row), George Smith (Back Row), Nick Fenton-Wells (Back Row), Joe Latta (Second Row), Tusi Pisi (Fly Half), Sione Faletau (Prop), Jack Lam (Back Row)


Exeter Chiefs
Last Season: Runners Up

Players in: Stuart Hogg (Full Back), Will Witty (Second Row), Tom Price (Second Row), Stan South (Utility Forward), Jannes Kirsten (Utility Forward), Jacques Vermeulen (Utility Forward)

Players out: Santiago Cordero (Wing/FB), Tom Lawday (Back Row), Moray Low (Prop), Ollie Atkins (Second Row), Mitch Lees (Second Row)


Gloucester
Last Season: 3rd

Players in: Joe Simpson (Scrum Half), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Prop), Chris Harris (Centre), Corne Fourie (Prop)
Promoted from Academy: Charlie Chapman, Alex Seville, Alex Craig, Ciaran Knight, Tom Seabrook, Henry Walker

Players out: Paddy McAllister (Prop), Gareth Denman (Prop), Kyle Traynor (Prop) Tom Savage (Second Row), Gareth Evans (Back Row), Ben Vellacott (Scrum Half), Henry Purdy (Centre/Wing)


Harlequins
Last Season 4th

Players in: Santiago Garcias Botta (Prop), Martin Landajo (Scrum Half), Michele Campagnaro (Centre), Scott Baldwin (Hooker), Stephan Lewies (Second Row), Glen Young (Second Row), Will Evans (Flanker), Simon Kerrod (Prop), Tom Lawday (Back Row), Travis Ismaiel (Wing), Veriniki Goneva (Wing), Tevita Cavubati (Second Row)

Players out: Alofa Alofa (Utility Back), George Merrick (Second Row), Lewis Boyce (Prop), James Horwill (Second Row), Josh Ibuanokpe (Prop), Tim Visser (Wing), Charlie Walker(Wing), Demitir Catrakilis (Fly Half), Mat Luamanu (Back Row), Luke Wallace (Flanker), Stan South (Second Row), Dave Ward (Hooker), Dave Lewis (Scrum Half), Ben Glynn (Second Row)


Leicester Tigers
Last season 11th

Players in: Jordan Taufua (Back Row), Noel Reid (Fly Half/Centre), Calum Green (Second Row), Jaco Taute (Centre), Tomas Lavanini (Second Row), Nephi Leatigaga (Prop), Charlie Clare (Hooker), Joe Thomas (Centre), Johnny McPhillips (Fly Half), EW Viljoen (Utility Back), Hanro Liebenberg (Back Row), Jordan Coghlan (Back Row)
Promoted from Academy: Tom Hardwicke, Joe Heyes, Sam Lewis, Jordan Olowefela, Tommy Reffell, Sam Aspland Robinson, Harry Simmons, Ben White

Players out: Matt Toomua (Centre), Mike Williams (Utility Forward), Graham Kitchener (Second Row), Mathew Tait (Utility Back), Will Evans (Flanker), Tom Varndell (Winger), James Voss (Second Row), Matt Smith (Centre), Gareth Owen (Centre), Michael Fitzgerald (Second Row), Brendon O'Connor (Back Row), Valentino Mapapalangi (Back Row), Fred Tuilagi (Back Row), Leonardo Sarto (Wing),  Joe Ford (Fly Half), David Feao (Prop), David Denton (Back Row), Ross McMillan (Hooker), Campese Ma'afu (Prop), Charlie Thacker (Centre)


London Irish
Last Season: Promoted

Players in: Allan Dell (Prop), Nick Phipps (Scrum Half), Curtis Rona (Wing), Sean O'Brien (Back Row), Sekope Kepu (Prop), Paddy Jackson (Fly Half), Waisake Naholo (Wing), Adam Coleman (Second Row), Ruan Botha (Second Row), Steve Mafi (Utility Forward), George Nott (Utility Forward)

Players Out: Josh McNally (Second Row), Ian Keatley (Fly Half), Brendan McKibbin (Centre), Mike Coman (Back Row), Tommy Bell (Utility Back), Topsy Ojo (Wing), Fergus Mulchrone (Centre), Luke McLean (Full Back), Sebastian de Chaves (Second Row), Ofisa Treviranus (Back Row), Greig Tonks (Utility Back),  Napolioni Nalaga (Wing), Sam Twomey (Second Row), Filo Paulo (Second Row), Manasa Saulo (Prop)


Northampton Saints
Last Season: 4th

Players in: Matt Proctor (Utility back), Owen Franks (Prop), Ryan Olowofela (Wing), Henry Taylor (Scrum Half), Michael van Vuuren (Hooker)
Promoted from Academy: Ehren Painter, Fraser Dingwall,  James Grayson,  Alex Mitchell,  Alex Moon

Players Out: Luther Burrell (Centre), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Prop), James Craig (Utility Forward), James Haskell (Back Row), Dominic Barrow (Second Row), Nafi Tuitavake (Wing), Ken Pisi (Centre)


Sale Sharks
Last Season: 7th

Players in: Jake Cooper-Woolley (Prop), Robert du Preez (Fly Half), Akker van der Merwe (Hooker), Lood de Jager (Second Row), Coenie Oosthuizen (Prop), Dan du Preez (Utility Forward), Jean-Luc du Preez (Back Row), Simon Hammersley (Full Back), Mark Wilson (Back Row)

Players Out: Andrei Ostrikov (Second Row), Mark Jennings (Centre), Alexandru Țăruș (Prop), Johnny Leota (Centre),  Paolo Odogwu (Wing), James O'Connor (Utility Back), Josh Strauss (Back Row), George Nott (Utility Forward)


Saracens
Last Season: Champions

Players in: Elliot Daly (Utility back), Rhys Carré (Prop), Jack Singleton (Hooker), Josh Ibuanokpe (Prop)
Promoted from Academy: Alistair Crossdale, Dominic Morris

Players out: Christopher Tolofua (Hooker), Sione Vailanu (Back Row), Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Prop), David Strettle (Wing), Henry Taylor (Scrum Half) Dominic Day (Second Row), Marcelo Bosch (Centre), Schalk Burger (Back Row)


Wasps
Last Season: 8th

Players in: Malakai Fekitoa (Centre), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Prop), Ben Vellacott (Scrum Half), Matteo Minozzi (Utility back), Sione Vailanu (Back row), Biyi Alo (Prop), Paolo Odogwu (Wing), Zach Kibirige (wing)
Promoted from academy:  Will Porter,  Callum Sirker,  Sam Spink,  Tom Willis,  Tim Cardall,  Gabriel Oghre,  Owain James, Jacob Umaga

Players out: Jake Cooper-Woolley (Prop), Nathan Hughes (Back row), Will Stuart (Prop), Elliot Daly (Centre), Joe Simpson (Scrum half), Willie le Roux (Full Back), Michele Campagnaro (Centre), Kearnan Myall (Second Row), Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Centre), Matt Mullan (Prop)


Worcester Warriors
Last Season 10th

Players in: Graham Kitchener (Second Row), Jono Kitto (Scrum Half), Melani Nanai (Wing), Ed Fidow (Wing)
Promoted from Academy: Andrew Kitchener,  Ted Hill

Players out:  Bryce Heem (Wing), Josh Adams (Wing), Darren Barry (Second Row), Wynand Olivier (Centre), Dewald Potgieter (Back row), Jack Singleton (Hooker), Jonny Arr (Scrum half), Carl Kirwan (Back row), Luke Baldwin (Scrum Half), Ben Te'o (Centre), Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Back row)

mikey_dragon wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Bristol are running riot.

I have BT Sport now but I couldn’t see where this was on?

It was on BT Sport 2 on the red button Mikey

mikey_dragon wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:I can't decide whether Sale faded or Exeter belatedly decided to bring the business.  Either way, it is going to be hard to see past Exeter as champions this year.

The amount of penalties given away by Tom Curry was probably the turning point.

Considering the number of turnovers and penalties he also won he probably still comes out on top. It's the difficulty with Exeter, the turn the screw and force the opposition into errors and penalties. One penalty Vs Exeter nearly always becomes two penalties then often three penalties. The Chiefs rolling maul is pretty devastating.

Heaf wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Bristol are running riot.

I have BT Sport now but I couldn’t see where this was on?

It was on BT Sport 2 on the red button Mikey

Think the full matches are available on the app as well mikey for catching up.

Good to know there’s an app!

Itoje has just bullied Quins all game. Just a different level.

LI just butcher an absolute sitter from a 2 on 1

Ludlam s butchered one to equal it out.

Wasn’t a great LI vs Saints game, switched over to Scarlets vs Blues for now. Caught a bit of Sarries and Quins, where Saracens still looked really good despite losing a few players already.

I'm still waiting to see a decent game

Postives for Tigers. Zach Henry looks good and Thom Smith has shown some good touches.

Negatives. Bath's 1st XV is better than a scratch 2nd XV with a load of debutantes.

The abject Tigers selection for this game has rendered it pointless. If our 1st XV can take 5 points against LI it will make the table look a touch rosier but will add nothing in terms of squad development longer term, which is what Tigers actually need.

Bath lookin Hot today.

Heaf wrote:I'm still waiting to see a decent game

Good job you tuned into the Bath show

TightHEAD wrote:Bath lookin Hot today.

Against Tigers youngest ever Prem team they really ought to.

Absolutely shocking from the TMO on the fourth try, pass was a mile forward. Ref should have got it but for both to miss it is really poor.

It was flat.

Check the score sheet

TightHEAD wrote:It was flat.

Check the score sheet

It blatantly wasn't. As you can see by the repeated TV images.

Bath should be aiming for a record win giving the line ups.

Bath 2nds, don't believe the biased commentary from BT.

Oh it was flat, don't cry.

Bath youngsters turned off there. Disappointing giving Mighty Leicester a few easy scores there.

Tighthead have you been having a drink?

Dunn's interview at the end summed it up pretty well. Bath's team was so far superior to what Tigers had out they were unhappy not to control the entire game. They will have been particularly disappointed with the way that Tigers took control of the final quarter. 

Pretty much the result I expected. I thought Bath would hit 50 so not as bad as feared, Bath had virtually a first choice selection littered with high quality internationals. Really liked the way the Tigers stuck at it and kept trying to play. Tigers looked so much better with Henry at 10 than the useless McPhillips, I have no idea how he got a contract extension. Steward and Henderson came off the bench and looked good, Martin at blindside was a real positive at only just 19. Still inaccurate in the opposition 22, unlike Bath who were pretty ruthless, need to be more cut throat in that area. Probably left another try out there.

Second half scoreline of Tigers 10 - 12 Bath was better than I was expecting Bath to run away with it even further when Obano came one. Cole coming on mitigated that though and Tigers looked a lot more structured with the addition of his experience.

I thought Cam Henderson looked really good when he came on and George Martin had a good game. As did Leatigaga, Kerr and Heyes so a few positive in the tight 5.

The backs just had no chance against the impressive Bath outside backs.

Zach Henry was much better when he moved to 10 but his goal kicking doesn't look a strength. Hopefully we can see more of Hardwick at 12 with Henry at 10. They could complement one another quite well.

What exactly is going on at Tigers, couldn't believe that side side they put out (sorry, bit late to it). Listening to Murphy (out of his depth) spouting some rubbish at the end???

Where has the pride gone?? You're Leicester Tigers ffs! (not directed at the fans by the way)

Sgt_Pooly wrote:What exactly is going on at Tigers, couldn't believe that side side they put out (sorry, bit late to it). Listening to Murphy (out of his depth) spouting some rubbish at the end???

Where has the pride gone?? You're Leicester Tigers ffs! (not directed at the fans by the way)

Similar to what Wasps and Worcester did. Named a weakened team. We are playing again on Wednesday so there's no way we can name the same team for both games. I suspect Borthwick was also keen to have a look at a lot of the younger guys up against a good side. I think this is the only game where the team playing haven't seemed to collude on selection though. The other teams seem to have generally gone strong vs strong or mixed Vs mixed.

If crowds were in the stadium I don't think there's a chance that team plays today but there aren't and we can go strong at LI also at WR on Wednesday we've done what we've done. Does put a lot of emphasis on getting a result in the LI game.

We are also short a Georgian hooker who's name I can't spell, Gigena, Cobus Weisse, Moroni, van Wyk, Nadolo and Murimurivalu who are being held up by various visa issues or other reasons. Limits our ability to rotate the first team to a degree so gives the chance for some of the young guns to get game time. Some of them did a pretty good job though Bath's undoubted quality shone through as expected.

First start for Redpath, anyone would think it was our 1st choice team today!

Tighthead, since when were Bath good? Most overrated team in the prem. It’s amazing what a toff reputation can do for you.

TightHEAD wrote:First start for Redpath, anyone would think it was our 1st choice team today!

Other than Clark/Wright coming in for Redpath how many missing from that 23?

Obano probably starts at full strength. Stooke maybe starts and Spencer comes onto the bench.

There's a decent chance Redpath will overtake Clark and Wright this season as well. He's a very good young player.

A few too many early on today TH?

TightHEAD wrote:First start for Redpath, anyone would think it was our 1st choice team today!

 He did join you in February this year he's not exactly been sitting around watching the team play without him for long. He also looks to be your best bet at 12. Matavesi isn't anything more than squad player and you will probably want a secondary playmaker to get those stellar outside backs the ball.

Baths team today;

1. Boyce - second choice behind Obano
2. Dunn - first choice
3. Stuart - first choice
4. McInally - first? Stooke and Spencer might disagree.
5. Ewels - first choice
6. Ellis - second choice behind Mercer
7. Underhill - first choice
8. Falatau - first choice
9. Spencer - first choice
10. Priestland - first choice
11. McConnochie - first/second choice Big Joe and Roko in same back three might leave Watson a bit exposed so you'd probably want McConnochie in there
12. Redpath - could be the new first choice
13. Joseph - first choice
14. Roko - first choice though could be overtaken by Big Joe soon
15. Watson - first choice

So yeah really weak from Bath today.

Tigers

1. Leatigaga - third choice loosehead behind Genge and Gigena
2. Kerr - second choice though the new Georgian hooker might have something to say about it
3. Heyes - second choice starter but third choice bench option as Leatigaga can play both sides and is a good impact player
4. Lavanini - first choice
5. Enever - first/second not sure yet he's just arrived and made his debut today
6. Martin - fourth or fifth choice 6? He's just turned 19 and is a development squad lock
7. Wallace - second/third choice 
8. Smith - third or fourth choice, another development squad player
9. White - second choice, Youngs eventual successor
10. McPhillips - probably back to fourth choice after that display
11. Simmons - normally plays 9
12. Porter - third choice
13. Worth - third choice but general squad player
14. Potter - third or fourth choice 
15. Henry - signed as a 10 and I guess this was an experiment, given how well he played at 10 I guess he'll be second choice 10 going forward and probably not deployed at 15 again.

mikey_dragon wrote:Tighthead, since when were Bath good? Most overrated team in the prem. It’s amazing what a toff reputation can do for you.

Getting their big name players fit, bringing in Hatley as head coach and Spencer at 9 has done wonders for them. Can't see them winning the league but they'll fancy getting fourth.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Tighthead, since when were Bath good? Most overrated team in the prem. It’s amazing what a toff reputation can do for you.

Getting their big name players fit, bringing in Hatley as head coach and Spencer at 9 has done wonders for them. Can't see them winning the league but they'll fancy getting fourth.

Back-row aside their pack still doesn’t look that good, which means you’ll struggle in the prem. I suspected they might have had a new coach though, they seem a bit better than earlier in the season.

They have obano Dunn stuart and ewells who are all around the England squad. Not sure their pack will struggle against a lot of teams.

No 7&1/2 wrote:They have obano Dunn stuart and ewells who are all around the England squad. Not sure their pack will struggle against a lot of teams.

With former England scrum Harley and Hooper a good lineout operator in his day both on the coaching staff you'd assume they will keep improving their set piece game as well.

Wasps: Minozzi; Kibirige, Fekitoa, Gopperth, Bassett; Umaga, Robson; Harris, Taylor, Toomaga-Allen, Launchbury (capt), Rowlands, Willis, Young, Shields.

Replacements: Cruse, West, Owlett, Cardall, Vailanu, Vellacott, Atkinson, Mills.

Sale Sharks: L James; Solomona, Doherty, Van Rensburg, Reed; MacGinty, Cliff; Harrison, Langdon, Cooper-Woolley, Postlethwaite, Phillips, Neild, Curry, D Du Preez.

Replacements: Ashman, Morozov, Oosthuizen, JL Du Preez, Ross, De Klerk, S James, Roebuck.

Is this live on BT Sport? Need to get a look at some of the Welsh players.

All 4 matches in the next couple of days are on bt.

15 Freddie Steward
14 David Williams
13 Jaco Taute
12 Matt Scott
11 Nemani Nadolo
10 George Ford (vc)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Harry Wells
5 Calum Green
6 Hanro Liebenberg
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Jordan Taufua
Replacements
16 Charlie Clare
17 Nephi Leatigaga
18 Joe Heyes
19 George Martin
20 Luke Wallace
21 Ben White
22 Zack Henry
23 Jordan Olowofela

London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Tom Parton, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ben Meehan; 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 George Nott, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Ben Donnell, 7 Blair Cowan (c), 8 Albert Tuisue.
Replacements: 16 Matt Cornish, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Jack Cooke, 20 TJ Ioane, 21 Rory Brand, 22 Jacob Atkins, 23 Ross Neal.

I'm not a fan of Tigers basically picking a second XV against Bath, now a first XV against London Irish. I'd hope that it at least leads to a good performance and win at home though.

It's nice to see Steward starting in a strong lineup and Nadolo making his debut. Also nice to see George Martin rewarded for a strong debut by making the bench.

Tigers need a result tonight. Can't split the teams the way they have and not have that level of expectation. Looking at those teams you'd back Tigers man for man for over two thirds of the selections. 

Good to see us still backing some of the young talent out of the academy as well. Big fan of Steward and after his impact off the bench he deserves another chance to out down a marker. 17/23 EQ and 13/23 from the academy is pretty good as well.

We will need to be on our toes with that LI back division there's some good attacking talent there. Hopefully we can turn the screw up front and stop them getting any good ball.

Tigers game is tomorrow, Sam. Other than that agree with what you've said.

Glad that Wallace has made the bench after good performances so far. He seems to have come back from the stint in the Championship in good form. Perhaps the break from Premiership rugby did his body some good.

I'm excited to see Zach Henry get a run at 10 with strong backs outside him.

Parton and Hassell-Collins are talented wingers so it should be a good test for the Tigers back three, none of whom have played a game together before I believe.

 meant tomorrow night.

Wallace has been good since he's arrived but I'm not sure about filling the bench with players that played a whole game only a couple of days ago. I'd have preferred to bring some of the lads who've seen less action onto the bench. For instance we haven't seen Sam Lewis yet and Coghlan looked bright off the bench at the weekend.

formerly known as Sam wrote: meant tomorrow night.

Wallace has been good since he's arrived but I'm not sure about filling the bench with players that played a whole game only a couple of days ago. I'd have preferred to bring some of the lads who've seen less action onto the bench. For instance we haven't seen Sam Lewis yet and Coghlan looked bright off the bench at the weekend.

I've not spotted Lewis in any of the training photos so wonder if he's got a knock at the minute?

I'd guess Coghlan will start on Sunday with some of the guys from that XV playing both games. Perhaps Coghlan, Reffell and Smith starting with Taufau or Liebenberg on the bench for impact. Wallace will likely replace Reffell or Taufua tomorrow to control their game time.

Leaving so many starters out of the 23 for the Bath game suggests a few will be involved at Kingsholm. If another 2nd team with youngsters out of position get sent away to Kingsholm then I'd be pretty frustrated to be honest.

That side shows Borthwick has decided to target the LI game as much as he can with the current squad so just hope we see a good performance and result.

BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Max Clark, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10. Josh Matavesi, 9. Will Chudley; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Will Spencer, 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Mike Williams, 7. Josh Bayliss (C), 8. Zach Mercer 

REPLACEMENTS

16. Tom Dunn, 17. Lewis Boyce, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. Miles Reid, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Ruaridh McConnochie

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 

15. Harry Mallinder, 14. Ahsee Tuala, 13. Fraser Dingwall, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Henry Taylor; 1. Nick Auterac, 2. James Fish, 3. Owen Franks, 4. David Ribbans, 5. Api Ratuniyarawa, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. JJ Tonks, 8. Teimana Harrison (c)

REPLACEMENTS 

16. Sam Matavesi, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Ehren Paintr, 19. Lewis Bean, 20. Tui Uri, 21. Tom James, 22. Rory Hutchinson, 23. Tommy Freeman

Not too many first picks for Bath this time in the starting xv against a strong Saints side. The front five will need to be competitive and the back row won't step back. Bayliss is very much under the radar and Miles Reid is back on the bench from his ACL injury, who many believe will become better than Mercer. Expect all the bench to appear at some point.
Big Joe C is close to a return, which means apart from a couple of props (Catt & Thomas) Bath have a fully fit squad - unheard of, although I have now probably tempted fate....

Great to see Mercer back. I thought he was still rehabbing at the moment. Surprised to see Bayliss captaining ahead of Mercer though I must say.

Good to see Auterac starting as well. Hopefully he can get back on track and stay fit at Saints.

It's a strong Saints side. Their lock depth are really impressive with Isiekwe added for season. Their tight five in general has real depth now.

Mallinder, Naiyaravoro and Tuala is a very physical back three up against youngsters in Hamer-Webb and Tom de Glanville.

Mercer played against LI and suspect he will against wasps next week too. Bayliss was England U20 captain, very bright and never stops, but perhaps lacking some physicality against the usual suspects lurking around the league.
I was disappointed when Auterac left but Blackadder didn't select him and they fell out. If he was still at Bath and with Hatley having EJ's ear, he would not be far off an England call for his scrummaging.
The whole Bath backline are going to be up against it with that Saints line-up, Chudley needs a big game. A LBP is probably a good result.

Rowlands seems to be in good form. A good all-rounder and would be an asset to a Welsh Region...

Sale lucky not to get a YC for a blatant collapse when Wasps matching towards the line ....

Sale also well offside at the up and under but the officials see nothing ... Wasps definitely on the wrong end of the calls today - been pinged a couple of times incorrectly.

I've seen the breakdown reffed better. Seems to have been flitting between old and new interpretations/leniency. It was really a bad game by umaga and scrums which killed wasps though.
Not the most experienced or confident ref though as shown with that tmo decision.

Wasps were poor and probably would have lost anyway but the officials didn't help them at all ... virtually every box kick Sale were miles offside. Some really suspect breakdown calls too.

Yeah the last set sale were offside and made 2 no arms tackles. Not picked up until after willis scored by the tmo but the way it was reffed was confused for want of a better word.

Probable match-winner by Lloyd. Hopefully he has a good transition to pro rugby, then we’ll ask for him back.

Calling that a touch early mikey.

Looks like i spoke too soon. Exeter 2nds beat Bristol in Bristol!

Ben Curry getting a lot of plaudits in the morning press.