London Irish 2016/17 Championship Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

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

Senior Squad (39)

Technical Director: Brendan Venter
Director of Rugby: Nick Kennedy
Assistant Coach: Clark Laidlaw
Forwards Coach: George Skivington
Defence Coach: Declan Danaher
Skills Coach: Paul Hodgson

Hooker: David Paice, Gerard Ellis, David Porecki, Jason Harris-Wright, Todd Gleave (dual registered with Rosslyn Park).
Prop: Tom Court, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Ben Franks, Richard Palframan, Ollie Hoskins.
Second Row: Sebastien de Chaves, Jerry Sexton, Jebb Sinclair, George Robson, Will Lloyd.
Back Row: Blair Cowan, Ofisa Treviranus, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen, Joe Trayfoot, Mike Coman, Max Northcote-Green, Senitiki Nayalo.
Scrum Half: Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Darren Allinson (on loan to Bath).
Fly Half: Greig Tonks, Tommy Bell, Theo Brophy-Clews.
Centre: Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie
Back Three: Topsy Ojo, Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuama, James Marshall, Ben Ransom


Senior Academy Squad (12)

Hooker: Matt Kouris (dual registered with Esher)
Prop: Harry Elrington (dual registered with Rosslyn Park), Austin Hay (Academy Plus)
Back Row: Isaac Curtis-Harris (dual registered with Esher), Jack Cooke (Academy Plus)
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy, Rory Brand (dual registered with Rosslyn Park)
Fly Half: Tom Parton
Centre: Ross Neal, Matt Williams
Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Jacob Atkins


Fixture List

Date	Time	Opponents	H/A	Venue	Competition	Result	Scorers
Sat 13th Aug	15:00	Harlequins	A	The Stoop	Friendly	W 28-12	T: Cowan, Neal, Nayolo, Atkins  C: Bell 3, Tonks.
Fri 19th Aug	19:30	Nottingham	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 43-14
Fri 26th Aug	19:30	Loughborough Students	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 46-21
Sat 3rd Sep	15:00	Doncaster Knights	H	MadStad	Championship	W 19-0	T: Fowlie, Tikoroituma  P: Bell 3.
Sat 10th Sep	15:00	Richmond	H	MadStad	Championship	W 36-12	T: Paice, Cowan 2, Ellis, McKibbin, Elrington. C: Bell 3.
Sat 17th Sep	15:00	Bedford Blues	A	Goldington Road	Championship	W 30-23	T: Franks, Williams, Ojo, Northcote-Green. C: Bell 2. P: Bell 2.
Sun 25th Sep	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	H	MadStad	Championship	W 32-12	T: Ransom, Trayfoot, Marshall, Steele C:Bell, Marshall 2 P:Bell 2.
Fri 30th Sep	19:45	Nottingham	A	LadyBay Sports	Championship	W 29-7	T: Steele Tikoroituma Northcote-Green Mulchrone C:Bell 3 P:Bell.
Sat 8th Oct	15:00	London Welsh	H	MadStad	Championship	W 35-12	T: Mulchrone, Paice, de Chaves, McKibbin. C: Bell. 3 P: Bell 3.
Sat 15th Oct	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	A	The Gnoll	B & I Cup	W 25-14	T: Neal, Ransom, Nayalo, Palframan.  C: Tonks.  P: Tonks.
Sat 22nd Oct	15:00	Connacht Eagles	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 34-3	T: Elrington, Hoskins, Harris-Wright, Parton, Cokanasiga.  C: Tonks 3 P: Tonks.
Sat 29th Oct	15:00	London Scottish	A	RAG	Championship	W 62-12	T: Paice, McKibbin, Cokanasiga, Bell 2, Tikoirotuma, Steele, Cowan C: Bell 8, P: Bell 2.
Sat 5th Nov	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	H	MadStad	Championship	W 41-17	T: Ransom 2, Tikoirotuma, Marshall 2. C: Bell 5. P: Bell 2.
Sat 19th Nov	13:00	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	Championship	W 35-24	T: Ransom 2, Franks 2, Northcote-Green  C: Marshall 2.  P: Tonks 2.
Sun 27th Nov	15:00	Jersey Reds	H	MadStad	Championship	W 42-29	T: Ransom, Paice 2, Palframan, Fowlie  C: Bell 4  P: Bell 2  DG: Bell.
Sat 3rd Dec	14:00	Rotherham Titans	A	Clifton Lane	Championship	W 38-10	T: Cokanasiga 2, Bell 2, Steele.  C: Bell 5  P: Bell.
Sun 11th Dec	15:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 33-24	T: Atkins, Gilsenan, Porecki, Nayalo, M.Williams.  C: Tonks 4.
Sat 17th Dec	14:30	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	B & I Cup
Sat 24th Dec	15:00	Richmond	A	RAG	Championship
Sat 31st Dec	15:00	Bedford Blues	H	MadStad	Championship
13/14/15 Jan		Connacht Eagles	A		B & I Cup
Sat 21st Jan	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	H	MadStad	B & I Cup
Sat 28th Jan	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	A	Vallis Way	Championship
Sun 5th Feb	14:00	Nottingham	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 18th Feb	14:00	London Welsh	A	Old Deer Park	Championship
Sat 25th Feb	15:00	London Scottish	H	MadStad	Championship
Sun 5th Mar	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	A	Headingley	Championship
Sat 18th Mar	14:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 25th Mar	14:00	Jersey Reds	A	St Peter	Championship
Sat 8th Apr	15:00	Rotherham Titans	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 15th Apr	15:00	Doncaster Knights	A	Castle Park	Championship

Season Preview

Well it's been an interesting summer in the aftermath of relegation.  It was clear from the outset that we would lose some players and would have to cut our cloth accordingly.  Initially it appeared that Tom Coventry was staying, but a late u-turn from him meant a new coaching set up was required.  New coaches, loss of big names, new players to integrate, sounds like a recipe for disaster, and we've certainly been there many times over the past few years.  This however, does not feel like that at all.  Perhaps it's because we are a league down, but there is real optimism around, primarily because of those things.  The holy trinity of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson have been promoted to the first team after overseeing a successful academy season last year, and have Brendan Venter overseeing them as technical director.  This is exciting.  A proven winner overseeing a young, hungry and exciting coaching team.  On the playing side, the main losses being Matt Symons and Sean Maitland are more than offset by the likes of George Robson, James Marshall and Tommy Bell coming in.  If anything it feels as if we may have a stronger squad this year than we've had for the past 4 or 5.

Two games into pre season and things look positive.  Comfortably beating an admittedly understrength Quins, and a high scoring win against Nottingham have given plenty of optimism for the season ahead.  There were still defensive lapses, which will need to be ironed out, but barring complacency or an absolute stinker in terms of form, we should have more than enough to comfortably make the dreaded play offs, where it then becomes a test of mental strength rather than ability.


Ozzy'sprediction: Champions

[SirBurger]

I agree regarding McLean, he was the only one that I struggled to see where he fits in, however having had a bit of time to think about it, he appears to me to be a depth signing, which we definitely needed purely numbers wise in the backs.  It is a long season with LV, Challenge Cup and extended A League games, so I would imagine that everyone is going to be seeing plenty of game time.

Yes, definitely true. I would have liked to see Parton trusted to step up and take on a bit more responsibility next season, especially in the LV and A League games. My fear is that McLean's arrival stymies that slightly, but hopefully not.

[Ozzy3213]

Agree totally SB about Parton, he looks very assured and I would hope to see him get plenty of game time. Just seen that he starts again for England under 20s tomorrow against Wales, with Theo starting at 12 as well.

[SirBurger]

Agree totally SB about Parton, he looks very assured and I would hope to see him get plenty of game time.  Just seen that he starts again for England under 20s tomorrow against Wales, with Theo starting at 12 as well.

On TBC, I assume you see him ending up at 10 rather than 12? Although we have lots of options to fill the 10/15 shirts, I still think we may need him to step up sooner rather than later. Marshall is one of my favourite players to watch and he can inject real pace into our attack, but he does take wrong options and the pressure did seem to get to him a bit in the final. His tactical kicking isn't particularly impressive either. On the other hand Bell is an amazing goal kicker and also very good tactically, but he doesn't add much spark from the back and he isn't entirely assured under the high ball either. I wonder if we may be best served by reverting to Bell at 10 and Marshall at 15 for the start of next season. I would be very interested to hear the thoughts of others on this though.

[Ozzy3213]

I'm broadly in agreement regarding Marshall.  There have been times when I've questioned his game management a bit, and sometimes he does seem to look for the hollywood pass in situations where it just needs trucking up the middle, but overall I think he's a top quality player.  Bell I like at 15.  Personally I think for the most part he's been very good under the high ball and at times has looked a threat ball in hand from there.  Ultimately I don't think it matters hugely which way round they play if they are both starting, as at times they have interchanged during the game depending on the situation.

With Theo, he's a 10 for me, who can play 12 if needed.  I thought towards the back end of the season after returning from injury he put in a couple of really good performances, and just needs a decent injury free run to really kick on.  Hopefully he has a good JWC, comes back and does a full pre-season and we see where we go from there with him.  I'd have no concerns about him starting at 10 for us in the Premiership, especially with any one of Bell, Marshall, Tonks or McLean at 15 to take some of the pressure off as a second playmaker.

[Ozzy3213]

So as it stands the squad for next year (with senior academy players in italics) is as follows;-

Hooker: David Paice, Saia Faingaa, David Porecki, Todd Gleave, Matt Kouris.
Loosehead Prop: Gordon Reid, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Harry Elrington.
Tighthead Prop: Ben Franks, Petrus du Plessis, Lovejoy Chawatama, Ollie Hoskins, Richard Palframan, Austin Hay.
Second Row: Sebastien de Chaves, Jebb Sinclair, Josh McNally, Will Lloyd.
Blindside Flanker: Mike Coman, Jack Cooke.
Openside Flanker: Blair Cowan, Connor Gilsenen, Max Northcote-Green.
Number 8: Ofisa Treviranus, Senitiki Nayalo, Lasha Lomidze, Isaac Curtis-Harris.

Scrum Half: Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Ben Meehan, Rory Brand.
Fly Half: James Marshall, Greig Tonks, Theo Brophy-Clews.
Centre: Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie, Matt Williams
Wing: Topsy Ojo, Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuama, Ben Ransom, Napolioni Nalaga, Joe Cokanasiga
Full Back: Tommy Bell, Luke McLean, Tom Parton, Jacob Atkins.

Despite many calls for a top outside centre, what stands out for me is that we need another lock and another blindside flanker. I do appreciate that all three senior number 8's could play on the blindside, as could all of the opensides, but I'd prefer a like for like replacement for Mike Coman so that how we play doesn't need to change should be be out for any period of time.

Based on nobody else coming in though, my team for the opening game of the season (also presuming everyone is fit) would be...

15. Tommy Bell
14. Alex Lewington
13. Fergus Mulchrone
12. Johnny Williams
11. Napolioni Nalaga
10. James Marshall
9. Brendan McKibbin

1. Gordon Reid
2. David Paice
3. Ben Franks
4. Seb de Chaves
5. Jebb Sinclair
6. Mike Coman (c)
7. Blair Cowan
8. Ofisa Treviranus

16. Saia Faingaa 17. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi 18. Petrus du Plessis 19. Josh McNally 20. Lasha Lomidze 21. Ben Meehan 22. Theo Brophy-Clews 23. Joe Cokanasiga

[SirBurger]

Agreed that another blindside is also needed. Jake Schatz would be a very like for like replacement for Coman so I hope he's still coming. Your 23 is exactly the one I would go for, on the assumption nobody else is coming.

[exileray]

do we know if the Fijian prop saulo manasa is joining us, also Jake schatz and a quality second row would just about do it.
a surprise signing would be a nice......surprise...

[Ozzy3213]

French media seemed pretty sure Ray, but I can't see it looking at the squad, as we have five senior tightheads and 4 senior looseheads already. Unless someone is off and not been announced as such yet, I can't see it being a great use of the playing budget, especially when we are obviously light elsewhere.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Looking much better than last week. Do you think you need one or two more quality additions in the back 5?

[SirBurger]

Back 5 of pack or backs?

[Sgt_Pooly]

Back 5 of pack.

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah for sure we do Pooly.  At lock, if de Chaves or Sinclair go down we have the untested McNally (who the general consensus is that he will be ok at Premiership level, but ultimately he's untried so that's guesswork), and Lloyd, who many supporters (including myself) think is underpowered for top flight rugby.  I'd really like us to sign two locks, one experienced, gnarly feicer to provide some grunt, and perhaps a younger, more mobile but still powerful one.

In the back row it's not as bad but I do still think we could do with another proven Premiership standard performer.  Coman, Cowan, Gilsenan and Treviranus are all proven Prem standard performers, but after that again we are a little bit untried.  Northcote-Green looked good for us before getting injured this year, but has never done it in the Premiership, and similarly Nayalo and Lomidze are untried at this level.  All look to have the raw materials to be successful, but all are going to make mistakes at this level as they learn.

[Ozzy3213]

Just looking at the stats for the last 10 seasons relegated teams.

Points total for the team in 12th have been;-
20, 20, 1, 16, 23, 32, 23, 28, 17, 12.
So the average points for the team going down is 19.2, with only one team, Newcastle Falcons in 2011/12 going down having scored more than 30 points.

Points total for the team in 11th have been;-
33, 27, 34, 22, 33, 33, 23, 32, 34, 34.
Average points total 30.5 with it only really being a close run thing twice, in 2011/12 and year before when Falcons stayed up over Leeds on points difference after both finishing on 23 points.

Based on this I would say we are going to have to win a minimum 5 games, but probably 6, and pick up 5 or 6 bonus points to stay up.

If the LDH game is as I am lead to believe against Quins, I think that is winnable. A large number of their best players are away currently on international tours so might not have the most straightforward pre-season and they are a team that may not hit the ground running as a result.

We need to be targeting home wins against Gloucester, Worcester, Sale and Newcastle, all of whom are teams that historically have not always travelled well and therefore should be winnable games, along with picking up as many bonus points on the road, and from other home games as possible.

I've seen in a lot of places online that we are relegation favourites, and that is probably correct. I've also seen in some places that we are certainties for the drop, but I don't see that at all. I think this could be the most open relegation scrap in a long time, with the five teams I've mentioned above, us, and possibly Saints all in the mix for it.

[Sgt_Pooly]

You're favourites for relegation by at least default and possibly also the unknown, the side coming up are always in that position.

I think most sides have improved from last season, bar perhaps Gloucester and Saints. I think we'll be stronger than last season with some decent backs an actual fit LH on our books, Flood could be huge for us.

Sale are looking decent but still miss a good 10. Worcester look stronger and with Gold calling the shots will be at least tough to beat. Gloucester seem a bit of a mess and are not too good to go down, similar with Saints who surely can't be as bad this season???

It's going to be a really interesting battle with everybody outside of the top 3 capable of finishing anywhere in the table really.

[formerly known as Sam]

Owen Williams will be a big plus for Gloucester. A controlling 10 with the passing range to bring their back three into the game and a boot that can control territory. He needs some work but for a team that lacked direction he's a good signing. On paper Glaws should have a very good team but they do under perform every other week.

Falcons were much better this term but lack discipline in defence and so give up too many points cheaply. In a competitive division that could kill them. Good signings for next season might reinforce the scrum and give them far better game management. 


Sale started to click towards the end of the season. Big upgrade at scrum half and some serious muscle in the backrow should give them me momentum. As Sgt says the big question is still on whether McGinty can deliver at 10 as he was awful for the first two thirds of last season. Still need more recruitment. 

Worcester, similar to Falcons in that their discipline is poor. Set piece is good and their backline punches above its weight. Generally lack quality so need some decent incomings.

LI will be favourites for the drop. Lack of quality in the midfield and pack depth could make it a long season without substantial improvement.

[Ozzy3213]

Manasa Saulo (Prop)
Filo Paulo (Lock)
Jake Schatz (Back Row)

All just announced.

[SirBurger]

Happy with those three, although probably not as exciting as the previous batches announced. I am guessing that is done then, which means we are one lock and one centre lighter than would be ideal, but still stronger than last season (and the one before).

[Welly]

Think we have addressed the front row nicely IMO unlike alot of previous promoted teams.

1 Reid, Hobbs-Awoyemi,
2 Fainga'a, Paice,
3 Franks, Saulo, DpD,

Gives you a very good foundation to work with up front.

[SirBurger]

Lomidze starting at 8 for Georgia against Argentina tomorrow night. Might be a good opportunity to check him out. I went on the Tier 2 Forum to ask what the Georgian fans made of him and they said his form lately had been very good, although he wasn't so good in the Spring. The consensus was also that he looks much better at 6 than at 8, so it will be interesting to see if he can show some progress in the 8 shirt tomorrow.

[Ozzy3213]

Do you know if the game is televised anywhere SB?

[SirBurger]

I can't see anything on TV, but there will be a stream I am sure. I will probably catch up on youtube over the next day or so.

[SirBurger]

The full game is on youtube so I have managed to catch up on it during my lunch breaks at work. It was a really odd game. Georgia fell about 30 points behind before staging a good comeback. They really do not play the 10 man Rugby that I used to associate them with and like to spread the ball around a lot. In fact, the forwards were rarely used as carriers and for that reason Lomidze didn't get much of a chance to shine with ball in hand. Most of the ball he did get was clearing up mess, but the one chance he did get to run onto the ball at pace he looked like a very strong carrier. The other plus to his game is his line-out work which is fantastic. He was a good option at the tail of the line-out and also stole a ball against the head. All in all I was impressed,, even if he had limited chances. He is a very lively player and seems to be a bit of a defensive leader as well, communicating and mobilising others. I wouldn't be surprised if Schatz or Treviranus start the season at 8, but Lomidze will surely wear the 20 shirt and over the season should become a real weapon for us.

I assume we are done for signings. I am really concerned about going into the season with De Chaves as our only Premiership proven operator. Having Symons as our only class second row didn't work wonders for us last time around.

[Margin_Walker]

Yep, looks like we are done on the signing front other than the customary mid summer/early season target of opportunity/injury cover for the inevitable season ending injury picked up in pre season.

Would have taken that squad if offered it beforehand, but lock certainly the area we lag a little behind in in terms of Prem quality. De Chaves will be fine, but after that, one or two of the others need to really come through.

Assuming pre season starts for many of the players in the next week or so. Surprised they haven't confirmed the senior academy yet. Assume it will be a case of Elrington (senior contract), Murphy, Neal and possibly Cokanasiga (senior contract) leaving, with Basham and Loader coming in. Not sure who else is on the radar, possibly Hassell-Collins, although he seems to have been injured all last season.

[SirBurger]

I assume the hope is that McNally is Premiership quality and the reason he didn't feature much after his arrival was due to time adjusting to the systems. On paper and from the little I have seen he looks like a very good player.

[Margin_Walker]

Problem with McNally is that he's a completely unknown. Could be an inspired signing who goes on to have a decent AP career or he could knock around as a squad player for a year or two, before fading from view.

Overall though there's a squad in there than can do well. We are probably in a better position than we were at the start of the relegation season, with far more cohesion with our coaching staff/structures etc. Most of these players have played at AP level or beyond before, so that shouldn't come as a shock to them. Guess the unknown is how much the league has moved on since we've been away. Newcastle are certainly looking stronger.

[stnick88]

i think this is the strongest set of front row players we have had in some time.
if only this was replicated in the second row which looks like a potential weak area for us.

we will need the like of Shatz, Lomidze, Meehan to be immediate hits as you cant afford too much time to bed in.

[SirBurger]

i think this is the strongest set of front row players we have had in some time.
if only this was replicated in the second row which looks like a potential weak area for us.

we will need the like of Shatz, Lomidze, Meehan to be immediate hits as you cant afford too much time to bed in.

Yes totally agree. It does surprise me that we haven't tried to replicate it in the second row, with the number of former second rows running the club. Or perhaps we have and we just haven't had much luck. I must admit the Paulo signing hardly inspires me, but perhaps he will come good.

I think the back row boys will be very good signings and I also think Nayalo will be more up to speed with things this year after a proper summer of development.

I think the squad is definitely better than last time around. Worcester are definitely there for the taking, but we also have to probably hope that one of the bigger clubs has a surprisingly poor start.

[Margin_Walker]

Josh Basham, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ben Loader and Sam Collingridge join the senior academy next season.

Basham and Hassell-Collins away with Eng U18 in SA next month. Not sure whether Loader is injured or just misses out.

[SirBurger]

Loader got injured in the 18s game against Wales. I would assume he was still out with that as he looked by far and away England's most dangerous player.

Anyone know much about Collingridge?

[Margin_Walker]

Don't know much about Collingridge, other than what's on the press release and that he's been knocking around the U18s for the last few years. Went to the same school as some of the Quins lads, so not sure if he started off in our catchment.

[Ozzy3213]

I thought Collingridge was a lock, but press release says back row. Interesting that it also lists Basham as a back row, as he has flitted between 8 and lock.

[Ozzy3213]

Loader has a touch of Anthony Watson about him.

[SirBurger]

At 6 ft 4, I suspect Basham was considered too short to be a bet at lock long term, although of course things could change.

Watson is a good comparison for Loader, although I would suggest Loader is a touch more physical (or has the potential to be). Delon strikes me as a good comparison actually.

[Ozzy3213]

I don't know if he's got Delon's boot, which was such a huge attribute for us, both in open play and off the tee for the long range efforts.

[Smudge21]

Thoroughly enjoyed the game yesterday. Not the result we wanted but I thought we were the better team. Really impressed by the effort and intensity. Forward pack was good and very physical and the backs played some nice stuff with lewington catching the eye again. New guys all impressed particularly meehan, lasha and du Plessis

[SirBurger]

Thanks Smudge - I didnt make it so pleased to hear that it went well. Which aspects of Lomidze's play impressed? Does he look like the ball carrier we need. Du Plessis gives us a great option at tighthead if Franks picks up a knock, needs resting. I would also be interested to know how Bell went at 10?

[Smudge21]

Didn't really get a chance to see lomidze ball in hand but was dominant in defence, bringing a lot of physicality to the tackle and worked very hard.
Bell was steady but didn't have his best game and was certainly outplayed by quins youngster at 10 (looks a real prospect!) Thought tonks was excellent though. Steele and meehan both had very good halves and meehan in particular received a lot of praise from our supporters.
Interesting that nayalo packed down at lock in the second half despite having lomidze in the back row who i know has played lock for georgia before.

[SirBurger]

Didn't really get a chance to see lomidze ball in hand but was dominant in defence, bringing a lot of physicality to the tackle and worked very hard.
Bell was steady but didn't have his best game and was certainly outplayed by quins youngster at 10 (looks a real prospect!) Thought tonks was excellent though. Steele and meehan both had very good halves and meehan in particular received a lot of praise from our supporters.
Interesting that nayalo packed down at lock in the second half despite having lomidze in the back row who i know has played lock for georgia before.

Thanks - that's very interesting. I wondered if Bell and Marshall may switch back to 10 and 15 respectively to give us a bit more pragmatism at fly half in the Premiership, but it seems that Bell is much more suited to the full back role.

That is very interesting regarding Nayalo. I could see that working well. He has really bulked up since he joined and it may be worth exploring further. I know Lomidze has played a bit at lock for Georgia but going on the tier 2 Rugby forum, they really see him as a back row. Apparently in Georgia they have lots of good props and back row forwards, but a real dearth of lock talent, so I think he has only played there out of necessity. I imagine we have signed him purely to play back row.

[Smudge21]

Indeed will be interesting to see where nayalo Plays over the next two pre season games. Certainly has potential to be a very good move for him if he can learn the basics like the line out.
Certainly could do with another lock especially with the van de merve deal seemingly gone quiet? Although was good to see mcnally go well on Saturday as he could become crucial this season

[George Carlin]

Gordy Reid is not in your OP squad, Ozzy.

He's loving it at Irish:
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/gordon-reid-already-feeling-at-home-with-london-irish-1-4528532

[SirBurger]

Gordy Reid is not in your OP squad, Ozzy.

He's loving it at Irish:
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby-union/scotland/gordon-reid-already-feeling-at-home-with-london-irish-1-4528532

That's last season's squad GC, so quite a few others need to be added too.

Great that Reidy is settling in. Seems like a popular guy already.

[Ozzy3213]

I didn't see the game at the weekend as was busy cycling from London to Paris, but I'm hearing lots of good things about how we went. Will be very interesting to see what sort of team we stick out against Ealing on Friday night.

[Smudge21]

Didn't make the game yesterday, interested to hear who played well etc!

[SirBurger]

I didn't make it either Smudge, but 29-6 against Ealing is a fairly solid win in my book. Pleased to read that Nalaga caused some damage in the build up to one of the tries. I should be at the Richmond game so will report back on how we go in that one. I imagine we will rest most of the guys expected to feature against Quins at the LDH though, so wouldn't be surprised to see some of the younger lads.

[Smudge21]

Cheers sirB, yeah I would expect a bit more rotation and would hope for a team of...
Elrington, porecki, Hoskins, Paulo (?), van de merve, Gilsenan, Lasha, schatz, Steele, Tonks, Ransom, j.Williams, M.Williams, cokanasiga (fit?) McLean
Bench would hopefully include a few more first teamers to give them a 20 minute run around so something like paice, DHA, chawatama, de chaves, nayalo, mcnally, curtiss Harris, coman, mckibbin, Marshall, Fergus, bell, Nalaga

[stnick88]

Was at the game Friday. Meehan was probably the standout. bossed the forwards well and has a great pass. forwards were pretty dominant as you would expect. Nalaga looks rather out of shape and unfit but you can tell he will be a handful as he made a couple of good runs and put a big hit in.

[Ozzy3213]

From reading Kendo's interview in the Telegraph earlier, Nalaga amongst others arrived late due to visa issues, so he may take a bit of time to get into shape.

[Smudge21]

Anyone make it to the game today? Delighted to see curtiss harris back playing and scoring, how did he go?

[Ozzy3213]

https://www.606v2.com/t66286-london-irish-2017-18-thread-return-to-the-premiership

New thread for the new season.

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