Jeff chat

First topic message reminder :

As LT has retired his excellent pen I thought it would be useful to have a running thread to discuss the Jeff games/ rounds. Entirely self-serving of course given my undoubted preference of club over country

Hartley made 6 tackles, George 8. Seen as Saracens were on the back foot for much of the 1st, it's hardly surprising.

In the end though Hartley v George was a sideshow.

For me the key things were:

1) The form of Alex Lozowski. The move to Sarries has worked really well for him and he was able to rise above a below par performance from his scrum half to take advantage of ....
2) Saints ability to choke and lose a game they should have won.
3) Koch's WWE style pile driver that put Picamoles out of the game.

Everyone knows saracens are always better in the last ten. They really need to start with the subs bench then as they're clearly superior players.

Good points LT. Lozowski is really benefitting for the extra game time. Not sure why the ref didn't ask for another look at that tackle.

Looking at the remaining fixtures I think its a fair assumption to think that the teams and positions will stay the same;

1 Wasps
2 Exeter
3 Saracens
4 Leicester

Though I would accept that of the 4 it is Sarries who threaten this assumption the most.

So assuming I am correct then we're looking at semi finals of Wasps/Leicester & Exeter/Saracens and given form and home advantage, plus the fact that Sarries will have played in Edinburgh the week before, I'm predicting a Wasps/Exeter Twickenham final.

And ofcourse Wade will be scoring the winning try!

What say you?

Sarries are near unbeatable in the important games. Can't see them losing to Exeter.

Scottrf wrote:Sarries are near unbeatable in the important games. Can't see them losing to Exeter.

It'll be a hell of game. I just think the Clermont game will have an effect regardless of the size of Sarries squad.

Also this game could arguably be the 'final' given the form of both sides and less we forget is infact a re-run of last years final which will mean plenty for the Chiefs.

I just don't think it's cut and dried by any stretch, regardless of how impressive Saracens currently are.

Table:

Wasps 79
Exeter 74
------------------
Saracens 72
Leicester 57
==========
Bath 53
Northampton 48
==========
Harlequins 47
------------------
Gloucester 46
Newcastle 40
Sale 36
Worcester 31
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bristol 19



Friday 28th April

19:45 Harlequins v Wasps
With Saracens late comeback at Milton Keynes, Wasps still need a win this week, or a draw next week to guarantee a home semi-final. While they host the champions in round 22, this away trip to former London rivals will be the easier match. With both sides struggling to contain their opponents at the moment, yet scoring tries themselves almost at will it should be an exciting game. Of course this probably means it will be a bore
Sneaky feeling that Quins may sneak this and increase the anxiety levels in Coventry

20:00 Newcastle v Worcester
Worcester are safe, Falcons are good at home. I expect to see the home team secure the points.


Saturday 29th April

15:00 Exeter v Northampton
Logic suggests that Exeter will be in a semi-final with Saracens, but they will want to continue their sequence of 5pt hauls to put real pressure on leaders Wasps, and at the very least to secure a home semi. Saints are finding a decent vein of attacking form, but having also in managed to lose a sequence of matches from winning positions. With Exeter not starting games especially well at the moment, this game could well follow the pattern for both clubs. Saints to lead at HT, but Chiefs to secure a TBP win.

15:00 Leicester v Sale
Sale have not been in great form, especially on the road. However they are eminently capable of upsetting a fragile Leicester team.

15:00 Saracens v Bristol
Saracens will probably rotate their squad. Bristol will throw the ball around and score some tries, but ultimately not enough. TBP win for teh home team.


Sunday April 30th

Bath v Gloucester
The West Country derby can sometimes spark into "life" even when there is not much to play for. However on Sunday there is a lot to play for.Challenge Cup final. 6th spot also becomes realistic if Glaws can win this match.
Nervy encounter, with a couple of YCs (at least) and the match going to the team who takes their chances.

Would be good for Quins to get the win for NEv's last game at the Stoop.

[quote="LondonTiger"]Table:

Friday 28th April

19:45 Harlequins v Wasps
With Saracens late comeback at Milton Keynes, Wasps still need a win this week, or a draw next week to guarantee a home semi-final. While they host the champions in round 22, this away trip to former London rivals will be the easier match. With both sides struggling to contain their opponents at the moment, yet scoring tries themselves almost at will it should be an exciting game. Of course this probably means it will be a bore
Sneaky feeling that Quins may sneak this and increase the anxiety levels in Coventry

Not only is your hunch extra 'SNEAKY' but I fear you could be right.......time for Wasps to man up and to find themselves especially given how many of them have been overlooked by a variety of selectors.

Na sod Nev, Wasps to win big!

Ha, they probably will....

Would love a Quins win as it keeps up our chances for top 6 too. And Nev going out on a high.

In reality Wasps should win, but, they've been pat by this season. So fingers crossed they forget to play and we can give them a kicking.

Hoping they decide to start Cips too If they start Gopperth then Quins are in trouble.

Harlequins Team
15. Mike Brown (VC)
14. Marland Yarde
13. Joe Marchant
12. Jamie Roberts
11. Tim Visser
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care (C)

1. Joe Marler
2. Rob Buchanan
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Charlie Matthews
5. James Horwill (VC)
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Luke Wallace
8. Mat Luamanu

16. Joe Gray
17. Mark Lambert
18. Will Collier
19. George Merrick
20. Dave Ward
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Alofa Alofa

Wasps team
15. Willie Le Roux
14. Christian Wade
13. Elliot Daly
12. Kurtley Beale
11. Josh Bassett
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Dan Robson

1. Matt Mullan
2. Tommy Taylor
3. Phil Swainston
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Matt Symons
6. James Haskell
7. Thomas Young
8. Guy Thompson

16. Tom Cruse
17. Simon McIntyre
18. Jake Cooper-Woolley
19. Kearnan Myall
20. Nathan Hughes
21. Joe Simpson
22. Danny Cipriani
23. Alapati Leiua

Newcastle Falcons team v Worcester Warriors (Friday, 8pm, Kingston Park Stadium)

15 Marcus Watson
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Chris Harris
12 Juan Pablo Socino
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Sonatane Takulua
1 Rob Vickers
2 Scott Lawson
3 Jon Welsh
4 Calum Green
5 Sean Robinson
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Callum Chick

Replacements
16 Kyle Cooper
17 Ben Harris
18 Scott Wilson
19 Opeti Fonua
20 Will Witty
21 Sam Egerton
22 Craig Willis
23 Alex Tait

Worcester Warriors

15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Ben Te'o
11 Perry Humphreys
10 Ryan Mills (captain)
9 Francois Hougaard
1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Joe Taufete'e
3 Biyi Alo
4 Chris Vui
5 Will Spencer
6 Dewald Potgieter
7 Sam Lewis
8 Marco Mama

Replacements
16 Jack Singleton
17 Ryan Bower
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Darren Barry
20 Alafoti Faosiliva
21 Luke Baldwin
22 Ryan Lamb
23 Cooper Vuna

Leicester Tigers (v Sale Sharks, Welford Road, Saturday 3.00pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Owen Williams
11 J P Pietersen
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (C)
3 Dan Cole
4 Dom Barrow
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
6 George McGuigan
17 Greg Bateman
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Harry Thacker
21 Sam Harrison
22 Matt Smith
23 Peter Betham

Not sure why TV and Mermoz not included.

Sale Sharks:
15. Mike Haley
14. Denny Solomona
13. Sam James
12. Mark Jennings
11. Josh Charnley
10. AJ MacGinty
9. Mike Phillips

1. Ross Harrison
2. Rob Webber (c)
3. Kieran Longbottom
4. Bryn Evans
5. Andrei Ostrikov
6. Cameron Neild
7. Tom Curry
8. Laurence Pearce

Replacements:
16. Ben Curry
17. James Flynn
18. Diogo Ferreira
19. George Nott
20. David Seymour
21. Peter Stringer
22. Johnny Leota
23. Byron McGuigan

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
15 Lachie Turner
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Stuart Townsend
1 Carl Rimmer
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Greg Holmes
4 Dave Dennis
5 Geoff Parling
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Kai Horstmann
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Ben Moon
18 Harry Williams
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Julian Salvi
21 Will Chudley
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Sam Hill

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY EXETER CHIEFS
Aviva Premiership Round 21
Sandy Park
Saturday, April 29th, 2017
Kick off 3:00pm
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ken Pisi
13 Luther Burrell
12 Harry Mallinder
11 Ben Foden
10 JJ Hanrahan
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Dylan Hartley
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Courtney Lawes
5 David Ribbans
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood (capt)
8 Teimana Harrison

16 Mikey Haywood
17 Campese Ma’afu
18 Gareth Denman
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Sam Dickinson
21 Lee Dickson
22 Nafi Tuitavake
23 Juan Pablo Estelles

Struggling to see that lineup getting anything at Sandy Park

Saracens team to face Bristol
15 Alex Goode (227)
14 Chris Ashton (115)
13 Nick Tompkins (57)
12 Alex Lozowski (28)
11 Chris Wyles (223)
10 Owen Farrell (c) (149)
9 Neil De Kock (262)
1 Mako Vunipola (117)
2 Schalk Brits (199)
3 Vincent Koch (12)
4 Maro Itoje (72)
5 George Kruis (133)
6 Kelly Brown (154)
7 Schalk Burger (22)
8 Billy Vunipola (75)

Replacements
16 Jamie George (169)
17 Titi Lamositele (43)
18 Petrus Du Plessis (155)
19 Jim Hamilton (72)
20 Ben Earl (3)*
21 Richard Wigglesworth (183)
22 Matt Gallagher (12)
23 Mike Ellery (38)

Brown and de Kock get their chance to make what will probably be their last starts before retirement at home to Bristol.

Bristol Rugby team to face Saracens at Allianz Park on Saturday, 29th April (3pm KO):
15. Jason Woodward; 14. Ryan Edwards, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Gavin Henson, 11. Jack Tovey; 10. Billy Searle, 9. Alby Mathewson; 1. Jack O’Connell, 2. Marc Jones (c), 3. Gaston Cortes, 4. James Phillips, 5. Mark Sorenson, 6. Sam Jeffries, 7. Olly Robinson, 8. Mitch Eadie.
Replacements: 16. Max Crumpton, 17. Ollie Dawe, 18. Jamal Ford-Robinson, 19. Ben Glynn, 20. Nick Fenton-Wells, 21. Rhodri Williams, 22. Tusi Pisi, 23. Siale Piutau.

Bath Rugby team to face Gloucester Rugby

15. Tom Homer
14. Anthony Watson
13. Max Clark
12. Ben Tapuai
11. Aled Brew
10. Rhys Priestland (co-capt)
9. Kahn Fotuali’i
1. Nathan Catt
2. Chris Brooker
3. Shaun Knight
4. Luke Charteris
5. Elliott Stooke
6. Matt Garvey
7. Francois Louw (co-capt)
8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements
16. Ross Batty
17. Beno Obano
18. Kane Palma-Newport
19. Dave Attwood
20. Tom Ellis
21. Chris Cook
22. George Ford
23. Robbie Fruean

Slightly weird looking line-up for Bath.

Last tem sheet:

Gloucester Rugby:

15. Tom Marshall; 14. Jonny May, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. David Halaifonua; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. John Afoa; 4. Mariano Galarza, 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Jacob Rowan, 8. Ben Morgan

Replacements:

16. Motu Matu'u, 17. Paddy McAllister, 18. Ciaran Knight, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Greig Laidlaw, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 23. Charlie Sharples

Unavailable for selection:

Tom Denton, Gareth Evans, Callum Braley, Matt Scott, Andy Symons, Henry Purdy

Just one change for Glaws from match with T14 leaders La Rochelle

LondonTiger wrote:

Leicester Tigers (v Sale Sharks, Welford Road, Saturday 3.00pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Jack Roberts
12 Owen Williams
11 J P Pietersen
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (C)
3 Dan Cole
4 Dom Barrow
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
6 George McGuigan
17 Greg Bateman
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Harry Thacker
21 Sam Harrison
22 Matt Smith
23 Peter Betham

Not sure why TV and Mermoz not included.

Must be carrying knocks. I presume the same is true of Rizzo and Cilliers. Can't see why you'd rest those players at this time in the season. If there was an opportunity to rest it would be next week away from home. Sale's midfield looks more threatening then ours, we'll need to dominate up front.

Elliott Daley will be hoping thw Lions management didn't watch that game. Joe Marchant brushed him off time and time again.

At times today we were an a absolute shambles. Throughout the game the lineout was appalling, we lost 5 inside the Sale 22 and perhaps 10 in total. Number of knock ons within metres of Sale line, defensive alignment poor too often and less said about JPP the better. Yet we won easily!!!!!

LondonTiger wrote:At times today we were an a absolute shambles. Throughout the game the lineout was appalling, we lost 5 inside the Sale 22 and perhaps 10 in total. Number of knock ons within metres of Sale line, defensive alignment poor too often and less said about JPP the better. Yet we won easily!!!!!

If we could put together a coherent performance we'd be lethal. We've got some good players in our squad but we tend to play individually and our players aren't that good to get away with that.

What's worrying is that MOC identified the lineout as a problem from last time out but t a learn to be worse now. With Kitch in at 5 you can normally rely on it to function pretty well.

Nice finish for try for Bath but questionable if there was a knock-on as a tackled player dropped the ball then when the kick over the top was made it looked like the scoring player was about a yard offside ...

Glaws return the favour with a nice chip over the top of their own ...

Heaf wrote:Nice finish for try for Bath but questionable if there was a knock-on as a tackled player dropped the ball then when the kick over the top was made it looked like the scoring player was about a yard offside ...

Seeing the wider angle replay looks like he was probably just in line so OK ...

Disgraceful refereeing by Carley, to allow play to continue when the injured man is in the way of the game. So glad Trinder was not seriousley hurt.

Glaws need to hang their head in shame

Ignoring player safety by returning a player to the pitch who should never have returned as he was out cold (backup hooker)

Great win for Quins. Probably one of our best performances this season. Watching it again, Ward and Robshaw were so important to that win. Lots of good work on the deck and Robshaw was again just everywhere. Marchant and Visser too made big contributions.

So we're 6th atm, got to beat Saints now and we get champions cup rugby next season, which we need after so long in the chumps cup.

Saints need to beat us and deny us any points to overtake us now.

geoff999rugby wrote:Glaws need to hang their head in shame

Ignoring player safety by returning a player to the pitch who should never have returned as he was out cold (backup hooker)

Did he return? I know they did not take him off straight away, appalling by Glaws and ref, but Hibbard was still on when I stopped watching.

He eventually went off but then Hubbard got injured and he returned

geoff999rugby wrote:He eventually went off but then Hubbard got injured and he returned

Is that old mother Hubbard? Is she still playing?

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

geoff999rugby wrote:He eventually went off but then Hubbard got injured and he returned

Is that old mother Hubbard? Is she still playing?

More importantly is she really still a hooker?

Telegraph's Team of the Week

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins)
14 Jack Nowell (Exeter)
13 Joe Marchant(Harlequins)
12 Max Clark (Bath)
11 Ollie Woodburn (Exeter)
10 Nick Evans (Harlequins)
09 Stuart Townsend (Exeter)
08 Taulupe Faletau (Bath)
07 Luke Wallace (Harlequins)
06 Mark Wilson (Newcastle)
05 Elliot Stooke (Bath)
04 Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
03 Harry Williams (Exeter)
02 Schalk Brits (Saracens)
01 Ellis Genge (Leicester)

Wallace had a couple of telling turnovers in a game that was his first back for a little while.

Really pleased with the performance from Quins, although peeved as most fans knew they could deliver performances like that and just didn't for half the games in the season!

I'd completely written that game off...looking forward to watching it :>

Marchant's looking a real find, hope he can stay fit (JTH/Lowe) and kick on (Hopper)...although I suspect we'll be losing him for internationals regularly soon.

Can anyone tell me how Moriaty and Morgan are getting on in the Glaws backrow? Apart from being stuffed by Bath in their last match on paper you would reckon these two would be a real handful? Maybe the problems lie elsewhere?

From all I've seen (not that much sadly) Moriarty is playing very well week in and week out, while Morgan is struggling to kick on.

Anyone know when Morgan's contract is up at Glaws? Feels like he could do with a move elsewhere. I'd love to see him at Tigers - get some real dog into him and we need a carrying 8.

screamingaddabs wrote:Anyone know when Morgan's contract is up at Glaws?  Feels like he could do with a move elsewhere.  I'd love to see him at Tigers - get some real dog into him and we need a carrying 8.

No thanks. Not got the work rate or the aggression. We've got Kalamafoni and another Tongan on trial to offer some weighty carries. Hamilton is developing nicely as well. Be a waste of cap.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:Anyone know when Morgan's contract is up at Glaws?  Feels like he could do with a move elsewhere.  I'd love to see him at Tigers - get some real dog into him and we need a carrying 8.

No thanks. Not got the work rate or the aggression. We've got Kalamafoni and another Tongan on trial to offer some weighty carries. Hamilton is developing nicely as well. Be a waste of cap.

His work rate is much better; he made 20+ tackles against La Rochelle, but you're spot on re carrying, he's just not good enough and not what Tigers need. He's re-signed a new contract a few months ago, I believe for 3 years.

That is the only comment I'm making. I certainly won't be drawn into any conversation about last weekend's games...

Why? What happened?

Well, it seems Bath players celebrated by streaking across the pitch post-match.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39793794

HongKongCherry wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

screamingaddabs wrote:Anyone know when Morgan's contract is up at Glaws?  Feels like he could do with a move elsewhere.  I'd love to see him at Tigers - get some real dog into him and we need a carrying 8.

No thanks. Not got the work rate or the aggression. We've got Kalamafoni and another Tongan on trial to offer some weighty carries. Hamilton is developing nicely as well. Be a waste of cap.

His work rate is much better; he made 20+ tackles against La Rochelle, but you're spot on re carrying, he's just not good enough and not what Tigers need. He's re-signed a new contract a few months ago, I believe for 3 years.

Fair enough - I thought maybe a change of club would do him some good to kick on and develop. He has all the right attributes, I feel he seems to be cruising a bit a Glaws and a move of club to somewhere with a history of nasty forwards (in the best way) would be good for him.

Bathite wrote:Why? What happened?

We were humbled by a far better team God, that hurt saying!!

It would have been nice to get one over Brucie given he voted against the Altrad investment. Who would have thought he'd have been the bastion of the sport?...