Aviva Premiership Round 10

Friday 1 December

19:45 Northampton v Newcastle
19:45 Worcester v Sale


Saturday 2 December

14:00 Exeter v Bath
15:00 Gloucester v. London Irish
16:30 Wasps v Leicester


Sunday 3 December

15:00 Harlequins v Saracens



Home wins Friday and Saturday, away win on Sunday is my guess

Newcastle Falcons team to face Northampton Saints (Friday, 7.45pm, Franklin’s Gardens, live on BT Sport)

15 Simon Hammersley
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Chris Harris
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Toby Flood
9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Rob Vickers
2 Kyle Cooper
3 Jon Welsh
4 Calum Green
5 Sean Robinson
6 Will Welch (captain)
7 Gary Graham
8 Mark Wilson

Replacements

16 Scott Lawson
17 Sami Mavinga
18 Scott Wilson
19 Will Witty
20 Nili Latu
21 Sam Stuart
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Alex Tait

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY NEWCASTLE FALCONS


15 Harry Mallinder
14 Juan Pablo Estelles
13 Rob Horne
12 Tom Stephenson
11 Ben Foden
10 James Grayson
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Jamal Ford-Robinson
4 Michael Paterson
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Wood
7 Jamie Gibson
8 Teimana Harrison

16 Mikey Haywood
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Paul Hill
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Nic Groom
22 Piers Francis
23 Ahsee Tuala

Kieran Brookes (hand), Charlie Clare (knee), James Craig (concussion) and George North (knee) are unavailable for selection.

Worcester Warriors

15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Jackson Willison
12 Ryan Mills
11 Josh Adams
10 Jono Lance
9 Francois Hougaard

1 Ethan Waller
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O’Callaghan (C)
5 Will Spencer
6 Alafoti Faosiliva
7 Sam Lewis
8 David Denton

Replacements
16 Joe Taufete’e
17 Ryan Bower
18 Gareth Milasinovich
19 Christian Scotland-Williamson
20 Pierce Phillips
21 Michael Dowsett
22 Sam Olver
23 Dean Hammond

SALE SHARKS

15. James O’Connor, 14. Denny Solomona, 13. Sam James, 12. Rohan Janse Van Rensburg, 11. Byron McGuigan, 10. AJ MacGinty, 9. Faf De Klerk, 1. Ross Harrison, 2. Rob Webber, 3. Will-Griff John, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Andrei Ostrikov, 6. Jono Ross (Capt.), 7. Ben Curry, 8. Josh Strauss

REPLACEMENTS

16. Cameron Neild, 17. James Flynn, 18. Halani Aulika, 19. George Nott, 20. TJ Ioane, 21. Will Cliff 22. Mark Jennings, 23. Mike Haley

NOT AVAILABLE FOR SELECTION

Marland Yarde (Injured) Josh Beaumont (Injured) Will Addison (Injured) Tom Curry (Injured) Johnny Leota (Injured)

Well....we can't play much worse than the previous 2 outings. 8 changes by Deano, they need a kick up the hoop!

your backline looks great, just think Saints will have the egde upfront and home advantage should tell.

Really need Sale to do us a favour and win at Worc. Very good backline but Worc are on a roll.

Hmmm before Worcester went on a bit of a purple patch I was somewhat confident of this is where we could get a good haul of points. However now I am far from certain.

We need a MASSIVE performance tomorrow night!

Goneva back is huge...the guy is simply immense and inspires the team. A matchwinner.

Flood and Matavesi have been woeful since high profile moves, not worth the money spent on them...they owes us a top class run of games now!

We need a win badly! But performance is also critical. We need to show the attacking, high paced rugby we are able to play!

Another drab, boring, ineffective loss will have big implications on the team morale and the also the fans morale. .

Does anyone know how Eadie and Hutchinson getting on at Northampton?

Hope Newcastle can get the win. Should be a good game

Hazel Sapling wrote:Does anyone know how Eadie and Hutchinson getting on at Northampton?

Hope Newcastle can get the win. Should be a good game

Eadie has largely been injured. Looked okay nothing more the couple of times he's played.

Hutchinson does well at A team level. Struggles to break into the first team but did pretty well last week.

Decent time to play Newcastle and a few internationals back. However, very inexperienced FH and a few other weakened positions/returnees it might not be the most polished performance. I'd say we are slight favourites, nothing more.

Leicester Tigers (v Wasps, away, Saturday 4.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Mathew Tait

12 Gareth Owen

11 Jonah Holmes

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Will Evans

8 Sione Kalamafoni

 

Replacements

16 Harry Thacker

17 Kyle Traynor

18 Logovi’i Mulipola

19 Harry Wells

20 Mike Williams

21 Ben White

22 Joe Ford

23 Matt Smith

No May or Malouf is a bit of a blow as they've been scoring tries all over the place this season. The lock combo doesn't work particularly well which may undermine our tight fives ability to beat up Wasps. Good to see Evans at openside he has been playing very well and compliments the Tongan muscle. No Toomua means our defence will probably be Dore so they'll be points scored.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Leicester Tigers (v Wasps, away, Saturday 4.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Mathew Tait

12 Gareth Owen

11 Jonah Holmes

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Will Evans

8 Sione Kalamafoni

 

Replacements

16 Harry Thacker

17 Kyle Traynor

18 Logovi’i Mulipola

19 Harry Wells

20 Mike Williams

21 Ben White

22 Joe Ford

23 Matt Smith

No May or Malouf is a bit of a blow as they've been scoring tries all over the place this season. The lock combo doesn't work particularly well which may undermine our tight fives ability to beat up Wasps. Good to see Evans at openside he has been playing very well and compliments the Tongan muscle. No Toomua means our defence will probably be Dore so they'll be points scored.

I see the long awaited return of he who should not be named has been put off a little longer too.

Was always a little optimistic to think Manu would be back this early. Munster or more likely Saracens will be his return game.

Wasps team looks strong.

Wasps team to play Leicester Tigers 

15. Willie Le Roux
14. Christian Wade
13. Juan De Jongh
12. Jimmy Gopperth 
11. Elliot Daly
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Dan Robson 
1. Simon McIntyre
2. Ashley Johnson  
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. James Gaskell
5. Kearnan Myall
6. James Haskell
7. Thomas Young
8. Nizaam Carr 

Replacements

16. Nathan Charles
17. Ben Harris
18. Marty Moore
19. Marcus Garratt
20. Jack Willis
21. Joe Simpson
22. Gaby Lovobalavu
23. Josh Bassett

Fancy the Tigers tight five and half backs but the Wasps centres and backrow are much stronger.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Was always a little optimistic to think Manu would be back this early. Munster or more likely Saracens will be his return game.

Wasps team looks strong.

Wasps team to play Leicester Tigers 

15. Willie Le Roux
14. Christian Wade
13. Juan De Jongh
12. Jimmy Gopperth 
11. Elliot Daly
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Dan Robson 
1. Simon McIntyre
2. Ashley Johnson  
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. James Gaskell
5. Kearnan Myall
6. James Haskell
7. Thomas Young
8. Nizaam Carr 

Replacements

16. Nathan Charles
17. Ben Harris
18. Marty Moore
19. Marcus Garratt
20. Jack Willis
21. Joe Simpson
22. Gaby Lovobalavu
23. Josh Bassett

Fancy the Tigers tight five and half backs but the Wasps centres and backrow are much stronger.

Back row would be a lot stronger with Nathan Hughes & Guy Thompson & I agree our second row will have to be on their game but still look a bit lightweight - Joe Launch & Matt Symonds will be missed.
If we get some parity up front I fancy Wasps 3s will be too strong.....but it’s a big if!

15. Mike Brown (287)
14. Charlie Walker (75)
13. Alofa Alofa (38)
12. Jamie Roberts (39)
11. Tim Visser (46)
10. Marcus Smith (12)
9. Danny Care (233)

1. Joe Marler (158)
2. Elia Elia (7)
3. Will Collier (117)
4. George Merrick (69)
5. James Horwill (Captain, 49)
6. Renaldo Bothma (-)
7. Chris Robshaw (247)
8. Mat Luamanu (51)

16. Dave Ward (127)
17. Lewis Boyce (6)
18. Kyle Sinckler (106)
19. Dino Lamb (7)
20. Archie White (9)
21. Jono Kitto (2)
22. James Lang (10)
23. Ross Chisholm (81)

Really pleased that Bothma will make an appearance - hopefully will have an impact. Chisholm is suspended!
Sinkler and Ward to hopefully have some impact off bench.
2nd row looks poorly covered on bench - nothing against Lamb and Archie White, just lacking experience.

Glaws
15. Tom Hudson; 14. Henry Purdy, 13. Andy Symons, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Ollie Thorley; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. James Hanson, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Jeremy Thrush; 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ruan Ackermann

Replacements:
16. Richard Hibbard, 17. Paddy McAllister, 18. Gareth Denman, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Will Safe, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Matt Scott, 23. Mark Atkinson

Unavailable for selection:
Fraser Balmain, Callum Braley, Tom Denton, Mariano Galarza, Tom Marshall, Motu Matu'u, Ben Morgan, Ross Moriarty, Val Rapava Ruskin, Jacob Rowan, Charlie Sharples, Ed Slater, Henry Trinder, Jason Woodward, Owen Williams, David Halifouna

The unavailable list is getting more impressive by the day!!!

Some awful hairstyles in that Saints line Up, you can see why they're struggling. Lawes now has a top knot and has knocked on at least twice.

Sale going well to initially, Worcester not showing the form they have last few games. 0 - 8

Dear God we are so predictable and painful to watch.

Teams must be itching to play us...they dont even have to think!!

What the f#$k are they doing in the coaching!!!

Falcons are really not coping with high balls.

Sinoti once again having to show individual brilliance.
Imagine what he's do if he had some decent ball!!

That's an awful stat...

Our 9 has ran less than every other team in the league!! That just focuses every defence on the 10!!

Jesus what are the coaches instructing!!!

Thats the best bit of play I've seen us play in a long time

Beautiful try from Falcons.......5-14

Then straight back and flood off.

Dear God....

Warriors finding some form, 8-8

5-14 and we quick tap pen and give the ball away???? Insane call

About 5m forward!!! Lol

For God's sake man!!!!
We give the ball away again!!!!

What the hell are we doing???? Calm down ffs

Brainless rugby GF. We're our own downfall at the minute. Play the percentages, not offloads on the back foot in your own half.

Great defence to keep Saints out. Harris is having a stormer

Maybe justice for the forward pass but I can't work out how the TMO didn't see the ball touch the line ...

I just can't work out what's changed within the coaching set up that's caused all the changes on the pitch?

Where's the brick wall defence gone?
When we had the ball we attacked at pace...others ran great lines in support for got loads...it was essentially basic rugby done at high quality and high pace.

Why has that all simply disappeared from sight? What has changed in the coaching to cause this.

And it's not the opposition...this is very much us causing this.

Your breakdown work is pretty impressive though.

Vickers and Wilson as props.....We're screwed

Scottrf wrote:Your breakdown work is pretty impressive though.

Cooper is immense there.

Saints look the same as every season. If the rolling maul doesnt work, they don't offer that much else. Must be time for a coaching change.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Your breakdown work is pretty impressive though.

Cooper is immense there.

Saints look the same as every season. If the rolling maul doesnt work, they don't offer that much else. Must be time for a coaching change.

Started this season differently. It lasted for 3 games (Saracens game didn't happen). We do try to throw it around. Just don't get anywhere so resort to same old.

Scottrf wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

Scottrf wrote:Your breakdown work is pretty impressive though.

Cooper is immense there.

Saints look the same as every season. If the rolling maul doesnt work, they don't offer that much else. Must be time for a coaching change.

Started this season differently. It lasted for 3 games (Saracens game didn't happen). We do try to throw it around. Just don't get anywhere so resort to same old.

It's only ever going to get you so far Scott, must be annoying. You should be turning us over comfortably really.

Mallinder has looked good tonight

Power cut...Lost everything...have I missed two saints tries??!!!

Two shocking decisions from the ref. Gibson doves through the ruck to tackle the scrum half and then Francis throws the ball into the crowd to stop a quick throw in from the lineout, no penalty for either.

Our decision making tonight has been disgraceful. Cost us 2 tries, totally unacceptable.

I thought Gibson was lucky Sam, as he was when he played the ball on the ground. Rub of the green, We're not helping ourselves.

Sgt ....can you tell me this?

We've known our scrum is woeful for a good few years now. So why has absolutely nothing been done to fix it?

You tell me GF lol.

We sign 4 substandard props rather than invest in a quality option. We sign Mavinga and hes never had a start. Poor Welsh gets run into the ground.

As much as I was excited pre-season about our signing, none bar DTH have impressed.

And also whilst he seemed a breath of fresh air when he came on the scene....Simon Hammersley is half the player Alex Tait is....

AND why is Hodgson getting games when hes clearly a championship standard player.....and Craig Willis is nowhere to be seen.

Aaarrggghhhhhhh this is down to the coaches!!!