ERL Season 4 - Media Page (Updated)

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TOP STORY

Approaching the halfway point!

The ERL is back in full flow, with managers still looking to tweak their squads. Few top class foreigns remain, but there are players out there that might be worth taking a risk on. Many players will be looking for the Churchill Cup, WC warm ups and Tri Nations to force there reckoning into WC squads and only the most clued up managers will be able to pick a bolter or a bargain!

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GOSSIP COLUMN

AUS COMBO AT THE REC
Driver announced the signing of Adam Ashley Cooper to partner his national team mate in the centres. With the short term retirement of Berrick Barnes, it is possible that Bath now own the Australian World Cup midfield combination

SARRIES SIGN WORLD CLASS TIGHTHEAD
Following the injury to Georgian beast Kubriashvili, Saracens secured the services of Owen Franks at tighthead, to complete a formidable front row alongside Bismarck Du Plessis and Gurthro Steenkemp, that now competes at the highest level

TOULON SWAPSHOP, NORTHAMPTON GO FOR QUANTITY
The bulk of the player movement has occurred in two teams placed in the bottom half of the table. Toulon have moved well to secure some big names such as Parisse, Hook and Guildford. GloucesterBear fought off tough competition for JP Pietersen and his successful move completes a well rounded back three.

Whilst at Northampton, Hon continues to build squad depth and has organised the strongest bench in the ERL! His shrewd acquisitions in back up areas may prove critical as we await the next set of injuries

KIWIS COME TO PARIS
There have been some busy periods in the French capital as well, with Luke keen to add some force up front. The additions of the NZ trio of Afoa, Boric and Williams have added some real class. Many await to see the lock partnership in particular cause some damage, as the Auckland Blues pair link up again and will be fighting each other for a WC spot

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ERL WORLD XV

01. Thomas Domingo (FRA)	09. Fourie Du Preez (RSA)	16.
02. William Servat (FRA)	10.	17.
03. Owen Franks (NZL)		18.
04. Brad Thorn (NZL)	11.	19.
05. Victor Matfield (RSA)	12.
06. Juan Smith (RSA)	13.	20.
07. Richie McCaw (NZL)	14.	21.
08. Sergio Parisse (ITA)	15.	22.

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PRESS CONFERENCE

1 - Who could be the unluckiest players not to go to WC?

2 - Who are your bolters for WC squads?

3 - Who will win the Tri Nations?

4 - Anything impressed you in the Churchill Cup?

5 – ERL Spotlight: SARACENS

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?

1. Sebsatian Chabal on his recent form has been amazing - for him not to go is a terrible mistake. Bastareaud close behind him!

2. Manu Tuilagi for England

3. New Zealand

4. Tonga's hard hitting, the won't be a push over for anyone

5. - Bathite is a good manager, building a good team.

6. Southern Hemisphere - Carter Northern Hemisphere - Wilkinson

1 - Who could be the unluckiest players not to go to WC?
Umm not really looked at the squads yet, apart from France. No Jauzion and Poitrenaud is beyond belief

2 - Who are your bolters for WC squads?
Sean Maitland for New Zealand, Tuilagi for England.

3 - Who will win the Tri Nations?
New Zealand have too much quality

4 - Anything impressed you in the Churchill Cup?
I really liked the look of the Tonga number 11 I think it was, Miles Benjamin and Twelvetrees have also been excellent for the England Saxons

5 – ERL Spotlight: SARACENS
Absolute quality all over the park now, top four is destined and when I first joined I gave Bathite some tips on how he may get top two. Very good side with a well respected person in charge

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?
Dan Carter

1 - Who could be the unluckiest players not to go to WC?
To have a player of Nacewa's quality not playing internationals is ridicolous. Can't understand why Poitrenaud has been left out, especially without a stand out specialist 15 in the squad

2 - Who are your bolters for WC squads?
Stevens, Todd, Hoeata, Coleman, Smith, Ooesthuizen, Lafakia

3 - Who will win the Tri Nations?
Can't see SA getting a win away from home, but the Bledisloe games will be interesting. Looking forward to seeing who plays 12 for Oz and Nz.

4 - Anything impressed you in the Churchill Cup?
Havn't watched huge amounts, but Stevens and Botha looked good. I said to everyone about 6 weeks ago that Stevens would go to the WC and don't think anyone took me seriously, as he was in my ERL team at the time, but I think he will go, as covers LH/TH.

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?
Dan Carter

Can't understand why Poitrenaud has been left out, especially without a stand out specialist 15 in the squad
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dip in form and Medard

Medard is a much better winger and I didn't see a big dip in form, he was 7 or 8 out of ten in the 6Ns I thought. Always a threat and don't see anyone else better at 15. Not a fan of traille there, too slow and immobile. Havn't seen enough of Pallisson Huget and others on the top stage to prove that Poit isn't good enough

I love poitrenaud, but he had been kept out of the Toulouse side by a dip in form. Medard for me is a better full back

Thought he had moved to 12 to cover Jauzion's big dip in form? And hadn't looked too bad at all from what I saw?

Wouldn't say dropped, but when you have Medard Clerc Heymans Poit (+others i have forgot) playing back three, its difficult to leave one out. Poit being asked to play 12 shows the faith his coach has in him and perhaps that the talent to make the move successfully is indicative

nah they had him on the bench for a while - imagine that poitrenaud on the bench - crazy!!

12. Poitrenaud
13. Jauzion

Proved to be a wonderful partnership for the last couple of months in the top 14.

Thats what i thought! I agree with you Luke, Lievremont thought otherwise!

Didn't put Tuilagi as a bolter, as I assume he will go as the third centre, but glad to see Stevens and Botha in there!

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6997345,00.html

1 - Who could be the unluckiest players not to go to WC?

Jauzion, Poitrenaud, Dagg, Sivi, Roko.. Barnes?

2 - Who are your bolters for WC squads?

I'd like to see Stevens go for England, and Manu offers something different. I see Johnson hasn't got a look in though.

3 - Who will win the Tri Nations?

All Blacks. Expect to see some brilliant rugby from the Wallabies but New Zealand will prefail. Would like to see some different line ups and combinations used from all sides.

4 - Anything impressed you in the Churchill Cup?

Didn't really watch much of it to be fair. Mike Brown looks more level headed and the England midfield was quite tasty.

5 – ERL Spotlight: SARACENS

One of the best squads in the league. Keeps getting stronger as well through MOTM votes and league related bonuses! Good work by Bathite.

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?

Carter. Cooper keeps getting better though and is starting to win me around. Steyn hasn't had the best of seasons but is still class.

1 - Who could be the unluckiest players not to go to WC?
Adam Thomson

2 - Who are your bolters for WC squads?
Matt Todd , Tom Carter , Stirling Mortlock and Schalk Brits

3 - Who will win the Tri Nations?
Australia

4 - Anything impressed you in the Churchill Cup?
Matt Stevens dismantiling of Leo in the Tonga game.

5 – ERL Spotlight: SARACENS
Bathite has built a fantastic team - Manager of year so far!

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?
Stephen Donald

6 – World team selection: Fly Half?
Stephen Donald
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c'mon the BAAAAAAAAAAAARFFFFFFFFFFFFFF