Aviva Premiership Round 7

First topic message reminder :

So after a two week break for the LV Cup, it's back to Premiership action this weekend, and here are the fixtures and current table.

Sale Sharks vs. Leicester Tigers
Sale Sharks
15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou (c), 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Nick Macleod, 9 Dwayne Peel; 1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Marc Jones, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Fraser McKenzie, 5 Kearnan Myall, 6 James Gaskell, 7 David Seymour, 8 Richie Vernon.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Vadim Cobilas, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Mark Easter, 20 Andy Powell, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Luther Burrell, 23 Will Addison
Leicester Tigers
15 Geordan Murphy ©, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Horacio Agulla, 12 Matt Smith, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Harrison; 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 George Chuter, 3 Dan Cole, 4 George Skivington, 5 Geoff Parling, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Julian Salvi, 8 Thomas Waldrom
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ed Slater, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Niall Morris

Worcester Warriors vs. London Wasps
Worcester Warriors
15 Errie Claassens, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Dale Rasmussen ©, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry; 1 Matt Mullan, 2 Ed Shervington, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 4 James Percival, 5 Craig Gillies, 6 Neil Best, 7 Jake Abbott, 8 Chris Jones
Replacements: 16 George Porter, 17 Aleki Lutui, 18 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 19 Adam Balding, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Chris Pennell
London Wasps
15 Hugo Southwell, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Nicky Robinson, 9 Joe Simpson; 1 Tim Payne, 2 Steve Thompson, 3 Ben Broster, 4 Ross Filipo, 5 Marco Wentzel, 6 Richard Birkett, 7 Jonathan Poff, 8 John Hart (c)Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Zak Taulafo, 18 Jeremy Castex, 19 Joe Burton, 20 Matt Everard, 21 Nic Berry, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Chris Mayor

London Irish vs. Bath Rugby
London Irish
15 Delon Armitage, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Tom Homer, 10 Dan Bowden ©, 9 Darren Allinson; 1 Max Lahiff, 2 David Paice, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Nick Kennedy, 5 Bryn Evans, 6 Declan Danaher, 7 Jamie Gibson, 8 Richard Thorpe
Replacements: 16 James Buckland, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Faan Rautenbach, 19 James Sandford, 20 Jebb Sinclair, 21 Adam Thompstone, 22 Steve Shingler, 23 Ross Samson
Bath Rugby
15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Olly Woodburn, 13 Matt Carraro, 12 Matt Banahan, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Sam Vesty, 9 Michael Claassens; 1 Nathan Catt, 2 Lee Mears, 3 Anthony Perenise, 4 Stuart Hooper ©, 5 Dave Attwood, 6 Ben Skirving, 7 Guy Mercer, 8 Simon Taylor
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Charlie Beech, 18 David Wilson, 19 Ryan Caldwell, 20 Andy Beattie, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Paul Roberts, 23 Jack Cuthbert

Harlequins vs. Exeter Chiefs
Harlequins
15 Mike Brown, 14 Seb Stegmann, 13 George Lowe, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Sam Smith, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Karl Dickson; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Chris Brooker, 3 James Johnston, 4 Ollie Kohn, 5 George Robson, 6 Chris Robshaw ©, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Nick Easter
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Kyle Sinckler, 18 Tim Fairbrother, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 21 Richard Bolt, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Matt Hopper
Exeter Chiefs
15 Luke Arscott, 14 Bryan Rennie, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas; 1 Brett Sturgess, 2 Chris Whitehead, 3 John Andress, 4 Tom Hayes ©, 5 James Hanks, 6 Tom Johnson, 7 James Scaysbrook, 8 Richard Baxter
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Hoani Tui, 19 Chris Bentley, 20 Ben White, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Josh Tatupu

Northampton Saints vs. Newcastle Falcons
Northampton Saints
15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Jon Clarke, 12 Tom May, 11 Vasily Artemyev, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Lee Dickson; 1 Soane Tonga'uiha, 2 Dylan Hartley ©, 3 Brian Mujati, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Calum Clark, 7 Tom Wood, 8 Phil Dowson
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Paul Doran-Jones, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Stephen Myler, 23 Scott Armstrong
Newcastle Falcons
15 Jeremy Manning, 14 Luke Eves, 13 Corne Uys, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Rikki Sheriffe, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Pilgrim; 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Joe Graham, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Tim Swinson, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch, 8 Ally Hogg ©
Replacements: 16 Micahel Mayhew, 17 Ashley Wells, 18 Dan Frazier, 19 Glen Townson, 20 Redford Pennycock, 21 Jordi Pasqualin, 22 Alex Tait, 23 Greg Goosen

Gloucester vs. Saracens
Gloucester
15 Olly Morgan, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 11 Jonny May, 10 Freddie Burnes, 9 Rory Lawson; 1 Nick Wood, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 3 Rupert Harden, 4 Will James, 5 Jim Hamilton, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Akapusi Qera, 8 Luke Narraway ©
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Dario Christolini, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Peter Buxton, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Tim Taylor, 23 Mike Tindall
Saracens
15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short; 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock; 1 Rhys Gill, 2 Schalk Brits, 3 Carlos Nieto, 4 Steve Borthwick (C), 5 Mouritz Botha, 6 Kelly Brown, 7 Jacques Burger, 8 Ernst Joubert
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Hayden Smith, 20 Andy Saull, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Chris Wyles, 23 Joe Maddock

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	TF	TA	PD	BP	PTS
01 – Harlequins	6	6	0	0	189	117	20	11	+72	2	26
02 - Saracens	6	5	0	1	153	95	14	9	+58	2	22
03 – Sale Sharks	6	4	0	2	154	144	15	13	+10	3	19
04 - London Irish	6	3	0	3	185	158	17	14	+27	5	17
---------------------------	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
05 – Exeter Chiefs	6	3	0	3	118	127	11	13	-9	3	15
06 – Gloucester	6	3	0	3	126	125	10	12	+1	2	14
---------------------------	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
07 – Bath Rugby	6	3	0	3	127	131	9	7	-4	2	14
08 – London Wasps	6	3	0	3	121	133	12	8	-12	2	14
09 – Northampton Saints	6	2	0	4	109	108	7	8	+1	1	9
10 – Worcester Warriors	6	2	0	4	82	121	6	11	-39	1	9
11 – Leicester Tigers	6	1	0	5	152	194	14	21	-42	3	7
---------------------------	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	---
12 – Newcastle Falcons	6	1	0	5	99	162	8	16	-63	1	5

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Most teams have some selection decisions to make in relation to integrating returning World Cup players back in, and it is arguably a key fortnight coming up for all teams before the break for Heineken Cup action, particularly given how congested the middle of the table is. Personally I think it will be all home wins, with the exceptions of Tigers and Saracens going on the road and coming back with the points. How do people see this weeks matches going?

RM92 are good, they've got that Bobo fella that Dr V loved so much don't they beshocked?!

Can't wait for the weekend and the return of the AP, this is a huge round of matches for every team I think.

LI - Bath is probably my pick of an excellent fixture list.

LI look a better outfit this year than last to me. Their back 3 options are superb, their centres have really impressed (I hope Hape doesn't start, as I think his passing, or lack of, could take quite a lot away from the LI game).

Meanwhile Bath have a very deep squad, and the Banahan at 12 experiment is off to a good start this season. Whilst LI have the back 3 Bath have the backrows - there's serious competition for places there. I hope Vesty doesn't get the shirt back off Heathcote.

Could go either way this.

I suspect that Hape will start at 12 over Shingler this week, as Bath have a fairly hefty midfield with Banahan in there, and Shingler and JJ could be seen as a little lightweight defensively.

Whilst Hape's passing may not be fantastic, and he certainly is no Mapusua (but then nobody is, the man is a Legend at the Madejski), if he can get over the gainline and get his offloading game working, he could prove to be very very effective with the likes of JJ, and Topsy coming off his wing and playing off of him.

Main issue for us is going to be ensuring that we gain at least parity and preferably some level of dominance up front, as we have a young pack which is currently missing it's two biggest ball carriers (garvey and Hala'ufia).

Should e a good game though.

Pete, With JJ's form, I wonder if Ansbro is regretting his move?

Possibly As, but great for us to know that we now have depth in a position that last season we had the option of Seveali'i or Seveali'i. The youngsters have really stood up well so far this season, and JJ has looked very dangerous in every game, I just hope we don't overuse him as he is still a kid really and will need further nurturing if he is to completely fulfil his undoubted potential.

My predictions:
Tigers returnees taking a little while to gel and Sale to continue their strong start to the season - Sale by less than a score;
"Worcester continue their tough home form with a bullish pack display": agree with yappy - Wuss by less than a score;
Bath with just a little too much in key areas for Irish - Bath by less than a score;
Chiefs to keep it tight, but ultimately Mr Evans to deliver his magic - Quins by less than a score;
"Saints internationals continue to get back in to the swing of things, unlucky Newcastle" +1 - Saints by more than a score;
Will Sarries beat the Kingsholm hoodoo? Not this time - Glaws by less than a score.

Lot's of LBPs in my predictions

As, how accurate have your predictions been so far this season?

Ozzy3213 wrote:As, how accurate have your predictions been so far this season?

Utter gash (and that's being generous!!)

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:As, how accurate have your predictions been so far this season?

Utter gash (and that's being generous!!)

Well thank feic for that. Bath to win against the mighty Exiles, how very very dare you sir!

Gloucester and Newcastle teams added to OP

That's an attacking Gloucester team, the backline is practically oozing pace.

I think it's fair top say they are going to be looking to run the ball Sam.

formerly known as Sam wrote:That's an attacking Gloucester team, the backline is practically oozing pace.

But can we get quick enough ball to them? It should be a huge back row battle.

Aye and I wouldn't want to be caught ball in hand by that Sarries backrow, they are monsters. A very big and defensively sound Sarries team, I'm still not convinced by Farrell at 13 as it seems to put a little out of the action unless the game breaks up. He does have pace and is a good tackler though so he's not going to be a weakness. The scrum will be interesting as Gill and Harden aren't the greatest but Wood and Neito are both very strong.

The lineout will probabley go Sarries way with Glaws missing Brown but those Glaws locks are big boys so should add to the scrum and offer lots of physicality around the park. I bet the first set move is an inside ball from Burns to a Glaws backrower aiming right down Hodgson's channel.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I bet the first set move is an inside ball from Burns to a Glaws backrower aiming right down Hodgson's channel.

In some way it's a real shame Vainikolo isn't playing at 12 as he would have eyes on Hodgson all night! Whilst Les has done a good job, EFS is definitely welcomed back.

You're right about the Sarries back row, proper monsters- especially Burger who just seems to get eveywhere. I am a fan of Qera, but it is very debatable whether he is a 7 or a 6, so I do feel we will miss the ball winning skills of Hazell when up against Burger.

All teams apart from Quins now added to the OP

All teams updated in the OP and links to individual match threads embedded.

Anyone wanting to change any of their predictions in light of the teams that have been named?

Yes But I won't

you just stick with tipping Bath with your track record please As.

Am quietly confident having seen the teams. I thought they may have a bit of an edge on us in the pack, in particular the back row, but no Louw or Moody has evened that up a bit, and the only one of their backs that I would probably have over ours is Classens at scrum half, and to be fair to Allinson he has been playing pretty well for us.

Gibson vs Mercer should be an interesting battle between two young guns with eyes on a Saxons call up. No Alex Gray though, is he injured?

Yeah he is Sam, was hobbling around with his foot in one of them plastic casts at last weeks game with Newcastle, not sure how long he is out for.

Gibson just has a real touch of class about him, the boy has the potential to be a real star I think. Not convinced openside is his best position, but he does cover the whole back row pretty well to be honest.

I am so glad that we are back to AP action now. I really enjoyed the World Cup and am right behind England when they play, but there is nothing better than getting behind your team as they try to do everything they can to make the play offs at the end of the season.

Ozzy3213 wrote:I am so glad that we are back to AP action now. I really enjoyed the World Cup and am right behind England when they play, but there is nothing better than getting behind your team as they try to do everything they can to make the play offs at the end of the season.

I couldn't agree with you more. I thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup, but it is just the side show to the main event

Bring on the weekend! Its a bit disappointing from a Bath point of view on the number of knocks that were picked up last week. Louw looked very good and I would have loved to have seen him have a 1st Ap runout.

A shame that Heathcote can't continue but there are a good number of youngsters in the team, nice to see that the good performances in the LV counted for something. Its a tasty looking London Irish backline so hopefully it should be a good attacking game especially as the forecast is good.

I think it will be a pretty open contest Bathman, are you going to the game?

What's Olly Woodburn like, he's the only name on your teamsheet that I don't really know?

Sadly I don't think I am, my Reading based mate cant go anymore (we hadnt booked tickets but were just going to turn up) so I think I will be watching from home.

To be honest I didnt know much about him until a couple of weeks ago either! He is an academy lad and has scored 2 in 2 LV games and by all acoounts has looked a bit of a handful. It does mean we dont have the biggest back 3 though, so the high ball could cause a few issues. It will be interesting to see who wins the battle of the 12's, they are both big units!

I suspect that is why Hape got the nod this week, as Shingler has been an attacking threat for us, but has mised one or two tackles which I don't think we can afford to do this week. Not sure we'll see much kicking to your back three, high ball or not, as Bendy and Biggs are threats ball in hand, and our back three will most likely want to run it back rather than kicking in any case.

It's curious that in the Rugby Club analysis of the Saracens backline this week they kept on banging on about Farrell playing at IC, yet all the footage they showed of him was running in the outside channel, he's playing at 13 this week as he has in his last two AP games, in fact he's only played with 12 on his back for one match so far this season and in that game he lined up outside Barritt more often than not.

The Rugby Club reliabley spout rubbish I'm afraid. Someone was telling me that they were moaning about Tigers not giving Ford game time off of the bench tonight. Surely every 18 year old dreams of being brought off the bench on a freezing night in Stockport alongside two out of position centres with Sam Tuitupo and the Sale backrow using you as a human target.

There's a good reason Farrell is at 13 and that reason is Barritt is currently the form 12 in the AP, they would have been better off talking about him as he will be an international before Farrell.

I can't see your backs kicking much ball away its true. The Bath reserve backs are all looking a bit green so I dont think there will be much in the way of game changing from the bench.

Hows Thompstone getting on by the way? I know he got injured a while ago but before that he was looking very good indeed I thought?

formerly known as Sam wrote:Burger is a key figure for Sarries and makes a big difference to that rush defence. As intimidating as Kingsholm is I still think Sarries might edge it.

More bad news for Tigers with rumours of a fractured cheek bone for Manu seemingly true as Agulla has said he's playing centre on his Twitter account. I think Cockers will have a word about his use of Twitter but it's a blow for Tigers as both Allen and Twelvetrees missed the game against Gloucester with knocks and Smith didn't finish that game either. We could have done with that power in the centres as a wet night in Stockport is not one for fancy foot work.

Bit of a kick in the nuts to Andy Forsyth. The lad has watched Tuilagi, Tait, Twelvetree and Allen go down injured and must have thought he had a chance to grab at; instead a winger is put there instead of him.

I am so frickin hyped for this weekend!

Good to see Wallace is still starting for Quins. Infact to be honest there's only two changes i'd make to that starting line up and both are marginal. Guest in for Easter (make him earn his spot) and Care starting instead of Dickson

Due to injury can't have either player and i'm expecting feckin massive things from Easter on Sat as he sets out his stall for why he should be starting the 6N's. Did i mention i was psyched?!

Yappy this could be a good weekend for your boys. A decent win and you could extend your lead a fair bit if Glaws can beat Sarries at home which is a real possibility.

It's what i secretly wish for Pete, not counting chickens yet though. it would be just like us to go well so far and then have a mare and lose at home.

Scrappy match between Sale and Tigers, if they could hold on to the ball Tigers would be a lot more dangerous.

Doesn't help that Tuilangi's playing with lube on his hands apparently.

Cole is beasting the sale boys in the scrum though.

Sale's hooker is having a shocker, they've lost 4 out of 5 lineouts.

doesn't seem to have ever practiced throwing the ball.

Listen to the pain in Key's voice.

Sale 13-3 up though.

Sloppy play by leicester, real sloppy.

Sale are looking dangerous on the counter but just can't hold the ball otherwise.

Leicester have the possesion but just keep fumbling. Big 'ol run from Tuilangi though.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Sale 13-3 up though.

How though??? As far as I can see they've lost every aspect of the game! Their scrum is getting mullered, their line out is 2 from 6, they've only had 40% of the game and just barely have parity at the breakdown.

Can't help but notice that all those hundreds of international players that Leicester were missing still aren't helping, maybe it was the other two score players they have out...

Sloppy handling at times from Leicester has been a problem.

Tuilagi in under the posts. Sale look beat to be honest, I can see Leicester running away with this in the last quarter now!

Castro in for a try off the back of a maul from a 5 metre line out.

Try for Flood now, Leicester ruthless!

Bonus point try for Leicester, it's a rout now!

So wins for Leicester and Wasps tonight then, late Wasps try snatching it from Worcester.

What a turn around for the Tigers!

What were you saying yappy?

I think Wasps are in a slightly false position in the league at the moment......

DaveM wrote:I think Wasps are in a slightly false position in the league at the moment......

To high? To low?

maverickmak wrote:What a turn around for the Tigers!

What were you saying yappy?

Ah yes.

That'll teach me for going on a wind up when only half a game's been played.

Well done Tigers!