Fantasy Aviva Premiership season 4

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Teams

Bath RFC	InTheFastLane
Exeter Chiefs	Driver - RIP 606
Gloucester	Anonmattyt
Harlequins	Steven_Sharks
Leicester Tigers	LukeLovesLuka
London Irish	stnick88
London Wasps	Arry
Newcastle Falcons	Sgt_Pooly
Northampton Saints	Dammit_Chris
Sale Sharks	SirJohnnyEnglish
Saracens	LDCPete
Worcester Warriors	prop_lyd

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Waiting List
1. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Strong Saints team

Cesar Sempere; Paul Diggin, Scott Armstrong, Greig Tonks (capt.),Vasily Artemyev; Glyn Hughes, Stuart Commins; Ethan Waller, Mike Haywood, Tom Mercey, Tom Hicks, James Craig, Sam Farmer, Ben Nutley, Mark Hopley.

Replacements Brett Sharman, Danny Herriott, Adam Parkins, James Ingle, Jack Allcock, Ryan Glynn, Tom Stephenson, Anders Mogensen.

Stronger Sale team

Jets: Jody Rose; Will Addison, Jordan Davies (capt.), Andrew Higgins, Luther Burrell; Tasesa Lavea, Scott Mathie; Lee Imiolek, Sid Tobias, Tony Buckley, Andrei Ostrikov, Wame Lewaravu, Onosa'i Auva'a,Will Bordill, JP Attlee.

Replacements Fraser Rawlinson, Ross Harrison, Dave Marwick, Harry Broadbent, Will Cliff, Mike Haley, Alex Brown.

Steven - just a warning that the Saints second string is on absolute fire at the moment, think they have won their last 3-4 games by at least 35 points. Saw them play Wasps A a while back and we got a tonking!

Keep an eye on Sam Farmer (no6), Ethan Waller (prop), Mike Haywood (hooker), Tom Hicks (lock) and James Craig who theybought from Leeds last summer. They are producing some serious forwards at Franklins Gardens right now.

Dont think they have any of their young backs on display, have heard good things about their 10, and Tonkls is pretty decent. Stuart Commins at no9 has a lightning quick pass and has got about 3-4 tries over last month, but cant tell whether it is because the Saints pack has been so brilliant or its because he's got a good attacking game too.

Well worth following Saints of Facebook as they post highlights from all their 'A' league games there.

Driver - quick qn on injuries if a player is injured and says week 14 does that mean they are now back for week 14?

Yarh

Agree with Matt, I'd play Williams ahead of Albacete

Mike Tindall recalled to England squad...

He may be recalled officially, but I would hope that when Lancaster names his revised EPS in January that Tins won't be in it.

Who would you like to see Pete?

We've got to get some experience in there to help bring through the youngsters - I hope we've seen the last of Payne, Mears, Deacon, Wigglesworth, Tins and possibly Cueto.

We have plenty of talent coming through. I'd prefer players to be brought in who have a chance of making next WC.

Ok, not counting anyone who is long term injured like Attwood, and working on a 32 man EPS, so 2 in every position with an extra hooker and scrum half, off the top of my head I would have an EPS for the 6 Nations of...

15. Foden, Armitage
14. Ashton, Wade
13. Tuilagi, Trinder
12. Barritt, Allen
11. Cueto, Sharples
10. Flood, Farrell
9. Youngs, Care, Simpson

1. Corbisero, Wood
2. Hartley, Gray, ???
3. Cole, Doran-Jones
4. Lawes, ???
5. Parling, ???
6. Croft, Robshaw
7. Wood, Gibson
8. Easter, Narraway

Really struggling for a 3rd hooker and locks.

Captain is also an issue. It is a relatively inexperienced squad, so I would want someone with captaincy experience to lead it. So that is one of Hartley, Easter or Narraway, none of whom I would want to stick my mortgage on being up to the task of taking the team forward at the moment.

I'd take May above Allen myself

I did have May down initially, just when I looked as a whole I felt I had too many young players there and wanted a bit more experience and solidity which Allen would bring.

I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't take a look at Jordan Turner-Hall.

3rd hooker Pete I'd put down Webber, lads come on leaps and bounds this season and with Thompson set to retire I think he will continue to get better and better now.

I wouldnt have Trinder yet as he's not guaranteed starter for Gloucester, as assume that would be Tindall? Also not so sure Allen is international class - same with Barritt.

Could see Flutey being a key part of the midfield for a season, just to give time for Farrell to get a bit more experience and would be good playmaker to take some pressure away from Flood and bring Tuilagi into play.

I'd also drop Banahan...

Interesting that you'd take a couple out and replace them with Wasps players Chris!

Webber got smashed in the scrum on Saturday, and struggled to throw straight into the lineout. Wouldn't want him anywhere near an England jersey on that showing to be honest.

Good squad Pete, I'd make a few tweaks but nothing major.

Like to see Dickson in as 3rd choice SH ahead of Simpson. Waldroum possibly involved and May in one of the back spots. Need some grunt in the engine room, still think Deacon has some value myself. Think Attwood may be ok too. I'd like to see Wade at Saxon level, needs his defence tested. Ojo and possibly Benjamin next in line.

Webber nowhere near Int class, boy can't scrummage. We're not looking great at hooker tbh.

Rest of the season he's been very solid - players can have off days.

With Webber its his potential that I would want the England coaches to bring through - personally think Mike Haywood at Saints will be in with a shout of being England hooker by 2015 WC, great talent. I just want players like Chuter, Mears etc to not get any more England chances in the no2 shirt.

Flutey is there as Flood/Hape combination doesnt work and with Tuilagi as the standout 13 for us it means we need a kicking 12 - rules out Banahan, Barritt, JTH - none would compliment Tuilagi, so for me options are Flutey or Farrell and I think Farrell should be a bench option for now.

Pooly - webber scrummages very well when he has good props - try scrummaging when you are playing alongside Payne & Broster!

Guess Twelvetrees is the other option at 12 - wish he would fulfil his potential. Personally think he needs to move away from Tigers to do that - Northampton could be the best club for him.

I've seen Webber have more off days than good days though Chris, too hit and miss for me, same reason I wouldn't put David Paice up as an international hooker.

I don't see why the fact that we have Tuilagi at 13 means we have to have a kicking 12. We have players in the back three who have decent enough boots on them now, so we can quite easily go for a 12 with less of a kicking game but other strong skillsets.

I would actually be really interested to see Tuilagi given a go there, with someone like Trinder, May or JJ outside him.

Never rated Webber as a scrummager Chris, Wasps always look more solid when Lindsay comes on. Payne is a decent scrummager if nothing else

Payne's lost it a bit recently. Spoke to Trevor Woodman at the Wasps v Saints game and he said that Webber is a better scrummager than Lindsay, but Lindsay has potential to be a very destructive carrier in the loose.

Thing I dont get about Wasps is that we have got a couple of good French and Argentinian front row forwards but we never give them starts - same with Taulafo, who had a great WC - but stick with Broster who is kak. Offers nothing in tight or loose. Must be the Welsh link!

Think we should be looking towards the next World Cup. Don't mind taking a step backwards if it means we progress in the long run.

15. Foden (VC), Armitage
14. Ashton, Joseph
13. Tuilagi, Trinder
12. Hape, Twelvetrees
11. Sharples, Biggs
10. Flood, Farrell
9. Youngs, Care, Dickson
1. Corbisero, Wood
2. Hartley (C), Mears, Paice
3. Cole, Stevens
4. Lawes, Deacon
5. Day, Parling
6. Croft, Robshaw
7. Wood (VC), Fourie
8. Easter, Dowson/Fearns

Hearing that Mallett is the RFU's long term choice as England boss with Brian Ashton in the running for the short term job.

EDIT: Swapped May for 36.

think we have trouble with locks, no8s and inside centres - think 10s safe as by time of WC we will have George Ford and Owen Farrell.

just wish Nick Evans was english qualified! so selfish of him to have got NZ caps...

First game of the 6 Nations (I think we have Scotland don't we?) I would go with...

15. Foden
14. Ashton
13. Trinder
12. Tuilagi
11. Sharples
10. Flood
9. Care

1. Corbsiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Parling
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Narraway

16. Gray 17. Doran-Jones 18. ??? 19. Gibson 20. Youngs 21. Farrell 22. May

Pete issue I'd have with that team is Trinder at 13, he isnt guaranteed first team start at Gloucester. I'd also say the same for Gray and Doran-Jones.

I think Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi and Flood are shoe ins - with Sharples and Youngs very likely starters - leaving the 12 spot - think we need someone who has int. experience and a kicking game to take pressure off Flood. He isnt the best player, but I'd pick Flutey for next year wth view to bring through Farrell.

Would have Stevens on the bench as he's the most experienced front row we have - Doran Jones needs to start for Saints before he makes bench for England.

I think backrow will end up being Croft, Wood and Easter with Robshaw on the bench. Such a shame we cant pick Palmer now - hope he comes back to England!

Where are you getting that Trinder isn't guaranteed a start at Gloucester? In reality nobody is guaranteed a start anywhere, but if you look at Gloucester last 6 games in the AP and HC Trinder has started all of them at 13, witht he exception of being rested against Exeter Chiefs.

If your argument is you can't play people who are not automatic first choice at their club then we are going to be pretty fecked at tighthead as I am sure that Cole is behind Castro in the Tiggers pecking order!

We have Wales at home first game

"think we need someone who has int. experience and a kicking game to take pressure off Flood. He isnt the best player"

Absolute rubbish.

Pooly, I said Flutey isnt the best player.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Where are you getting that Trinder isn't guaranteed a start at Gloucester? In reality nobody is guaranteed a start anywhere, but if you look at Gloucester last 6 games in the AP and HC Trinder has started all of them at 13, witht he exception of being rested against Exeter Chiefs.

If your argument is you can't play people who are not automatic first choice at their club then we are going to be pretty fecked at tighthead as I am sure that Cole is behind Castro in the Tiggers pecking order!

To be honest Pete Trinder and May are a year away from being ready for the England Squad. Trinder still does not have the best contact skills and both of them need to play more games.

May has played almost every game this year and trinder has played almost every game since he has been fit. for me they are too underdone to play in what will be a fairly inexperienced england team


If we had a settled high performance side like we have had over the years Introducing a May or Trinder would be easy but putting them in to an unsettled side would cause problems and hinder their development.

I quite like the idea of a Flutey taking the pressure off of Flood but Flutey would need to be playing well which he is not from what i have seen

Driver - RIP 606 wrote:We have Wales at home first game

WE have Italy Away first though driver

Flutey plays well then gets injured for 3-4 games. Think he'd be an ideal stop gap. You can't have flood controlling the game, making all decisions and running kicking game too. Take pressure off flood and he's a top player. Put too much on him and he suffers. He will never be a top international but by far best we have at the moment.

Back lines aren't about picking best players but picking the players who will bring best out of our top players. Flutey would help flood and be the second plays along to bring best out of Tuilagi, Ashton and Foden. Add Sharples in and you have a pretty good backline. Get Care, Farrell and someone like JSD on the bench...

Ahhhh, I apologise. Thought you said Flood wasn't the best, he's still our best option at FH by a fair way.

I like Flutey too tbh, got a good skill set but not really playing great.

Looks like Mallett is back in contention, alongside Wayne Smith.

Neither would take the role until June next year - could be the best option for England though?

How worrying is it that of the tight heads in contention for England all of them currently bench for their club.

Considering how key a position it is i would love to see Dan Cole move.

For all PDJ Developed in the last 2 years he risks going backwards at saints.

Harden for Gloucester has been fantastic this year and shows the benefits of Regular game time. Would like to see him in the Saxons. Whatever they seem to throw at him he adapts to and i think could push on well.

How is Henry Thomas going this year for Sale???

Also will we see Stevens move back to his usual TH position??

Thomas struggled against Exeter on Friday but in general has had a decent season I think. Steve could probably comment further.

Dan Cole is rumoured to be leaving end of season with Irish and Quins the frontrunners. If Armitage leaves Irish which he may well do, we would have the budget to afford him. A front row of Corbisiero, Paice and Cole would be good.

PDJ was cracking against Sarries, you missed the first held didn't you? As a unit Saints destroyed Sarries scrum.

I imagine Mujati and PDJ will contest all season for the TH Berth which can only be a good thing.

Saints certainly have some cracking options in the front row atm - looking forward to the Waller brothers coming through - think they are very good. Alex Waller very good prospect

anonmattyt wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Where are you getting that Trinder isn't guaranteed a start at Gloucester? In reality nobody is guaranteed a start anywhere, but if you look at Gloucester last 6 games in the AP and HC Trinder has started all of them at 13, witht he exception of being rested against Exeter Chiefs.

If your argument is you can't play people who are not automatic first choice at their club then we are going to be pretty fecked at tighthead as I am sure that Cole is behind Castro in the Tiggers pecking order!

To be honest Pete Trinder and May are a year away from being ready for the England Squad. Trinder still does not have the best contact skills and both of them need to play more games.

I think what you have said here is part of where we fall down as a rugby culture in this country Mat, we focus too much on what players can't do rather than what they can do. I think Lancaster needs to be brave with his selections for the 6 Nations and if we lose a couple then so be it, as long as we have some focus on where we are aiming to be in 3 years time.

Ethan is supposed to be a talent too. Alex seems technically good in the scrum although he doesn't look to powerful. Only a young kid though.

Pete - trouble is with moving Tuilagi and getting Trinder is that Tuilagi wont get any game time at Tigers in the 12 shirt, he'd be behind Allen and Twelvetrees. You would then be throwing Trinder in to a very young midfield and you could get a similar problem of what happened to Tait if anything went wrong.

He's a great talent, but if you rush these players through without experienced heads next to them then you could do more damage than good.

Think England should look at bringing through a few youngsters now, like Sharples, Farrell and then in another 12 months bring the next batch into the team so you suddenly dont have loads of young players. Wales have been the best at this recently, Gatland has worked wonders with them because he hasnt thrown them all in at once. We really should follow their policy.

I hear the Wallers brother Rick is a great singer!

anyone got an openside, props and a foreign hooker available?

Scrum has been sale's major problem this season. Thomas is doing ok but still giving away pens. His loose play is as good as any Tighthead prop I've seen and in that respect he could become on of the great tightheads if his scrumagging comes on as it should.

If Brookes moves to Hooker like he might, I think a front row of Marler, Brookes and Thomas would be an unbelieveable carrying unit providing it was a viable set piece unit as well.

I have props and hookers available, posted a list previous page.

Wyn Jones and Charteris out of 6Nations apparently...

How would people rate Juan Smith atm? He's been out since Feb/March time but apparently back in training for the start of the S15.

Just checking as noticed a fair few players getting rated who've been out a while so wondering do world class players hold form for people?

Just got this from Steffon Armitage's twitter. Apparently there is a fight in the Biarritz v Bayonne game and Imanol Harinordoquys dad ran onto the pitch throwing punches to protect him.

May be rubbish but unbelievable if it happened

I saw that Steve, have just asked my man in France who is watching the game if that is what happened.