ACC, Pool 4 - Round 3 Chiefs v Dragons, USAP v Prato

First topic message reminder :

Perpignan take on Prato at Stade Aime Giral tonight, to collect the first 5 of an almost inevitable 10 points in the double header. That leaves Exeter and Dragons to fight it out to stay in contention, with Dragons in the boxseat after their home win over USAP.

Dragons travel to Sandy Park on Sunday, boosted by the return of several players, notably Burns, Lydiate and Faletau, but with captain Ashley Smith sidelined by a hamstring injury and replaced in the centre by new sining Andy Tuilagi.

http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/newsarticle.aspx?n=19900

Newport Gwent Dragons Team
Martyn Thomas, Will Harries, Tom Riley, Andy Tuilagi, Adam Hughes, Steffan Jones, Joe Bedford, Phil Price, Lloyd Burns, Nathan Buck, Adam Jones, Rob Sidoli, Danny Lydiate, Gavin Thomas (c), Toby Faletau

Replacements
Rhys Buckley, Nathan Williams, Keiron Jenkins, Scott Morgan, Lewis Evans, Wayne Evans, Aled Brew, Jason Tovey

Chiefs have unusually opted for 4 tightheads in the squad, with Tui swapping sides to accommodate Craig Mitchell and the perennial Chris Budgen and John Andress backing up from the bench. There's another unusual selection in the back row with Richie Baxter moving from 8 to blindside (can't remember the last time he played there), Phillips coming in at 8 (he's played more at lock than 8 this season) and Ben White on the openside. Two former Dragons in the backs with Phil Dollman replacing Jason Shoemark, and regular speedster Matt Jess.

http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/latest-headlines?item=1155

EXETER CHIEFS TEAM TO FACE NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS

15 Luke Arscott, 14 Gonzalo Camacho, 13 Nic Sestaret, 12 Phil Dollman, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 1 Hoani Tui, 2 Simon Alcott, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 5 Chris Bentley, 6 Richard Baxter, 7 Ben White, 8 James Phillips

16 Neil Clark, 17 Chris Budgen, 18 John Andress, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Pat Phibbs, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Josh Tatupu


Looks like Chiefs will target scrum dominance (as did USAP) with bulk in the back row to try and counter the Dragons internationals of Lydiate and Faletau. Dragons will seek to replicate the pressure they applied to Perpignan, but will probably want to use Tuilagi to get over the gainline pretty often.

C'mon Exeter fans, admit it, your 10 freaks you guys out aswell right ?!

munkian, in what sense? His neandrathal good looks?!

If you watch the next match on Tv, he does this weird grimace turning his head at angle thing when aiming between the posts, gave me the fear.

According to a report in the local paper, most of Exe's rested players were actually injured, along with a couple of probable back-ups. Rob Baxter reckoned he only had about another half dozen fit players available for selection. Only Brett Sturgess, the LH prop was rested, and it now makes sense to have played 2 TH's at LH to cover for Ben Moon, the injured LH bench, in future games.

So, depending on how many of the injured recover over the week, Exe may have to put out a pretty similar team.

From the E&E:

"

BEFORE the advent of the leagues and the professional era, the visit of a Newport, a Pontypool or the Scarlets would rank as a big event in a club's year.

Resplendent with a selection of broken-nosed, shovel-handed valley boys up front and wiry magicians in their back line, the arrival of the visiting Welshmen signalled the potential of an epic game in prospect.

There is always a special feeling to an Anglo-Welsh derby – the closest of neighbours but fiercest of rivals.

My old pal, Welshman and former Chief Simon Jenkins, annually rekindles the rivalry with his rendition of his mantra "as long as we beat the English!"

And so it was on Sunday that history was repeated and traditional rivalries rose to the surface at Sandy Park. From across the Severn, the Dragons arrived. Not so many broken noses or shovel-handed miners, but full of stars from the World Cup and the renowned production line of delivering rugby-playing Welshmen to grace the Principality.

The fuse was lit for real when the Dragons coach stated it was a targeted match – the gauntlet was thrown and a battle royale promised.

At the unfamiliar Sunday evening kick-off time and in testing conditions, neither side disappointed. It was a titanic struggle.

Passion, commitment and endeavour were not lacking as the forwards strained every sinew for superiority. Many a connoisseur of our past County Ground days will have delighted in two packs slogging it out in the mud and rain.

During such rugby encounters, players' bravery can elevate them to heroic status. Famous stories abound of men overcoming the pain barrier to push on for victory. Self-sacrifice has been a trademark of the Chiefs in recent times, with gladiatorial performances expected as our norm.

It's with great pleasure that I too raise a claim to take my place amongst the gladiatorial greats. Before I go on, however, we need a brief history lesson.

My lesson starts in New Zealand with the legend that is Colin Meads. Playing back in the time before substitutions, legend has it Meads said to his scrum half: "Sorry my delivery was a bit scrappy, but I just broke my arm." Broken arm or not, he continued the game rather than leave his teammates a man short.

Closer to home, but of a similar era before many of you were born, Chiefs' own Robin Cowling dislocated his shoulder playing for England against Wales. Lesser men would take this as a cue to get off the pitch, not our first team manager though. Robin sorted the issue by simply putting his hand in his pocket to support his sagging arm and completed the game!

Now to my claim for entry into the club of legends. On Sunday, I too suffered the agony to secure the ecstasy. Ten minutes into the game, breaking down the wing was Tongan torpedo Toby Faletau. Between him and the tryline stood me. Throwing all of my might into the tackle, I felled the giant but, on regaining my feet, my pain receptors screamed that something wasn't right. Looking at my left hand, it was clear I'd broken the tip of my index finger!

At the first break in play the medical staff of Dr Harris and physio Macleer ran to my assistance. Dismissing the obtuse angle at the end of my injured digit, I was unceremoniously told: "Man up Bentos, it's not that bad!"

Broken arms and dislocated shoulders are injuries of a serious nature, but none compare to the agony or perhaps ignominy of a my broken finger tip! With the memory of past heroes in mind, and surrounded by 14 of my heroes and thousands of passionate tribesmen and women, I gave my all in the cause to ensure we defeated the Dragons.

Until next time, stay safe, keep smiling and enjoy your rugby."

Love it, classic

Blimey, so Bentos did earn his Player of the Day award. If he's going to be out for Sunday, I guess we'll have Hanks and Muldowney to start, with Phillips to cover lock, either from bench or No8, and find another back-rower if TJ and Scays aren't fit.

I don't think Walker-Blair or Stupple are Euro-registered (or Addison Lockley at lock) but with Chad Slade out till February, there may be a swap.

Hanksy is definitely injured, I bumped into him at Darts Farm - he's been v unlucky

Check you out, Dart's Farm indeed! I'm forced to slum at Waitrose.

I woz only robbing from the posh cars in the car park

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:I woz only robbing from the posh cars in the car park

IIRC your car was the poshest car in the car park

Carpe Diem wrote:Check you out, Dart's Farm indeed! I'm forced to slum at Waitrose.

Lidl for me - big new one at Honiton