About v2Aviva Premiership Round One
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The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union :: Club Rugby
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Aviva Premiership Round One
by Ozzy3213 Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:07 pm
First topic message reminder :
With the new Aviva Premiership season just 10 days away, I thought now might be a good time to throw up a match thread, for discussion, banter and plenty of just downright poking fun at your opposition. Six games over 3 days, 4 of which are live on BT Sport, kicks off with the current champions hosting the six fingered knuckle draggers on Friday night. Saturday then kicks off with Bruce Craigs London Irish West travelling North to take on Sale and GloboGym versus the Pests at HQ. Falcons then travel south (no chance of them heading north for a league game I know) to take on the Tiggers, before the mighty London Irish take apart the HairyQueens in the second half of the double header. The weekend concludes with newly promoted Oxford taking on the tomahawk waving brigade from the South West.
Here are my thoughts on how those games will pan out.
Friday 5th September 2014 19:45 Northampton Saints vs. Gloucester Rugby
These two have been chalk and cheese in terms of transfer activity over the summer, but Saints have a seriously strong squad anyway and will be a force to be reckoned with again this season. At home, they certainly won't want to lose their first game as champions, and I expect to see them coming out all guns blazing in this one. The big question as to how this one will finish up would appear to be whether or not Gloucesters new look pack can live with Saints. If they can, then there is every chance that a very talented back line could cause some serious problems for the champions, particularly if the weather is good. With the likes of Richard Hibbard and John Afoa keen to make an early mark, I fancy Gloucester to sneak this one, and come away from the gardens with the narrowest of wins.
Saturday 6th September 2014 14:00 Sale Sharks vs. Bath Rugby
Steve Diamonds Sharks appear to have quietly gone about their business this summer. There have been some departures of key plays such as Henry Thomas, Rob Miller and James Gaskell which can only serve to weaken their side, however players such as Nathan Hines coming in should ensure that their pack remains competitive. Bath fans await with baited breath the arrival of Sam Burgess, but he's not around for this one, and it will be a similar looking back division to last seasons. I can see this one being a real forward battle with no quarter asked for or given. I just think that Bath probably have a bit of a stronger unit up front and will ultimately come out on top in that sort of battle and get their campaign off to a positive start.
Saturday 6th September 2014 14:00 Saracens vs. Wasps
As ever it's difficult to look beyond GloboGym as their squad is as strong as it ever was despite the departures of the likes of Matt Stevens and Steve Borthwick. They will want a good start to the season so that they can feel comfortable rotating later on in the campaign as they search for glory on two fronts this year. I suspect that they will roll out the big guns at HQ and look to physically dominate a Wasps side who were seriously inconsistent last year. They however have also strengthened, certainly in depth terms, and will undoubtedly look to use their pacy backs to good effect. It won't be enough I don't think, and the Saracens juggernaut will get a rolling start to their campaign by bagging the first try bonus of the season and leaving Wasps heading away from Twickenham with nothing.
Saturday 6th September 2014 15:00 Leicester Tigers vs. Newcastle Falcons
A few new faces at Welford Road this summer, and they will be missing their first choice props for the start of the season with Ayerza on international duty and Cole still in rehab. Falcons may see this as an area they can target, however the noises coming from the north indicate that they may be looking to be more expansive this season in line with their new 4G playing surface. This would be a risk, as there is plenty of firepower in the Tigers back division and if they look to trade blows in that regard I can see Leicester winning it comfortably. That said, Tigers can be slow starters, albeit they pace their season pretty well normally, and I don't see them blowing Falcons away in this one. Reasonably comfortable home win in the end, but they'll know they've had to work for it and Newcastle may head back home with at least a losing bonus point in the bag.
Saturday 6th September 2014 16:30 London Irish vs. Harlequins
The game of the weekend, of course it is, the mighty London Irish are playing. Obviously I am bias, but I do feel that we have strengthened considerably in the pack, and in the coaching set up, and we will be much improved from the past two seasons. Quins have promoted from within with the exception of signing Marland Yarde and Aseli Tikoirotuma and will hope that with a years more experience their youngsters will be able to take them a step or two further than in last seasons campaign. There remains a doubt as to whether they have adequately strengthened in the 2nd row, and much will rest on George Robsons shoulders there. For this one, Quins will no doubt look to play ball in hand, and so will Irish. Quins are further down the path of evolution regarding that sort of game, but Irish have looked very fit and able to maintain a high intensity in pres season so far. The last time Irish won at the double header was in 2010, and only David Paice and Topsy Ojo remain from the 23 on duty that day. My money is on Irish to bag their first opening day win in 4 years and this two be a high scorer, with both sides claiming try bonus points in the process.
Sunday 7th September 2014 14:00 London Welsh vs. Exeter Chiefs
A lot is going to rest on how quickly the 25 new signings at London Welsh can gel into a cohesive unit. This will not be an issue for the Chiefs who have tinkered rather than made wholesale squad changes as they seek to return to the top half of the table at the end of this campaign. You know what you will get from the Chiefs, they will be tough to play against, have a good set piece and will take their chances when they come. Welsh are going to be a completely unknown quantity for a while, but I suspect that the Chiefs will have too much for them and will head home with 4 points safely in the bag on Sunday evening.
Ozzys predicted league table after round one:
Saracens 5, London Irish 5, Leicester Tigers 4, Exeter Chiefs 4, Bath Rugby 4, Gloucester 4, Harlequins 2, Northampton Saints 1, Sale Sharks 1, London Welsh 1, Newcastle Falcons 1, Wasps 0.
Look forward to hearing your views….
With the new Aviva Premiership season just 10 days away, I thought now might be a good time to throw up a match thread, for discussion, banter and plenty of just downright poking fun at your opposition. Six games over 3 days, 4 of which are live on BT Sport, kicks off with the current champions hosting the six fingered knuckle draggers on Friday night. Saturday then kicks off with Bruce Craigs London Irish West travelling North to take on Sale and GloboGym versus the Pests at HQ. Falcons then travel south (no chance of them heading north for a league game I know) to take on the Tiggers, before the mighty London Irish take apart the HairyQueens in the second half of the double header. The weekend concludes with newly promoted Oxford taking on the tomahawk waving brigade from the South West.
Here are my thoughts on how those games will pan out.
Friday 5th September 2014 19:45 Northampton Saints vs. Gloucester Rugby
These two have been chalk and cheese in terms of transfer activity over the summer, but Saints have a seriously strong squad anyway and will be a force to be reckoned with again this season. At home, they certainly won't want to lose their first game as champions, and I expect to see them coming out all guns blazing in this one. The big question as to how this one will finish up would appear to be whether or not Gloucesters new look pack can live with Saints. If they can, then there is every chance that a very talented back line could cause some serious problems for the champions, particularly if the weather is good. With the likes of Richard Hibbard and John Afoa keen to make an early mark, I fancy Gloucester to sneak this one, and come away from the gardens with the narrowest of wins.
Saturday 6th September 2014 14:00 Sale Sharks vs. Bath Rugby
Steve Diamonds Sharks appear to have quietly gone about their business this summer. There have been some departures of key plays such as Henry Thomas, Rob Miller and James Gaskell which can only serve to weaken their side, however players such as Nathan Hines coming in should ensure that their pack remains competitive. Bath fans await with baited breath the arrival of Sam Burgess, but he's not around for this one, and it will be a similar looking back division to last seasons. I can see this one being a real forward battle with no quarter asked for or given. I just think that Bath probably have a bit of a stronger unit up front and will ultimately come out on top in that sort of battle and get their campaign off to a positive start.
Saturday 6th September 2014 14:00 Saracens vs. Wasps
As ever it's difficult to look beyond GloboGym as their squad is as strong as it ever was despite the departures of the likes of Matt Stevens and Steve Borthwick. They will want a good start to the season so that they can feel comfortable rotating later on in the campaign as they search for glory on two fronts this year. I suspect that they will roll out the big guns at HQ and look to physically dominate a Wasps side who were seriously inconsistent last year. They however have also strengthened, certainly in depth terms, and will undoubtedly look to use their pacy backs to good effect. It won't be enough I don't think, and the Saracens juggernaut will get a rolling start to their campaign by bagging the first try bonus of the season and leaving Wasps heading away from Twickenham with nothing.
Saturday 6th September 2014 15:00 Leicester Tigers vs. Newcastle Falcons
A few new faces at Welford Road this summer, and they will be missing their first choice props for the start of the season with Ayerza on international duty and Cole still in rehab. Falcons may see this as an area they can target, however the noises coming from the north indicate that they may be looking to be more expansive this season in line with their new 4G playing surface. This would be a risk, as there is plenty of firepower in the Tigers back division and if they look to trade blows in that regard I can see Leicester winning it comfortably. That said, Tigers can be slow starters, albeit they pace their season pretty well normally, and I don't see them blowing Falcons away in this one. Reasonably comfortable home win in the end, but they'll know they've had to work for it and Newcastle may head back home with at least a losing bonus point in the bag.
Saturday 6th September 2014 16:30 London Irish vs. Harlequins
The game of the weekend, of course it is, the mighty London Irish are playing. Obviously I am bias, but I do feel that we have strengthened considerably in the pack, and in the coaching set up, and we will be much improved from the past two seasons. Quins have promoted from within with the exception of signing Marland Yarde and Aseli Tikoirotuma and will hope that with a years more experience their youngsters will be able to take them a step or two further than in last seasons campaign. There remains a doubt as to whether they have adequately strengthened in the 2nd row, and much will rest on George Robsons shoulders there. For this one, Quins will no doubt look to play ball in hand, and so will Irish. Quins are further down the path of evolution regarding that sort of game, but Irish have looked very fit and able to maintain a high intensity in pres season so far. The last time Irish won at the double header was in 2010, and only David Paice and Topsy Ojo remain from the 23 on duty that day. My money is on Irish to bag their first opening day win in 4 years and this two be a high scorer, with both sides claiming try bonus points in the process.
Sunday 7th September 2014 14:00 London Welsh vs. Exeter Chiefs
A lot is going to rest on how quickly the 25 new signings at London Welsh can gel into a cohesive unit. This will not be an issue for the Chiefs who have tinkered rather than made wholesale squad changes as they seek to return to the top half of the table at the end of this campaign. You know what you will get from the Chiefs, they will be tough to play against, have a good set piece and will take their chances when they come. Welsh are going to be a completely unknown quantity for a while, but I suspect that the Chiefs will have too much for them and will head home with 4 points safely in the bag on Sunday evening.
Ozzys predicted league table after round one:
Saracens 5, London Irish 5, Leicester Tigers 4, Exeter Chiefs 4, Bath Rugby 4, Gloucester 4, Harlequins 2, Northampton Saints 1, Sale Sharks 1, London Welsh 1, Newcastle Falcons 1, Wasps 0.
Look forward to hearing your views….
Last edited by Ozzy3213 on Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:57 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Steffan Sun Sep 07, 2014 7:40 pm
Ouch indeed. Absolutely terribleCyril wrote:Ouch!Steffan wrote:Lets hope Welsh can do the business tomorrow against Exeter
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:38 am
Steffan wrote:Ouch indeed. Absolutely terribleCyril wrote:Ouch!Steffan wrote:Lets hope Welsh can do the business tomorrow against Exeter
London Wesh are quite clearly in the wrong league based on that performance. Falcons supporters will be thanking them come the end of the season.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by beshocked Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:48 am
I have to agree with Jimpy. London Welsh do look like they are out of their depth. Early days but they certainly look like they are favourites to be relegated.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:50 am
GeordieFalcon wrote:Why?
Because it will between the two who gets relegated. And London Welsh look the worst. Early days as it is, other relegation candidates, such as London Irish were clealry improved and almost certainly will be safe enough. If the opening game was an improvement for Falcons on last season, then last season must have been soul destroying.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Geordie Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:54 am
Why will it be between us two?
Oh and even the Tigers fans i spoke to said it was a five point game not the scoreline it ended up.
So quit your wind up.
We'll be just fine this season....and i cant wait to get your guys back to our place i fancy our chances!
Oh and even the Tigers fans i spoke to said it was a five point game not the scoreline it ended up.
So quit your wind up.
We'll be just fine this season....and i cant wait to get your guys back to our place i fancy our chances!
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:56 am
beshocked wrote:I have to agree with Jimpy. London Welsh do look like they are out of their depth. Early days but they certainly look like they are favourites to be relegated.
On a different note. Saracens looked comfortable for most of the match. Actually, Farrell turned their game around when Wasps threatened to nick it. Ultimately, Wasps worked hard, but they lacked the nous to create chances in behind the solid Saracens defence.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:02 am
GeordieFalcon wrote:Why will it be between us two?
Oh and even the Tigers fans i spoke to said it was a five point game not the scoreline it ended up.
So quit your wind up.
We'll be just fine this season....and i cant wait to get your guys back to our place i fancy our chances!
I'm winding upi up? You're deluded. I suggest you write to the several pundits who based on the weekend's performances, said exactly the same.
Five point game? they were clearly drunk. Tigers dominated the scrum, an area we were led to believe they may struggle against this mighty Falcons unit. Your kicker can't hit a cow's ass with a banjo and Falcons have little mid-field incision. The scoreline reflects a comfortable but businesslike win. Tigers will gain momentum, so yes, i'm looking forward to the return fixture too, in March, when traditionally, Tigers are putting in a very strong run for a home play-off spot.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Geordie Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:04 am
Judging by that last repsonse you must be a bit drunk still.
Have a good day.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by beshocked Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:07 am
Jimpy I agree to an extent - certainly about Farrell (I thought Hamilton added some grunt in the scrum too) but don't think Saracens looked comfortable - admittedly I started watching the game on the 20 minute mark (so I saw Wasps score 22 unanswered points which included 3 tries.
I didn't think the Saracens defence was solid at all - the difference was that they've improved their attacking options and during the standard league games they've shown an ability to win tight games in the league. Wasps scored those 22 points in a row - Saracens responded almost immediately with a try and conversion then they went for the jugular in the final minute.
Wasps should have won that match but they'll take heart from that 2nd half performance.
It was an interesting match because both Wasps and Saracens in my opinion utilise their wingers more effectively than most other sides in the AP. Ultimately Saracens' wingers had the upper hand in this match - appropriate that Strettle had the final say albeit in controversial circumstances.
I didn't think the Saracens defence was solid at all - the difference was that they've improved their attacking options and during the standard league games they've shown an ability to win tight games in the league. Wasps scored those 22 points in a row - Saracens responded almost immediately with a try and conversion then they went for the jugular in the final minute.
Wasps should have won that match but they'll take heart from that 2nd half performance.
It was an interesting match because both Wasps and Saracens in my opinion utilise their wingers more effectively than most other sides in the AP. Ultimately Saracens' wingers had the upper hand in this match - appropriate that Strettle had the final say albeit in controversial circumstances.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:10 am
GeordieFalcon wrote:
Judging by that last repsonse you must be a bit drunk still.
Have a good day.
Have a good lugh. I doubt Deano is laughing.
Didn't need to have may drinks, why toast an expected, comfortable and businesslike performance. Tigers have sterner tests ahead I can assure you. I may allow myself the luxury of celebratory drinks when they beat a some tougher opposition.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:13 am
beshocked wrote:Jimpy I agree to an extent - certainly about Farrell (I thought Hamilton added some grunt in the scrum too) but don't think Saracens looked comfortable - admittedly I started watching the game on the 20 minute mark (so I saw Wasps score 22 unanswered points which included 3 tries.
I didn't think the Saracens defence was solid at all - the difference was that they've improved their attacking options and during the standard league games they've shown an ability to win tight games in the league. Wasps scored those 22 points in a row - Saracens responded almost immediately with a try and conversion then they went for the jugular in the final minute.
Wasps should have won that match but they'll take heart from that 2nd half performance.
It was an interesting match because both Wasps and Saracens in my opinion utilise their wingers more effectively than most other sides in the AP. Ultimately Saracens' wingers had the upper hand in this match - appropriate that Strettle had the final say albeit in controversial circumstances.
From where I was sitting, Saracens' defence was solid, well drilled and effective. In fact, the only real threat came from Wasps's wingers when bashing it up through the middle didn't work.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Geordie Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:15 am
No Deano was furious with the usual Welford Road influence on the referees decisions.
But i for one never like to bring refs into it...so we'll leave it there.
Judging by your performance..if you dont sort your defence out you'll not be celebrating much come the business end of the season.
But i for one never like to bring refs into it...so we'll leave it there.
Judging by your performance..if you dont sort your defence out you'll not be celebrating much come the business end of the season.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:19 am
GeordieFalcon wrote:No Deano was furious with the usual Welford Road influence on the referees decisions.
But i for one never like to bring refs into it...so we'll leave it there.
Judging by your performance..if you dont sort your defence out you'll not be celebrating much come the business end of the season.
Oh the irony of an ex Tigers player being furious at a referee's decision at Welford Rd.
Defence will be fine, and the reason is that, as with last season (and a far from perfect defence) it doesn't matter that it is imperfect, if you're scoring more at the other end than you're letting past you. If you want to discuss dodgy defences, look a bit closer to home if I were you. Sweetie Pie.
Last edited by Jimpy on Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:24 am; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Geordie Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:24 am
Im not the one mentioning celebrating victories against greater teams....i was merely suggesting you have a big improvement if you think that defence would suffice against the Saints or even Sarries.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by beshocked Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:29 am
Jimpy Saracens conceded 3 tries and missed far too many tackles - it wasn't good defending.
As the Saracens attack has improved the defence has gone backwards.
Hughes was effective at bashing it up.
As the Saracens attack has improved the defence has gone backwards.
Hughes was effective at bashing it up.
Last edited by beshocked on Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:30 am; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Jimpy Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:30 am
GeordieFalcon wrote:Im not the one mentioning celebrating victories against greater teams....i was merely suggesting you have a big improvement if you think that defence would suffice against the Saints or even Sarries.
And I think you have more to worry about from your own team. As a Tigers supporter, i'll worry about their defence if it becomes an issue, which historically isn't often.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Geordie Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:32 am
Oh i think we'll be just fine this season...so dont worry about us cherry pip.
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Re: Aviva Premiership Round One
by Ozzy3213 Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:07 am
You two should stop flirting and get a room! 
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