London Irish 2016/17 Championship Thread

[Ozzy3213]

First topic message reminder :

  Welcome to this seasons thread for talking about all things London Irish. 

Senior Squad (39)

Technical Director: Brendan Venter
Director of Rugby: Nick Kennedy
Assistant Coach: Clark Laidlaw
Forwards Coach: George Skivington
Defence Coach: Declan Danaher
Skills Coach: Paul Hodgson

Hooker: David Paice, Gerard Ellis, David Porecki, Jason Harris-Wright, Todd Gleave (dual registered with Rosslyn Park).
Prop: Tom Court, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Tom Smallbone, Ben Franks, Richard Palframan, Ollie Hoskins.
Second Row: Sebastien de Chaves, Jerry Sexton, Jebb Sinclair, George Robson, Will Lloyd.
Back Row: Blair Cowan, Ofisa Treviranus, Luke Narraway, Connor Gilsenen, Joe Trayfoot, Mike Coman, Max Northcote-Green, Senitiki Nayalo.
Scrum Half: Brendan McKibbin, Scott Steele, Darren Allinson (on loan to Bath).
Fly Half: Greig Tonks, Tommy Bell, Theo Brophy-Clews.
Centre: Johnny Williams, Fergus Mulchrone, Ciaran Hearn, Tom Fowlie
Back Three: Topsy Ojo, Alex Lewington, Aseli Tikoirotuama, James Marshall, Ben Ransom


Senior Academy Squad (12)

Hooker: Matt Kouris (dual registered with Esher)
Prop: Harry Elrington (dual registered with Rosslyn Park), Austin Hay (Academy Plus)
Back Row: Isaac Curtis-Harris (dual registered with Esher), Jack Cooke (Academy Plus)
Scrum Half: Conor Murphy, Rory Brand (dual registered with Rosslyn Park)
Fly Half: Tom Parton
Centre: Ross Neal, Matt Williams
Wing: Joe Cokanasiga, Jacob Atkins


Fixture List

Date	Time	Opponents	H/A	Venue	Competition	Result	Scorers
Sat 13th Aug	15:00	Harlequins	A	The Stoop	Friendly	W 28-12	T: Cowan, Neal, Nayolo, Atkins  C: Bell 3, Tonks.
Fri 19th Aug	19:30	Nottingham	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 43-14
Fri 26th Aug	19:30	Loughborough Students	H	Hazelwood	Friendly	W 46-21
Sat 3rd Sep	15:00	Doncaster Knights	H	MadStad	Championship	W 19-0	T: Fowlie, Tikoroituma  P: Bell 3.
Sat 10th Sep	15:00	Richmond	H	MadStad	Championship	W 36-12	T: Paice, Cowan 2, Ellis, McKibbin, Elrington. C: Bell 3.
Sat 17th Sep	15:00	Bedford Blues	A	Goldington Road	Championship	W 30-23	T: Franks, Williams, Ojo, Northcote-Green. C: Bell 2. P: Bell 2.
Sun 25th Sep	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	H	MadStad	Championship	W 32-12	T: Ransom, Trayfoot, Marshall, Steele C:Bell, Marshall 2 P:Bell 2.
Fri 30th Sep	19:45	Nottingham	A	LadyBay Sports	Championship	W 29-7	T: Steele Tikoroituma Northcote-Green Mulchrone C:Bell 3 P:Bell.
Sat 8th Oct	15:00	London Welsh	H	MadStad	Championship	W 35-12	T: Mulchrone, Paice, de Chaves, McKibbin. C: Bell. 3 P: Bell 3.
Sat 15th Oct	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	A	The Gnoll	B & I Cup	W 25-14	T: Neal, Ransom, Nayalo, Palframan.  C: Tonks.  P: Tonks.
Sat 22nd Oct	15:00	Connacht Eagles	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 34-3	T: Elrington, Hoskins, Harris-Wright, Parton, Cokanasiga.  C: Tonks 3 P: Tonks.
Sat 29th Oct	15:00	London Scottish	A	RAG	Championship	W 62-12	T: Paice, McKibbin, Cokanasiga, Bell 2, Tikoirotuma, Steele, Cowan C: Bell 8, P: Bell 2.
Sat 5th Nov	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	H	MadStad	Championship	W 41-17	T: Ransom 2, Tikoirotuma, Marshall 2. C: Bell 5. P: Bell 2.
Sat 19th Nov	13:00	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	Championship	W 35-24	T: Ransom 2, Franks 2, Northcote-Green  C: Marshall 2.  P: Tonks 2.
Sun 27th Nov	15:00	Jersey Reds	H	MadStad	Championship	W 42-29	T: Ransom, Paice 2, Palframan, Fowlie  C: Bell 4  P: Bell 2  DG: Bell.
Sat 3rd Dec	14:00	Rotherham Titans	A	Clifton Lane	Championship	W 38-10	T: Cokanasiga 2, Bell 2, Steele.  C: Bell 5  P: Bell.
Sun 11th Dec	15:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	B & I Cup	W 33-24	T: Atkins, Gilsenan, Porecki, Nayalo, M.Williams.  C: Tonks 4.
Sat 17th Dec	14:30	Cornish Pirates	A	Mennaye Field	B & I Cup
Sat 24th Dec	15:00	Richmond	A	RAG	Championship
Sat 31st Dec	15:00	Bedford Blues	H	MadStad	Championship
13/14/15 Jan		Connacht Eagles	A		B & I Cup
Sat 21st Jan	15:00	Ospreys Prem Select	H	MadStad	B & I Cup
Sat 28th Jan	15:00	Ealing Trailfinders	A	Vallis Way	Championship
Sun 5th Feb	14:00	Nottingham	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 18th Feb	14:00	London Welsh	A	Old Deer Park	Championship
Sat 25th Feb	15:00	London Scottish	H	MadStad	Championship
Sun 5th Mar	15:00	Yorkshire Carnegie	A	Headingley	Championship
Sat 18th Mar	14:00	Cornish Pirates	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 25th Mar	14:00	Jersey Reds	A	St Peter	Championship
Sat 8th Apr	15:00	Rotherham Titans	H	MadStad	Championship
Sat 15th Apr	15:00	Doncaster Knights	A	Castle Park	Championship

Season Preview

Well it's been an interesting summer in the aftermath of relegation.  It was clear from the outset that we would lose some players and would have to cut our cloth accordingly.  Initially it appeared that Tom Coventry was staying, but a late u-turn from him meant a new coaching set up was required.  New coaches, loss of big names, new players to integrate, sounds like a recipe for disaster, and we've certainly been there many times over the past few years.  This however, does not feel like that at all.  Perhaps it's because we are a league down, but there is real optimism around, primarily because of those things.  The holy trinity of Nick Kennedy, Declan Danaher and Paul Hodgson have been promoted to the first team after overseeing a successful academy season last year, and have Brendan Venter overseeing them as technical director.  This is exciting.  A proven winner overseeing a young, hungry and exciting coaching team.  On the playing side, the main losses being Matt Symons and Sean Maitland are more than offset by the likes of George Robson, James Marshall and Tommy Bell coming in.  If anything it feels as if we may have a stronger squad this year than we've had for the past 4 or 5.

Two games into pre season and things look positive.  Comfortably beating an admittedly understrength Quins, and a high scoring win against Nottingham have given plenty of optimism for the season ahead.  There were still defensive lapses, which will need to be ironed out, but barring complacency or an absolute stinker in terms of form, we should have more than enough to comfortably make the dreaded play offs, where it then becomes a test of mental strength rather than ability.


Ozzy'sprediction: Champions

[Ozzy3213]

Curtis Harris is a real talent.  Hopefully he continues to shine at Esher and forces himself into contention in the back row for us, which is a very competitive area this year.

[Margin_Walker]

Yep, definitely looks to have a lot of potential and just the type of player who we'd welcome in our back row if he continues to develop. Interesting that he didn't really trouble the England U18 selectors. Perhaps viewed as a little short for a traditional 8. Agree that he could well end up on the flank

[stnick88]

Pro's from Donny game
- Good first up tackles and very little missed/slipped tackles
- Good line speed and organisation
- Lineout was pretty good bar one I seem to remember
- Scrum strong when it was Hobbs and Franks
- Bell's kicking
- Ransom impressive 6 minute cameo

Neg's from Donny game
- Scrum later on was conceding a lot of penalties
- Narraway/Cowan too quiet for me
- Tonks was terrible. Kicking aimless and I believe he threw the forward pass that disallowed Tiks try when it was a simple 3 on 1
- Box kicking from both 9's was very poor
- Kick chase was pretty non-existent

[Ozzy3213]

The scrum was pretty messy all game from my memory, with Donny rightly trying to get away with whatever they could.  The ref definitely struggled in that area. 

What do you mean by Narraway and Cowan being quiet mate?  I thought both were very effective in defence.  Neither are really big carriers in the way Trev is, so they are never really likely to catch the eye in an attacking sense.

Tonks was 6 out of 10 for me.  Not great, but not terrible.  Ultimately I suspect he is just keeping the 15 jersey warm until the coaches decide that James Marshall is ready.

Box kicking from both nines was exceptionally poor.  Both kicked too long, thus negating our wingers ability to provide an effective chase.  it came as no surprise to me from Allinson, who is good putting tempo on the game but weaker in terms of control and kicking, but it surprised me from McKibbin who I thought would have been more accurate.

All in all it was about a 6 out of 10 performance for me, which considering we won 19-0 against last seasons runners up is very promising, not just for this season, but going forwards generally.

[stnick88]

I wanted a bit more from them at the breakdown. You are right both are not big carriers and they did make their tackles, but I thought both just had quietish games. I may be wrong in terms of tackle stats etc but I seemed to notice a lot more from Franks, Hobbs, Robson, Trev.

All in all it was OK, but I am hoping for big improvements in the next few weeks. I'd like to see Ransom in at 15 for the weekend and Marshall involved in the next few weeks. He was in the players lounge on Saturday and looked in good shape. Interestingly, Nayolo was also in there, wonder if he will get a deal soon or not.

[Ozzy3213]

I believe Nayolo is signed mate, he will be a wrecking ball for us in this division.  I'd leave Tonks at 15 this week and play Ransom on the wing in place of Neal.  given what brendan Venter said after game about the side having already been selected, I'm not expecting many changes at all.  Robson and Williams looked to have picked up minor knocks so could get rested but other than that I'm expecting the same side really.

[Ozzy3213]

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s97/st193331.htm

Match report (of sorts) from The Craic.

[SirBurger]

In that case (based on what you said Ozzy), I expect/hope to see:

1. Hobbs-Awoyemi
2. Paice
3. Franks
4. De Chaves
5. Lloyd
6. Trayfoot
7. Cowan
8. Narraway (c)

9. McKibbin
10. Bell
11. Tikoirotuma
12. Mulchrone
13. Fowlie
14. Ransom
15. Tonks

Bench: Ellis, Court, Hoskins, Sexton, Treviranus, Allinson, Neal

[Ozzy3213]

I'd like to see a back row of 6. Treviranus 7. Cowan 8. Nayolo at some point, but I don't expect it will happen tomorrow.

[Ozzy3213]

Team for tomorrow....


London Irish: 15 Greig Tonks, 14 Ross Neal, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Topsy Ojo, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 2 David Paice (c), 3 Ben Franks, 4 George Robson, 5 Sebastien De Chaves, 6 Joe Trayfoot, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus
Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Jerry Sexton, 20 Max Northcote-Green, 21 Darren Allinson, 22 Ben Ransom

[SirBurger]

I'd like to see a back row of 6. Treviranus 7. Cowan 8. Nayolo at some point, but I don't expect it will happen tomorrow.

Or even:

6. Coman
7. Treviranus (where he started out for us)
8. Nayolo

[Ozzy3213]

We have ridiculous depth in the back row this year.  I'm interested to see how Joe Trayfoot goes.  A lot of fans felt he was criminally underused by Tom Coventry last season.

[SirBurger]

Myself included - I am a big fan.

[Ozzy3213]

So a 36-12 win with 6 tries scored yesterday.  A few 'supporters' seem very critical elsewhere, as they seemed to expect a 70-0 ten try romp.  Bottom line, we'd scored 5 tries and were 29-0 up before switching off a bit and them chucking everything at us in dreadful conditions when they had nothing to lose.  It wasn't perfect, but it was never going to be this early in the season as we bed in new players, coaches and ideas.

[SirBurger]

I think I understand where some of the criticism comes from as in terms of playing resources there is a massive gulf. However, this will have been Richmond's cup final for a number of different reasons and it was obvious that we let things slip when we got the 5 points and when the front row was changed so much. Bedford will be the toughest game so far, although they haven'd had the best of starts to the season. I expect we will be putting out our strongest XV for this one and then rotating for Ealing the following week.

1. Court
2. Paice
3. Franks
4. Robson
5. De Chaves
6. Narraway
7. Cowan
8. Treviranus

9. McKibbin
10. Bell
11. Tikoirotuma
12. Williams
13. Mulchrone
14. Ojo
15. Tonks

Bench: Ellis, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Palframan, Sexton, Coman, Allinson, Marshall

[Ozzy3213]

Don't think we can put that side out as apparently we have to have 16 EQP in the squad. That's why Court was left out yesterday. Naz was meant to play but when he was ruled out Trev came in and they had to take Court out and start Danny instead.

[SirBurger]

Don't think we can put that side out as apparently we have to have 16 EQP in the squad.  That's why Court was left out yesterday.  Naz was meant to play but when he was ruled out Trev came in and they had to take Court out and start Danny instead.

Interesting. Are you sure that isn't an average across the season though as against Donny we had Franks, Cowan, Trev, McKibbin, Tiks, Tonks, Court, Hoskins(?), Sexton all in the squad which would give us a total of 13/14. Perhaps we just felt that we would try and get as many EQP in the team against what on paper was a slightly weaker opposition?

[Ozzy3213]

I'm only going by what Tom Court said yesterday. Could well be an average thing as per the AP.

[Margin_Walker]

Don't think we can put that side out as apparently we have to have 16 EQP in the squad.  That's why Court was left out yesterday.  Naz was meant to play but when he was ruled out Trev came in and they had to take Court out and start Danny instead.

Interesting. Are you sure that isn't an average across the season though as against Donny we had Franks, Cowan, Trev, McKibbin, Tiks, Tonks, Court, Hoskins(?), Sexton all in the squad which would give us a total of 13/14. Perhaps we just felt that we would try and get as many EQP in the team against what on paper was a slightly weaker opposition?

Not sure how the EQP requirements work in the Championship, but Hoskins is EQP, presumably through family.

Doesn't sound like a great performance yesterday, but I won't be losing too much sleep over it. Luckily we have the opportunity to grow into this season and pick up wins even when not at our best. Bedford away should be a tough one though, so need to guard against complacency.

[SirBurger]

If the 16 rule does have to be complied with strictly, then I hope to see something like the following for Bedford:

1. Court
2. Paice
3. Franks
4. Robson
5. De Chaves
6. Narraway
7. Cowan
8. Treviranus

9. McKibbin
10. Bell
11. Ojo
12. Williams
13. Mulchrone
14. Neal
15. Ransom

Bench: Ellis, Hobbs-Awoyemi, Palframan, Lloyd, Trayfoot, Allinson, Tonks

It makes you realise how difficult it will be to get our strongest team out this season.

[Ozzy3213]

I think we need to send out a really strong side this week at Bedford.  Whilst they have lost their opening two games they very nearly beat Jersey last week and will be fired up for playing us.  Our away record over the past 2 years is terrible, with a win in Agen last year and beating London Welsh the season before the sum total of two seasons work.

I also think Williams looked a bit off on Saturday, his handling was pretty poor, and he may well be nursing the finger he dislocated in round one.  I'd be tempted to rest him this week and play Fergus at 12 with Fowlie in the 13 jersey.

Ransom, Ojo, Fowlie, Mulchrone, Tikoroituma, Bell, McKibbin;
Hobbs-Awoyemi, Paice, Palframan, de Chaves, Robson, Narraway, Cowan, Treviranus

Ellis, Court, Franks, Sexton, Northcote-Green, Steele, Marshall

would be my 22 for Saturday if possible.

[Driver]

Didn't you win at us 2 years ago Pete? Seem too remember us losing too you one weekend and smashing Exeter the week after

[Ozzy3213]

I stand corrected, we did beat you 20-18 at Kingston Park in September 2014, so that's three away wins in two years.

[Ozzy3213]

Based partly on our most recent commercial partnership, with the F3 group, I belive the move to Brentford is a done deal.  They are the company involved in the development of the ground there.  I can see this being our last season at the MadStad and us playing at Griffin park from next season until the new stadium is built.

[stnick88]

I'd like to see Palframan get some game time, before he got badly injured he put in some great shifts. Hoskins has struggled in the scrum both times he has come on as well.

We certainly need some pace in our backline, so Ransom, Tiks, Fowlie will hopefully come in for Tonks, Neal and Mulchrone/Williams.

[Ozzy3213]

We definitely need more pace on the wing than Neal provides.  We will be looking to play plenty of kick chase, and we're not getting close enough to where the ball is dropping at the moment.

[Ozzy3213]

Interview with Brendan Venter on the subject of current problems in the Springbok set up, but it does give an insight into how he views the game, and what we can expect to see from Irish this season.

[stnick88]

I would like to see us go

1 Hobbs
2 Paice
3 Franks
4 De Chaves
5 Robson
6 Narraway
7 Cowan
8 Treviranus
9 McKibbin
10 Bell
11 Ojo
12 Mulchrone
13 Fowlie
14 Tiks
15 Ransom

16 Court
17 Ellis
18 Palframan
19 Sexton
20 Trayfoot
21 Steele
22 Tonks

Give Williams a rest so he can get back to full fitness.

[Ozzy3213]

[Margin_Walker]

As you said on the Craic, good to see him listed there as a full back, which is his best position for me. Obviously lots of players capable of interchanging between the two jerseys, but broadly I'd see them split as:

10 - Bell, TBC, Shane
15 - Marshall, Ransom, Tonks

Anyone know if Parton and Williams are being dual registered, as I've not seen them pop up anywhere? Would be good to see them get some senior gametime for someone (perhaps being recalled for the B&I). Expect Cokanasiga to be retained given we aren't flush with wings.

[SirBurger]

I think that split looks about right MW, although I don't think it is set in stone. Tonks said in an interview with TRP that he had signed to play 10 and that is where he would be focusing this season, whereas Bell apparently said previously that he saw himself as a 15. So there is definitely still some fluidity. Great interview with Marshall. He comes across really well.

I believe Parton is dual registered at Henley. Unsure on Williams.

[Ozzy3213]

Shane I think will have his work cut out to see much game time if I'm honest.  He has an ankle injury at the moment, but I've heard rumours of a bit of a defeatist attitude from him, with him apparently having said something along the lines of he doesn't believe he'll have much chance of getting in the side once he's fit.

He also doesn't really fit at 10 with the current game plan as far as I can see, which effectively sees him looking at a fight with Johnny and Fergus (and possibly Ross Neal) for the 12 jersey.  He doesn't strike me as a Brendan Venter type 12 either (albeit Kendo is actually DoR and I believe picks the team).

He is also just turned 30, so isn't likely to be considered the future for the club.

Parton and Williams I'm not sure on.  As we are not in the A League this year I would hope that they are DR somewhere to aid in their development.

[Ozzy3213]

Ben Franks article in the Telegraph

[Ozzy3213]

London Irish team to play Bedford Blues: 
15 James Marshall, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Ben Ransom, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 Darren Allinson;
1 Tom Court, 2 David Paice (c), 3 Ben Franks, 4 George Robson, 5 Jerry Sexton, 6 Joe Trayfoot, 7 Conor Gilsenan, 8 Ofisa Treviranus
Replacements: 16 Gerard Ellis, 17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 Will Lloyd, 20 Max Northcote-Green, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Aseli Tikoirotuma  

That's a pretty tidy back line behind a solid front 5 and mobile back row.  I am very very excited about this.

[Ozzy3213]

Hard fought win away at Bedford today.  3-11 down, then 22-23 before winning 30-23.  Was a big mental test for the team and they've come through it.  Will stand us in good stead going forwards I reckon.

[Heaf]

Yep was squeaky bum time there for a while ...

[Ozzy3213]

Indeed. 

The last time we won 3 league games on the bounce was March/April 2011.  Away wins in recent years have been scarce as well, so this is a big result for us today.

[Heaf]

TBP away wins even more scarce ... let's hope this is the first of quite a few.

[Ozzy3213]

I'll just settle for winning away from home, as it will be every other teams cup final.  I don't expect us to go through this season winning all 22 league games.

[Heaf]

No it would be nice but you have to be realistic - we just need to make sure we're in as best shape as possible for the daft play-offs

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah, it's about making sure we are in the best form we can be come next May.  To that end I like that we've started getting some rotation in early.  Paice, Franks, Robson, Treviranus, Bell and Williams the only players who have started all three games.  Hopefully a couple of them get a rest this week.  de Chaves back in for Robson, and Nayolo for Trev are the obvious changes.

[Heaf]

Looking forwards to seeing Nayolo get a go - got a nice picture of my granddaughter with him last week when he signed her shirt along with Tiks and TBC.

[SirBurger]

Good result. I imagine it must have been quite nerve-wracking for the fans who went. I think it is becoming quite apparent that teams are really treating their games with us as cup finals. Particularly early in the season I think it is naive to expect massive wins against some good sides. Ealing will be another good test, although I think we should be able to secure another TBP. Unsure what sort of side we can expect to see but hopeful of seeing the likes of Nayolo and Coman coming into the back row to add some ball-carrying.

[Ozzy3213]

Am hearing that Coman is fit and likely to be in the squad at the weekend.

[SirBurger]

Someone on Craic suggesting Nayolo no longer with us?

[Ozzy3213]

Not to my knowledge. I'll see what I can find out.

[Ozzy3213]

Definitely still with us. Is on a dual contract with the army as still a serving soldier, the same as Rokoduguni.

[Heaf]

I think someone jumped to that conclusion just because his picture isn't on the website - but he's not the only one missing, and let's be honest the website isn't always 100%.

He was certainly still there when we played Richmond as per my post above.

[Heaf]

Cheers Ozzy - my post crossed yours.

[Ozzy3213]

Teams up for Sunday


15 James Marshall, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Aseli Tikoirotuma, 12 Fergus Mulchrone, 11 Ben Ransom, 10 Tommy Bell, 9 Darren Allinson, 1 Tom Court, 2 Gerard Ellis, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 Jerry Sexton, 5 Sebastian De Chaves, 6 Joe Trayfoot, 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Luke Narraway (c) 

Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Will Lloyd, 20 Mike Coman, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Tom Fowlie




Really pleased to see Ellis and Palf getting starts and with his cameos off the bench Northcote-Green has definitely earned his.  Looking forward as well to seeing what Coman brings off the bench, and what Tiks can do at outside centre.  I love him out on the wing but he is a player we want on the ball as much as possible as he always seems to elude the first tackler.

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