Aviva Premiership - Round 20

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Table



Fixtures

Fri 15th Apr 16
19:45 Gloucester Rugby  v   Exeter Chiefs Kingsholm BT Sport


Sat 16th Apr 16
15:00 Worcester Warriors  v   Wasps Sixways
15:15 Saracens  v   Harlequins Wembley Stadium BT Sport
17:30 Northampton Saints  v  Leicester Tigers Franklin's Gardens BT Sport


Sun 17th Apr 16
14:30 Sale Sharks  v   Bath Rugby AJ Bell Stadium
15:00 Newcastle Falcons  v   London Irish   Kingston Park BT Sport





Previews

The weekend starts with Exeter, fresh from the agonising defeat in Europe travelling to Kingsholm with their hosts in a horrendous run of form. With a misfiring lineout, a scrum that is creaking and most of the star backs injured, Gloucester look certain to extend their losing streak and heap the pressure onto DoR Humphreys as he fights to keep his job. I was going to say something fatuous like "sport always has the capacity for an upset" but you know what, with Exeter needing the win to keep ahead of Wasps, I fully expect us to see a plethora of maul drives and more tries for Waldrom. Exeter with a TBP

Speaking of Wasps, they travel to Sixfields to face a team with nothing to play for. When fired up Worcester can be highly combative and possess real threat in their largely antipodean backline. However when not fully focused they can be torn apart. I expect to see the latter and a big win for Wasps.

Sarries and Quins meet at Wembley knowing that despite winning at the weekend, both were guilty of extremely sloppy play and were a long way from their best. Quins have tended to struggle a little with Sarries style, and with McCall and Sanderson probably having fired several grenades up the Sarries players arses in training there is no reason to expect a break from the trend. Quins need the win to stay in play-off contention, but lack a controlling presence at 10 to combat the feociousness we can expect from Sarries. Win for the champions, but maybe not a TBP.

For once the Est Midlands derby is not the biggest game of the weekend, however as usual still huge amounts riding on this match. Saints simply have to win else there season is as good as over. Tigers know they can afford to lose and still have the play-offs in their own hands (unless Saints get the TBP and Tigers nothing) but will be desperate to do the double over their now second closest rivals. Saints will know that they let themselves down at the weekend, when a strangely lacklustre Sarries were ripe for picking, but their fate may rest in just how many players they can bring back in, and whether Jim Mallinder has the balls to trust his son. Scrums will be interesting as at times both sides struggled at the weekend.

With Sale losing to Montpelier at the weekend, their trip to Bath has been re-arranged a second time and will now be held on 23rd April rater than this Wednesday. Perhaps makes this particular fixture slightly less interesting, but better that there is not a 3 day turnaround. Sale can still make the top 4, but need to win both matches against Bath to stay in the running, while bath need to win both just to putthe pressure on for Top 6. On current form Sale should win this one.

And to the big one. The crunch relegation game with Irish travelling to the North East. Both teams have been seriously misfiring and I doubt anyone would be willing to stake money on how this game will go.

Very disappointed to see Michael Young starting over Tukulua!

I can see me losing my voice as per usual screaming at him to STOP KICKING!!

Londontiger yep that's legitimate.

No Barritt,Itoje,George and Wigglesworth on the bench. Mako Was probably one of the next in line.


Yappysnap nice backrow though I'll be disappointed if Saracens can't squeeze that front five into submission.

Hodgson hasn't started for a while but if he has a good game he could well orchestrate a big win.

I get the feeling we're focussed on Grenoble next week, if we are and we're not switched on against Saracens then we could get hammered.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Very disappointed to see Michael Young starting over Tukulua!

I can see me losing my voice as per usual screaming at him to STOP KICKING!!

You better be loud GF as we'll all be shouting for him to kick, especially to Lewington's wing!

Ozzy3213 wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Very disappointed to see Michael Young starting over Tukulua!

I can see me losing my voice as per usual screaming at him to STOP KICKING!!

You better be loud GF as we'll all be shouting for him to kick, especially to Lewington's wing!

Sad thing is, you wont need to tell him...its his default mode.

"Oh look I have the ball...I know ill kick it away"

A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon.
Bad news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.
Good news is I am feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can't watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen. I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son.
Good news is he has strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I come up a wee bit short on all those points.

Surely you do yourself a disservice doc. You surely passed on at least one of the looks or brains?!

So these good looks.

Has he inherited them from his mother? If so kudos on punching above your weight.

or

Like Prince Harry has he inherited his looks from his father

doctor_grey wrote:A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.  
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon.  
Bad news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.  
Good news is I am feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can't watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen.  I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son.
Good news is he has strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I come up a wee bit short on all those points.

Must be so great to share the field with your son- what an experience! I hope to do the same one day.

What position do you both play?

Scottrf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Who will play SH for Saints if Kessell has to leave the pitch?

Hanrahan? Mallinder? Who knows.

Collins? He is the only one that is about the right size, it would be interesting to see him convert, Saints have plenty of wings and wing cover, his pace at 9 would make Care look slow.

Why Mallinder Snr cannot have faith in his offspring I do not know. The only time Saints backline has worked all season is with Prince Harry at 12 and Burrell at 13. The Burrell- Pisi paring has failed all season. He seems to want to play HRH out of position, he is a centre that can cover FB and wing. He drops him to the bench every time there is a big game.

I am beginning to think he has a touch of Lancasteritus and is getting a bit stale, perhaps a change would benefit everyone.

I have amended you post to suit myself Doc:

"by doctor_grey on Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:30 am

A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon
Bad Good news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.
Good Bad news is I am not feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am not lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen. I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son
Good news is that I have strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I am not lying like a politician in heat  I come up a wee bit short on all those points., except the short bit, I have never been short, I was tall at birth.

LT, he certainly didn't get the height from him, must have a tall mother/milkman

bluestonevedder wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.  
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon.  
Bad news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.  
Good news is I am feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can't watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen.  I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son.
Good news is he has strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I come up a wee bit short on all those points.

Must be so great to share the field with your son- what an experience! I hope to do the same one day.

What position do you both play?

Got a touch of Beckhamitus Doc?

Ozzy3213 wrote:London Irish:

15 Sean Maitland, 14 Alex Lewington, 13 Ciaran Hearn, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Andrew Fenby, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Scott Steele, 1 Tom Court, 2 David Paice, 3 Halani Aulika, 4 Will Lloyd, 5 Matt Symons, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 7 Blair Cowan, 8 Luke Narraway (c)

Replacements: 16 Tom Cruse, 17 Tom Smallbone, 18 Leo Halavatau, 19 Jerry Sexton, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Shane Geraghty, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma  

No Franks

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Surely you do yourself a disservice doc. You surely passed on at least one of the looks or brains?!

LondonTiger wrote:So these good looks.

Has he inherited them from his mother? If so kudos on punching above your weight.

or

Like Prince Harry has he inherited his looks from his father

All from my wife. Without the slightest doubt in the world.

bluestonevedder wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.  
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon.  
Bad news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.  
Good news is I am feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can't watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen.  I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son.
Good news is he has strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I come up a wee bit short on all those points.

Must be so great to share the field with your son- what an experience! I hope to do the same one day.

What position do you both play?

It's phenomenal. We both play in the centres, although I go flank when I can't run as much. Someone took a great pic of my son feeding me the ball two weeks ago. He looks calm and relaxed with a hint of a smile. I look constipated wiith a hint of cardiac arrest..........

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Who will play SH for Saints if Kessell has to leave the pitch?

Hanrahan? Mallinder? Who knows.

Collins? He is the only one that is about the right size, it would be interesting to see him convert, Saints have plenty of wings and wing cover, his pace at 9 would make Care look slow.

Why Mallinder Snr cannot have faith in his offspring I do not know. The only time Saints backline has worked all season is with Prince Harry at 12 and Burrell at 13. The Burrell- Pisi paring has failed all season. He seems to want to play HRH out of position, he is a centre that can cover FB and wing. He drops him to the bench every time there is a big game.

I am beginning to think he has a touch of Lancasteritus and is getting a bit stale, perhaps a change would benefit everyone.

I have amended you post to suit myself Doc:

"by doctor_grey on Sat Apr 16, 2016 12:30 am

A bit of good news-bad news for the weekend.
Good news is I will be home from work in time to sit down, pour a pint, and watch Gloucester-Exeter this afternoon
Bad Good news is I can't watch Saints live tomorrow.
Good Bad news is I am not feeling strong and fit enough to play Rugby on Saturday which is why I can watch Saints live.
Bad news is I am not lying like a politician in heat to myself and anyone who will listen. I actually feel like sh!t, but want to play with my son
Good news is that I have strength, speed, skill, brains and good looks.
Bad news is I am not lying like a politician in heat  I come up a wee bit short on all those points., except the short bit, I have never been short, I was tall at birth.

LT, he certainly didn't get the height from him, must have a tall mother/milkman

Too funny..........

Foden is the ultra back-up scrum half and usually takes a few turns in team workouts.

doctor_grey wrote:He looks calm and relaxed with a hint of a smile.  I look constipated wiith a hint of cardiac arrest..........

Sounds like the difference between Slade and Barritt when they try to throw a five yard pass of their weaker hand...

Hmmmm, I'm sure laid law played that on the floor

Silly ball drop!

Baxter will be thinking that on hindsight he should have rotated the side and rested a few players. Some of the Exeter boys were really flagging in that second half and there was some talent on the bench that could have started.

Ignore "letter of the law", should Nowell really have been binned?

Nope. Penalty at the most for me.

Had to stop watching at half time, were any points scored in the end??

Second half was marginally better to watch but that was no advert for rugby.

The sun's out today though so hoping the East Midlands derby will be a cracker. Rain overnight was quite heavy though so it'll be soft underfoot. Manu vs Burrell in the centres will be an interesting one with both desperate to catch the eye of Eddie Jones, despite firing his tactical rocket mid week is probably very happy with how Manu left Danty trailing in his wake last weekend.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Second half was marginally better to watch but that was no advert for rugby.

The sun's out today though so hoping the East Midlands derby will be a cracker. Rain overnight was quite heavy though so it'll be soft underfoot. Manu vs Burrell in the centres will be an interesting one with both desperate to catch the eye of Eddie Jones, despite firing his tactical rocket mid week is probably very happy with how Manu left Danty trailing in his wake last weekend.

Manu looks chubby and unfit, and yet he's scoring tries for fun and seeming to play smarter than he did before with good passing and offloads. Its great to see him back

Burrell can't hold a candle to Manu and he's playing alongside Pisi who doesn't compliment him. Only one winner there.

I don't know what the matter is with you lot, last night's game was a thing of beauty

doctor_grey wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Scottrf wrote:My guess is neither Dickson nor North play. Collins definitely wont, he played last night.

Khan just doesn't offer quick enough delivery, by the time he has had a chat with the ref, decided the ball is a couple of inches too far into the ruck, tested the wind AND THEN, looked to see who is available, the defence is set, only when he tries a break, gets caught and someone like Waller acts as a 9 do we get quick ball

That is funny - but true.  I actually never thought of it before, but you are right on the money- when Khan is our 9, most of the better attacks come when he was sucked into a ruck and someone else is getting the ball out.  To be fair, he does read the game well (he takes a God-awful amount of time to do so) and his judgement is pretty good.  He kicks well, but is just.....glacial (I heard the term glacial in the OR this morning and wanted to use it somewhere before I forgot).  And he still has that annoying arrogance that all good scrum halves must have to be successful.  

You guys hearing that Kahn is off to Bath next year? Few people chatting about it on our board.

I have heard those reports. It's a shame if true, he's a talented player but we've wasted him and I can see why he'd want to move.

Wigglesworth reffing the derby game, AP are horrible at picking refs for Saints vs Tigers. You don't want someone who enjoys penalising every little offense.

Oh dear Care

Bathite wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Scottrf wrote:My guess is neither Dickson nor North play. Collins definitely wont, he played last night.

Khan just doesn't offer quick enough delivery, by the time he has had a chat with the ref, decided the ball is a couple of inches too far into the ruck, tested the wind AND THEN, looked to see who is available, the defence is set, only when he tries a break, gets caught and someone like Waller acts as a 9 do we get quick ball

That is funny - but true.  I actually never thought of it before, but you are right on the money- when Khan is our 9, most of the better attacks come when he was sucked into a ruck and someone else is getting the ball out.  To be fair, he does read the game well (he takes a God-awful amount of time to do so) and his judgement is pretty good.  He kicks well, but is just.....glacial (I heard the term glacial in the OR this morning and wanted to use it somewhere before I forgot).  And he still has that annoying arrogance that all good scrum halves must have to be successful.  

You guys hearing that Kahn is off to Bath next year? Few people chatting about it on our board.

Scottrf wrote:I have heard those reports. It's a shame if true, he's a talented player but we've wasted him and I can see why he'd want to move.

Wigglesworth reffing the derby game, AP are horrible at picking refs for Saints vs Tigers. You don't want someone who enjoys penalising every little offense.

Someone mentioned it only as a rumour the other day. Guess I am not too surprised. He was signed for some pretty big money at Saints and I'm not sure either he or Saints were really satisfied.

Care having a bit of a mare today

Why are they checking that, jeez let the game carry on

How often does a play score 6 tries in a single game then?

6 tires from Wade

Yeah, does he even an opposite number...

Goode having another decent game. Not so long ago, I would have happily left him out of my England thinking but he's making the best possible case for a start.

mikey_dragon wrote:Yeah, does he even an opposite number...

this chap

Cares having a game to forget, box kicking has been awful

Quins are soooo slow today, really unlike them

Not liking the barcode on the front of quins shirt, it's almost as bad as the tigers orange kit

Good game from bully today

I can see Saint winning this

Here we go

Good luck wpi

All a bit messy

Come on!

Clearly not on his feet!

Saints have their tails up now....

As usual our defence looks shocking with only one open side player on the park. Fonua isn't what we needed, where's Evans?

Northampton however, are happy to shoot themselves in the foot again. No blindside defence allows Thacker to dance over from halfway and then Burrell gets hits behind the gain line and throws a panic pas straight to Goneva. Great tackle by Burns on Burrell though.

Spoke to soon!