Aviva Premiership - Round 11

First topic message reminder :

Table

POS	TEAM	-PL-	-W-	-D-	-L-	-PF-	-PA-	-DIFF-	-TF-	-TA-	-TB-	-LB-	-PTS-
1	Saracens	10	8	0	2	262	116	146	30	9	4	2	38
2	Wasps	10	8	0	2	319	205	114	40	23	5	0	37
3	Bath Rugby	10	8	0	2	235	135	100	24	13	2	1	35
4	Leicester Tigers	10	7	0	3	247	196	51	23	21	2	1	31
5	Exeter Chiefs	10	5	1	4	276	205	71	34	25	5	3	30
6	Harlequins	10	5	0	5	206	237	-31	22	28	2	1	23
7	Newcastle Falcons	10	5	0	5	168	238	-70	19	28	1	2	23
8	Gloucester Rugby	10	3	2	5	228	217	11	25	26	3	4	23
9	Northampton Saints	10	4	0	6	170	192	-22	14	15	1	3	20
10	Sale Sharks	10	3	1	6	191	245	-54	22	27	3	1	18
11	Worcester Warriors	10	1	2	7	171	309	-138	20	33	1	1	10
12	Bristol Rugby	10	0	0	10	138	316	-178	16	41	0	4	4

Fixtures

So, we come to the halfway point in the season with the following games:

Friday 23rd December

19:45 Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks (BT Sport)
Since their last win (18th November) Saints have lost at home to Falcons, away to neighbours Leicester and been thrashed twice by Leinster. Throw in controversy around George North, Dylan Hartley (and other red cards) and rumours of a failed big money approach to Pat Lam and it is fair to say they have not enjoyed a pleasant end to the year. Pressure on Mallinder and West continues to mount, and another home defeat could possibly provide the final nail/straw (insert platitude as desired). They should be too strong for a Sale team who have been struggling to provide a platform from the pack and have seen their new 10s struggle to manage the game with any consistency. Sale’s losing streak extends back to October and usually you would not bet on them changing that. However if they can show the spirit demonstrated last week against a Saracen’s team that can justifiably be called the best in Europe, then they could cause the depression to deepen at the Gardens.


Saturday 24th December

13:30 Saracens v Newcastle Falcons (BT Sport)
After starting the season looking very staid and ordinary, Falcons have started to play with a bit more panache. This had been helped by ditching Delaney, and Socino hitting a hot streak of form at 12. Come down with the right attitude and they could scare the champions, but ultimately fall short of gaining any points from the fixture with Globogym asserting their muscularity in the final quarter.
Of course, much depends on the teams selected by DORs McCall and Richards. The Sarries boss may see this as a game calling for rotation, while away from home Deano has chosen some strange line-ups.


14:00 Wasps v Bath (BT Sport)
At full strength this would be a mouth-watering contest. However both sides have had some significant injuries, and do not have the depth of squad that fellow title contenders Saracens have to allow for easy replacement. Too hard to call, but at home Wasps should have too much.

15:00 Exeter Chiefs v Leicester Tigers
Both sides are struggling for consistent form. At times this season Leicester have been spineless on their travels and it is hard to see anything other than a Chiefs win.


Monday 26th December

Bristol v Worcester (BT Sport)
BT meet their contractual obligations to visit every side by featuring this “derby”. Having finally won a match during the last Euro window, Bristol will be looking to build on recent hard working performances that have garnered them a couple of LBPs into a win over fellow struggles Worcester. This does feel like a real must win game for Bristol. Lose and the gap grows to double figures against a side that will be welcoming back influential players very soon. Win however and they are right on Wuss’s coattails.


Tuesday 27th December

16:00 Harlequins v Gloucester (BT Sport)
The BIG Match. Slightly hidden away though on a gloomy midweek afternoon but could be a real cracker. Yet again Gloucester have been consistent only in their inconsistency – yet Quins have not been far behind following stunning wins (over Sarries) with dire performaces (away to Wasps). Their home form is good, and they should expect to win this game. I look forward to seeing Robshaw against Moriarty.

Dissapointed not to come away with 7 points there!

You there? Couldn't see that one on the TV, not that it would be my pick this afternoon.

Ah how was Chick penalised there!

No mate, was meant to be but couldn't make it in the end.

Ah Saracens have just scored! ppft

GeordieFalcon wrote:No mate, was meant to be but couldn't make it in the end.

Ah Saracens have just scored! ppft

C'mon Geordie. You guys have got to pull this off. It should be an even contest since Saracens are under the salary cap.

We're having a go mate, but Sarries have had one chance and scored. I think that sums up the difference at the moment.

But hey...we're getting better!

Have a word with Koch!

3rd penalty in 20mins!!!

Ah ref...Skelton brought that maul down!!!

Not sure on those decisions or lack of ref!!!

But we have to start converting this pressure, possession and territory to points!!

Ah f*&k off Ref that was an amazing falcons scrum!!!!!!

Ah ref man your a joke!!!!

His neck went limp and eyes closed, I've learnt that's 100% a KO.

Well Saracens budget has obviously gone over to the refs as well!!!

Poor reffing performance so far.

And I'm very against criticising them as its a tough job...but come on mate...open your other eye!!!

Mistake from Joseph and first blood to Wasps.

But we're not ourselves any favours either

Great start at the Ricoh. 3 tries in 17 minutes.

I am playing in a couple of hours. Today is cold and rain. I can guarantee my game will be played at a much slower and miserable pace than Wasps..............

Not to point out the obvious but these two are miles apart from Saints. Quality attacking rugby.

Ah that's a mile forward ref!!!

Scottrf wrote:Not to point out the obvious but these two are miles apart from Saints. Quality attacking rugby.

Don't remind me............

And hes a mile offside ref!!!

Wasps have got creativity all over the park but as Ford comes into this he's playing incredibly well. The amount of delay before the pass is playing havoc with the Wasps defence, he had a major hand in both Bath tries.

Early Christmas present this game and I'm a neutral.

Finally the ref penalises Saracens dropping the maul!!!!

How many times

Ah for gods sake falcons! Maul the length of the half and knock on on the try line!

Brilliant by Daly for the Wade hattrick.

Don't support either team but pleased Bath scored that one.

When Bath fought back from 14-0 down, the game looked like it might be a well-balanced affair. Since Young's breakaway try, everything has ran Wasps' way, so that was nice to see. Sadly, a silly penalty to follow.

Bath look well behind on the scoreboard, but have just got a bonus point try.

40-26

Mako with a knee injury that makes him doubtful for the 6n

Sooner we get rid of Cockers, Blaze and Mauger the better IMO.

Need to re-balance the whole squad head to toe and need to sort out our tactics.

Welly wrote: Sooner we get rid of Cockers, Blaze and Mauger the better IMO.

Need to re-balance the whole squad head to toe and need to sort out our tactics.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cockers is gone before the new year and Mauger by the summer. Blaze was employed by Tigers as a cost cutting measure following his early retirement. Unsure of the agreement but I suspect he may continue.

Meyer or Herring to come in?

The squad is considerably better than what they are showing.

Yeh Can see that happening.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote: Sooner we get rid of Cockers, Blaze and Mauger the better IMO.

Need to re-balance the whole squad head to toe and need to sort out our tactics.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cockers is gone before the new year and Mauger by the summer. Blaze was employed by Tigers as a cost cutting measure following his early retirement. Unsure of the agreement but I suspect he may continue.

Meyer or Herring to come in?

The squad is considerably better than what they are showing.

The trouble is that we have so many injuries again, I mean burns at 15?

Burns was alright at 15.

The forwards are more worring

nathan wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote: Sooner we get rid of Cockers, Blaze and Mauger the better IMO.

Need to re-balance the whole squad head to toe and need to sort out our tactics.

I wouldn't be surprised if Cockers is gone before the new year and Mauger by the summer. Blaze was employed by Tigers as a cost cutting measure following his early retirement. Unsure of the agreement but I suspect he may continue.

Meyer or Herring to come in?

The squad is considerably better than what they are showing.

The trouble is that we have so many injuries again, I mean burns at 15?

I've not seen the game but I've wanted to see Burns at 15 for a while. I think it could well be his best position and a good option for us going forward. 

Our issues seem to stem from poor tactics, rudderless forwards and a lack of aggression.

Burns was promising at 15 put some great tactical kicks in and has a good step out of trouble.

Just lacks that speed.

He has more speed than Goode. Goode has become an international fullback.

And Goode was a international 10 doesn't make him and INTERNATIONAL 10.

Welly wrote: And Goode was a international 10 doesn't make him and INTERNATIONAL 10.

He covered ten. Let's not stretch things to far.

You don't need to be rapid to play 15 if you can step and kick. We saw that in Murphy as he got older. He was so creative and had such great feet that he'd still beat players in the back field and at the gain line. As he lost some of his speed he brought those around him into the game more as well. I think Burns can be similar.

Bristol out to an early 10-3 lead over Worcester but Pisi red-carded for a dangerous tackle. No intent, but he pulled out of a challenge for a high ball, and the receiver ended up falling over him, landing head first.

Guy tacked by Pisi not returning to the field.

Worcester have taken the lead. Didin't know that Pennell was also a goalkicker. He's taking them today.

Rugby Fan wrote:Bristol out to an early 10-3 lead over Worcester but Pisi red-carded for a dangerous tackle. No intent, but he pulled out of a challenge for a high ball, and the receiver ended up falling over him, landing head first.

He didnt pull out of a high challenge he could claim the ball by not going high

The Worcester player jumped late because he wasnt getting the ball otherwise

I don't think he pulled out. Pisi gets underneath the flight of the ball he's looking back towards the ball. He ends up skipping as if he's going to jump but decides he doesn't need to. Shillcock comes from miles away and gets up above him. Pisi never sees him and knows nothing about it even after both of them are in heaps on the floor.

Shillcock 360s in the air. Barnes has no option given the current time law interpretations.

Bristol were looking good for their lead before that point.

Worcester will be kicking themselves after that one. Important game and they get the luck of playing against 14 men. They blow it completely and get not even a LBP. 

Bristol looked good in places and there's no doubting their commitment. Still plenty of work to be done if they are going to get any more wins this season. They really should have got the fourth try with Worcester having no lineout to speak of and no quality at half back. Hurrell in the center and Robinson on the flank were outstanding.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Worcester will be kicking themselves after that one. Important game and they get the luck of playing against 14 men. They blow it completely and get not even a LBP. 

Bristol looked good in places and there's no doubting their commitment. Still plenty of work to be done if they are going to get any more wins this season. They really should have got the fourth try with Worcester having no lineout to speak of and no quality at half back. Hurrell in the center and Robinson on the flank were outstanding.

How did Varndell go?

I always thought he left Wasps too soon, had years in him at AP level yet.

Varndell did what Varndell does best. Finish. Good support lines and acceleration. His tackling and work under the high ball were still pretty meh but put the ball in his hand with a little space and he's off. His sons try was a really nice finish, bursting round on the outside with a slight fade on his run just before the Pennell cover tackle which stopped him going into touch and allowed him to regain his feet and accelerate away from the desperate cover tackles.

Hurrell the one man midfield should have been man of the match. He was everywhere in defence, topping the league for turnovers, he was also the only crash option so he had nearly a full 80 minutes of hard yards in traffic to go with all the big midfield tackles. If Te'o is worthy of an England cap then Hurrell can't be far away.

JP Doyle...

But we were rubish from 20-70 minutes. We should have won this but Quins deserved it.

Pretty standard from JP blindman Doyle ...

What were people upset with the ref for?

I thought it was a fair result personally. But then I am biased...

What was Clifford's card even for?!

Also why are we so bad at kicking the ball out when the clock goes dead?!