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Welcome to the 4th season of the fantasy aviva premiership game


Opening Weekend fixtures; Leicester Tigers vs Exeter Chiefs ; London Irish vs Harlequins ; Newcastle Falcons vs Bath ; Northampton vs Gloucester ; Saracens vs London Wasps ; Worcester Warriors vs Sale Sharks

This Weeks match thread(s) :- https://www.606v2.com/t8662-fixtures-3#245781

Season One Homepage (Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part One(Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part Two(Archived)

Rules

Fixture/Results list

League Table

Top Points Scorers

Top Try Scorers

European Homepage

LV Anglo Welsh Cup Homepage

Transfer Homepage

Press Releases

Unavailable Players

Waiting list for a team

1. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Teams
Bath RFC
Manager:- 207bars

Exeter Chiefs
Manager:- RugbyDriver

Gloucester
Manager:- Anonmattyt

Harlequins
Manager:- Steve_sharks

Leicester Tigers
Manager:- LukeLovesLuka

London Irish
Manager:- stnick88

London Wasps
Manager:- Arry

Newcastle Falcons
Manager:- PoolyPunk

Northampton Saints
Manager:- Dammit_Chris

Sale Sharks
Manager:- SirJohnnyEnglish

Saracens
Manager:- LDCPete]

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop_Lyd

I'll be quite pleased if Ranger and Toeava both get left out of the World Cup squad.

Nonu is not a 13. He has played there before and never done particularly well. Nonu/Smith is tried and tested and what's the old saying.....

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

time will tell.

the carter/sbw 10/12 crusader combo might sway it.

It may do stnick, I just see Henry sticking with what he knows.

Also, SBW has not been as effective second half of the season as he was the first. His offloads are fantastic, but sometimes he tries them when they are not on and puts his team in trouble off turnover ball.

Very good player, but not the finished article yet.

This weeks match thread...

https://www.606v2.com/t9171-fixtures-4#265671

Ranger will be nowhere near the world cup. His error rate is too high a;though he is super exciting ball in hand

S15 final was a kept you interested if it didn't ever reach the heights it promised.

The best team over the season won the title in my eyes but could consider the Crusaders unlucky on the night despite there lack of chance creation. Both sides did there homework on there oppositions main threat and neutralised each other well.

Carter v Cooper was a disappointment. Neither were anywhere near there best although Carter's try was pretty special if not poorly defended against. Worst I've seen either of them play this year. Other players who had quiet games were Read, McCaw, Horwill, SBW, Maitland. Marshall had a nightmare

15 reds players in the Oz TN squad says a lot about there season. Robinson, Davies and Higginbottom could have big roles to play for Oz in the future.

Agree with all you say, except that Horwill was quiet. Thought he was excellent, and noticed he came 4th on the poll for man of the match.

I thought I'd seen him play better games. perhaps quiet wasn't the right word.

reckon Rod Davies could make a late break for a starting Oz spot. Gives them a real gas man but don't see who he plays instead of unless JOC and AAC is the centre pairing which I see as unlikely.

Guys I'm looking for a hooker, no9 and a few back three players - anyone got anyone available?

I think Deans could be pretty keen to get a JOC/Cooper pairing to see how it goes so I wouldn't be surprised with that call Steve. Genia was standout, had a belting game and was prob the difference between the teams.

Horwill done ok as did the whole Reds pack really, defended superbly.

Following potentially for sale - some will require big deals though

PR Dave Wilson (E) (1 or 3)
PR Sakaria Taulafo (Samoa) (3)
PR Nic Mayhew (E)
PR Calum Black (Ireland/USA) (1)
PR Mike MacDonald (USA) (1)
FL Sione Kalamafoni (Tonga)
FL Liam Messam (NZ)
FL/N8 Luke Watson (South Africa)
N8 Ryan Kankowski (South Africa)
SH Charlie Davies (E)
FH Myles Dorrian (Australia)
CE/FB Shane Geraghty (E)
CE Willie Mason (Aus)
CE James Tincknell (E) (still academy)
CE Luke Eves (E)
CE Casey Laulala (NZ)
WG Julian Savea (NZ)
FB/FH Christian Lewis-Pratt

Following available for the right deal

HK John Smit (HK/TH) - South Africa
LH Efion Lewis-Roberts - Wales
LH Alistair Dickinson - Scotland
TH Juan Gomez - Argentina
TH Juan Pablo Orlandi - Argentina
FL Sisi Koyamaibole (N8/BS) - Fiji
FL Marty Holah - New Zealand - On loan to Newcastle for the Rugby World cup
FL Rob Wood (BS/N8/LK) - England
FL Mark Wilson (BS/N8) - England
SH Tomas O'Leary (SH/FH/WG) - Ireland
SH Haydn Thomas - England - On loan to Saracens for the Rugby World cup
SH Charlie Pilgrim - England
IC Andrea Masi - Italy
IC Gordan D'Arcy - Ireland
OC Adam Powell (OC/IC) - England
OC Kameli Ratavou - Fiji
FB Lee Byrne (FB/OC) - Wales

Bath look like they'll be a huge force next year. reckon Francois Louw will have a massive effect on there pack. Short of a couple of top props and maybe a top lock but otherwise looking strong. back row in particular

actually forgot they'd signed Attwood and Caldwell. They should be okay at Lock

Bath are going to be a major force for the foreseeable future, they have so much money it is frightening. The law firm I used to work for is Bath's law firm and got to meet all of their background staff. Let's just say they are a tad ambitious.

Leicester will be very good next season too, I think Tait is a great signing for them and rumour has it that they will play Ford at 10 whilst Flood is away.

Then look at Saints and their signings, got some very good youngsters and players who will strengthen them during the international windows.

Apart from Hodgson have Sarries signed anyone of note? Think they need someone a bit special in their backline as they dont threaten anyone in Europe at all, as no attacking options at all - they lost 6 out of 6 didnt they?

Think they will make the top 4, with Wasps pushing them all close - we've made some great signings this year, first time I've felt confident as a Wasps fan in years and years!

Sarries have signed John Smit, Mako Vunipola and Joe Maddock as well as Hodgson. Importantly they haven't lost anyone to important. Cato probbaly there biggest departure

Sarries beat Racing away Chris which is some result, they'll be up there again

For me it will be 4 from the usual 7 in the play offs. Perhaps Sale and Wasps might push the bottom of the top 7.

early doors predictions....

sarries, tigers, bath, saints, glos, irish, sale, quins, wasps, chiefs, falcons, warriors

Wasps will do a lot better than that I feel, Webber and Rees back from injuries and only really Joe Simpson and Simon Shaw being at risk of going away with the England team for the WC. They've made some excellent signings (for once!) - Filipo, Poff, Thompson, Robinson and some good backs too. Match that with the emergence of Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Charlie Davies, Elliot Daly, Christian Wade and Jack Wallace and we've got a good team again. No Heineken Cup either.

There's a lot of optimism around for us next season - definitely a top 6 spot. Bath will win it I think - or get a top 2 spot as a lot of their players remain with the club throughout the entire season and they've signed some very big names - not sure who their 10 is though for next season, anyone know?

steven donald

just still not convinced by wasps at the moment, same with irish, not sure they are quite good enough to step up to challenge the top 4.

Don't see Wasps getting Top 6 as all the top 6 have improved. I would say the side with the least impressive signings (Gloucester) are still stronger man for man than Wasps.

The youngsters can't be used as your first choice if your to be succesful. Henry Thomas for me is as good as any of your youngsters and he won't be used as first choice so I think you'd struggle to go with 4 or 5 as first choice.

I still think Quins will do well. I reckon they are still a top notch side and will take some getting past.

on form quins are excellent. take out there core 8,9,10 and they seem a different side.

Agree Nick, They do struggle without them.

Still curious as to where Bath will play Kyle Eastmond. I think his worst position would be on the wing as he is so creative. Maybe 12 or 13 is bets for him.

Hope he isn't just put on the wing as the next Jason Robinson. Nothing like each other except that they could both play full back.

Tony Hanks is a new Sale coach in charge of defence, attack and game plan.

Cracking appointment

Hey guys looking for a bit of advice for my world cup backrow please
What do you think is best of the these combos?

6. Powell
7. Todd
8. Vito

6.Vito
7. Todd
8. Powell

6. Todd
7. Lipman
8. Vito/Powell

6. Best
7. Todd
8. Vito/Powell

Vito, Todd, powell

By a country mile

Cheers Steve mate
Just not too sure on whether people rate Powell as a 6 or a 8 really so looking for some comments

6.Vito
7. Todd
8. Powell

Powell for me is an 8 everytime

Chhers lads

As above Johnny

What do people make of Derrick 'Hot shot' Houghard? Considering having him as my WC 10 and want to know opinions on him.

Also what do people see Sarries team as post RWC?

1.Matt Stevens
2.Schalk Brits
3.John Smit
4.Mauritz Botha
5.Steve Borthwick
6.Kelly Brown
7.Jaques Burger
8.Ernst Joubert

9.Neil De Kock
10.Hodgson/Houghard
11.James Short
12.Owen Farrell
13.Brad Barritt
14.David Strettle
15.Joe Maddock

So much depth compared to other clubs it's frightening can see them pushing for a HC semi

Reckon Chris Wyles will start. Not a fan of Barrit and especially not at 13.

Barritt is quality, would be a great option for 13. Offers a great all round game and is pure rock in defence.

Barritt is no 13. He offers very little in attack and his hands are poor. He suits the way saracens play but he also hinders any chance they have of playing expansively.

cannot see them playing him 13 as he does not have the pace which is why england do not see him as an option

He is a fantastic defender but never an international so an ideal club player

He's offloaded the most from 12 in the prem and had the most passes from 12....poor hands? Er no...he played a season at 10 for the Sharks in Super rugby also so obvoulsly does not have poor hands.

Agree with Mat about Barritt - he's a good club player but is very limited above that. He plays Sarries game perfectly but look at how much ball the Sarries pack wins and then look at how few tries their backline scores. Take Brits out of the team and they havent got a creative spark anywhere in that team.

Brits is their most influential player by some distance - Barritt offers nothing in terms of attack, but is so important to their defence.

I think Farrell will drop to the bench with Hodgson's arrival.

They are the most boring team to ever play in the Premiership too - so dull.

I think that stems from the 10 channel and expect Sarries to be potent force next year in attack.

I respect your opinions but the facts don't back up bad hands and poor distribution. If they did every other 12 in the prem has horendous hands and distribution.

Club for is hard to judge, Hape had a dire year at Bath but steps up to ENgland. I'd expect Barritt to do similar as shown against the NZM when he was superb.

Pooly if you went with stats Jordan Henderson created the most opportunities in the premier league last year.

Sarries have 80% of the ball when they play and so he will have more passes from 12
He has pretty much zero creativity and rarely offfloads through the tackle to the player running through.

I have never been a fan and would take some convincing. I am with Steven and Chris and a few others on here with regards to Barrits glaring limitations

Well the stats totally disagree with your argument and I don't know who Henderson is. No issue, it would be boring if we agreed all the time.

Sarries don't have 80% of the ball as they kick most away!

Henderson is a poor premier league footballer who had the best stats last year.

My point is you cant go by just stats if you did players like Craig Gillies would be in the england side

Stats dont really tell the full picture in rugby e.g. a poor team's backrow makes more tackles than a good teams backrow - doesnt mean they are better at tackling. Same with Barritt getting a lot of ball and making a lot of passes.

Sarries pack and style means they dominate possession, so 10/12 get a lot of ball - sadly nothing happens in terms of creating anything outside the forwards and that's due to the centres. Farrell actually has a really good passing game, but if you watch Barritt play he loves taking the ball into contact and doesnt take any risks, which I personally believe is due to him having a limited game. He also positions himself in a defensive line in attack if that makes sense and doesnt attack gaps.

One of the best AP 12's but nothing above that as he doesnt have the all round skill set. I would put Anthony Allen into the same category.

Would have 12 order as Hape and then Flutey for England - Hape's game has come on a lot - when you watch him for Bath he plays so differently to how he does with England, runs angles has a great offloading game and is a very good runner. For England they just play him as a crash ball merchant and because of this thye make him look a bit one dimensional.

Henderson also cost Liverpool £20m - mugs!

Think Barritt also leads the way with tackles made......Chris, Barritt played 10 for a year at the Sharks. Leading stats for tackles/offloads/passes.....and was an integral part of the best team in the land.

I'm not overly concerned, we all see players differently. Barritt is my defensive rock!!!!!

Henderson cost Liverpool 16mil......

Was £20 wasnt it?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001741/Jordan-Henderson-signs-Liverpool.html

Be interesting in the Premiership next season, think it will all be decided if Sneijder signs for United - if he does their midfield suddenly looks very good again

16 million is the initial fee. If he reaches targets he will cost us 20 mil.

Daily Mail is rubbish for Football Chris. The Times is the best paper for football.

United need Sneijder badly. Young is okay but just gives them more depth rather than increasing the quality of there team. Jones is one for the future as is de Gea although De Gea will still be good enough to be there first choice.

They really do need him - they have the best defence and best attack but their centre midfield is ordinary. Without Scholes they dont have anyone at all there.

I miss the good old days when you used to have the Keane's, Viera's but now there is no real rivalry - such an annoying sport, played in a tournament at the weekend and couldnt believe the swearing at the ref, shouting abuse at team mates if they missed a tackle etc. Isnt a sport compared to rugby!

Yeah the Mail is absolutely awful - Times is good but Ive boycotted them a bit since they started making you pay for their website - my favourite is the Telegraph for sport, espc rugby

I will not tolerate people talking about the most horrible football team on this game!

Now Noberto Solano - He's a world class footballer


Anyway back to Brad Barritt - How the hell can somebody who is playing premiership rugby in any position have poor hands? Let alone someone whos played outside half for the Sharks in S14.