Aviva Premiership - Round 15

Friday 16th Feb

Sale vs Saracens 19.45 (BT Sport)

Sale have been slowly creeping up the table of late, we have a habit of getting points and have finally started to win matches. However Saracens even with players away on international duty are an excellent team, Sale might sneak a win but more likely looking for a losing bonus point.


Newcastle vs Bath 19.45

Newcastle are looking to bounce back from a loss away to Saracens, they are at home and will doubtlessly draw on the advantage. Bath have been winning against struggling sides recently and will want to prove their worth away from home against a good Newcastle team. I see Newcastle getting a home win.



Saturday 17th Feb

Northampton vs London Irish 15.00

A clash of the 2 teams with the worst recent record in the league. Northampton are at home and must feel against the bottom club they can pick up a win, however Irish also will be feeling they have a chance at getting some decent points against a team that has fallen from grace this season and are really struggling to find any sort of form. Personally I am going out on a limb and going for a rare Irish win.


Leicester vs Harlequins 15.00 (BT Sport)

Another 2 teams struggling to show consistent form. Leicester as with saints are at home and are normally hard to beat when they are. Quins however have some some real good attacking play this season, however their performance last weekend was horrendous and if that team turn up it will be another loss. As usual I think the good Quins side will turn up after a bad game and win by a score.


Worcester vs Gloucester  15.00

Worcester like Sale have been slowly gaining points, they have yet to see the points move them up the table however. They will be desperate to leapfrog saints in the table and will hope to bring their improved game into the face of Gloucester. Gloucester however have been far from poor recently and have travelled generally quite well since the loss to Sale. Whilst Worcester have improved I do see this as an away win.


Sunday 18th Feb
Wasps vs Exeter 15.00 (BT Sport)

Hopefully the match of the weekend. Wasps will be buzzing (pun intended) after beating quins away with a man down for the majority of the game, they showed why people rate them very highly. Exeter have had 2 losses in a row in the league and will be wanting to get back to winning ways, they still top the league but will need to be at there best to beat wasps at home. tough to call but I am going with a Exeter tight win.

As always I look forward to seeing all my predictions to be amazingly wrong.

Can't see Quin's winning, we've just been terrible these last few games and without our Int players there I can't see how we'll change that.

It's doubly annoying as we have the players to win, but the coaching and belief just isn't there.

Consistent form? Any sign of form would be good for Tigers.

Newcastle Falcons team to face Bath Rugby (Friday, 7.45pm, Kingston Park Stadium)

15 Alex Tait
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Chris Harris
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Toby Flood
9 Michael Young (captain)

1 Rob Vickers
2 Kyle Cooper
3 Jon Welsh
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Evan Olmstead
7 Nili Latu
8 Ally Hogg

Replacements
16 Scott Lawson
17 Sam Lockwood
18 Trevor Davison
19 Ryan Burrows
20 Callum Chick
21 Sonatane Takulua
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Maxime Mermoz

Bath Rugby Team

15 James Wilson
14 Aled Brew
13 Will Hurrell
12 Ben Tapuai
11 Cooper Vuna
10 Freddie Burns
9 Kahn Fotuali’i

1 Lucas Noguera
2 Ross Batty
3 Max Lahiff
4 James Phillips
5 Elliott Stooke
6 Matt Garvey (captain)
7 Paul Grant
8 Zach Mercer

Replacements
16 Nathan Charles
17 Beno Obano
18 Anthony Perenise
19 Levi Douglas
20 Josh Bayliss
21 Chris Cook
22 Josh Lewis
23 Jeff Williams

What have you been drinking GF? Irish to beat Saints

Saracens and Quins to win on the road, otherwise home wins.

Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, Welford Road, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu       

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Manu Tuilagi         

12 Gareth Owen        

11 Jonah Holmes       

10 Matt Toomua        

9 Sam Harrison

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)      

3 Logovi’i Mulipola     

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Mike Williams

7 Brendon O’Connor

8 Sione Kalamafoni   

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Michele Rizzo       

18 Pat Cilliers 

19 Harry Wells

20 Luke Hamilton       

21 Harry Simmons

22 Joe Ford

23 Mathew Tait 

Joe Ford is finally dropped. Not far enough and the omission of Worth from the bench and Simmons and Wells from the starting lineup still shows that MOC is learning slowly (too slowly).

Malouf injured or dropped?

First start for Brüssow.

SAINTS
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 George North
13 Rob Horne
12 Luther Burrell
11 Ben Foden
10 Piers Francis
9 Nic Groom

1 Campese Ma’afu
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Christian Day (capt)
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Heinrich Brüssow
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Reece Marshall
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 David Ribbans
20 Tom Wood
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Stephen Myler
23 Nafi Tuitavake

Injury update:
Alex Waller and James Craig are unavailable for selection.

LondonTiger wrote:Malouf injured or dropped?

He had a really nasty head injury last week.

Will be out for a while IMO.

London Irish: 15 James Marshall, 14 Joe Cokanasiga, 13 Tom Fowlie, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Greig Tonks, 9 Piet van Zyl, 1 Ben Franks, 2 David Paice, 3 Ollie Hoskins, 4 Franco van der Merwe (c), 5 Teofilo Paulo, 6 Arno Botha, 7 Max Northcote-Green, 8 Ofisa Treviranus

Replacements: 16 Dave Porecki, 17 Harry Elrington, 18 Petrus Du Plessis, 19 Sebastian De Chaves, 20 Conor Gilsenan, 21 Scott Steele, 22 Tommy Bell, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma

Harlequins side to face Leicester Tigers (Harlequins Appearances)

15. Aaron Morris (15)
14. Alofa Alofa (48)
13. Joe Marchant (49)
12. Jamie Roberts (47)
11. Tim Visser (54)
10. Marcus Smith (20)
9. Jonno Kitto (7)

1. Lewis Boyce (14)
2. Joe Gray (145)
3. Kyle Sinckler (114)
4. Stan South (12)
5. Charlie Matthews (157)
6. Luke Wallace (155)
7. Dave Ward (136) (c)
8. James Chisholm (51)

16. Charlie Piper (7)
17. Mark Lambert (226)
18. Will Collier (119)
19. Sam Twomey (56)
20. Archie White (16)
21. Dave Lewis (10)
22. James Lang (17)
22. Gabriel Ibitoye (5)

Heaf wrote:What have you been drinking GF?  Irish to beat Saints

I didn't say anything mate?

That's a canny Falcons side - I hope the Cumbrian Chris Harris shows the Scottish selectors why he should still be in Blue.

Nice to see the old Warhorse Mr Hogg being given a canter around the paddock.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Heaf wrote:What have you been drinking GF?  Irish to beat Saints

I didn't say anything mate?

He knew you were thinking it.

Scottrf wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Heaf wrote:What have you been drinking GF?  Irish to beat Saints

I didn't say anything mate?

He knew you were thinking it.

And why have you not been drinking?

LondonTiger wrote:Harlequins side to face Leicester Tigers (Harlequins Appearances)

15. Aaron Morris (15)
14. Alofa Alofa (48)
13. Joe Marchant (49)
12. Jamie Roberts (47)
11. Tim Visser (54)
10. Marcus Smith (20)
9. Jonno Kitto (7)

1. Lewis Boyce (14)
2. Joe Gray (145)
3. Kyle Sinckler (114)
4. Stan South (12)
5. Charlie Matthews (157)
6. Luke Wallace (155)
7. Dave Ward (136) (c)
8. James Chisholm (51)

16. Charlie Piper (7)
17. Mark Lambert (226)
18. Will Collier (119)
19. Sam Twomey (56)
20. Archie White (16)
21. Dave Lewis  (10)
22. James Lang (17)
22. Gabriel Ibitoye (5)

So none of the Carrying from Loumanu then! Ward back into the back row.
Can see another humping coming here....this isn't a selection to inspire hope.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Heaf wrote:What have you been drinking GF?  Irish to beat Saints

I didn't say anything mate?

Opps sorry - for some reason I thought you'd started the thread and were tipping Irish to win - but I must have seen your name in the thread list as the latest update and got confused ...

So you're not going mad after all

propdavid_london wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Harlequins side to face Leicester Tigers (Harlequins Appearances)

15. Aaron Morris (15)
14. Alofa Alofa (48)
13. Joe Marchant (49)
12. Jamie Roberts (47)
11. Tim Visser (54)
10. Marcus Smith (20)
9. Jonno Kitto (7)

1. Lewis Boyce (14)
2. Joe Gray (145)
3. Kyle Sinckler (114)
4. Stan South (12)
5. Charlie Matthews (157)
6. Luke Wallace (155)
7. Dave Ward (136) (c)
8. James Chisholm (51)

16. Charlie Piper (7)
17. Mark Lambert (226)
18. Will Collier (119)
19. Sam Twomey (56)
20. Archie White (16)
21. Dave Lewis  (10)
22. James Lang (17)
22. Gabriel Ibitoye (5)

So none of the Carrying from Loumanu then! Ward back into the back row.
Can see another humping coming here....this isn't a selection to inspire hope.

None of the Tigers forwards make any noticeable carries or tackles for that matter, you'll be fine. Well unless our new forwards coach has worked wonders in a few days

Heaf wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Heaf wrote:What have you been drinking GF?  Irish to beat Saints

I didn't say anything mate?

Opps sorry - for some reason I thought you'd started the thread and were tipping Irish to win - but I must have seen your name in the thread list as the latest update and got confused ...

So you're not going mad after all

Nope just me having a wobbly moment and saying an Irish win

It would be great if you're right but I think all hope has deserted me now

Great so far.....let's sèe if we can play two halves this game

Playing some beautiful rugby! Hate to knock the ref but Bath are lying all over at the breakdown, how is he not picking this up?

Seems he's only reffing us.......interesting being 26-7 up.

Cracking result! 5pts against Bath and well deserved.

yeaaah!

Very well played tonight. I'm actually disappointed they scored the tries they did as they barely registered any threat all night.

Calum Green Is a real warrior workhorse in that engine room. The guy had another huge game for us.
Mermoz had a great cameo...

I thought the grizzly bear (Olmstead) had a cracker aswell

Quite possibly the worst tackling performance I have seen this season in the AP, and I watch Tigers paper defence!!! Toby Booth described it as pathetic, he was right.

Are Falcons unbeaten at home since our best performance of the season?

I think it's 8 wins in a row now LT.

Come back Dean Richards

Just noticed it is Wayne Barnes with the whistle. Always lose to Quin's when he refs.

Saints don't get any better. Harrison is having a stormer though

Saints are horrific

Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints. That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

doctor_grey wrote:Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints.  That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

Can't see it. No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

Scottrf wrote:

No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

Also an accurate review of the first half of the Tigers vs Quins game. Two very, very poor teams.

Scottrf wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints.  That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

Can't see it. No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

What I meant to say was definite comeback.

Scottrf wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints.  That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

Can't see it. No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

What I meant to say was definite comeback.

I knew that is what you meant. But can they sustain it????????

doctor_grey wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints.  That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

Can't see it. No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

What I meant to say was definite comeback.

I knew that is what you meant.  But can they sustain it????????

I guess so. Still a long way to go................

Exciting Worc Glouc derby.
Gloucester just scored a very good heads up try to start the 2nd half. 22-15 to Worcester 55 mins

What's happened to the Tigers pitch. Where's the grass?

Slapped out of his hands

doctor_grey wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Christian Day may have saved the game for Saints.  That is, if Saints turn up in the second half.

Can't see it. No speed, no fight, no accuracy.

What I meant to say was definite comeback.

I knew that is what you meant.  But can they sustain it????????

I guess so.  Still a long way to go................

So I guess they couldn't sustain it. Against - supposedly - the worst team in the league. Still, the win was critically important.

Saints give up two very soft tries and were clueless for almost 60 minutes today.
And barely win.
UFB......

That was Premiership rugby?

No.  
Looked like the over 50s from the Northampton Municipal Brothel........

Well done Tigers. Sadly the mediocrity continues for Quin's

nathan wrote:What's happened to the Tigers pitch. Where's the grass?

Looked ok from my seat, other than in goal area. Maybe it was hiding from the incompetence above it.

Best parts of the day:

1) Harry Simmons having more votes for Kick than all but two players, before he came on.
2) Standing next to Eddie Jones and feeling tall.

LondonTiger wrote:

nathan wrote:What's happened to the Tigers pitch. Where's the grass?

Looked ok from my seat, other than in goal area. Maybe it was hiding from the incompetence above it.

Best parts of the day:

1) Harry Simmons having more votes for Kick than all but two players, before he came on.
2) Standing next to Eddie Jones and feeling tall.

I just hope with a new forwards coach in play we'll start to see some improvement. Was really disappointed with harrison, since when did his service become so slow.

nathan wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

nathan wrote:What's happened to the Tigers pitch. Where's the grass?

Looked ok from my seat, other than in goal area. Maybe it was hiding from the incompetence above it.

Best parts of the day:

1) Harry Simmons having more votes for Kick than all but two players, before he came on.
2) Standing next to Eddie Jones and feeling tall.

I just hope with a new forwards coach in play we'll start to see some improvement. Was really disappointed with harrison, since when did his service become so slow.

Flyhalfs he doesn't know and forwards he doesn't trust to be in the right position or to be coming in at pace. Poor results may be sapping his confidence as well. I'd still like to see more of Simmons though, he just looks a natural footballer, you could probably play him at 9/10/15 and he'd look good with his skills.

I see that Wells has won his second player of the month award. Maybe MOC will open his eyes and start selecting him to start.

Some wonderfully one eyed reffing from JP so far