Gallagher Premiership - Round 1 (Plus pre-season noise)

by **LondonTiger** Tue 14 Aug 2018, 12:47 pm

Still a few weeks before the season starts (for the first time I think in August), but to concentrate our minds a thread for the first round of fixtures plus a chance to discuss pre-season form, your clubs new signings etc.

Round 1 Fixtures

Friday 31 August
19:45 Bristol v. Bath BT Sport

Saturday 1 September
14:00 Gloucester v. Northampton BT Sport
15:00 Harlequins v. Sale
15:00 Worcester v. Wasps
16:30 Exeter v. Leicester BT Sport

Sunday 2 September
15:00 Newcastle v. Saracens BT Sport

by **LondonTiger** Tue 14 Aug 2018, 1:05 pm

Significant player movements (I know there are a lot more, but trying to concentrate on the biggies):

Bath

In – Jackson Willison (Worcester Warriors), Lucas Noguera Paz (Jaguares), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), Joe Cokanasiga (London Irish)
Out – Matt Banahan (Gloucester), Josh Lewis (Dragons), Ben Tapuai (Harlequins), Nathan Charles (Melbourne Rebels), Nick Auterac (Harlequins)

Bristol Bears

In – Charles Piutau (Ulster), John Afoa (Gloucester), Nik Stirzaker (Melbourne Rebels), Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Lay (Edinburgh), George Smith (Queensland Reds)
Out – Jordan Williams (Dragons), Rhodri Williams (Dragons), Olly Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Max Crumpton (Harlequins)

Exeter Chiefs

In – Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Santiago Cordero (Jaguares)
Out – Shaun Malton (Bristol Bears), Thomas Waldrom (Wellington Lions), Will Chudley (Bath)

Gloucester

In – Matt Banahan (Bath), Franco Marais (Sharks), Jaco Kriel (Lions), Danny Cipriani (Wasps), Franco Mostert (Lions), Ruan Dreyer (Lions), Todd Gleave (London Irish)
Out – Ross Moriarty (Dragons), Richard Hibbard (Dragons), John Afoa (Bristol Bears), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Jeremy Thrush (Western Force), Billy Burns (Ulster)

Harlequins

In – Ben Tapuai (Bath), Matt Symons (Wasps), Nathan Earle(Saracens), Nick Auterac (Bath)
Out – Jamie Roberts (Bath), Adam Jones (retired), Charlie Matthews (Wasps)

Leicester Tigers

In – Guy Thompson (Wasps), Will Spencer (Worcester), David Denton (Worcester), Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), Campese Ma'afu (Northampton), David Feao (Narbonne)
Out – Pat Cilliers (London Irish), Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh), Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears), Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle Falcons), George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons), Dom Barrow (Northampton), Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nick Malouf (Aus Sevens)

Newcastle Falcons

In – Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers), George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)
Out – D.T.H van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors), Juan Pablo Socino (Edinburgh), Maxime Mermoz (Toulouse), Nili Latu (Japan)

Northampton Saints

In – Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Ben Franks (London Irish), James Haskell (Wasps), Taqele Naiyaravoro (NSW Waratahs)
Out – Nic Groom (Lions), Rob Horne (retired), George North (Ospreys), Stephen Myler (London Irish), Ben Foden (Rugby United New York)

Sale Sharks

In – Chris Ashton (Toulon), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (Lions)
Out – Mike Haley (Munster), Will Addison (Ulster), TJ Ioane (London Irish)

Saracens

In – Alex Lexington (London Irish), David Strettle (Clermont), Tom Woolstencroft (London Irish)
Out – Schalk Brits (retired), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Chris Wyles (retired)

Wasps

In – Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Lima Sopoaga (Highlanders), Nizaam Carr (Stormers), Kieran Brookes (Northampton
Out – Danny Cipriani (Gloucester), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Matt Symons (Harlequins), Kyle Eastmond (Leicester Tigers)

Worcester Warriors

In – Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh), Duncan Weir (Edinburgh), Jono Lance (Queensland Reds), Francois Venter (Cheetahs), Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes)
Out – Donncha O’Callaghan (retired), Huw Taylor (Dragons), Jackson Willison (Bath), David Denton (Leicester Tigers), Peter Stringer (retired)

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Tue 14 Aug 2018, 1:16 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
Leicester Tigers

In – Guy Thompson (Wasps), Will Spencer (Worcester), David Denton (Worcester), Kyle Eastmond (Wasps), Campese Ma'afu (Northampton), David Feao (Narbonne)
Out – Pat Cilliers (London Irish), Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh), Harry Thacker (Bristol Bears), Logovi’i Mulipola (Newcastle Falcons), George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons), Dom Barrow (Northampton), Luke Hamilton (Edinburgh), Nick Malouf (Aus Sevens)

Who did Luke Hamilton upset at Welford road that he got kicked out twice? Does this mean we're having to pay him 2 salaries at Edinburgh? Whistle

by **LondonTiger** Tue 14 Aug 2018, 1:31 pm

Pre-Season Fixtures:

Bath
17th August - Edinburgh 10-12 Bath
24th August - Scarlets (h)

Bristol
18th August - Scarlets 28-19 Bristol
24th August - Nottingham (h - 14:30)
24th August - Connacht (h - 19:45)

Exeter
17th August - Cornish Pirates 29-21 Exeter
18th August - Exeter 38-10 Cardiff Blues
24th August - Munster (a)

Gloucester
18th August - Ulster 17-29 Gloucester
23rd August - Dragons (h)

Harlequins
11th August - Jersey 14-33 Quins
18th August - Glasgow 50-17 Harlequins
24th August - Ealing (h)

Leicester
11th August - Cardiff Blues 15-17 Leicester
17th August - Treviso 26-10 Leicester
24th August - London Irish (h)

Newcastle
11th August - Newcastle 47-26 Nottingham
17th August - Leinster 17-42
24th August - Edinburgh (h)
25th August - Doncaster (a)

Northampton
11th August - Ospreys 13-26 Northampton
17th August - Dragons 10-42 Northampton
24th August - Glasgow (h)

Sale
10th August - Sale 31-0 Doncaster
17th August - Castres 17-20 Sale

Saracens
18th August - Bedford 15-57 Saracens
23rd August - Ospreys (h)

Wasps
18th August - Connacht 43-10
24th August - Ulster (h)
25th August - Coventry (a)

Worcester
10th August - Treviso 12-14 Worcester
18th August - Worcester 52-24 Hartpury

by HongKongCherry Tue 14 Aug 2018, 4:33 pm

Every pre-season the Glaws fans are whipped up into a fervour for the promised jam tomorrow, which is shortly followed by reality striking with aplomb. This year the fans are more excited than ever before, which likely means our fall will be greater than ever before too!

I just can't wait for the season to start again after what feels like an eternity. I feel this will be another very open season. You'd expect Sarries and Chiefs to top the table again, but any one of Wasps, Tigers, Falcons, Glaws, Bath and Sale could finish in the top 4 with them. I think Saints will finish mid to bottom half. Quins could well get dragged into a relegation scrap, but it will be between Brizzle and Wuss. I'm not sure if Wuss are stronger this year, but I do feel Brizzle lack balance and whilst they walked the Championship, their defence was utterly shocking at times.

by Poorfour Wed 15 Aug 2018, 12:16 am

Actually, Cherry, I’m feeling more confident about Quins’ chances.

The squad hasn’t changed that much, but the players we’ve added are generally higher quality than those we’ve lost. Plus, we’ve just signed monster US centre Paul Lasike and Polish Tank Piotr Zeszutek to add some carrying bulk - dark horses, but if they check out they could have a big impact.

On top of that, Bothma, Clifford, Chisholm, Wallace, Catrakilis, Saili and Marchant missed huge chunks of last season with injury but are all expected to be fit for this one. We have an apparent injury problem at hooker with Buchanan rumoured to be out for a while, but other than that the squad seems to be in good shape.

But more important than that are the coaching changes. Last season our attack was great when it fired, but couldn’t keep up with the rate our defence was leaking points. But if there’s one thing we know Paul Gustard can do, it’s put in place a good defence.

A return to mid-table would be a realistic aim for a first season under new management, but I wouldn’t expect a relegation scrap unless we have a really major injury crisis.

by **LondonTiger** Wed 15 Aug 2018, 6:43 pm

Oh HKC

Have you seen the news about Cipriani?

by HongKongCherry Wed 15 Aug 2018, 7:33 pm

I did say our fall would be greater than ever before!! We'll soon see if just having 2 FHs was a good idea...

by **LondonTiger** Fri 17 Aug 2018, 3:03 pm

HKC,

I saw footage of Banners and some others undergoing the Kingsholm chop. Now noticing that Cipriani still has a full Barnet, how long has this been a tradition for new boys, and does anyone refuse.

by Welly Sat 18 Aug 2018, 7:09 pm

LondonTiger wrote:HKC,

I saw footage of Banners and some others undergoing the Kingsholm chop. Now noticing that Cipriani still has a full Barnet, how long has this been a tradition for new boys, and does anyone refuse.

The tale goes that former Wales and British and Irish Lions international Richard Hibbard came up with a ‘clause’ during his time at the club that would give a pass for senior players of a certain age and he managed to keep hold of his long blond flowing locks.

by Geordie Mon 20 Aug 2018, 9:47 am

Newcastle Falcons

In – Logovi’i Mulipola (Leicester Tigers), George McGuigan (Leicester Tigers)
Out – D.T.H van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors), Juan Pablo Socino (Edinburgh), Maxime Mermoz (Toulouse), Nili Latu (Japan)

DTH and Mermoz barely played a game...so no significant loss there LT. Johnny Williams could be a VERY significant. He's looked the part pre season.

Calum Chick is the crucial one for me. He's a talent we know that but he looked slightly unweight and too lean for an 8 at prem level.

However its clear he's put on some noticeable mass / muscle over the summer and in the first preseason game he looked physical and aggressive and totally fearless (from the same mentality as Lewis Moody and Will Welch). He captained the England u20's to World Cup win...maybe this season will be his breakthrough season showing the form we hoped for.

by yappysnap Mon 20 Aug 2018, 10:00 am

So Quins beat Jersey then got humped by Glasgow. But then tbh Glasgow are very good and we are nothing if not inconsistent. Still the Quins board is in meltdown.

Worried about the hooker injury issues. But otherwise I hope to see us settle a good squad and play well enough across the season to cement a mid table finish. I'll happily take 7th.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 20 Aug 2018, 3:45 pm

Pre-season fixtures updated with results so far.

It is always difficult to know how much to read into these fixtures as teams will be at varying strengths. While two wins in Wales is encouraging for Saints, how strong were the opposition? Big win for Falcons at Leinster but same question applies.

Not sure how strong Treviso were, but by all accounts the performance from Leicester was error-ridden. Quins will be disappointed having taken a strong team up to Perth to face what was mainly kids for Glasgow.

by Geordie Mon 20 Aug 2018, 4:04 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Pre-season fixtures updated with results so far.

It is always difficult to know how much to read into these fixtures as teams will be at varying strengths. While two wins in Wales is encouraging for Saints, how strong were the opposition? Big win for Falcons at Leinster but same question applies.

Not sure how strong Treviso were, but by all accounts the performance from Leicester was error-ridden. Quins will be disappointed having taken a strong team up to Perth to face what was mainly kids for Glasgow.

Well I got slated on the falcons forum for saying not to take much from that win. They barely had any of the starting players. I said it was a decent run out, where the young players got a good run out and we scored some tries.

No more no less. But according to some falcons we're world beaters due to that result... picard

by lostinwales Mon 20 Aug 2018, 5:12 pm

Ashton looks to have been doing his best to make an impact on his return to the GP, if only in trying to send his opponent to see his own GP.

Red card following punch to Rory Kockott

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45246509

by WELL-PAST-IT Tue 21 Aug 2018, 2:04 pm

BBC is reporting the RFU are looking at a tip tackle not a punch.

"England and Sale winger Chris Ashton will face a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he was cited for a tip tackle made in a pre-season friendly"

Is he going to get banned twice?

by englishborn Wed 22 Aug 2018, 11:08 am

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:BBC is reporting the RFU are looking at a tip tackle not a punch.

"England and Sale winger Chris Ashton will face a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he was cited for a tip tackle made in a pre-season friendly"

Is he going to get banned twice?

No it was initally reported as a punch but the red card was a tip tackle.

by Cumbrian Wed 29 Aug 2018, 1:52 pm

There was a nice piece in Guardian this morning about Premiership teams and their increased use of academy products in the place of NEQ journeymen.

Paul Rees (The Guardian) wrote:Premiership clubs are promoting a record number of academy graduates to first-team squads as part of a drive to cut wage levels and end the persistent losses of the professional era.

Exeter, the 2016-17 champions, recruited only one player from outside for the coming season, the Wales wing Alex Cuthbert, while signing 14 of their academy players on first‑team contracts. The team who succeeded them at Twickenham in May, Saracens, have 30 academy products in their senior squad, the highest in the Premiership.

In the past three years the number of academy players coming through at clubs has trebled. As well as allowing clubs to replace some middle-earning players who are in effect injury cover, all the young recruits are England qualified.

“Because most of the extra revenue the clubs have earned in recent years has gone on wage increases, something has to give,” the Gloucester chief executive, Stephen Vaughan, said. “As well as seeing clubs operate with smaller squads, it will force us to take an earlier interest in our academy players.

“We have brought in a number of high-quality operators this season – such as Danny Cipriani, Matt Banahan and Franco Mostert – but they do not come cheap and you cannot have 40 internationals in your squad. We have a gold star academy and what I think you will see more of is third-choice players who are on £60,000-£70,000 a year will become academy products, young English players coming through to prove their worth. We have invested more in our academy than ever and wage inflation makes that essential to fill your squad.”

Under the league’s salary cap regulations clubs receive a maximum of £600,000 if they reach the Premiership’s home-grown player quota. However, bringing through young players can be inflationary in itself if a player quickly rises from an academy contract, which is around £20,000 a year, to Test status, as the Saracens second-row Maro Itoje did a couple of years ago.

“It doesn’t make sense to not encourage clubs to produce English players,” the Saracens owner, Nigel Wray, said last season. “The salary cap itself doesn’t need changing but we need a dispensation to ensure we are not penalised. I think it is essential that it happens.”

Sale have made some notable signings in the two years Simon Orange has been in control after buying the club from Brian Kennedy. Yet he is investing heavily in the academy and looking to exploit the club’s position as the Premiership’s sole representative in the north-west.

“We have a great catchment area here and we have always had a good academy,” Orange said. “In the past bigger clubs have come in and helped themselves but that is not happening any more. The Curry boys [Ben and Tom] are a perfect example of how things have changed here, superstars no one is having.”

Stephen Lansdown has pumped tens of millions of pounds into Bristol since taking over in 2012 and saving the club from bankruptcy and he sees the club’s academy as part of the drive to profitability.

“I am 100% behind what is happening at academy level throughout the Premiership,” he said.

“We are at the centre of the community and want to inspire it through rugby success. We have an obligation to give young people the opportunity to play rugby and get to the highest level they can.

“From an economic point of view it makes sense to develop that pathway into the first-team squad, loaning them out to get a grounding in the game. It keeps costs under control and, when you bring in big names from abroad, you are looking for players who will help them develop. In sport it is very difficult to negotiate contracts to the profitability of the business and that makes academies vital.”

by Cumbrian Wed 29 Aug 2018, 2:21 pm

It is Worcester I find disappointing. Out of a squad of 45 there are 27 NEQ players and of the 18 English players there is at least one poach (Nick Schonert). I could almost understand it if they were storming the league/ Europe, but they finished 11th anyway, buying these guys in clearly isn’t working for them.

They also have traditionally had an excellent academy and it is here that I suppose I have a bit of sympathy for them. The list of their academy graduates playing at other clubs would make the bones of a very decent team: Matt Mullan, Graham Kitchener, Tom Wood and Matt Kvesic (probably missed a lot more). I would suggest that they are highly likely to lose the likes of Jack Singleton, Ted Hill, Jamie Shillcok and Ollie Lawrence if they get relegated this season. I guess you would wonder why you would put the time, effort and money into you graduates if they are always just poached by bigger clubs.

by BamBam Wed 29 Aug 2018, 2:26 pm

Thought this was quite a detailed and insightful season preview

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/gallagher-premiership-2018-19-preview

by Irish Londoner Wed 29 Aug 2018, 2:27 pm

On a different note, what's with the Gloucester badge - we're not going to have Bristol Bears style rename of the Gloucester Lions ? Looks a bit (LOT!) "Leicestery" to me.

by Cumbrian Wed 29 Aug 2018, 2:37 pm

I hate the 'rebranding' rubbish, I mean why is it even necessary at Gloucester? A Cherries fan will probably tell me I am wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have some of the highest average attendances in their history over the last 5 to 10 years.

Who is going "Nope, never gonna get me down the shed never... Wait? What? A lion on the badge you say? I will get my coat!"

Same with Bristol, their badge just looks kind of camp to me, I mean all you have to do is say 'Bristol Bears Grrrrrr!' and you will get what I mean!

by Irish Londoner Thu 30 Aug 2018, 10:09 am

Try http://www.bristolbears.co.uk/ for more information on the rebrand

by HongKongCherry Thu 30 Aug 2018, 1:27 pm

Cumbrian, a cherries fan is going to tell you that you're wrong! Wink

The rebrand is for a whole number of reasons. The original logo was the Gloucester City crest. We stopped using this c.2005 as we had no commercial rights to own the logo, therefore it limited the scope of merchandising. The replacement logo was pretty bland and outside of Gloucester very few people would/could associate it with the team. The new logo is to help create a better brand identity, but importantly it is in conjunction with a whole raft of changes and not simply a new badge. Season ticket numbers had been steadily declining in the last 10 years and bar the derby games, we would rarely have a sell out in the last 5. Clearly the brand alone is not going to fix this, rather the squad will be the far bigger influence. Nevertheless, the re-branding, the improved squad and the investment in the quite amazing pitch, has resulted in the most number of season tickets for over 5 years. If the squad deliver on the pitch I wouldn't be surprised if next year we start to return to, if not exceed, the previous record of season ticket holders.

And for clarity, we will never, ever be called Gloucester Lions! We don't need a silly moniker, however, Lions have featured in both our crests to date and it was deemed the most appropriate image to focus on.

by Welly Thu 30 Aug 2018, 2:14 pm

I wiouldn't sat never ever HKC.

I would say it's at least 50/50 chance Glous gets called the Lions in the next 5 years. (IMO the % is even higher).

by HongKongCherry Thu 30 Aug 2018, 4:10 pm

Given the re-brand has the strap line "We are Gloucester Rugby" it would be rather misguided to suddenly becomes the Lions. There was a big enough uproar when we became Gloucester Rugby, so there's no chance we'll have a mickey mouse name. I have yet to speak to anyone in support of the Lions moniker, including members of the club. Furthermore, our CEO publicly stated last night this won't happen, so I'm pretty safe in saying never, ever!!

by Welly Thu 30 Aug 2018, 7:03 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:Given the re-brand has the strap line "We are Gloucester Rugby" it would be rather misguided to suddenly becomes the Lions. There was a big enough uproar when we became Gloucester Rugby, so there's no chance we'll have a mickey mouse name. I have yet to speak to anyone in support of the Lions moniker, including members of the club. Furthermore, our CEO publicly stated last night this won't happen, so I'm pretty safe in saying never, ever!!

Your first mistake is believing someone who has to think about a decision from a business POV, your second mistake is thinking that uproar will really matter to the club.
How many times have we seen CEO's. Head Coach's and Players saying something won't happen only for it to eventually happen.
The prem clubs will have to look to expanding from their limited regional area soon just to help to generate revenue they all are pretty desperate in needing right now and will use all kinds of crap to try and generate a brand to help increase TV audience viewers elsewhere especially outside of England.

The sad truth is most clubs know the diehard fans will kick up a fuss short term but sooner or later will come around to it, because it's the club they support.

Bristol PR has been 10/10 and it is already starting to pay off with their first game going to be a sell out pretty much it will be hard to ignore it.

by yappysnap Thu 30 Aug 2018, 8:28 pm

So we now have Tigers, Lions, Bears, Falcons, Sharks and errr Wasps

Damn all the cool animals are nearly taken (and wasps).
Not much time left for Bath to pick there's.

Bath... Badgers!

by formerly known as Sam Thu 30 Aug 2018, 8:49 pm

yappysnap wrote:

Bath... Badgers!

Bath Unicorns? Run

by Poorfour Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:02 pm

I thought about Harlequin Duck, Harlequin Rabbit and Harlequin Ladybird.

But given our champagne and prawn sandwich reputation, surely we would have to go for Harlequin Shrimp?

by formerly known as Sam Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:09 pm

BUY TICKETS
EXETER CHIEFS
VS
LEICESTER TIGERS
1 September 2018 16:30 at Sandy Park

Team news: Gallagher Premiership Round 1
31 August 2018 12:00 By Gary Sherrard

Will Spencer makes his first Premiership appearance in Tigers colours in Saturday's Round 1 trip to Exeter

David Denton starts in the back row in his first league appearance for Leicester Tigers

Will Spencer makes his first Premiership appearance in Tigers colours in Saturday's Round 1 trip to Exeter

David Denton starts in the back row in his first league appearance for Leicester Tigers
1 / 2
Leicester Tigers hand debuts to five new arrivals in the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership season at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Will Spencer and David Denton start in the forward pack, while props David Feao and Gaston Cortes, and centre Kyle Eastmond are among the replacements for the trip to Sandy Park after summer moves to Tigers.

Australian duo Matt Toomua and Tatafu Polota-Nau return from international duty to claim places in the matchday squad. Toomua joins Manu Tuilagi in the Tigers midfield while Polota-Nau is named on the bench.

Mike Fitzgerald makes his 50th starting appearance in Premiership rugby, and Telusa Veainu makes his 50th top-flight appearance for the club.

Head coach Matt O’Connor also gives a call-up to England Under-20s wing Jordan Olowofela for the first game of the new season.

“All sorts of guys have been putting their hands up for selection during the pre-season period,” said O’Connor. “In the group we’ve got a lot of talent in the back three, options in midfield and we’ve added a lot of depth in the forwards. Everybody is going to be important across the course of the season. We have to be very close to our best there, but we look forward to the challenge.”

Tigers return to home turf against Newcastle Falcons in Round 2. Kick-off at Welford Road next Saturday is at 3.00pm and tickets are available now.

Leicester Tigers (v Exeter Chiefs, Sandy Park, Saturday 4.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Matt Toomua

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Will Spencer

6 David Denton

7 Brendon O’Connor

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 David Feao

18 Gaston Cortes

19 Harry Wells

20 Mike Williams

21 Sam Harrison

22 Kyle Eastmond

23 Jordan Olowofela

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Phil Dollman, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Nic White; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Jack Yeandle (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Ollie Atkins, 5 Sam Skinner, 6 Don Armand, 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Sam Simmonds
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Toby Salmon, 20 Sean Lonsdale, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Henry Slade

How Fitzgerald gets a start I don't know. Tigers include two players who didn't play in pre season due to injury and another two who missed pre season due to international committments.

by lostinwales Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:19 pm

Poorfour wrote:I thought about Harlequin Duck, Harlequin Rabbit and Harlequin Ladybird.

But given our champagne and prawn sandwich reputation, surely we would have to go for Harlequin Shrimp?

Why restrict to animals? Harlequin Jokers....

by Poorfour Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:28 pm

Anyway, teams are up:

Quins:
15. Mike Brown (298)
14. Nathan Earle (-)
13. Joe Marchant (56)
12. Ben Tapuai (-)
11. Aaron Morris (17)
10. Marcus Smith (28)
9. Danny Care (244)

1. Joe Marler (168)
2. Elia Elia (16)
3. Will Collier (126)
4. Matt Symons (-)
5. Dino Lamb (10)
6. Chris Robshaw (Captain, 257)
7. Luke Wallace (162)
8. Renaldo Bothma (6)

Game Changers

16. Max Crumpton (-)
17. Mark Lambert (234)
18. Phil Swainston (9)
19. Ben Glynn (20)
20. James Chisholm (55)
21. Charlie Mulchrone (18)
22. James Lang (22)
23. Paul Lasike (-)

SHARKS:
15. B MCGUIGAN
14. D SOLOMONA
13. S JAMES
12. L JAMES
11. M YARDE
10. AJ MACGINTY
9.W CLIFF

1.R HARRISON
2.R WEBBER
3.WG JOHN
4.B EVANS
5. J PHILLIPS
6. T CURRY
7. B CURRY
8. J ROSS (CAPTAIN)

REPLACEMENTS: 16.C NEILD 17. A. TARUS 18. J JONES 19. J BEAUMONT 20. J. STRAUSS 21. G WARR 22. M JENNINGS 23. P. ODOGWU

Interesting test for Quins. We've got a good team on paper and I am excited to see Tapuai and Lasike in action, but pre-season showed a team that was clearly a work in progress and sometimes looked like they'd only met in the car park before the game.

by HongKongCherry Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:30 pm

Gloucester Rugby:

Jason Woodward; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Henry Trinder, 12. Billy Twelvetrees, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Callum Braley 1. Val Rapava Ruskin, 2. James Hanson, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (capt), 5. Mariano Galarza; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan

Replacements:

Franco Marais, 17. Josh Hohneck, 18. Ciaran Knight, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Jake Polledri, 21. Ben Vellacott, 22. Tom Hudson, 23. Owen Williams

Northampton Saints:
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Nafi Tuitavake
13 Luther Burrell
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach
1 Alex Waller (co-captain)
2 James Fish
3 Ben Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 James Haskell
7 Heinrich Brüssow
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Alex Mitchell
22 James Grayson
23 Ken Pisi

by Geordie Fri 31 Aug 2018, 12:54 pm

Well I see we have announced an expected 15.

Saracens announce an all star side...its laughable.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:03 pm

Is it just me that can see Saints not enjoying this weekend?

Sale seem to be missing a number of players already. Must have been a tough pre season.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:05 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well I see we have announced an expected 15.

Saracens announce an all star side...its laughable.

FORWARDS: Mako Vunipola (144), Jamie George (196), Vincent Koch (39), Maro Itoje (94), Will Skelton (25), Mike Rhodes (69), Ben Earl (16), Jackson Wray (201).

BACKS: Ben Spencer (132), Owen Farrell (174), Sean Maitland (42), Brad Barritt (223), Alex Lozowski (60), David Strettle (138), Alex Goode (261).

REPLACEMENTS: Christopher Tolofua (17), Richard Barrington (136), Juan Figallo (90), Nick Isiekwe (35), Sione Vailanu (4), Richard Wigglesworth (210), Nick Tompkins (69), Alex Lewington (0).

Yep they look good. Not very quick though.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:07 pm

Not many sides looking much stronger than on paper than last season, although I like that Saints back row. I can see Quins struggling again this season...they'll hammer Sale by 30pts now.

by Welly Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:08 pm

when have Sarries ever been quick?

Saints back row would be more impressive if they could play that winger at number 8. Very Happy

by HongKongCherry Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:17 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Is it just me that can see Saints not enjoying this weekend?

Sale seem to be missing a number of players already. Must have been a tough pre season.

I do hope that's the case! We've got quite a few players missing already, but we really should win this... Whistle

by formerly known as Sam Fri 31 Aug 2018, 1:25 pm

Welly wrote:when have Sarries ever been quick?

Saints back row would be more impressive if they could play that winger at number 8.

True but the back three if Goode, Strettle and Maitland is a little bit geriatric even for them.

Yeah the big winger might have made a difference Tuitavake is less dangerous ball in hand.

by Recwatcher16 Fri 31 Aug 2018, 3:11 pm

Bath team for tonight 's banana skin at Brizzle with a full house - should be fun......
Bath Rugby XV (club appearances)
1. Nathan Catt (153)
2. Jack Walker (17)
3. Henry Thomas (74)
4. Dave Attwood (136)
5. Matt Garvey (117)
6. Zach Mercer (36)
7. Sam Underhill (8)
8. Taulupe Faletau (30)

9. Chris Cook (112)
10. Rhys Priestland (57)
11. Joe Cokanasiga (debut)
12. Jamie Roberts (debut)
13. Jackson Willison (debut)
14. Semesa Rokoduguni (118)
15. Tom Homer (65)

Replacements

16. Tom Dunn (84)
17. Will Vaughan (3)
18. Anthony Perenise (100)
19. Elliott Stooke (61)
20. Francois Louw (115)
21. Max Green (9)
22. Freddie Burns (24)
23. Aled Brew (43)

Some players to look out for, Will Vaughan an up and coming prop and Max Green being highly thought of as a new SH. Pre-season has been good this year with far fewer numbers of players missing, although Watson, Joseph and Obano are notable omissions.
Like a lot of other clubs, the numbers of academy players in and around the match day 23 is notable. This is the season that Faletau proves value for money, hopefully.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 31 Aug 2018, 3:24 pm

Good to see Underhill back.

by Recwatcher16 Fri 31 Aug 2018, 3:52 pm

Underhill together with Mercer, Ellis & Bayliss will hopefully be the core of Bath back row resources for a good few seasons and this is the year to establish themselves. Flouw isn't getting any younger and Garvey has moved up a row, Grant is a good player but hasnt quite made the hoped impact and Faletau will disappear for 3/4 months of the season and so just feels like we need one more player in the back row to be competitive over the season.

by king_carlos Fri 31 Aug 2018, 6:08 pm

Santiago Cordero against Jonny May is great match-up on the wing. I'm looking forward to that.

On paper it's a stronger Tigers side than last term. Genge is the only notable absentee in terms of quality replacing him, with it a shame that Thompson and Evans aren't available. Hopefully there is some more cohesion from the pack, especially in the line-out and rucking.

Very happy to see Olowofela on the bench.

by doctor_grey Fri 31 Aug 2018, 9:36 pm

Bristol does look good. They did stock their team with solid pros. Bath are in a wee bit o trouble.

by mid_gen Fri 31 Aug 2018, 9:45 pm

Bristol look decent, they won't be going down. Good noise at the ground too, was that 26k attendance?

Pretty poor from Bath, only decent showing was from Mercer. Underhill was a penalty machine.

by Duty281 Fri 31 Aug 2018, 9:46 pm

Bristol were fun to watch - hope they have a plan B when they come up against Sarries/Exeter! Bath were very laboured and unimaginative. Good game to kick off the season.

by doctor_grey Fri 31 Aug 2018, 9:46 pm

Also over 26k watching in the stadium. This is where Rugby need to be. And watching a close run victory, as well.

Feck me, it is great to have Rugby back.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 31 Aug 2018, 9:46 pm

Bath have been shocking. Homer can't dot the ball down, Dunn's crooked throw at the end when Bristol weren't even competing and so many handling errors. Priestland looked well off the pace. Played too much in his own half and far too conservative in Bristol's.

Bristol held on but their discipline was not great and their pack look a little lightweight. Yann Thomas at loosehead will be targeted by any scrummaging tighthead worth his salt this season. Got some pace though, they'll catch some teams out.

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