Gallagher Premiership - Round 2

Fixtures

Friday 7th September

19:45 Northampton v Harlequins (BT Sport)


Saturday 8th September

14:00 Wasps v Exeter (BT Sport)
15:00 Leicester v Newcastle
15:00 Saracens v Bristol
16:30 Bath v Gloucester (BT Sport)


Sunday 9th September

15:00 Sale v Worcester



Exeter and Quins will be looking to back up large home wins when they hit the road this week. Last season's table toppers travel to Coventry to face a Wasps side that, with an under-strength and under powered side sneaked past relegation favourites Worcester last week. We can expect more from Dai Young's side this week and they will be much harder to beat that the inept opponents Chiefs faced last week. Quins will be hopeful of securing points from their trip to the Gardens. Northampton made too many errors last week, but showed enough to suggest that they will be better than last season. They will certainly provide more of a challenge to Quins and should secure a first win of the season.

Tigers, Falcons, Sharks and Warriors all lost last week. The two sides that traveled were pathetic and fully deserved the large defeats they suffered. Worcester will be unable to understand quite how they lost to Wasps, while despite a lot of noise about the ref, Falcons need to look at their own performance first. Leicester will kick the ball a lot less this week and showed last season that when they look to play rugby they have the measure of Falcons. However if they revert to kicking the leather off the ball then Falcons will run the ball back and cause major issues for a disorganised defence. Sale should be better at home securing a win that will see Worcester's relegation odds shorten.

Saracens did the business last week, and will be too strong for Bristol. Ackermann is developing a good looking team at Gloucester but home advantage for misfiring Bath may prove crucial.


For me 6 home wins this week.

Ooh. First 3 I'd be tempted for away. Bath Gloucester should be a cracker as well.

Unless Wasps have players coming back, that would be the game that I feel would be the best chance for an away team, followed by the game at the Rec.

Always hard to tell this early in the season how sides will go.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS v HARLEQUINS

15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ken Pisi
13 Luther Burrell
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (c)
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
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Andy Symons
23 Harry Mallinder

Not available for selection:
Dom Barrow (hamstring), Alex Coles (knee), James Craig (concussion), Paul Hill (shoulder), Rory Hutchinson (knee), Reece Marshall (foot), Toby Trinder (foot), Tom Wood (groin), and Charlie Davies (foot).

Harlequins squad to play Northampton Saints (Harlequins appearances)

15. Aaron Morris (18)
14. Charlie Walker (87)
13. Joe Marchant (57)
12. Ben Tapuai (1)
11. Nathan Earle (1)
10. Marcus Smith (29)
9. Danny Care (245)

1. Joe Marler (169)
2. Elia Elia (17)
3. Will Collier (127)
4. Matt Symons (1)
5. Ben Glynn (21)
6. Archie White (21)
7. Chris Robshaw (Captain, 258)
8. James Chisholm (56)

Game Changers

16. Max Crumpton (1)
17. Mark Lambert (235)
18. Phil Swainston (10)
19. Stan South (17)
20. Renaldo Bothma (7)
21. Charlie Mulchrone (19)
22. James Lang (23)
23. Paul Lasike (1)

Not considered for selection:

Lewis Boyce
Mike Brown
Rob Buchanan
Demetri Catrakilis
Jack Clifford
Alex Dombrandt
James Horwill
Josh Ibuanokpe
Dino Lamb
Mat Luamanu
Josh McNulty
George Merrick
Francis Saili
Kyle Sinckler
Luke Wallace

Everyone seems to think we'll beat Leicester down there?

We'll have to make a huge improvement in our attack to even think about that!

[quote="LondonTiger"]Harlequins squad to play Northampton Saints (Harlequins appearances)

15. Aaron Morris (18)
14. Charlie Walker (87)
13. Joe Marchant (57)
12. Ben Tapuai (1)
11. Nathan Earle (1)
10. Marcus Smith (29)
9. Danny Care (245)

1. Joe Marler (169)
2. Elia Elia (17)
3. Will Collier (127)
4. Matt Symons (1)
5. Ben Glynn (21)
6. Archie White (21)
7. Chris Robshaw (Captain, 258)
8. James Chisholm (56)
[/quote]

13 EQP in our starting 15...good to see! Fairly confident about this game, I think we're going to be very hard to stop scoring this season.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Everyone seems to think we'll beat Leicester down there?

We'll have to make a huge improvement in our attack to even think about that!

Not if Tigers defend like they did last weekend.

Its really hard to know how they will repsond to the defeat last week and yet another change in the coaching staff.

Either way its going to look pretty bleak for whichever team does lose this game.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Everyone seems to think we'll beat Leicester down there?

We'll have to make a huge improvement in our attack to even think about that!

Tigers missed 42 tackles last weekend. Don't think you'll have to be that good.

Gooseberry wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Everyone seems to think we'll beat Leicester down there?

We'll have to make a huge improvement in our attack to even think about that!

Not if Tigers defend like they did last weekend.

Its really hard to know how they will repsond to the defeat last week and yet another change in the coaching staff.

Either way its going to look pretty bleak for whichever team does lose this game.

Our fixture run...

Saracens - Lost
Leicester
Worcester
Exeter [twice]
Wasps
Sale
Toulon
Montpelier

I'd say all gone wins too.

The saints Quins game is 60:40 to me, I expect saints to win and will be happy with a losing BP, but wouldn't be shocked if we won.

Too early for form really.

Tigers will be without Toomua and TPN who are away with Oz. Also Cortes who is on the bench for Argentina - a week after being deemed not good enough to replace a burst Dan Cole in a lost cause...

1.Bateman
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Spencer
5.Wells
6.Denton
7.O'Connor
8.Kalamafoni

9.Youngs
10.Ford

11.May
12.Eastmond
13.Tuilagi
14.Thompstone
15.Veainu

16.Stevens
17.Ma'afu
18.Feao
19.Fitzgerald
20.Williams
21.Harrison
22.Hardwick
23.Olowofela

Judging by the absentees and the A-league side from Monday I hope that Murphy goes for something like that.

I'd like to see a little more mobility in the bench than Williams and Fitzgerald. Otherwise that pretty much what I expect. Maybe Worth instead of Hardwick as he played well on Monday and covers more positions but I'd be happy with either.

Cortes call up with Argentina was both surprising and annoying. Whilst the games on we won't see Cole taken off. Might as well as Heyes on the bench so he can get some experience. Fe'ao plays both sides so if Cole were to get injured early Heyes wouldn't have a long stretch in the game. Ma'afu really isn't up to much.

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Team news: Tigers versus Falcons
7 September 2018 11:52




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Geordan Murphy takes charge of Leicester Tigers for the first time this Saturday and includes seven summer signings in the squad for the Gallagher Premiership fixture against Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road.

Former club captain Murphy leads the squad as interim head coach and includes new arrivals Kyle Eastmond, Will Spencer and David Denton in the Tigers starting line-up. Jimmy Stevens, Campese Ma’afu, David Feao and Guy Thompson, who all moved to Welford Road this summer, are among the replacements.

Eastmond comes into the backline alongside Manu Tuilagi at centre and, in another change to the team that started in Round 1 at Exeter Chiefs last week, Mike Williams is at lock in place of the injured Mike Fitzgerald.

Ma’afu and Thompson could make their Tigers debuts as replacements and Stevens could make the first appearance of his second spell with the club.

Coach Murphy said: “It’s been a busy week with the changes but the focus has all been about preparing for Newcastle on Saturday. We all felt we let ourselves down at Exeter last week, we didn’t impose our game on it and now we need a good performance back at Welford Road.”

Sione Kalamafoni makes his 100th Premiership appearance and, at the other end of the experience scale, England Under-20s cap Tom Hardwick could make his top-flight debut.

Match tickets are available now. Book in person at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online. And don't forget Tigers In The Park from 11.00am!

Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, Welford Road, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Williams

5 Will Spencer

6 David Denton

7 Brendon O’Connor

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Jimmy Stevens

17 Campese Ma’afu

18 David Feao

19 Harry Wells

20 Guy Thompson

21 Sam Harrison

22 Tom Hardwick

23 Jordan Olowofela

Pleased to see that Hardwick is on bench ahead of Joe Ford.

You'd expect a reaction from the Tigers players this weekend which could be an issue for us, I'd have fancied us for a win before MOC got the sack.

With an improved scrum, I'm going for us to shade it by a score.

Our attack needs to improve 1000%.
But as to the physicality and the pack I think we have a pack to take Tigers on and beat them up front.

Could be an interesting game.
IF we get our attack working I really do fancy us to put on a decent score.

Newcastle Falcons team to play Leicester Tigers (Saturday, 3pm, Welford Road)

15 Simon Hammersley
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Chris Harris
12 Josh Matavesi
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Toby Flood
9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Sami Mavinga
2 George McGuigan
3 Logovi'i Mulipola
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Callum Chick

Replacements
16 Santiago Socino
17 Adam Brocklebank
18 Jack Payne
19 Tevita Cavubati
20 Gary Graham
21 Sam Stuart
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Alex Tait

To be fair GF, Sarries have arguably the best defence in Europe....and we still bagged 2 tries. They've made better sides than us look toothless in attack.

John Wells: "The cynic in me says they’ve made the decision at the time that they have because Newcastle are going down there on Saturday - they know it’s going to be a rough, tough game and they need to squeeze that extra little bit of toothpaste out of the tube to beat us."

I know Falcons made the top 4 at Tigers' expense last season but to suggest they would time the sacking of the HC around the visit of the Falcons is a touch arrogant tbh. Besides, the next match is against Wasps so if there is any extra toothpaste squeezing needed it's surely for them.

Falcons by 20+ because the tube is empty.

Looking forward to Saints at the Gardens today. Not sure why, and despite the abject performance and extraordinary number of penalties last week, I am optimistic about today. The pack should be improved from last week, and it will be interesting to see Harry get a run. I think the Biggar-Francis 10-12 combination should get better each game they play together. And with Burrell at 13, this is a solid mid-field.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:To be fair GF, Sarries have arguably the best defence in Europe....and we still bagged 2 tries. They've made better sides than us look toothless in attack.

Not sure mate, we could have beaten Sarries...we just need to show a bit of intelligence, and we showed nothing.

Just one example was that Sarries were so flat..a little chip over the top with our players rushing through...was so obvious yet not once did flood or anyone else go for it. Instead they just continued endlessly running players in to multiple defenders...

The back row battle tomorrow at the Ricoh stadium should be interesting ,Shields debut with Hughs against England team mates Armand,Simmonds and Kvesic.

I like that Tigers side. Great to see Thompson fit. I'm a fan of Williams in the row. Hardwick and Olowofela on the bench is a big step in the right direction.

I expect Denton will be relied on as a line-out option far more than he should be though...

5 former Tigers in that Falcons starting XV - although Flood and McGuigan are Newcastle boys gone home of course.

Good match-ups for them as well:

McGuigan vs Youngs

Logo vs Bateman in the scrum

Green vs Tigers abysmal line-out - I presume Green will run the Falcons line-out in Robinsons absence, GF?

Flood vs Ford

Goneva vs May

Green runs the lineout anyway Carlos. He had the most takes and steals in the league last season.....have Sarries some issues last weekend too.

Fuzzy - surely that comment must have been tongue in cheek, Wells can't seriously think that.

Northampton mistakes and a poor ref allowing Quin's to go in at HT just63 points down.

If Quin's can start to play in the 2nd half, Saints will the the missed chances. Perhaps Care needs to allow Smith a chance with the ball.

Robshaw having a horrible game....well no-one having a good game really, especially the ref. Hope the last 20 has some decent rugby.

German commentators had a good laugh at the camera cutting to Sam Vesty just as he picks his nose and chows down on the results. Highligh of the game so far!

Well that was pretty dire. Draw would have been a fair result but given the lottery style refereeing I suppose a dodgy call deciding the game was consistent at least.

Why on earth would you let your 8 pick and go when you have a massive centre and the opposition have a walking wounded flyhalf. Bit of footwork before contact and Bigger was going to struggle.

Game low on quality. Saints are still adapting to the new style of play. Quins missing too many key forwards. Gustard has got Quins looking much better than last season already.

Saints got away with a lot at the breakdown this week.

Saints pretty good value for the win, Quins didn't much apart from the 2 opportunistic tries. Brussow was great to watch, seemed to be everywhere.

Well, a relief for Saints to get the win. There is no way Saints should have been defending on their line at the end. But that good ruck play by Gibson put the end to that. Should have had more points at halftime, and had some missed opportunities, but this team is still very much a work in progress. Fewer penalties this week which is another step in the right direction.

Time for bed...........

Saints did make it harder for themselves than it should have been but personally I’m glad that got the win.

It’s the first time I’ve seen Ribbans close up & he looks a good prospect.

Welly wrote: Saints got away with a lot at the breakdown this week.

Some very questionable entry at the ruck but hey if the ref doesn't stop you why would you stop?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Welly wrote: Saints got away with a lot at the breakdown this week.

Some very questionable entry at the ruck but hey if the ref doesn't stop you why would you stop?

Not arguing against it but another ref and they would have been pinged as much as they where last week.

Tigers well up for this....Falcons still on the bus I think 15-0

Flood is having a nightmare so far.

Yeah like I said all about the home teams!

Come back is on 22-7 lol

Phew. HT and a chance to draw breath.

Great try from Manu, he's lost no pace.

What an insane game....who needs defence!

Defence still optional in second half, only difference being Falcons taking their chances and Tigers not.

Blackadder out

Enough is enough

Bath are going backwards.

Absolutely shocking performance from Bath.

Early days, but a very worrying start to the season for Bath. They're so laboured and predictable in possession.

Just silly season scores at this time of year. All sounds fun though

Williams on in the 2nd half for Saracens and scores three tries. I assume he played well?

It was only against a 14man Championship team.