Gallagher Premiership - Round 6

Friday 5 October

19:45 Bath v Exeter (BT Sport)


Saturday 6 October

15:00 Northampton v Leicester (Twickenham) (BT Sport)
15:00 Sale v Newcastle
15:00 Wasps v Gloucester
19:30 Harlequins v Saracens (BT Sport)


Sunday 7 October

15:00 Worcester v Bristol (BT Sport)




Having rested key players for the trip to Saracens, Blackadder will hope for something from his bigger names this week. Bath will have to play a lot better than they have done so far this season if they are to beat Exeter. Cannot see it happening.

Two televised games from the Twickenham area on Saturday (will they just move all the kit from the main ground to the Stoop?). The relocated East Midlands derby sees two sides who have shipped a lot of points and been involved in some crazy scorelines this season. Who is fit and who is injured could have a lard part to play in the result.
Quins find themselves in 4th place in the table, heading a group of 6 teams that have won 2 from 5. They failed to back up an impressive win on the opening day of the season, and I doubt Sarries will let them back up last weeks good win on the road with a third victory for the season.

Gloucester will be hurt by last weeks performance, and should be able to scare Wasps. However I keep underestimating the Coventry side and thus feel they will ultimately secure a fairly easy win.

The bottom two sides meet in Salford with both sides desperate for the win. Falcons have had a tough fixture list at the start of the season (losing to the sides who finished 1,2,3 & 5 last season) while Sale have flattered to deceive. Sale were really poor last week and will need a massive improvement if they are not to see the gap widen at the bottom.

Bristol have yet to win on the road this season. Worcester have yet to win at home. Draw anyone?

Potentially big boosts for the Tigers with O'Connor and Manu back.

Bath team to face Exeter (12 changes from last week):

15. Freddie Burns
14. Semesa Rokoduguni
13. Jackson Willison
12. Cooper Vuna
11. Joe Cokanasiga
10. Rhys Priestland (c)
9. Max Green
1. Nathan Catt
2. Tom Dunn
3. Henry Thomas
4. Dave Attwood
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Zach Mercer
7. Tom Ellis
8. Taulupe Faletau

Replacements
16. Jack Walker
17. Jacques van Rooyen
18. Anthony Perenise
19. Elliott Stooke
20. Josh Bayliss
21. Chris Cook
22. Max Wright
23. Darren Atkins

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE BATH

15 Phil Dollman
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
|12 Ollie Devoto
11 Santiago Cordero
10 Gareth Steenson (capt)
9 Stuart Townsend
1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Dave Dennis
5 Sam Skinner
6 Dave Ewers
7 Don Armand
8 Matt Kvesic

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Tomas Francis
19 Ollie Atkins
20 Tom Lawday
21 Jack Maunder
22 Joe Simmonds
23 Ian Whitten

Sam Simmonds and Hill both out for 4-5 months but otherwise a strong team interesting to see how Tom Lawday goes he has scored a lot of tries.

Burns at FB for Bath, Kvesic at 8 for Exeter interesting calls.

I don't expect Quins to win, but I live in hope. We've been a problem team for Sarries for a couple of seasons now, at least at the Stoop, and we have a DoR who knows something of how they tick.

Still, restricting them to less than 4 tries and nicking a bonus point without picking up injuries would be a decent return on the evening.

LondonTiger wrote:Burns at FB for Bath, Kvesic at 8 for Exeter interesting calls.

I always liked Freddie at fullback. If he'd worked on his ability under the high ball he'd be a great secondary playmaker. He'd also be freed from the flyhalf need to run the game and could just come on to the ball and create. Bit like Murphy used to do for Tigers though Murphy was obviously quicker.

A losing BP for Quins would be great, especially if we could keep sarries to 4 pts.

In an ideal world we'd win this one but I just can't see it.

Think Falcons will win with a small margin. The small sharks squad really has been exposed early this season with internationals, injuries and a well deserved red card. Once they come back I think we will move off the bottom but top 6 is looking very unlikely now due to this start.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Burns at FB for Bath, Kvesic at 8 for Exeter interesting calls.

I always liked Freddie at fullback. If he'd worked on his ability under the high ball he'd be a great secondary playmaker. He'd also be freed from the flyhalf need to run the game and could just come on to the ball and create. Bit like Murphy used to do for Tigers though Murphy was obviously quicker.

Yeah, if he had stayed playing FB would have been a real option for us. He is a very good and instinctive 10 but does have brainfarts at times.

Leicester Team for Twickenham:

Holmes, Thompstone, Manu, Eastmond, May, Ford, Youngs, Kalamafoni, Thompson, Denton, Wells, Williams, Cole, Youngs, Bateman

MacMillan, Feao, Heyes, Lewis, Mapapalangi, Harrison, Hardwicke, Olowofela

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS v LEICESTER TIGERS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round Six
Saturday 6 October, 2018
Twickenham Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm

15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-captain)
2 Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ben Franks
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Fraser Dingwall
23 Tom Collins

Not available for selection:
James Craig (concussion), James Fish (ankle), Paul Hill (shoulder), Rory Hutchinson (knee), Toby Trinder (foot), Ken Pisi (shoulder), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Piers Francis (concussion), and Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee).

Newcastle Falcons team to face Sale Sharks (Saturday, 3pm, AJ Bell Stadium)

15 Simon Hammersley
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Chris Harris
12 Johnny Williams
11 Sinoti Sinoti
10 Toby Flood
9 Michael Young
1 Adam Brocklebank
2 George McGuigan
3 Logovi’i Mulipola
4 Calum Green
5 Tevita Cavubati
6 Gary Graham
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Mark Wilson

Replacements
16 Kyle Cooper
17 Sami Mavinga
18 David Wilson
19 Will Witty
20 Ryan Burrows
21 Sonatane Takulua
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Tom Penny

Wasps:

Rob Miller; Christian Wade, Elliot Daly (C), Juan de Jongh, Josh Bassett; Billy Searle, Dan Robson; Ben Harris, Tommy Taylor, Kieran Brookes, Will Rowlands, James Gaskell, Ashley Johnson, Nizaam Carr, Nathan Hughes.


Replacements: Tom Cruse, Zurabi Zhvania, Will Stuart, Kearnan Myall, Thomas Young, Craig Hampson, Michael Le Bourgeois, Gaby Lovobalavu

Gloucester Rugby:

15. Tom Hudson; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Matt Banahan; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Ben Vellacott; 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. James Hanson, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater (capt), 5. Gerbrandt Grobler; 6. Jake Polledri, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan


Replacements:

Franco Marais, 17. Alex Seville, 18. Ciaran Knight, 19. Freddie Clarke, 20. Gareth Evans, 21. Callum Braley, 22. Owen Williams, 23. Jason Woodward


Unavailable for selection:

Ruan Ackermann, Gareth Denman, Ruan Dreyer, Willi Heinz, Jaco Kriel, Paddy McAllister, Henry Purdy, Val Rapava Ruskin, Will Safe, Ollie Thorley

Harlequins XV to play Saracens (h) Kick-off: 19:30
15 Mike Brown (299)
14 Nathan Earle (5)
13 Joe Marchant (61)
12 Paul Lasike (4)
11 Tim Visser (62)
10 Marcus Smith (33)
9 Danny Care (249)

1 Joe Marler (172)
2 Max Crumpton (3)
3 Kyle Sinckler (124)
4 Matt Symons (5)
5 James Horwill (co-captain, 56)
6 Renaldo Bothma (11)
7 Chris Robshaw (co-captain, 261)
8 James Chisholm (60)

Game Changers
16 Dave Ward (146)
17 Lewis Boyce (16)
18 Will Collier (130)
19 Stan South (21)
20 Semi Kunatani (1)
21 Charlie Mulchrone (23)
22 James Lang (27)
23 Alofa Alofa (56)

Not considered for selection
Nick Auterac
Rob Buchanan
Demetri Catrakilis
Jack Clifford
Ben Glynn
Josh Ibuanopke
Dino Lamb
Josh McNulty
Francis Saili
Phil Swainston
Niall Saunders
Ben Tapuai
Luke Wallace

Saracens team to face Harlequins at The Stoop on Saturday 6th October (14H30 ET/19H30 GMT):
FORWARDS: Mako Vunipola (149), Jamie George (201), Titi Lamositele (56), Will Skelton (30), George Kruis (162), Nick Isiekwe (40), Mike Rhodes (73), Billy Vunipola (88).

BACKS: Alex Goode (266), David Strettle (141), Nick Tompkins (74), Alex Lozowski (65), Alex Lewington (4), Owen Farrell (178), Ben Spencer (136).

REPLACEMENTS: Christopher Tolofua (22), Richard Barrington (141), Christian Judge (1), Maro Itoje (99), Schalk Burger (53), Richard Wigglesworth (215), Marcelo Bosch (121), Sean Maitland (46).

Sale Sharks:

15.Sam James; 14.Byron McGuigan, 13.Luke James, 12.Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11.Marland Yarde; 10.AJ MacGinty, 9.Will Cliff; 1.Ross Harrison, 2.Rob Webber, 3.WillGriff John, 4.Bryn Evans, 5.James Phillips, 6.Jono Ross (capt.), 7.Tom Curry, 8.Josh Strauss.

Replacements:16.Curtis Langdon, 17.Alexandru Tarus, 18.Joe Jones, 19. Andrei Ostrikov, 20.Josh Beaumont, 21.Gus Warr, 22.Mark Jennings, 23.James O’Connor


(3rd different position in 3 games for Sam James)

Worcester Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Bryce Heem
13 Francois Venter
12 Ryan Mills
11 Josh Adams
10 Duncan Weir
9 Francois Hougaard

1 Callum Black
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Anton Bresler
5 Darren Barry
6 Marco Mama
7 Sam Lewis
8 GJ van Velze (C)

Replacements
16 Joe Taufete’e
17 Ryan Bower
18 Simon Kerrod
19 Pierce Phillips
20 Ted Hill
21 Michael Heaney
22 Jono Lance
23 Perry Humphrey

Bristol Bears team to face Worcester Warriors at Sixways on Sunday, October 7th (3pm KO):

15. Zane Kirchner; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Will Hurrell, 12. Siale Piutau (co-capt), 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Ian Madigan, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Steve Luatua (co-capt), 7. George Smith, 8. Jack Lam.

Replacements: 16. Nick Fenton-Wells, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Sam Jeffries, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Nic Stirzaker, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Ryan Edwards.

Unavailable: Sione Faletau (calf), Lewis Thiede (knee), Aly Muldowney (neck), Chris Vui (groin), John Hawkins (thumb), Jordan Crane (hamstring), Tiff Eden (shoulder), Jack Tovey (knee), Mat Protheroe (knee), Charles Piutau (shoulder), Luke Daniels (hamstring), Piers O’Conor (foot), Aaron Chapman (hamstring).

LondonTiger wrote:Sale Sharks:

15.Sam James; 14.Byron McGuigan, 13.Luke James, 12.Rohan Janse van Rensburg, 11.Marland Yarde; 10.AJ MacGinty, 9.Will Cliff; 1.Ross Harrison, 2.Rob Webber, 3.WillGriff John, 4.Bryn Evans, 5.James Phillips, 6.Jono Ross (capt.), 7.Tom Curry, 8.Josh Strauss.

Replacements:16.Curtis Langdon, 17.Alexandru Tarus, 18.Joe Jones, 19. Andrei Ostrikov, 20.Josh Beaumont, 21.Gus Warr, 22.Mark Jennings, 23.James O’Connor


(3rd different position in 3 games for Sam James)

What's odd about the Sam James thing is that his brother has played quite a bit at fullback coming through the ranks. As far as I know Sam has been more of a 10/12.

What's Tapui gone and done to himself? Think this will be the 1st game he's not started!

No TV, no Kitchener and no BOC for Tigers. Otherwise known as no fullback, no lineout and no specialist openside.

I think we must be looking to get a win at Sale. We should have beaten wasps last week, and if Sinoti, Hammersley etc perform like they did, im not sure Sale will cope.

Just for the record Bath will be trying to win tonight, so if Exeter go on and smash us I fully expect the media/Pundits to be pushing for the Chiefs players not in the England squad to be picked in the England team just like what happened last week with Sarries/Goode beating our 2nd XV.

Tight for 40 minutes, then Exeter pull away. But of a theme this season

What are your guys view on the top two teams. Exeter are 6 from 6 with 5 bonus points having surprisingly not got a TBP v Newcastle. They have beaten Wasps (3rd best team) and Bath (whose players were rested) away from home. Sarries are Sarries and may not drop points till Exeter.

Have they just got a plan that works great in the premiership or are they going to be looking at CC semis depending on the draw. Looking in they look formidable but wanted to know if they are better than last year and will be there or there abouts for Europe.

I’m not sure that they’re better than last year to be honest Brendan but they are their own “group” in the GP as far as I can see, with the other top teams playing for 3rd downwards.

With regard to Europe I hope that they’ll be challenging for some silverware but I’m not sure they’re as strong as the best from France and Ireland yet.

Exeter are not playing as well as their results. Saracens are, and should be a threat in Europe.

stub wrote:I’m not sure that they’re better than last year to be honest Brendan but they are their own “group” in the GP  as far as I can see, with the other top teams playing for 3rd downwards.

With regard to Europe I hope that they’ll be challenging for some silverware but I’m not sure they’re as strong as the best from France and Ireland yet.

I have a feeling only Leinster will be competitive from the Pro 14.  Scarlets, Glasgow and Munster having their problem.

Sarries problem last year was Ospreys had their best games of the season against them and then they played Leinster away.  Exeter had the two finalists in their group.  Wasps somehow lost that game to Quinn's when they should of had a TBP.

Scarlets will get 10 points from Leicester, and good points from Ulster. I expect them to top the group.

Leinster would be my favourites to win it although I've not been paying much attention to the French clubs truth be told. Agree with LondonTiger about Sarries being the most likely English club to do well.

I'm getting confused watching Wasps v Gloucester. Still keep expecting to see Cipriani passing to Robson.

Dan Robson off injured for Wasps. Not great news for his club but might also be bad news for his England chances if he can't recover quickly. Looked like a knee problem. He wasn't on a stretcher but needed going off.

Bigger issue is that may went off with what looked like a dodgy arm injury

Rugby Fan wrote:Dan Robson off injured for Wasps. Not great news for his club but might also be bad news for his England chances if he can't recover quickly. Looked like a knee problem. He wasn't on a stretcher but needed going off.

In other bad news for England May has a shoulder injury.

JP is not having the greatest game either.

JP Doyle having a poor game.

Jonny May off early with what looked like a dislocated shoulder

Lol

Jonah Holmes has played well too.

And Biggar can't hit a cow's arse with a banjo ...

Jo's positioning has been poo for both teams

Jp's*

nathan wrote:Jonah Holmes has played well too.

As has Dan Cole

Only watching the score, and Leicester seemed to be going well. What has JP Doyle been up to?

Tigers' defence seems to have improved from previous games ...

Yeah I agree, cole has done well. Bit harsh to penalise him for pushing.

Rugby Fan wrote:Only watching the score, and Leicester seemed to be going well. What has JP Doyle been up to?

Keeps standing in the way of the half backs. Couple of questionable decisions that led to the Saints tries.

Turned on Nor v Lei at the start of the 2nd half. The most boring game of rugby ever?!

Turn it off then. It's pissing it down, what do you expect?

Holmes having a really good game so far ...