Gallagher Premiership 2019/20

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Table

Pos	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Pts Difference	Bonus	Points
1	Northampton Saints	7	5	2	0	194	146	48	3	23
2	Exeter Chiefs	6	4	2	0	142	97	45	4	20
3	Gloucester Rugby	7	3	4	0	149	121	28	6	18
4	Bristol Bears	7	3	3	1	157	165	-8	4	18
5	Bath Rugby	7	4	3	0	139	145	-6	1	17
6	Worcester Warriors	7	4	3	0	122	144	-22	1	17
7	Sale Sharks	7	3	4	0	144	105	39	5	17
8	Harlequins	7	3	3	1	158	169	-11	3	17
9	London Irish	7	2	4	1	128	179	-51	2	12
10	Wasps	7	2	5	0	134	191	-57	3	11
11	Leicester Tigers	7	1	5	1	118	191	-76	0	6
12	Saracens	6	5	1	0	158	87	71	-32	-13

Bath
Last Season - 6th

Players in: Lewis Boyce (Prop), Christian Judge (Prop), Will Stuart (Prop), Mike Williams (Utility Forward), Josh McNally (Second Row), Ollie Fox (Scrum Half)
Promoted from Academy: Miles Reid, Will Vaughan, Sam Nixon, Tom de Glanville, Will Britton, Jack Davies, Tom Doughty, Levi Davis promoted (X Factor permitting)

Players Out: Dave Attwood (Second Row), Paul Grant (Back Row), Luke Charteris (Second Row), James Wilson (Utility Back), Kahn Fotuali'i (Scrum Half), Jacques van Rooyen (Prop), Jack Wilson (Wing), Cooper Vuna (Wing), Anthony Perenise (Prop), Michael van Vuuren (Hooker), Max Lahiff (Prop)


Bristol Bears
Last Season - 9th

Players in: Dave Attwood (Second Row), Nathan Hughes (Back Row), Nicky Thomas (Prop), Max Lahiff (Prop), Tyrese Johnson-Fisher (Wing)
Promoted from Academy: Sam Bedlow, John Hawkins, Toby Fricker

Players out: Nick Haining (Back Row), George Smith (Back Row), Nick Fenton-Wells (Back Row), Joe Latta (Second Row), Tusi Pisi (Fly Half), Sione Faletau (Prop), Jack Lam (Back Row)


Exeter Chiefs
Last Season: Runners Up

Players in: Stuart Hogg (Full Back), Will Witty (Second Row), Tom Price (Second Row), Stan South (Utility Forward), Jannes Kirsten (Utility Forward), Jacques Vermeulen (Utility Forward)

Players out: Santiago Cordero (Wing/FB), Tom Lawday (Back Row), Moray Low (Prop), Ollie Atkins (Second Row), Mitch Lees (Second Row)


Gloucester
Last Season: 3rd

Players in: Joe Simpson (Scrum Half), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Prop), Chris Harris (Centre), Corne Fourie (Prop)
Promoted from Academy: Charlie Chapman, Alex Seville, Alex Craig, Ciaran Knight, Tom Seabrook, Henry Walker

Players out: Paddy McAllister (Prop), Gareth Denman (Prop), Kyle Traynor (Prop) Tom Savage (Second Row), Gareth Evans (Back Row), Ben Vellacott (Scrum Half), Henry Purdy (Centre/Wing)


Harlequins
Last Season 4th

Players in: Santiago Garcias Botta (Prop), Martin Landajo (Scrum Half), Michele Campagnaro (Centre), Scott Baldwin (Hooker), Stephan Lewies (Second Row), Glen Young (Second Row), Will Evans (Flanker), Simon Kerrod (Prop), Tom Lawday (Back Row), Travis Ismaiel (Wing), Veriniki Goneva (Wing), Tevita Cavubati (Second Row)

Players out: Alofa Alofa (Utility Back), George Merrick (Second Row), Lewis Boyce (Prop), James Horwill (Second Row), Josh Ibuanokpe (Prop), Tim Visser (Wing), Charlie Walker(Wing), Demitir Catrakilis (Fly Half), Mat Luamanu (Back Row), Luke Wallace (Flanker), Stan South (Second Row), Dave Ward (Hooker), Dave Lewis (Scrum Half), Ben Glynn (Second Row)


Leicester Tigers
Last season 11th

Players in: Jordan Taufua (Back Row), Noel Reid (Fly Half/Centre), Calum Green (Second Row), Jaco Taute (Centre), Tomas Lavanini (Second Row), Nephi Leatigaga (Prop), Charlie Clare (Hooker), Joe Thomas (Centre), Johnny McPhillips (Fly Half), EW Viljoen (Utility Back), Hanro Liebenberg (Back Row), Jordan Coghlan (Back Row)
Promoted from Academy: Tom Hardwicke, Joe Heyes, Sam Lewis, Jordan Olowefela, Tommy Reffell, Sam Aspland Robinson, Harry Simmons, Ben White

Players out: Matt Toomua (Centre), Mike Williams (Utility Forward), Graham Kitchener (Second Row), Mathew Tait (Utility Back), Will Evans (Flanker), Tom Varndell (Winger), James Voss (Second Row), Matt Smith (Centre), Gareth Owen (Centre), Michael Fitzgerald (Second Row), Brendon O'Connor (Back Row), Valentino Mapapalangi (Back Row), Fred Tuilagi (Back Row), Leonardo Sarto (Wing),  Joe Ford (Fly Half), David Feao (Prop), David Denton (Back Row), Ross McMillan (Hooker), Campese Ma'afu (Prop), Charlie Thacker (Centre)


London Irish
Last Season: Promoted

Players in: Allan Dell (Prop), Nick Phipps (Scrum Half), Curtis Rona (Wing), Sean O'Brien (Back Row), Sekope Kepu (Prop), Paddy Jackson (Fly Half), Waisake Naholo (Wing), Adam Coleman (Second Row), Ruan Botha (Second Row), Steve Mafi (Utility Forward), George Nott (Utility Forward)

Players Out: Josh McNally (Second Row), Ian Keatley (Fly Half), Brendan McKibbin (Centre), Mike Coman (Back Row), Tommy Bell (Utility Back), Topsy Ojo (Wing), Fergus Mulchrone (Centre), Luke McLean (Full Back), Sebastian de Chaves (Second Row), Ofisa Treviranus (Back Row), Greig Tonks (Utility Back),  Napolioni Nalaga (Wing), Sam Twomey (Second Row), Filo Paulo (Second Row), Manasa Saulo (Prop)


Northampton Saints
Last Season: 4th

Players in: Matt Proctor (Utility back), Owen Franks (Prop), Ryan Olowofela (Wing), Henry Taylor (Scrum Half), Michael van Vuuren (Hooker)
Promoted from Academy: Ehren Painter, Fraser Dingwall,  James Grayson,  Alex Mitchell,  Alex Moon

Players Out: Luther Burrell (Centre), Jamal Ford-Robinson (Prop), James Craig (Utility Forward), James Haskell (Back Row), Dominic Barrow (Second Row), Nafi Tuitavake (Wing), Ken Pisi (Centre)


Sale Sharks
Last Season: 7th

Players in: Jake Cooper-Woolley (Prop), Robert du Preez (Fly Half), Akker van der Merwe (Hooker), Lood de Jager (Second Row), Coenie Oosthuizen (Prop), Dan du Preez (Utility Forward), Jean-Luc du Preez (Back Row), Simon Hammersley (Full Back), Mark Wilson (Back Row)

Players Out: Andrei Ostrikov (Second Row), Mark Jennings (Centre), Alexandru Țăruș (Prop), Johnny Leota (Centre),  Paolo Odogwu (Wing), James O'Connor (Utility Back), Josh Strauss (Back Row), George Nott (Utility Forward)


Saracens
Last Season: Champions

Players in: Elliot Daly (Utility back), Rhys Carré (Prop), Jack Singleton (Hooker), Josh Ibuanokpe (Prop)
Promoted from Academy: Alistair Crossdale, Dominic Morris

Players out: Christopher Tolofua (Hooker), Sione Vailanu (Back Row), Hayden Thompson-Stringer (Prop), David Strettle (Wing), Henry Taylor (Scrum Half) Dominic Day (Second Row), Marcelo Bosch (Centre), Schalk Burger (Back Row)


Wasps
Last Season: 8th

Players in: Malakai Fekitoa (Centre), Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (Prop), Ben Vellacott (Scrum Half), Matteo Minozzi (Utility back), Sione Vailanu (Back row), Biyi Alo (Prop), Paolo Odogwu (Wing), Zach Kibirige (wing)
Promoted from academy:  Will Porter,  Callum Sirker,  Sam Spink,  Tom Willis,  Tim Cardall,  Gabriel Oghre,  Owain James, Jacob Umaga

Players out: Jake Cooper-Woolley (Prop), Nathan Hughes (Back row), Will Stuart (Prop), Elliot Daly (Centre), Joe Simpson (Scrum half), Willie le Roux (Full Back), Michele Campagnaro (Centre), Kearnan Myall (Second Row), Gabiriele Lovobalavu (Centre), Matt Mullan (Prop)


Worcester Warriors
Last Season 10th

Players in: Graham Kitchener (Second Row), Jono Kitto (Scrum Half), Melani Nanai (Wing), Ed Fidow (Wing)
Promoted from Academy: Andrew Kitchener,  Ted Hill

Players out:  Bryce Heem (Wing), Josh Adams (Wing), Darren Barry (Second Row), Wynand Olivier (Centre), Dewald Potgieter (Back row), Jack Singleton (Hooker), Jonny Arr (Scrum half), Carl Kirwan (Back row), Luke Baldwin (Scrum Half), Ben Te'o (Centre), Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Back row)

Bye Mr Wray.

Close the door on your way out.

Cheats deserve no glory or a happy send off, any news on this years Sarries salary report?

I wonder if that will impact on the playing group at all. They have all mentioned how much of a hands on owner he is/was.
It seems like the backing/money will continue to flow - he just wont be popping up at training sessions quite so much.

Walking before he is pushed?
It's been pretty quick from "we have done nothing wrong" to goodbye

I thought there were rumours of a new investigation into the current season, as the last investigation did not include the one in progress.
Wonder if this has something to do with it?
Just speculation mind you.

The Wray family are offering the required financial support it seems.

How long before the rats leave the sinking ship.

Hell of a group of players for others to come in and pick apart once that money dries up.

Theres a bit of a clickbait headline on the BBC sports page about the premiership getting ring fenced, whilst theres no actual substance to it I do agree with the general point. The chances are its going to be a big name / well supported / bug commercial draw club that gets relegated this year finishes bottom this year. The Saracens financial issues, and a likely blip next year, all adds to the case. The big clubs will want financial stability, and thats the first thing potential new investors will look for too. A ring fenced league makes much safer investing, it does rob some of the drama and meaning from games though, and its easy to forget that Exeter are really new comers to the top division.

In terms of Saracens and the cap theres been warning shots fired for this season and mentions that its " assumed they are now following the rules", they certainly have no grey area on what they are and what level of punishment could come their way if they are still in breach.
Wondering how much the Wray departure was him falling on his sword before he was pushed. Indications are for the short term at least that the finances are being pulled, and he clearly still cares about the club and the legacy.

LondonTiger wrote:I really rate Lawes as a player. Just wonder if, at international level, he needs to be playing with a hard nosed physical lock.

He is very much a modern lock, sort of a 5.5.

He is also someone who naturally is much lighter than his playing weight, which perhaps explains his relative lack of oomph in scrums and tight exchanges.

I agree with the bit about the scrum, but sometimes think that has something to do with the prop and flanker as well, line him up behind a good scrummaging prop and a flanker who actually pushes rather constantly looks up to see what is going on and you see a big difference.

He now makes a lot of yards in the tight exchanges, more than a lot of his heavier counterparts. When he first got capped he was 17.5 stone, these days he is close to 18.5 stone and it looks like targeted areas of weight gain to help him with with this issue.

However, playing at 6 once again as Saints seem to have a plethora of locks at the moment and have chosen to bulk up there back row against Wasps.

Side to play Wasps:

15 George Furbank
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-capt)
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Alex Moon
5 David Ribbans
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison (co-capt)

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Owen Franks
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Henry Taylor
22 Matt Proctor
23 Taqele Naiyaravoro

Leicester Tigers (v Bristol Bears, Welford Road, Saturday 1.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Jordan Olowofela

13 Jaco Taute

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Jordan Taufua

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Greg Bateman

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Guy Thompson

20 Tommy Reffell

21 Sam Harrison

22 Noel Reid

23 George Worth

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau; 14 Toby Fricker, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Will Hurrell, 11 Alapati Leiua; 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 John Afoa, 4 Chris Vui, 5 Ed Holmes, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Morahan

Sam Lewis is ill so missed out so in our coaches infinite wisdom they have three locks starting and two backrow on the bench. Unimpressed by that. No Manu isn't great news and we'll need to see a lot more from Taute this weekend. Bristol look powerful, particularly in the backline, suspect they'll try and blow us away early doors.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Leicester Tigers (v Bristol Bears, Welford Road, Saturday 1.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Jordan Olowofela

13 Jaco Taute

12 Kyle Eastmond

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Jordan Taufua

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Greg Bateman

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Guy Thompson

20 Tommy Reffell

21 Sam Harrison

22 Noel Reid

23 George Worth

Bristol Bears: 15 Charles Piutau; 14 Toby Fricker, 13 Piers O’Conor, 12 Will Hurrell, 11 Alapati Leiua; 10 Callum Sheedy, 9 Harry Randall; 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Harry Thacker, 3 John Afoa, 4 Chris Vui, 5 Ed Holmes, 6 Steven Luatua (c), 7 Dan Thomas, 8 Nathan Hughes.
Replacements: 16 Will Capon, 17 Jake Woolmore, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Jake Heenan, 21 Nic Stirzaker, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Morahan

Sam Lewis is ill so missed out so in our coaches infinite wisdom they have three locks starting and two backrow on the bench. Unimpressed by that. No Manu isn't great news and we'll need to see a lot more from Taute this weekend. Bristol look powerful, particularly in the backline, suspect they'll try and blow us away early doors.

There are a multitude of options using the backrow replacements that mean we wouldn't have to start an out-and-out lock at 6. This makes me concerned that the coaching setup are starting to believe that this is tactically a good decision, which is wrong, because it isn't. 

I'd much rather have Thompson start at 6, or Taufua to 6 and Reffell at 7.

The three lock policy worked so well last season and Vs Saints right...

Saints tore us apart at the breakdown with the 3 locks selection. I can't say that Wells vs Luatua fills me with anymore confidence.

Against Bristol we need to stop their forward carriers particularly Hughes, Luatua and Vui. As such I find the benching of arguably our best fringe defender in Reffell pretty frustrating.

Taufua and Kalamafoni both being fit is vital for these games though.

Great to see Olowofela back from injury as well. Given his slight build he was likely to have a tough transition to senior rugby but with time to fill out and mature I think he will be a brilliant player.

What I like about Owolfela is that he's good at coming off his wing and running angles for the flyhalf to find him. The Bristol defence fell apart from set piece moves Vs Wasps last weekend. Owolfela could be an asset in unlocking that defence with one of his scything runs.

Toby Fricker is good going forwards but has been susceptible in defence so May should hopefully be able to make good yards down that wing.

Sheedy, Hurrell and O'Connor is a settled and strong midfield partnership so I won't be surprised if Eastmond is targeted successfully by them.

Bristol will be targeting this game for a crucial away win to solidify them as a top 6 side. I'm more nervous about this game than I have been since the Gloucester home game.

Absolute stuffing for Quins. Some shocking midfield defence did not help, but really the pack were not even second best.

Adding Akker van der Merwe and the du Preez twins to the Curry twins and Jono Ross has given Sale formidable pack, especially in the loose. They are now up to third with Lood de Jager and Mark Wilson injured as well.

Quins squad reminds of Tigers issues in some ways. Gustard has inherited a squad with plenty of talent but also an imbalance of cap spend given some highly paid but aging stalwarts. They are playing better rugby than Tigers due to better coaching at the top from Gustard but it will take him time to turnover the players and get the squad he needs.

Sale really went through the gears whilst Quins just crumbled. Injuries are hampering Quins and you could tell they weren't trusting each other with the defence narrowing time and time again and the outside defence didn't have the trust in the inside defence.

Sale looked very dangerous the Van Rensburg and James midfield combo is one of the best in the division for me, intelligence and power with Sam James boot as an extra.

Tigers 3 tries in the first half, Bristol struggling to stay into it. Start if the first half and Bristol score a rolling maul try to open the game back up. Come on Tigers, stay strong and see this one through.

Try bonus point . May scores off a first phase set play with Owolfela coming off his wing to join the line (called it).

Tigers second half snooze did continue with the usual shipping of two tries in the ten minutes after half time.

I listened via the radio as driving during the match but that is a crucial win for Tigers. The TBP is the cherry on the cake.

I'm yet to watch but most views I've heard say that Ben Youngs had one of his best games for Tigers in a fair while. 2 tries from May as well. I've said several times that I only hope they re-sign if on reduced contracts due to need to strengthen the forwards but that's 2 big performances in a crucial game.

For the first time in a while I'm looking forward to watching a Tigers game back when I get home!

A much welcome win. It does very much sound like all the players really turned up today. I'm looking forward to watching this back. Other than the 10 minutes after half time Bristol were restricted to 6 points despite their attacking talents. If we can just start stronger after half time hopefully we'll pick up a few more points and move ourselves out of trouble. After the European fixtures we've got games Vs Wasps and Worcester that might well define our season.

A strong team for the Cardiff game at home with hopefully another morale boosting win then we can send the kids down to Pau as the result won't matter and the senior squad can prepare for the Prem.

Huge win indeed, Tigers need to be grabbing these home points while they have the England stars available. Sadly the Wasps fixture falls during the 6 nations so Id guess Tigers could be missing Genge, Cole, Youngs, Ford, Tuilagi and May. Should have everyone back for the LI fixture toward the end of the season, and I fancy they are the main competition for 12th place.

Saracens are just unstoppable, unless you're Exeter. Or an accountant.

Worcester's largely change team certainly had a tough trip to Allianz Park. To top it off Fatialofa'a went off with a nasty looking neck injury.

Saracens: Daly; Segun, Lozowski, Barritt (capt), Lewington; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, George, Lamositele, Itoje, Skelton, Isiekwe, Earl, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Singleton, Barrington, Koch, Kpoku, Wray, Spencer, M Vunipola, Taylor.

When Sarries pack is at full strength like that it is just ridiculous. That's a strong international pack and sums up why a lot of fans are still asking questions about their cap spend.

If you don't turn up against Sarries then they'll out 50 on you, simple as that. That team is a brutal machine that won't stop turning the screw until the final whistle.

I'd expect Ben Earl to join the international ranks before the end of the season. He's the kind of all action flanker Jones likes.

king_carlos wrote:Adding Akker van der Merwe and the du Preez twins to the Curry twins and Jono Ross has given Sale formidable pack, especially in the loose. They are now up to third with Lood de Jager and Mark Wilson injured as well.

Quins squad reminds of Tigers issues in some ways. Gustard has inherited a squad with plenty of talent but also an imbalance of cap spend given some highly paid but aging stalwarts. They are playing better rugby than Tigers due to better coaching at the top from Gustard but it will take him time to turnover the players and get the squad he needs.

Apparently Care, Robshaw and Brown are all on £320k contracts, add in Marler and Synkler and that is a lot of cap space on a tiny number of players.

Interesting to see if Farrel is sanctioned, looks like he got away with a no arms tackle to a Wuss players shoulder/head region (big shock right?!). If he is expect it to conveniently end at the start of Feb...

yappysnap wrote:Interesting to see if Farrel is sanctioned, looks like he got away with a no arms tackle to a Wuss players shoulder/head region (big shock right?!). If he is expect it to conveniently end at the start of Feb...

I was slightly bemused by the Bears yellow card for their prop Lay as well. Seemed clear contact with the shoulder to the head, direct initial contact. Got downgraded to a yellow because TV was leaning forward. Lavanini must have been very annoyed given he made more of an attempt to tackle legally than Lay and Farrell dropped his height more.

The high tackle interpretations are a complete lottery. TMOs this season have been appallingly bad as well, so inconsistent they are undermining the referees they are supposed to help. Lay and Farrell will no doubt appear before disciplinary panels but as you say we know when Farrell's ban will finish by...

Agree there is no consistency - LI player got a red against Bristol when the subsequent review panel said there was no shoulder to head contact, but shoulder to shoulder. These decisions are changing results of games so they really should be getting more consistency in the decision making.

Just looking at the lineups today. Do LI have any EQ players?

Yes but most of the best ones end up playing for Bath ...

To be fair LI have had almost and entire backline pinched in recent years.

11. Cockanasiga
12. Williams
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Homer

Can't think of a 9 and 10 (without including Geraghty and why would you). Still most AP teams would be happy with that backline.

And to answer the original question properly I count 7 EQ in today's squad ...

And 20 in the first team squad plus 3 in the academy ...

LI getting stuffed by Chiefs as expected - however 1 more try for the TBP which would be a reasonable result all things considered ...

Wow TBP for LI after 2 YCs for Chiefs for deliberate knock-ons - at least we get a point from this game which wasn't really expected.

Lazy TMO work there, the ball was down, saints robbed.

TMO possibly also got the pull back penalty wrong - looks like the Wasps player pulled the Saints player back first ... that completely changed the momentum as Wasps then went on to score a try followed by another.  Now a Red makes it look like Wasps might nick this one.

Another missed red card.

Sheesh Chiefs and Saints doing us no favours. If Saints had not imploded for 15 minutes and denied Wasps anything then we'd be level on points. Chiefs unusually for them offer up a TBP for LI.

LI and Wasps showing they have a lot of attacking talent if they can just get their game management and defence right they could save themselves.

I'm hoping LI can improve when they get arguably their 2 best wingers back too ... but we can't afford any more injuries as they are killing us at the moment.

Very tight season so far. Quins, Wasps, Tigers and Bath all worse then expected, LI and Wuss as bad as expected. Only Saints, Glos, Ex and Briz can be happy for now

I'd have Irish favourites for the drop now. Theres still a lot of the season to go and with Tigers finally getting their lives together there does seem to be a bit of a momentum shift in the league.
The 6 nations could hit both fairly hard, and of course Saracens will suffer more than anyone, but the big clubs just have more depth and ability to pull in additional cover to get through those raw spells.
Losing a game where the opposition has shipped two yellows by a big margin is the sign of a team in trouble.

Theres certainly no indication that Saracens wont stop chewing up their deduction and reach safety. Anyone from 8th up would have to have a real slide to get overhauled though, and with 3 other clubs below them should have done just enough early season to feel fairly comfortable, even Worcs. Quins and Bath will have more of an eye on the playoff spots being 5 points away than Tigers who are 6 behind them.

To me Irosh look like Irish are the side most likely to have a horrid run and sink into a more they cant escape from. Most recent seasons have seen a weak club fold late season and end up a way adrift even if some bigger names have struggled and given them hope for a time.

With the playoffs being near impossible for Saracens the title seems to be between Exeter and Northampton, other two playoff spots being wide open. If Northampton dont progress in Europe that coupled with less players being subjected tonthe rigours of the 6 nations might just leave them fresher at season end to take the title.

Gooseberry wrote:

With the playoffs being near impossible for Saracens...

Oh, I wouldn't right Salarysins off for the play-offs just yet....

So will the ringfencing announcement be held off until we are officially promoted so that Tigers or LI dont go down?

Any updates about Fatialofa?

TightHEAD wrote:Any updates about Fatialofa?

Stable in intensive care.

LI need to target the 6N to get some wins. Only Allan Dell will be missing through int. selection. The likes of Kepu, Naholo, Coleman, Jackson, Rona will all be available provided not injured.

Our next two games are Bath (a) and Wasps (h). Win these and things look a bit better for us. Lose, especially against Wasps which is during the 6Ns, and things look hairy.

stnick88 wrote:LI need to target the 6N to get some wins. Only Allan Dell will be missing through int. selection. The likes of Kepu, Naholo, Coleman, Jackson, Rona will all be available provided not injured.

Worcester will be thinking similarly. Realistically they could lose no players to the 6 Nations. Outside bets are Nick Schonert if England move on from Cole. Possibly Weir and Cornell if Scotland had an injury crisis but both, particularly CdP, seem unlikely.

Wasps won't lose many but Launchbury is so important for them. Minozzi and Robson would also be big blows.

It's a period that worries me as a Tigers fan. We will lose the bulk of our back line again. During the RWC we looked dire without Youngs, Ford, Manu and May.