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)

Saracens have lost Jackson Wray, Duncan Taylor and Alex Goode to head injuries in the first half. Saints have lost Biggar to a leg injury. Wray and Goode both walked off but looked groggy.

Watching the Saints Saracens game myself. Bigger injury could have big ramifications for next weekend.

Where is the Saints game on?

Watching Quins v Chiefs, I do not see the what the hype about Dombrant is, he looks slow about the field, he makes his tackles but only close in to the ruck/maul, takes forever to get back to his feet and in position. With ball in hand, when he can keep hold of it (really wet at The Stoop) he looks very good.

I can understand why EJ doesn't have him in the squad, he really does need to work on his speed around the field and recovery after a tackle.

Biggar is a big blow to Saints and Wales. Seems to be underrated by a lot of people because he doesn't do the fancy stuff but he's been excellent for Saints this season.

Agree with the verdict on Dombrandt. Give him the ball and he's destructive but he's a bit old school 8 and does a lot of his work in the tight. Eddie wants an 8 that's capable of roaming the field it seems. Rules out Dombrandt and Hughes in the short term.

Someones had a word with Dombrant at half time, different player this half

In Canada WPI, get the choice to stream nearly all games live on demand now with Rogers.

Listened to Will Greenwood interviewing Paul Gustard this week on the Sky rugby podcast. WG asked straight out why Dombrant wasn’t involved in the 6N and although PG didn’t answer directly the strong impression given was that it’s due to the defensive and involvement aspects of his game, so backing up your first half  impressions. It was a good interview, certainly worth a listen.

Simmons brothers just talk Quins apart, fantastic break by Sam, couple of recycles and Joe just cuts through the defense from 15m out

Simmonds vs Dombrandt is a good match-up at Quins. Sam just set up Joe witha great position for an Exeter try.

Bean just been shown yellow for Saints. Even as a Saints fan I think he’s lucky not to see red. Swinging arm and reckless.

Joe's done it again, trying to hold him is like trying to catch a will of the wisp. Showing Smith how to play 10.

I was going to say that Care's kicking is excellent today, so he puts on straight into touch

Immediate second yellow for Saints, down to 13. Not convinced but it could be my bias.

This is becoming a habit by Saints

I say Smith is being schooled by Simmons, so Smith scores a beauty

Saints 15-8 at HT now 15-22, is that due to the YCs?

Mainly. But saints have lost their head somewhat. 18-27 now due to a poor intercept try.

They seem to lose concentration in teh last 20 min every game these days

That's something. Quins drove Exeter off their ball near the Exeter line but the referee blew for a penalty, when Quins had a clear overlap, and could pass for a try. The "something" is that the ref immediately apologized for not playing a longer advantage.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:They seem to lose concentration in teh last 20 min every game these days

Agreed. Seems like a lack of leadership when the pressure comes on. Harrison can only do so much himself.

On a brighter note Mallinder has gone well at 10 since Bigger went off.

Ugly, ugly win for Tigers over Worcester. Worcester get the LBP though.

Ridley decided to make up for it by awarding a very generous penalty try on fulltime.

That PT was a ridiculous decision, I am not sure it was even a Quins try!

BigGee wrote:That PT was a ridiculous decision, I am not sure it was even a Quins try!

Not even close to a certain try, just exasperation at the continuous penalties being given away by Chiefs knowing that Quins would go for the scrum and eventually make a mistake.

Also making up for his early "faux pas" with the penalty when Quins were in in the corner.

Rugby Fan wrote:Ridley decided to make up for it by awarding a very generous penalty try on fulltime.

Pushing the boundaries of the term generous there. The yellow card at the scrum was fairly harsh as well. Quins clearly pushing before the ball was in.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:Ridley decided to make up for it by awarding a very generous penalty try on fulltime.

Pushing the boundaries of the term generous there. The yellow card at the scrum was fairly harsh as well. Quins clearly pushing before the ball was in.

I think Well Past It summed up what happened. Shouldn't happen like that but often does.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Not even close to a certain try, just exasperation at the continuous penalties being given away by Chiefs knowing that Quins would go for the scrum and eventually make a mistake.

Also making up for his early "faux pas" with the penalty when Quins were in in the corner.

I’ve never seen a Rob Baxter talk to a ref like that after a match.

Very strange decision for that penalty try when the scrum was going sideways.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:I’ve never seen a Rob Baxter talk to a ref like that after a match.

Very strange decision for that penalty try when the scrum was going sideways.

According to Gustard, the Exeter loosehead’s hips were out and he was driving sideways. If that’s the case, then it’s foul play, and given the combination of Quins’ clear dominance in the scrum and repeated penalties against Exeter, it wasn’t an unreasonable decision. That, and a combination of wanting to make up for denying Quins a very good chance of scoring by not playing advantage on the first scrum.

Technically, it might not have been the best decision, but it was a pretty fair outcome under the circumstances.

Poorfour wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:I’ve never seen a Rob Baxter talk to a ref like that after a match.

Very strange decision for that penalty try when the scrum was going sideways.

According to Gustard, the Exeter loosehead’s hips were out and he was driving sideways. If that’s the case, then it’s foul play, and given the combination of Quins’ clear dominance in the scrum and repeated penalties against Exeter, it wasn’t an unreasonable decision. That, and a combination of wanting to make up for denying Quins a very good chance of scoring by not playing advantage on the first scrum.

Technically, it might not have been the best decision, but it was a pretty fair outcome under the circumstances.

Penalty tries should be when foul play clearly stops a certain try. If Exeter had been in reverse and then the loosehead had driven across to take the scrum down then fair enough but it looked like the scrum hadn't really gone anywhere at that point. Not every scrum penalty five metres out should be a penalty try.

I think it may well have been a reaction to the earlier error.

Yeah never a penalty on the basis of the laws but very much the ref making up for his earlier mistake. Doubt it'll go down well with his bosses.

If he judged that it was only going sideways because the prop wasn’t driving straight, and would have been going backwards otherwise, then it’s a justifiable penalty, and the penalty try comes for the repeated offences.

Ref panicked.

Made a mistake and wanted to make up for it.

Farcical ending.

Not sure why the media are so cosy with Quin's & ex-quins players either?

BigGee wrote:That PT was a ridiculous decision, I am not sure it was even a Quins try!

Just seen it. If anything Quins should have been penalised at two of the scrums, including that one. Ref made a mistake earlier and panicked. Problem for Chiefs is time was not up when he should have allowed a try, whereas when he finally did there was no coming back. Young guy, and he will learn from it, but that 2as a shocker.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Ugly, ugly win for Tigers over Worcester. Worcester get the LBP though.

Painful match for all present.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:I’ve never seen a Rob Baxter talk to a ref like that after a match.

Very strange decision for that penalty try when the scrum was going sideways.

According to Gustard, the Exeter loosehead’s hips were out and he was driving sideways. If that’s the case, then it’s foul play, and given the combination of Quins’ clear dominance in the scrum and repeated penalties against Exeter, it wasn’t an unreasonable decision. That, and a combination of wanting to make up for denying Quins a very good chance of scoring by not playing advantage on the first scrum.

Technically, it might not have been the best decision, but it was a pretty fair outcome under the circumstances.

Penalty tries should be when foul play clearly stops a certain try. If Exeter had been in reverse and then the loosehead had driven across to take the scrum down then fair enough but it looked like the scrum hadn't really gone anywhere at that point. Not every scrum penalty five metres out should be a penalty try.

I think it may well have been a reaction to the earlier error.

Yes.
Refereeing by guilt is not acceptable.

LondonTiger wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Ugly, ugly win for Tigers over Worcester. Worcester get the LBP though.

Painful match for all present.

Can't even call it one for the purists. Grinding out boring wins at this time of year used to be considered job done back when we were at the other end of the table. Currently any game where we get 4 points is a good one for me.

Annoyance lies in the fact our scrum suddenly can't settle and we're giving away freekicks for early engagement and pushing before the balls in. Bateman's comeback seems to have coincided with this malaise and he might be lucky to start next time out (if Gigena wasn't stuck in Argentina he wouldn't be). There's also the lineout, the damned lineout. Kerr is reliably a good thrower but what a mess it was; mistimed jumps, overthrows and bad communication we had the lot. When they worked our rolling maul had them in the ropes, making the fact we lost what felt like half our lineouts even more vexing. Worcester were so poor the TBP was on even though they had more possession.

Backline frankly anonymous in attack other than TV and Owolfela's two efforts. White was excellent being one of the few bright points if the day (along with the defence) and should have been man of the match. McPhillips was passable having to come on early doors, still looks out of his depth but played the percentages and let the forwards do the work.

Upshot of Bateman struggling in the scrum today was Lady Gaga looking better when he came on.

I've been really impressed with Leatigaga. I hoped that he'd be a physical presence at his size but wasn't expecting him to be solid on both sides of the scrum. A good bit of recruitment.

king_carlos wrote:Upshot of Bateman struggling in the scrum today was Lady Gaga looking better when he came on.

I've been really impressed with Leatigaga. I hoped that he'd be a physical presence at his size but wasn't expecting him to be solid on both sides of the scrum. A good bit of recruitment.

He does seem to be the second coming of Mulipola. Doesn't seem to start many games though which makes me think he struggles to do more than 30 minutes currently. Hopefully we can keep him in Europe over the summer to work on his conditioning. He could be an even better signing next signing. Very handy business done up front last summer. Hopefully we've tied Leatigaga down for three years because some French clubs will be keeping an eye on his progress.

Worcester fans - how did Weir do please? I didn't see the game but want to keep tabs on him. Ta

TJ wrote:Worcester fans - how did Weir do please?  I didn't see the game but want to keep tabs on him.  Ta

He is usually good against us. Yesterday not.

Wasps seem like a different team when Jimmy Gopperth is playing. You can only wonder how Lima Sopoaga's first season would have gone, if Gopperth hadn't misses it through injury.

Bath were robbed by the ref, how many seatbelt tackles missed and persistent fouling near the try line?

Everytime Ref!

Even made it on to bt sport. Handsome lad.

Rugby Fan wrote:Wasps seem like a different team when Jimmy Gopperth is playing. You can only wonder how Lima Sopoaga's first season would have gone, if Gopperth hadn't misses it through injury.

He's been outstanding for Wasps since 2015 now. Since moving to centre more his attacking play has looked so much better with the defensive and kicking game just the same.

It's remarkable that a fly-half who was criticised for playing to far behind the game line as first receiver is now such a good carrier taking the ball flat to the line. His footwork around contact is impressive for a 36-year old.

With their injuries in the forwards last season I think they'd have needed more than Gopperth being fit to see much more from Sopoaga.

Great win for Quins on the weekend against Exeter.

I see there is a lot of talk about the penalty try at the end and the ref apparently trying to make up for a prior mistake. Tbh imo if a team commits multiple pro fouls on their line then a penalty try is allowed, I know it's meant to be for when a try is guaranteed and stopped illegally, but Quins had repeat 5m scrums and had been dominant all game, only reason we weren't walking over the line was that they were dropping before we could get a shove on. binning their props could have ended up with uncontested scrums which would have been a farce.

He implemented the rule incorrectly and ignored an early quins push to ensure he corrected his earlier mistake. Evened it ip but personally dont think he was right to do that.

Yeah, imo at least two of the penalties given against Exeter at the end were incorrect. Before then the scrums had been a lottery - to say Quins were dominant all game is completely untrue.

I would like to add that although Ridley messed up I do think he is an excellent young ref and have no doubt he will (have to) learn from this mistake.
I really enjoyed the game and as people have already said the 2 tens were superb.

Absolutely trev. Thought he had a good game and even his mistake he acknowledged straight away and defused the situation with the players. Big tick there for me. However his head went slightly after that. I expect he will be dropped for a week or 2 and come back stronger.

Both 10s deserve to go on tour this summer with England. Both were a joy to watch.

LondonTiger wrote:Yeah, imo at least two of the penalties given against Exeter at the end were incorrect. Before then the scrums had been a lottery - to say Quins were dominant all game is completely untrue.

That’s not what the stats say, though. Scrum penalties were 3/3 at half time, after a period of Exeter dominance in the last 10 minutes of the half, but in the second half it was consistently going Quins’ way. The last couple of penalties leading to the penalty try were arguably a little generous - but that sequence of play had started with Exeter being pushed off their own put in on the 5m line.