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)

LondonTiger wrote:Is that a 6/2 bench for Quins?

Certainly looks like it. Lang covering 10, Marchant covering wing and either wing could go to fullback. As Lamb can play 6 they could replace the entire backrow.

That Quins/Sale match-up is mouthwatering with those lineups. Could well be the match of the weekend.

Leicester lineup v Exeter - and my hope that we will stop selecting locks at 6 has not been met - yet we have three back row on the bench.

15 George Worth
14 David Williams
13 Jaco Taute
12 Matt Scott
11 Jordan Olowofela
10 George Ford (vc)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Tomás Lavanini
5 Calum Green
6 Harry Wells
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Jordan Taufua

REPLACEMENTS:
16 Jake Kerr
17 Nephi Leatigaga
18 Joe Heyes
19 Hanro Liebenberg
20 Luke Wallace
21 Thom Smith
22 Ben White
23 Zack Henry

Agree LT makes no sense to have three backrow on the bench and three locks starting. Having half of our new backline missing is a real blow as well we could have done with Nadolo or Murimurivalu available in time to add some pace and power.

The Chiefs squad is nearly full strength and looks awesome. Only sniff of weakness might be Hepburn at scrum time.

EXETER CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE LEICESTER TIGERS
15 Stuart Hogg
14 Tom O’Flaherty
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Olly Woodburn
10 Joe Simmonds (capt)
9 Jack Maunder
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Jonny Gray
5 Jonny Hill
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jannes Kirsten
8 Sam Simmonds


16 Jack Yeandle
17 Ben Moon
18 Tomas Francis
19 Sam Skinner
20 Don Armand
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Gareth Steenson
23 Ian Whitten

formerly known as Sam wrote:Harlequins: Brown; Ashton, Marchant, Lang, Earle; Smith, Landajo; Marler, Baldwin, Kerrod, Lewies, Symons, Chisholm, Robshaw (capt), Dombrandt.
Replacements: Gray, Garcia Botta, Collier, Lamb, Lawday, Evans, Steele, Lasike.
Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, Tuilagi, Hill, Yarde; R du Preez, de Klerk; Oosthuizen, van der Merwe, John, J-L du Preez, de Jager, Ross (capt), T Curry, D du Preez.
Replacements: Langdon, Harrison, Cooper-Wooley, Phillips, B Curry, Cliff, MacGinty, Solomona.
Surprised that neither of the James brothers make the Sale squad I presume they are injured.

Nice, can watch some South African rugby tonight.

Worcester vs Gloucester 12:30pm at Sixways Stadium


Worcester:

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tom Howe, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Scott van Breda, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Matt Kvesic.

Replacements | 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Lewis Holsey, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 GJ van Velze, 20 Cornell du Preez, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Francois Venter.

Gloucester:

15 Jason Woodward, 14 Ollie Thorley, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Ed Slater, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (C), 8 Jake Polledri.

Replacements | 16 Henry Walker, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Jack Stanley, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit


Some interesting subplots in this one.  Hill is the youngest captain in Worcester .  Jonny May returns for Gloucester and Rees-Zammit immediately makes way.  Will be interested to see how Lawrence goes.

Old Man wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Harlequins: Brown; Ashton, Marchant, Lang, Earle; Smith, Landajo; Marler, Baldwin, Kerrod, Lewies, Symons, Chisholm, Robshaw (capt), Dombrandt.
Replacements: Gray, Garcia Botta, Collier, Lamb, Lawday, Evans, Steele, Lasike.
Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, Tuilagi, Hill, Yarde; R du Preez, de Klerk; Oosthuizen, van der Merwe, John, J-L du Preez, de Jager, Ross (capt), T Curry, D du Preez.
Replacements: Langdon, Harrison, Cooper-Wooley, Phillips, B Curry, Cliff, MacGinty, Solomona.
Surprised that neither of the James brothers make the Sale squad I presume they are injured.

Nice, can watch some South African rugby tonight.

Hmm yeah, as an English supporter I must admit that I find Sale's pack particularly concerning, only one English player and the outstanding Ben Curry dropped to the bench.

In fact, you couldn't make an English front five if you combined both teams' starters...

Cumbrian wrote:Worcester vs Gloucester 12:30pm at Sixways Stadium


Worcester:

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tom Howe, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Scott van Breda, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Matt Kvesic.

Replacements | 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Lewis Holsey, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 GJ van Velze, 20 Cornell du Preez, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Francois Venter.

Gloucester:

15 Jason Woodward, 14 Ollie Thorley, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Ed Slater, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (C), 8 Jake Polledri.

Replacements | 16 Henry Walker, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Jack Stanley, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit


Some interesting subplots in this one.  Hill is the youngest captain in Worcester .  Jonny May returns for Gloucester and Rees-Zammit immediately makes way.  Will be interested to see how Lawrence goes.

I absolutely love the Worcester move of making Ted Hill skipper. A young guy with a reputation for training and playing harder than just about anyone given a leadership role to drive things forward. Great call in my opinion.

king_carlos wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Worcester vs Gloucester 12:30pm at Sixways Stadium


Worcester:

15 Melani Nanai, 14 Tom Howe, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Ashley Beck, 11 Scott van Breda, 10 Billy Searle, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Ethan Waller, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Matt Kvesic.

Replacements | 16 Beck Cutting, 17 Lewis Holsey, 18 Richard Palframan, 19 GJ van Velze, 20 Cornell du Preez, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Francois Venter.

Gloucester:

15 Jason Woodward, 14 Ollie Thorley, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Joe Simpson, 1 Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Fraser Balmain, 4 Ed Slater, 5 Freddie Clarke, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (C), 8 Jake Polledri.

Replacements | 16 Henry Walker, 17 Logovi’i Mulipola, 18 Jack Stanley, 19 Matt Garvey, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit


Some interesting subplots in this one.  Hill is the youngest captain in Worcester .  Jonny May returns for Gloucester and Rees-Zammit immediately makes way.  Will be interested to see how Lawrence goes.

I absolutely love the Worcester move of making Ted Hill skipper. A young guy with a reputation for training and playing harder than just about anyone given a leadership role to drive things forward. Great call in my opinion.

Agreed. He's a young, local lad who is desperate to win with his team. He signed a substantial extension before lockdown as well so he's committed, he could have easily gone elsewhere as there would have been offers.

I see Joe Simmons is captaining Exeter as well. Another young local lad given a leadership opportunity.

The Bath 23 for tomorrow;
BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Lewis Boyce, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Tom de Glanville

The current squad was reconfirmed yesterday and notable that of the 40 senior players, there are only four non EQ players and a further 19 academy players, which I believe are all english. It will be very interesting to see if this approach survives in this league. Bath are very light on FHs and potentially centres but stocked in the forwards.
Underhill against O'Brien will be one to watch tomorrow. A couple of famous names on the bench.

Cokanasiga's injury was obviously much more serious than hoped. They were ranging it from 4 to 12 months initially. Any recent update through the club?

I don't think Joe is far off but like a lot of sides these days, they are keeping tight lipped about injured players. Nathan Catt and Henry Thomas are two others due to return.

I wonder if Thorley and May are the fastest wing pairing the Premiership has seen?

Ridiculous when Rees-Zammit is on the bench as well!

Has Mallinder been picked on the wing? Would be surprised by that decision rather than him 15 and furbank there.

I spotted that one too. Perhaps they will be interchangeable, Mallinder doesn't seem to have the gas to play wing.

Are Saints expecting Wasps to kick long all game due to the expected increased policing of the existing rules? Furbank, Mallinder and Tuala are all 15's by trade. Tuala has played on the wing from time to time but both Furbank and Mallinder are predominately 15's who can play 10 (and 12 in Mallinder's case).

Strange selection, especially with Naiyaravoro on the bench. I've not seen young Umaga play but I would not class Robson as a kicking 9. With Bigger at 10 and Francis at 12 Saints have 4 players in the backline who have all played at 10 in premiership games.

Sale = Sarries MK2

Here we go!!!!! Lots in the sale team not taking the knee. Headline news tomorrow no doubt!

Tom Curry having a good game already, he is underlining his ability as a fetcher.

Geez, Robert du Preez’ kicking is poor

Typical, these Saffers are having an average game, put them against England and they look superhuman.

Yep, we need something to play for

Old Man wrote:Yep, we need something to play for

Money I guess, to help ensure they have walls and security at home (in SA).



Is BT Sport the only way we can watch this? If so then it's quite tempting to sign up and watch this weekend's action. I've missed rugby.
Blues vs Crusaders got cancelled, that would have been some game...

mikey_dragon wrote:

Old Man wrote:Yep, we need something to play for

Money I guess, to help ensure they have walls and security at home (in SA).

That and capital to start a business once they get home, eh?

No lack of effort by either side. Obvious rustiness but smith has completely outclassed du preez.

Old Man wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

Old Man wrote:Yep, we need something to play for

Money I guess, to help ensure they have walls and security at home (in SA).

That and capital to start a business once they get home, eh?

Yep. Bakkies has done well for himself.

Symonds had the best game I've seen from him today. Quote impressed and o guess the form he was showing in NZ. Had to watch the return of the prem so typical that the football turned up a Barca 2 8 Bayern game!

TightHEAD wrote:Here we go!!!!! Lots in the sale team not taking the knee. Headline news tomorrow no doubt!

Four did, Curry, Hammersley, Yarde and Hill. Rest did not. I am fully supportive of the anti racism movement, and support BLM generally. I do believe that any gesture made by players should be down to their personal conscience and should mean something. Taking the knee as a matter of course becomes a meaningless gesture imo. However that only English players in the Sale team did, but none of the white afrikaans is potentially quite suggestive.

Back to the rugby though, and lord that was turgid rubbish. The van der Merwe and de Jager combo managed to make the now retired Webber look like a world class lineout thrower. Curry aside Sale were not far from being incompetent.

Sale's backline looked all over the place. Robert du Preez was lost at 10. The two centre combination was never going to move the ball wide and that left a very narrow attack with du Preez struggling to get the ball wide. Agree with the comments on the Sale lineout it was a farce especially when compared to Quins very effective rolling maul (that's a new addition).

I also agree with the option to kneel. It should be that. If players choose to make a stand then they should be allowed to do that. If they want to remain neutral and not get involved that's fine also.

Yeah Sale was terrible, too many mistakes, poor decisions and ill discipline. They showed little cohesion and every great bit of individual play was spoilt by illdiscipline immediately after.

Robert du Preez is not a world class goal kicker, stats on screen showed less than 70% accuracy for the season. That is simply unacceptable.

Not taking the knee will certainly raise eyebrows in SA, there is always someone with a political agenda looking out for incidents to exploit.

Well it's made all the reports I've read. Despite the t shirts you'd expect a few sideways glances from the likes of yarde to his team mates. Could well be Diamond has some work to do around that issue.

The situation with these socio political issues these days is that there is an automatic assumption and public judgement if a public figure does not show support.

It is an interpretation of “if you are not showing support you are against us” and hence judgement will rain upon you like hellfire.

Personally I think that is unfair. Myself I have never been a joiner, mostly keep my political and social views to myself, perhaps some of these players are the same.

Or the more obvious reason. Like I said it could quickly become a problem for Sale.

That was a ridiculous red card to concede by Nanai, what was he thinking? You just aren't going to get away with things like that anymore.

Exeter have looked rusty but Tigers definitely seem to have a bit more structure. Ben Youngs is looking more like an international scrum-half and Ford has been excellent so far.

I was just about to say Chiefs still seem to be going in the side at rucks and getting away with it when they got pinged

I can understand Taute's frustration there with Chiefs taking an age at the base. But you can see him asking the ref if it's out, the ref doesn't say so and he goes for it anyway. A really silly pen.

The refs should be making scrum-halves use the ball quicker though.

I'm not a big fan of Tigers picking locks at blindsides in recent years but Harry Wells has been very good there so far.

That's more like the Exeter we're used to...

That's well finished by Chiefs but the initial break comes too easy. It's a simple but slickly executed backline move that cut straight through.

As you'd expect there has been a noticeable difference in class between the back threes. With Nadolo, Murimruivalu and van Wyk missing that's to be expected really. Tigers have lost possession and field position a couple of times with the back three under pressure.

That aside there's been some good things from Tigers.

It will hurt to go in at the break 6 points down after leading the entire game up to there.

A second Chiefs try of the back of LCD taking a tap and go after a lineout penalty. This one coming directly from him. Tigers caught napping.

19-6

Tigers need to score next or this could get ugly!

Promising start by London Irish attacking in the Bath 22 when they throw an easy intercept to hand Bath a try - jeez ...

Ford's tactical kicking has been excellent today. Tigers inexperienced back three are under a lot of pressure so Ford needs to either find ground or touch with every kick. More often than not he has.

Hogg and Maunder are looking very bright.

Tom Foley has been appalling. He's just yellow carded a player for in at the side who was always bound in at the shoulder.

Not to mention Slade's shot to the head of Williams that wasn't a penalty because of slipping? Since when has that mattered?

There's been stuff missed for both sides IMO. Tigers gave away 16 penalties without Chiefs giving away one before Taufua was binned.

Chiefs give away one penalty, it's a penalty try and sin binning. If I was a Chiefs fan I'd be raging!

Taute's shoulder charge on Woodburn off the ball looked ugly at first glance to but didn't get a replay.

Tigers get a lifeline with those 7 points. It shouldn't change the results but might stop it getting ugly.

I was surprised he gave us the penalty try to be fair. Once you've given a penalty try you have to yellow card the guilty party so he didn't have a lot of choice with that.

Bath smashing it.

Irish are making it easy for them to be fair ...

Heaf wrote:Irish are making it easy for them to be fair ...

Looking at the sides you fancied Bath quite a bit. They were serious favourites.