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)

Sale were decent, not pretty but it was effective.

Put it on the international thread but personally still thought willis was better. Curry received plaudits for the 3 or 4 turnovers however Maxwell-Keyes was a little erratic and another ref would probably have given a pen or 2 against him.
Swap the 2 refs over last night and youd have got.very different games and possibly results.

We all go into things with our preconceptions. Due to the early hype, then two poor games against us, I tend to feel Willis is over rated and thus see the mistakes rather than the good things.

He hasn't had many mistakes in the 2 games back since lockdown. Dominated against saints very good last last night. 3 turnovers 2 ruled out for other players and carried very well. Curry was good but not in the same class.

I've been really impressed with Ben Curry this season. It felt like he got some pretty harsh criticism at times due largely to being behind Tom in his development. When a few pundits chatted about the potential of both Curry's in the England squad it was met with scorn my a lot of fans who felt Ben was just an average openside being touted because he's Toms twin.

He definitely has been a year or two behind Tom in adapting to senior rugby but after a full preseason with Sale he started this season really well and has just kept growing into his role in that pack as the season has gone on. I've been impressed with him all season and was impressed again last night.

That said I rate Willis really highly too. For a time I felt he had a tendency to fade out of games a bit, i.e. Nathan Hughes-itis, but he seems to be getting more consistent with more senior rugby under his belt.

England have some great talent coming through in the back row. Rus Tuima at Exeter will be an interesting one to watch. Some guys who dominate physically at age grade struggle with the transition to Prem rugby.

Didn't Ben tour with England to Argentina at the same time as Tom? Tom pulled up trees and Ben didn't. Seemed to knock his confidence slightly and as you say Carlos he's been slower to adapt. I think he's got all the potential of Tom and it'll be interesting to see how Diamond balances their game time and whether Eddie is looking to bring the other brother in.

Think ben was called up first got injured was replaced by tom and never called up again. I think.

I think Tom was in the original 2017 Argentina tour squad, made a non-cap debut against the Baabaas and then debuted against Argentina.

Ben was called up after the Baabaas game to the tour squad as an injury replacement if I remember correctly, but didn't make an appearance on the tour.

Tom being capped on that tour seemed to fast track his progress though as he then ended up in England training squads and 23s when fit. Whilst Ben captained the England U20s the following season and was more of a reserve with Sale for that year. That was back when TJ Ioane was playing brilliantly for Sale, Jono Ross joing and Tom coming through so a plenty of competition.

To me it seemed like Tom just developed physically a bit faster than Ben. At as young an age 19 when they first came into England squads there are so many factors that could effect that. Maybe Ben picked up an injury that hampered his S&C training. Maybe Tom took to having the diet of a pro athlete earlier - when progressing from academies the diet can be a shock to many young players. Lots of variables.

Having just turned 22 it's hardly like Ben has developed slowly though. He's just got the strange situation of being compared to a nearly identical brother, playing the same position, who just happens to be a freak that dominated tackles in international rugby at the age of 19!

How come Homer got away with the no arms tackle in the corner o Williams?

Didn't think you were allowed to play the ball when off your feet?

Heaf wrote:Didn't think you were allowed to play the ball when off your feet?

You're not allowed to scrum on your knees but LI are being allowed to do that.

LT, I was surprised the Homer tackle wasn't checked, on the replay it looked that he tried to wrap by the momentum of the tackle was taking Williams away from him. The tackle to Wells head would have been red a year ago but the high tackle laws seem to have been eased again.

They are getting pinged plenty in the scrums ... I missed the tackle on Wells. Problem with the red button is no rewind

Looks like Mr P is missing lots both ways - he's had to be corrected twice so far by the other officials ...

Poor game so far.

I've seen much worse

Just seen the Warriors v Quins score - not sure what's happening there ...

Heaf wrote:Just seen the Warriors v Quins score - not sure what's happening there ...

First half Wuss TBP and Quins being nilled. Gustard will have been dining at half time.

I had Wuss to win but that margin is unexpected

A small glimmer of hope ....

Heaf wrote:A small glimmer of hope ....

I'm guessing we have differing views over whether Meehan was tackled short and then driven over legally or not. Makes the last quarter interesting. Maybe LI will start trying to kick penalties.

I predict they'll throw an interception ...

Phew that was a close one ...

Big let off Meehan milks a penalty to get LI out of a hole.

It was a pen whether he milked it or not - if you get yourself in that position you're asking to get pinged ... don't worry they'll still give you at least one more score ....

No 17 doesn't seem to learn ...

Heaf wrote:It was a pen whether he milked it or not - if you get yourself in that position you're asking to get pinged ... don't worry they'll still give you at least one more score ....

No it's definitely a penalty. I admire the quick thinking to make the ref make the decision.

I'm just hoping they don't give up the LBP now ...

Not a classic but probably a fair result ...

Both sides lacking a clinical edge there. Tigers will certainly feel they left more than one try out there. LI probably thinking they should have got more from the yellow card period.

Yep very scrappy with missed chances all round

Harrison could be a red here. Tip on Mercer.

Tonks gets the yellow. Harrison escapes as a second tackler. Another case of intention taken into account at mauls. Obviously ignored in most other places in the air etc.

Heaf wrote:Yep very scrappy with missed chances all round

I was amazed at the stats saying Tigers only made 8 handling errors. Most of those must have been in the LI 22. 

I was happy with young Freddie Steward at fullback for Tigers. Looked rock solid and like he'd been playing there for years. Considering he's only 19 that's pretty good going. Basis for a decent Tigers backline there eventually, they all just need to gel.

I wasn't sure about Homer coming back to LI at fullback but he seems to be doing OK ... I'm just hoping for more improvement when we get some of our 'big name' players on the pitch at the same time.

Probably the most obvious forward pass you're ever likely to see missed by all the officials and then to add insult to injury Bath get a pen straight after.

Tigers and LI felt like a game between the two worst sides in the league to be honest.

Early on I felt Tigers were building some momentum then the two lock injuries in quick succession forced a change of tactics which the team just didn't react to. Familiar story there with inaccuracy at key moments.

The 5 minutes(ish) leading up to LIs try was classic Tigers of recent years. Ben Youngs hung a pretty good box kick just outside the LI 22. It was a touch long but could have been used to drive LI back into their 22 and build pressure had there been a good chase. Instead the chase was non-existant, LI made a few metres after claiming the ball unchallenged, they cleared well from the next ruck under no pressure, from that clearance kick Ford is charged down now inside Tigers 22 and LI use the ensuing field position to score. Just poor execution of basics.

Positives for Tigers:

- Freddie Steward was really good and looks our best 15 by a distance
- Nadolo played very well
- Tommy Reffell is an excellent openside with potential to improve
- The lineout is functioning under Borthwick, although there was a really poor turnover from a Tigers maul around the LI 10 metre line in the second half
- David Williams I thought showed some bright moments
- Luke Wallace is looking like a fantastic signing

Didn't see that Bath result coming. The forwards definitely seem to have become more physical with a solid set piece, whilst they have been in lockdown training. Something seems to be clicking at the moment with a fully fit squad, albeit they haven't played any of the top three + Saracens since the restart. Encouraging.
Wasps at home next.

Bath robbed of a try bonus point, Saints could easily been down to 13 with a double lift tackle. Shocking.

Leicester Tigers (v Gloucester Rugby, away, Sunday 4.30pm)

15 George Worth (vc)

14 Harry Potter

13 Guy Porter

12 Tom Hardwick

11 Jordan Olowofela

10 Zack Henry

9 Jack Van Poortvliet

1 Ryan Bower

2 Charlie Clare

3 Joe Heyes

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Blake Enever (vc)

6 Ollie Chessum

7 Thom Smith (c)

8 Jordan Coghlan

Replacements

16 Jake Kerr

17 Facundo Gigena

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Cameron Henderson

20 Jordan Taufua

21 Ben Youngs

22 George Ford

23 Dan Kelly

Gloucester Rugby: 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 Matt Garvey, 6 Ruan Ackermann, 7 Lewis Ludlow (c), 8 Jake Polledri.

Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Jack Stanley, 19 Jordy Reid, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Stephen Varney, 22 Tom Seabrook, 23 Lloyd Evans.

Could get ugly...

Positives are that I like the 10/12/13 axis for Tigers. Seeing Jack van Poortvliet start will be very exciting, likewise with Dan Kelly on the bench. Gigena being back in the 23 is good news too. Nice to see another youngster in Thom Smith getting leadership chances as well.

The nature of selecting that side for Wednesday is that this pack is being sent to the slaughter somewhat. The difference between the two back rows is huge.

I'll be interested to see how the scrum goes. Clare is a good scrummaging hooker, Heyes is strong there and Bower was solid for Worcester, then it's a big second row pairing behind them. For Gloucester you have Rapava-Ruskin who I've always rated, Balmain who's been good for Gloucester and England player Singleton, with a big second row pairing behind them.

The gulf of experience in the backline is enormous though.

I'd be very happy with a LBP from that one. Harsh on young Kerr to only get a bench spot, I thought he played well Vs Bath. Plenty of potential in our midfield but it's a brutal challenge for them. If they hold their own they'll have done well.

As you say the backrow is the main concern. We're still short the two South Africans and with the mid week game limiting our options we are definitely light in terms of experience and physicality. At least with Chessum at 6 we should be good at the lineout and the rolling maul. In the loose it could get ugly. Just hope somebody tells Lavanini that Cipriani has been bad mouthing the quality of Argentinian beef or something to get the big man fired up.

So frustrating that Lenny and Ford started together on Wednesday. Adding Youngs to that side would nearly double the number of international caps in it, offer some experience and leadership for both the backs and an inexperienced pack. Meanwhile White would have benefited from starting with Ford.

Jack van Poortvliet is incredibly talented but should be coming into Premiership rugby behind a scrum including two England props and with Ford, Scott and Nadolo outside him.

I really hope the scrum and lineout hold up against the more experienced Gloucester pack otherwise it could be futile afternoon.

I think it'll be a futile afternoon anyway. JVP had Enya as his first game and that would have been a miserable experience so after that everything will be a step up. He seems a confident youngster and the club clearly back him so he should be able to do a job. He certainly won't get much of a platform.

Agree it wouldn't make a difference alone but the selections annoy me. Realised that I typed "almost double the number of international caps" when it should say almost treble.

I'm hoping that being one of the more senior players in that backline brings out the best in Olowofela. He's very talented but hasn't shown it consistently in the first team yet. To be fair he has played in mostly poor sides though. Sometimes a bit more responsibility can bring out the best in a young player so hopefully he has a good game.

From the Gloucester perspective I'll be interested to see how Jordy Reid does coming off the bench. He was very good for Ealing and I think he could be a very shrewd signing.

From the England perspective I'm interested to see how Singleton settles during his loan as well. A very talented hooker but was well below his best after returning to Sarries from Worcester.

Owolfela always looks at his best when looking for work. He needs to back himself and come off his wing, ideally running angles off the midfield. Hugging the touchline isn't where he'll make his impact, his quick feet should be dancing through half gaps.

So how much longer until Lloyd Evans comes home to the land of his fathers?

mikey_dragon wrote:So how much longer until Lloyd Evans comes home to the land of his fathers?

Lloyd Evans of Gloucester? Dunno. He's playing for his home town team and he's the only other specialist flyhalf in the senior squad so there should be opportunities. George Barton the development flyhalf at Glaws is very highly rated though so could be pushing him out if Evans doesn't kick on.

Took a minute to click there I assumed you were asking about Joan Lloyd at Bristol who is very highly rated as well as being born and bred Welsh as opposed to Evans who was born and I assume raised in Gloucestershire (judging by his school of choice). He's on the bench for Bristol this weekend and I'd have thought will be subjected to a Sam Costelow style hard sell by the Welsh management in the not to distant future.

I imagine that’s the case. Nice if he has both options if he earns it, no point in us capping and running. Either way I can think of two regions where he’d be wanted and the focus is to bring on WQ players.

Looking at the teams for the regions this weekend it strikes me that the Os could have used Costelow more than Scarlets. I watched Myler put in enough good performances against Tigers that I'd never argue he wasn't an effective Premiership fly-half. He's a long way past his best though and Protheroe on the bench, whilst very talented, is better suited to fullback in my opinion.

I thought Costelow might get time at 12 for Scarlets but Johnny Williams joining has added strength there. Once Foxy and/or Morgan are fit that will be a really strong midfield.

Would agree that Ospreys require more sufficient fly-half cover, but Myler is better than Luke Price. Myler won't have to do much fancy with Webb inside him. Ospreys probably need more sufficient wing cover too but otherwise it's a good squad. Scarlets are the only Welsh squad that has it all. i don't expect to see much of Costelow at 12 as he might not be considered big enough. Both teams seem to have a coach making all the right noises which is positive.

Arguably, Protheroe could be a Damian McKenzie type player. Jordan Williams used to be a 10 too and could probably still do an okay job there, also reminiscent of McKenzie. Here's to hoping...