Premiership round 4

First topic message reminder :

Friday 8 October
19:45 Quins vs Bristol

Saturday 9 October
15:00 Chiefs vs Worcester
15:00 Gloucester vs Sale
15:00 LI vs Tigers
15:00 Saracens vs Falcons

Sunday 10 October
Wasps vs Saints

Bye week for Bath.

I'd expect Quins, Chiefs and Sarries to be too strong at home in their respective fixtures.

Sarries vs Falcons could be interesting if Sarries continue to play without the ball as the Falcons talented outside backs can score tries from nowhere. I'd expect the Sarries power up front to prove too much over the 80 minutes though.

Sale haven't had the best start without Faf and losing MacGinty on top of him has been a big blow. Gloucester aren't the best side either though so Sale will definitely have a good chance there. Rodd and Tuilagi rotating out after the England camp seemed to hurt them against Chiefs. Given Lawes returned last weekend I'd guess that Tom Curry will be close to available as well.

Tigers will fancy an away win against LI but I think it will be a good challenge for Tigers. Whilst Tigers have overall been good in the opening 3 rounds I think it was noticeable that Isiekwe caused so many issues. Witty/Lonsdale, Slater/Davidson, Isiekwe/Swinson aren't the most formidable lock pairings. Isiekwe is by far the best player there and caused a lot of issues. I think Coleman and Simmons with Mafi off the bench will be a good challenge for Tigers locks. I definitely fancy Tigers chances but hope we play with the ball more as we did in rounds 1 and 2 rather than being as conservative as we were against Sarries when realistically both sides played some pretty abysmal rugby for large swathes of the game.

Saints will definitely fancy an away win against Wasps with how each side have started their seasons.

Bristol look knackered.

GeordieFalcon wrote:He'll be sacked from the front row union for that!!

He'll be telling his grandkids about that one (repeatedly).

Smith has just been incredible since Allen's unfortunate head knock.

Dear lord Quins

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Dombrandt pretty much confirming his start in the Ais so far...playIng very well...

Loved the Deano comparisons earlier...though yes hes got more pace than the great bear...lol

I think my fridge has more pace than Deano had. Given that the ball almost invariably ended up where he was I think its better to say he had gravity

It's funny to think when you see him waddling round the pitch these days that he hasnt lost any pace from his playing days

To be fair in his day there was more mud baths and fighting than today. Dombrandt wouldn't last five minutes in the 90s Vs Deano, then again prime Deano from the 90s without the benefit of modern S&C wouldn't last five mins in modern rugby so swings and roundabouts.

Yeah I wouldn't fancy a grapple with Deano....cant imagine it being fun...

Tyrone Green is a class act aswell.

Replaced Brown and some....

No 7&1/2 wrote:Smith has just been incredible since Allen's unfortunate head knock.

Looked a bit rusty in the first half was just going through the basic stuff. Second half though he's gone off like a firework.

Bristol unlucky there, Green's hands were clearly on the floor before he turned it over.

Eddie Jones are you watching?

If you pick Farrell over Smith then you will lose all the respect I have for you.

Jesus.

No wey

Eddie, you've just got to pick him!

I like how Dombrandt is playing the Croft role in attack. Loves a wide channel.

TightHead, Eddie is in the crowd.

That's a naughty chip and chase from Smith. I don't know what Piatau is doing but the space is there and Smith makes the most of it.

Ben Kay has it right. Utter filth.

Come now, there was at least one forward pass in that.

What about the other forward passes?

Cumbrian wrote:Come now, there was at least one forward pass in that.

Pretty blatant one from Northmore, he had to pass that earlier.

If Smith is playing like this after no game in month's ....jeez...Jones cant not pick him or he'll be derided

And worthy mom finishes it!!

Well Jones you only have to look for 13 other starters...

Did someone slip something into Bristol's half time bovril? As good as Quins have been, Bristol have been abject.

What a game.

Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

That was a crazy game. Where did Bristol go in the second half? Just didn't seem to have any fight in them. What was it, 43 unanswered points? That's insane.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

Tommy Allan actually played pretty well in the first half before his head knock, ok he's not a magician like Smith but an excellent recruit. What will they do at 8, 1 and 13? Well Northmore into 13 isn't a bad move but Lawday and erm not sure at 1 will be more concerning. That could be a testing period but other teams have dealt with it previously so there no reason it can't be again.

Well next bt game is us at Sarries tomorrow....

To come even close to that game we are going to have to really open up and go all guns blazing for them....

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well next bt game is us at Sarries tomorrow....

To come even close to that game we are going to have to really open up and go all guns blazing for them....

Got nowt to lose, we won't out grind them.

Exactly

formerly known as Sam wrote:I like how Dombrandt is playing the Croft role in attack. Loves a wide channel.

TightHead, Eddie is in the crowd.

That's a naughty chip and chase from Smith. I don't know what Piatau is doing but the space is there and Smith makes the most of it.

You make a good point Sam. Dambrandt is fantastic in space but Eddie seems to like his 8's to be the main carrying threat in the tight, it would require some big tweaks to the tactics.

It needs tweaks Sgt...play to our strengths....

Anyone still in need to know who should be England 10 in November?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

Tommy Allan actually played pretty well in the first half before his head knock, ok he's not a magician like Smith but an excellent recruit. What will they do at 8, 1 and 13? Well Northmore into 13 isn't a bad move but Lawday and erm not sure at 1 will be more concerning. That could be a testing period but other teams have dealt with it previously so there no reason it can't be again.

Fin Baxter stands in relation to Marler as Marler does to the Funbus. At least, I hope so, but current evidence is promising

Poorfour wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

Tommy Allan actually played pretty well in the first half before his head knock, ok he's not a magician like Smith but an excellent recruit. What will they do at 8, 1 and 13? Well Northmore into 13 isn't a bad move but Lawday and erm not sure at 1 will be more concerning. That could be a testing period but other teams have dealt with it previously so there no reason it can't be again.

Fin Baxter stands in relation to Marler as Marler does to the Funbus. At least, I hope so, but current evidence is promising

Is that the 19yo who's Adam Jones personal project...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

Tommy Allan actually played pretty well in the first half before his head knock, ok he's not a magician like Smith but an excellent recruit. What will they do at 8, 1 and 13? Well Northmore into 13 isn't a bad move but Lawday and erm not sure at 1 will be more concerning. That could be a testing period but other teams have dealt with it previously so there no reason it can't be again.

Fin Baxter stands in relation to Marler as Marler does to the Funbus. At least, I hope so, but current evidence is promising

Is that the 19yo who's Adam Jones personal project...

Yup

Tommy Allan will be missing too won't he (Italy)?

Poorfour wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Massive statement from Quins.

How will they cope without their England potentials?

Tommy Allan actually played pretty well in the first half before his head knock, ok he's not a magician like Smith but an excellent recruit. What will they do at 8, 1 and 13? Well Northmore into 13 isn't a bad move but Lawday and erm not sure at 1 will be more concerning. That could be a testing period but other teams have dealt with it previously so there no reason it can't be again.

Fin Baxter stands in relation to Marler as Marler does to the Funbus. At least, I hope so, but current evidence is promising

Is that the 19yo who's Adam Jones personal project...

Yup

Yeah the kid is one hell of a prospect and drip feeding him game time off the bench makes sense. Marler isn't going to be subbed early and the quality of the other senior looseheads at Quins is a significant step down. Might as well give the youngster chance to learn a little bit at a time at the sharp end.

Are you going to want him to start and play a lot of minutes over the international period? Maybe not. That's when the other senior looseheads might have to come in.

The England loosehead stock does look pretty good. Marler and Mako in their 30s, Genge, West and Obano in their mid twenties and then around the age of 20 Baxter, Whitcombe and Brantingham. If we can't succession plan that successfully someone needs sacking.

Charlie Morgan showing the origins of Marcus Smith's try yesterday.

https://twitter.com/CharlieFelix/status/1446741676777787393

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Tommy Allan will be missing too won't he (Italy)?

Don’t think so. Italy have got Garbisi and Canna, and I think Quins’ recruitment of Allan was based on his international career being essentially over. It’s a very good bit of business - an international fly half with a good few years left who suits our style but is content to play second fiddle to Smith.

Just watched the highlights. That Smith fella looks a bit useful...

I know its just the scores but there is a freedom about how Quins can play that comes from the confidence that they have guys who can and will do special things, and when I say guys that is mainly Smith.

doctor_grey wrote:Anyone still in need to know who should be England 10 in November?  

What you want in this situation is competition. Ford's had a good start to the season, you'd hope Smith has been watching that and thinking "I need to remind everybody what I was about last season". Then Ford and Farrell will have seen last night and be thinking "Jeebus the kid is ripping up the second half, I've got to remind Eddie what I can do".

formerly known as Sam wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Anyone still in need to know who should be England 10 in November?  

What you want in this situation is competition. Ford's had a good start to the season, you'd hope Smith has been watching that and thinking "I need to remind everybody what I was about last season". Then Ford and Farrell will have seen last night and be thinking "Jeebus the kid is ripping up the second half, I've got to remind Eddie what I can do".

I think might have been saying something a bit more earthy than 'Jeebus'.

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Anyone still in need to know who should be England 10 in November?  

What you want in this situation is competition. Ford's had a good start to the season, you'd hope Smith has been watching that and thinking "I need to remind everybody what I was about last season". Then Ford and Farrell will have seen last night and be thinking "Jeebus the kid is ripping up the second half, I've got to remind Eddie what I can do".

I think might have been saying something a bit more earthy than 'Jeebus'.

Yeah me too but the forum doesn't allow the specific terminology we were using.

The surprise for me on rewatching is how little Smith does directly. There was the lovely kick pass for the try, and his own solo effort, but most of the time he’s just orchestrating what became a superb 15 man performance.

Eddie will have taken note of that.

My mate was sat near Eddie Jones last night and said to him you'll have to pick him now, Eddies response was

'the international game is different mate'

Doesn't fill me with confidence!

Lol. Mate.

The TMO in the Sarries game is as much use as a chocolate tea pot, she is hopeless.

What's Farrell whinging about...

GeordieFalcon wrote:What's Farrell whinging about...

Life. Knows he is hopeless compared with Smith.

True...

Whatever happened to that young Scottish/English tight head you had geordie from a few years back? Was it Wilson?