PRC week 1

15 George Hendy
14 Mitieli Vulikijapani* – Saint #2097
13 Tom Litchfield
12 Charlie Savala
11 Tom Seabrook
10 George Makepeace-Cubitt
9 Archie McParland

1 Tarek Haffar
2 Craig Wright
3 Luke Green
4 Chunya Munga (c)
5 Gavin Thornbury
6 Fyn Brown – Saint #2096
7 Angus Scott-Young
8 Henry Pollock

Replacements:
16 Nathan Langdon – Northampton Saints debut
17 Emmanuel Iyogun
18 Sonny Tonga’uiha – Northampton Saints debut
19 Will Spencer – Northampton Saints debut
20 Josh Kemeny
21 Jonny Weimann – Northampton Saints debut
22 James Ramm
23 Ewan Baker

* Trialist

STARTING XV

15 George Pearson *
14 Malelili Satala *
13 Will Wand [4]
12 Solomone Kata [20]
11 Jack Kinder *
10 Jamie Shillcock [32]
9 Tom Whiteley [31]
1 James Whitcombe [51]
2 Finn Theobald-Thomas [11]
3 Tim Hoyt [2]
4 Côme Joussain [5]
5 Tom Manz [8]
6 Matt Rogerson [18]
7 Emeka Ilione [25]
8 Kyle Hatherell [22]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Archie Vanes [14]
17 Archie van der Flier [1]
18 Henry Mountford *
19 Lewis Chessum [9]
20 Sam Williams *
21 Charlie Bemand *
22 Charlie Myall [1]
23 Tom Threlfall *

* Tigers debutant

Saints taking it seriously at home and not going in for much of the development aspect. Tigers on the other hand leaning heavily on the development aspect with a few senior players getting some needed match sharpness.

Great to see Lewis Chessum return from injury.

Nottingham

1. Kai Owen
2. Antonio Harris (cc)
3. Xavier Valentine
4. Jay Ecclesfield
5. Jack Shine
6. Sam Green
7. Jacob Wright
8. James Cherry
9. Toby Venner
10. Matthew Arden
11. Ryan Olowofela
12. Javiah Pohe
13. Levi Roper
14. Sam Mercer
15. Jack Stapley (cc)

Replacements – 16. Harry Clayton 17. Aniseko Sio 18. Dan Richardson 19. Eddie Bryan 20. Hobie Riches 21. Josh Goodwin 22. Jai Johal 23. Aman Johal

Coventry: Steff Davies; Charlie Robson, Daf-Rhys Tiueti, Tom Hitchcock, Jimmy Martin; Liam Richman, Josh Barton; Toby Trinder, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson; Obinna Nkwocha, Senitiki Nayalo; Tom Ball, Aaron Hinkley, Matt Kvesic.

Replacements: Jordon Poole, Vilikesa Nairau, Eliot Salt, Dan Green, James Tyas, Will Lane, Ryan Hutler, Dan Okeke

Doncaster Starting XV | 15, Telusa Veainu. 14, Harry Davey. 13, George Wacokecoke. 12, Connor Edwards. 11, Jordan Olowofela. 10, Russell Bennett. 9, Ollie Fox. 1, Andrew Turner. 2, George Roberts. 3, Joe Jones. 4, Josh Williams. 5, Thom Smith. 6, Tom Currie. 7, Archie Smeaton. 8, Morgan Strong (C).

Replacements | 16, Fred Davies. 17, Jasper McGuire. 18, Lewis Thiede. 19, Euan McVie. 20, Ben Chapman. 21, Alex Dolly. 22, Morgan Bunting 23, Maliq Holden.

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Semesa Rokoduguni, Cory Teague, Logovi’i Mulipola, Adam Hopkinson, Conor Davidson, Taniela Ramasibana.

Sale Sharks Starting XV:  

15. Luke James, 14. Obi Ene, 13. Osian Roberts, 12. Joe Bedlow, 11. Alex Wills, 10. Ton Curtis , 9. Will Wootton, 1. Tumy Onasanya, 2. Tadgh McElroy, 3. James Harper, 4. Le Roux Roets, 5. Tom Burrow, 6. Jos Gilmore, 7. Tristan Woodman, 8. Will Riley.  

Replacements:  

16. Harry Thompson, 17. Ralph McEachran, 18. Tye Raymont, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Seb Kelly, 21. Joe Green, 22. Charlie Wardle, 23. Toby Wilson.

Cornish Pirates: 15 Iwan Price-Thomas 14 Matt McNab 13 Tom Georgiou 12 Joe Elderkin 11 Arthur Relton 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks; 1 Billy Keast 2 Harry Hocking 3 Jay Tyack 4 Charlie Rice 5 Eoin O’Connor 6 Josh King 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham (captain).

Replacements: 16 Sol Moody 17 Billy Young 18 Ollie Andrews 19 Matt Cannon 20 Tomi Agbongbon 21 Cam Jones 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Will Trewin.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge
14 Paul Brown-Bampoe
13 Ben Hammersley
12 Will Rigg
11 Tommy Wyatt
10 Will Haydon-Wood
9 Will Becconsall
1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
2 Dan Frost
3 Ehren Painter
4 Rusi Tuima
5 Lewis Pearson
6 Ethan Roots
7 Jacques Vermeulen (c)
8 Greg Fisilau

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard
17 Kwenzo Blose
18 Jimmy Roots
19 Joe Bailey
20 Martin Moloney
21 Stu Townsend
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Joe Hawkins

Newcastle Falcons team v Caldy (Saturday, 2pm, Paton Field)

15 Ethan Grayson,
14 Alex Hearle,
13 Oli Spencer,
12 Cameron Hutchison,
11 Nathan Greenwood,
10 Brett Connon,
9 Hugh O’Sullivan;

1 Murray McCallum,
2 Bryan Byrne (captain),
3 Luan de Bruin,
4 Sebastian de Chaves,
5 Kiran McDonald,
6 Adam Scott,
7 Ollie Leatherbarrow,
8 Freddie Lockwood.

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Mike Rewcastle, 18 Callum Hancock, 19 John Kelly, 20 Josh Bainbridge, 21 Max Pepper, 22 Jack Metcalf, 23 Louis Brown.

Referee: Mike Hudson.

Caldy Rfc team

1. M Weatherby
2. O Hearn
3. R Higginson
4. T Sanders
5. S Dickinson
6. S Olyott
7. C Ridgway
8. JJ Dickinson

9. J Tansey
10. L Barker
11. L Beer
12. C Wilkinson
13. M Barlow
14. M Cartmill
15. C Hyde

Subs
16. M Gallagher
17. A Aigbokhae
18. J Sproston
19. T Parry
20. F Stevenson
21. O Wynn
22. D Rabbette
23. J Mitchell

Harlequins squad in full to take on London Scottish in round one of the Premiership Cup (Sat, Nov 2nd – 2pm)

1. Wyn Jones (2)
2. Sam Riley (54)
3. Will Hobson (11)
4. George Hammond (66)
5. Jonny Green (4)
6. Archie White (69)
7. Tom Lawday (C) (82)
8. Lucas Schmid (*)
9. Lucas Friday (*)
10. Jamie Benson (8)
11. Hayden Hyde (10)
12. Bryn Bradley (10)
13. Will Joseph (14)
14. Roma Zheng (2)
15. Cameron Anderson (8)

Impact Players
16. Jimmy Staples (*)
17. Tom Osborne (7)
18. Simon Kerrod (106)
19. Harry Browne (2)
20. Zach Carr (5)
21. Lewis Gjaltema (33)
22. Connor Slevin (8)
23. Sean Kerr (1)

London Scottish Team to Face Harlequins

1 George Cave
2 Calum Scott
3 Ntinga Mpiko
4 Matt Wilkinson
5 Jake Spurway
6 Ioan Rhys Davies
7 Bailey Ransom (cc)
8 Tom Marshall
9 Dan Nutton (cc)
10 Tom Wilstead
11 Noah Ferdinand
12 Will Simonds
13 Will Talbot-Davies
14 Will Brown
15 Josh Bellamy

Replacements

16 Austin Wallis
17 D’Arcy Mulrooney
18 Ashley Challenger
19 Alex Wardell
20 Lewis Barrett
21 Stephen Kerins
22 Alec Lloyd-Seed
23 Robbie McCallum

Interesting mix of youth and experience from Quins. Senior debuts for two highly rated lads called Lucas, who are both sons of former internationals called Mike at 8 and 9 - what are the odds of that? Three potential long term inside centre candidates on display too - Bradley, Hyde and Kerr.

Could be one to watch back on replay on Sunday morning.

How can we see these matches either via stream or on tv?

doctor_grey wrote:How can we see these matches either via stream or on tv?  

TNT are showing just the one game and that is the Saints Vs Tigers one this evening. Not sure it's going to be a great game as Saints have named a much stronger team with quite a few first teamers whilst Tigers have gone down a much younger route with the front five being 23 or under and the back three not having played a competitive senior game at this level before (the bench is also full of youngsters).

I guess this is why they only do the one game as the teams are hard to predict and there's mismatched sides. Cornish Pirates Vs Exeter Chiefs is a prime example, a sell out at Pirates should make for a good atmosphere but as Chiefs have named a full strength side that atmosphere might well fizzle out fairly quickly.

According to Lyall on commentary both front rows are 23 or under

mountain man wrote:According to Lyall on commentary both front rows are 23 or under

6 of Tigers 8 forwards are 23 or under. 4 of the 7 backs as well.

Disappointing for Tigers with the Saints try coming from young Jack Kinder letting the ball bounce on the crossfield kick and now a lot of pressure coming from a dumb yellow card from Whiteley.

Entertaining game this, good bit of needle/niggle.

Pollack seems to attract a lot of it.
Hendy having a really good game so far. His future looks very good

Hendy and Pollock have been in and around the Saints first team and it's obvious why. There's very good odds on them both playing international rugby.

Young Mali Satala is looking bright for Tigers, popping up all over the field and not afraid of getting stuck in. Was part of the England under 20 squad last season and is eligible again this season.

Hendy is a fantastically awkward player, he looks like he should be rubbish, but is really talented. Could definitely see him as an international, deceptively strong.

Cumbrian wrote:Hendy is a fantastically awkward player, he looks like he should be rubbish, but is really talented.  Could definitely see him as an international, deceptively strong.

Deceptively big. 6ft3 and nearly 15 stone. His footwork is outrageous.

Been helped or has been involved in some blatant blocking, the sooner that's clamped down on the better. Sir doesn't seem to be getting much help from the other officials today.

Northampton's backline production line and their ability to identify young players with potential is excellent, they all buy in to the ethos so well.

Cumbrian wrote:Northampton's backline production line and their ability to identify young players with potential is excellent, they all buy in to the ethos so well.

Yeah you can really tell the academy and development squads are all being schooled in the same attacking style as the first team.

Tigers really came alive at the end there with young Threlfall on at 10. Another 19 year old hoping to get game time with the under 20s this season. Really nice wrap around play outing Wand through the hole.

As expected Saints extra experience just manifested itself into less errors and clinical finishing.

Thought Wand was good for Leicester, always seemed to be a danger. I like that we worked his way up from the lower divisions.

Seeing Soane Tongaʻuiha's boy come on for Northampton makes me feel bloody old...

This kind of tournament, in reality the 'A' sides, are almost always a bit of fun.  Of course, I am pulling for Saints, but in reality nothing much it it for me.  Just great to watch the next-gen along with some older guys just go out and play.  

Games like this are critical to help young players hone their craft.  On the Saints side of things, two 2024 U20s, Archie McP in particular and his halfback partner, George Makepeace-Cubitt had good games.  And Young Master Pollock just continues to pop up when and where least wanted by the other side.  I just hope he is load managed carefully.  He is only 19 and his upside seems to grow higher almost game-by-game.

Cumbrian wrote:Seeing Soane Tongaʻuiha's boy come on for Northampton makes me feel bloody old...

His dad presented him with his shirt, barely holding it together...

https://x.com/SaintsRugby/status/1853085143969202389

https://www.reddit.com/r/NorthamptonSaintsRFC/

Looks like the Championship sides are taking this seriously, with three sides picking up bonus points and two wins.

I think the format, with the pools organised by region, has a lot of potential - it gives things a local derby feel, and increases the chances that supporters will go to the games (although it might have been better to keep the fixtures clear of the closest international games).

Looks like the London pool could be the most closely contested, with Ealing and London Scottish both doing well even though Quins ultimately put them to the sword. Some exciting young players on show as well.

Cumbrian wrote:Thought Wand was good for Leicester, always seemed to be a danger.  I like that we worked his way up from the lower divisions.

Yeah Will Wand is still only 22 and has a couple of full Championship seasons under his belt. Bit of an all action livewire, few rough edges to round off and he could be a great bit of business for Tigers.

He finished his try really nicely and it was good to see Threlfall set it up showing a nice spark from the bench and plenty of confidence. Threlfall is only 18 and there's some real hope he's going to make his way to the first team over the next few years. Has been playing some Nat 1 Rugby for Leicester Lions this season.

Generally the young Tigers did a good job and it was the more experienced guys that didn't really stand up.

Poorfour wrote:Looks like the Championship sides are taking this seriously, with three sides picking up bonus points and two wins.

I think the format, with the pools organised by region, has a lot of potential - it gives things a local derby feel, and increases the chances that supporters will go to the games (although it might have been better to keep the fixtures clear of the closest international games).

Looks like the London pool could be the most closely contested, with Ealing and London Scottish both doing well even though Quins ultimately put them to the sword. Some exciting young players on show as well.

I do like the region aspect. Makes for derby style games, short trips for fans and teams helps keep the costs down as well which doesn't hurt.

I would like to see the Prem sides capped with a set number of players over say 25 though (or even maybe 23), to try and keep the competition competitive and force plenty of youngsters into action. It's a great development tool.