Aviva Premiership 16/17 - Round 3

[TRF_Olyy]

Round 3 Fixtures

Live on BT Sport

Live on BT Sport

Live on BT Sport
​

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale Sharks
15. Byron McGuigan, 14. Will Addison. 13. Sam James, 12. Johnny Leota, 11. Paolo Odogwu, 10. Dan Mugford, 9. Mike Phillips, 1. Eifion Lewis-Roberts, 2. Neil Briggs, 3. Halani Aulika, 4. Bryn Evans, 5. Jonathan Mills, 6. Cameron Neild, 7. David Seymour, 8. Josh Beaumont (capt.)
Replacements: 16. Ross Harrison, 17. Kieran Longbottom, 18. Andrei Ostrikov, 19. Magnus Lund, 20. Laurence Pearce, 21. Peter Stringer, 22. Nev Edwards, 23. Sam Bedlow


Gloucester
15. Tom Marshall; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Matt Scott, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Henry Purdy; 10. Billy Burns, 9. Greig Laidlaw (capt); 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Richard Hibbard, 3. John Afoa; 4. Tom Savage, 5. Joe Latta; 6. Lewis Ludlow, 7. Matt Kvesic, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements: 16. Darren Dawidiuk, 17. Cameron Orr, 18. Paul Doran-Jones, 19. Gareth Evans, 20. Jacob Rowan, 21. Willi Heinz, 22. James Hook, 23. Billy Twelvetrees




Bit of a risk having our only hooker replacement starting at blindside, but needs must. Neild is (especially with TJ out) our first choice blindside, so would start anyway and having Langdon, who's in the academy, on the bench would be a waste of a spot as he'd only come on if there were two injuries, and he'd take away a spot from the extra backrower who we'll use as a tactical sub.
Also a bit dodgy with no backup 10 - James/Mitchell covering that, I guess. But again, if we had Morton it's unlikely he'll get game time whereas Nev/Bedlow will likely sub on in the second half.
Great to see Stringer back, though.
Also, a bit of trivia, if we win this it'll be our 200th premiership win

 

[Every Time Ref]

Also, a bit of trivia, if we win this it'll be our 200th premiership win

Wonder how many weeks we'll still be getting this little nugget of trivia ... ?

Hopefully I'll get to watch Sarries this week, hearing they've been awesome but missed their game first weekend and fell asleep hungover in front of the telly on Sunday

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wouldn't say Sarries was awesome but they are so effectient.

 

[Geordie]

Wouldn't say Sarries was awesome but they are so effectient.

Could you not decide between efficient or effective?? :lol:

 

[SelimNiai]

Bristol side to play Wasps

15. Jordan Williams; 14. Ryan Edwards, 13. William Hurrell, 12. Thretton Palamo, 11. Tom Varndell, 10. Tusi Pisi, 9. Will Cliff, 1. Ryan Bevington, 2. Ross McMillan, 3. Anthony Perenise, 4. Ian Evans, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Jack Lam (c), 7. Olly Robinson, 8. Mitch Eadie.

Replacements: 16. Chris Brooker, 17. Soane Tonga'uiha, 18. Gaston Cortes, 19. James Phillips, 20. Jordan Crane, 21. Martin Roberts, 22. Adrian Jarvis, 23. Ben Mosses.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Bath Rugby team to face Worcester Warriors

15. Tom Homer

14. Semesa Rokoduguni

13. Matt Banahan

12. Dan Bowden

11. Anthony Watson

10. George Ford ( c )

9. Kahn Fotulai'i

1. Nick Auterac

2. Ross Batty

3. Henry Thomas

4. Luke Charteris

5. Dave Attwood

6. Charlie Ewels

7. David Sisi

8. Leroy Houston

Replacements

16. Tom Dunn

17. Nathan Catt

18. Kane Palma-Newport

19. Elliott Stooke

20. Zach Mercer

21. Will Homer

22. Aled Brew

23. Jeff Williams

Couple of injury returners, including Watson on the wing (is that at Eddie's behest? I assume so) and Henry Thomas. Banahan in the centres, Jesus ...

All of that pales into significance next to the return of Leroooooooooooooooooooooy though

 

[Which Tyler]

Bath's unavailable for selection:
Jack Walker, David Wilson, Tom Ellis, Matt Garvey, Francois Louw, Guy Mercer, David Denton, Taulupe Faletau
Chris Cook, Niko Matawalu, Rhys Priestland, Max Clark, Jonathan Joseph.

EQP: 11 starters + 7 on the bench



Warriors
15 Jamie Shillcock
14 Dean Hammond
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Jackson Willison
11 Perry Humphreys
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Jonny Arr

1 Val Rapava Ruskin
2 Niall Annett
3 James Johnston
4 Donncha O'Callaghan
5 Darren Barry
6 Marco Mama
7 Carl Kirwan
8 Phil Dowson (C)

Replacements
16 Jaba Bregvadze; 17 Na'ama Leleimalefaga; 18 Mike Daniels; 19 Christian Scotland-Williamson; 20 Tevita Cavubati
21 Luke Baldwin; 22 Tiff Eden; 23 Josh Adams

EQP: 6 starters + 4 on the bench.

 

[SWAGGER]

Tigers
15 Mathew Tait (c)
14 Telusa Veainu
13 Peter Betham
12 Owen Williams
11 JP Pietersen
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 George McGuigan
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
16 Tom Youngs
17 Marcos Ayerza
18 Greg Bateman
19 Ed Slater
20 Will Evans
21 Jono Kitto
22 Jack Roberts
23 Adam Thompstone

 

[Which Tyler]

Couple of injury returners, including Watson on the wing (is that at Eddie's behest? I assume so) and Henry Thomas. Banahan in the centres, Jesus

Probably more to do with injuries to Priestland, Clark and JJ I'd have thought - so it's either Banas at centre, then Watson or Williams at wing; or an academy FH or wing at OC.

I'm still dodgy on starting Leroy this soon after flying back from Aus - but delighted to see him in a Bath short again - hopefully we can convince him (and QL) to stay as well - he's obviously NOT in Cheika's thoughts.

 

[brokenoses]

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS

15 Lachie Turner
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Ollie Devoto
12 Henry Slade
11 Ian Whitten
10 Gareth Steenson (capt)
9 Will Chudley

1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Greg Holmes
4 Mitch Lees
5 Geoff Parling
6 Don Armand
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Tomas Francis
19 Damian Welch
20 Dave Dennis
21 Dave Lewis
22 Sam Hill
23 James Short

 

[Every Time Ref]

Probably more to do with injuries to Priestland, Clark and JJ I'd have thought - so it's either Banas at centre, then Watson or Williams at wing; or an academy FH or wing at OC.

I'm still dodgy on starting Leroy this soon after flying back from Aus - but delighted to see him in a Bath short again - hopefully we can convince him (and QL) to stay as well - he's obviously NOT in Cheika's thoughts.

Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!

What happened to JJ?

 

[Which Tyler]

Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!

What happened to JJ?

No idea; I don't remember being particularly concerned when he went off against Newcastle - Bladders seems to be taking the "better safe than sorry" approach with injuries, so hopefully it's just that, and hopefully he keeps it up for tougher matches than Newcastle and Worcester

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS

15 Lachie Turner
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Ollie Devoto
12 Henry Slade
11 Ian Whitten
10 Gareth Steenson (capt)
9 Will Chudley

1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Greg Holmes
4 Mitch Lees
5 Geoff Parling
6 Don Armand
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Tomas Francis
19 Damian Welch
20 Dave Dennis
21 Dave Lewis
22 Sam Hill
23 James Short

Very happy to see Slade at 12 but why Whitten remains on the wing ahead of Short is a mystery to me. Whitten's a very good player and maybe the best centre at the club, but he's simply not a wing. Hepburn needs to start too.

 

[Every Time Ref]

No idea; I don't remember being particularly concerned when he went off against Newcastle - Bladders seems to be taking the "better safe than sorry" approach with injuries, so hopefully it's just that, and hopefully he keeps it up for tougher matches than Newcastle and Worcester

Thing about a small squad is on the one hand there's temptation to play injured players when there is poor cover, on the other hand if you aggravate a minor injury that way then you realyl are up **** creek. I reckon he might take the view that it's not worth it for the "easier" games but still risk key players 80% fit against the top teams.

There does seem to be a "commitment" (inverted commas as it's arguably forced by circumstances, but still...) to playing the academy players, playing the long game that could be invaluable development.

 

[Which Tyler]

Yes.
Of course, I'd rather have another couple of centres, a THP and another specialist OSF whilst also rotating, protecting the injured and giving the academy kids a shot; but that may just be a dream, never to be fulfilled in professional rugby.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Glos
Sarries
Bath
Chiefs
Wasps
Tigers

I think Sale will be the most likely to cause an upset if any upsets happen.

 

[brokenoses]

Very happy to see Slade at 12 but why Whitten remains on the wing ahead of Short is a mystery to me. Whitten's a very good player and maybe the best centre at the club, but he's simply not a wing. Hepburn needs to start too.

I know what you mean, but Whitten has spent a lot of time, and arrived at the club, as a winger and his pace and power will have an impact regardless. Short is a fantastic finisher but I think his all round game (defensive positioning for example) is lacking a bit so I can see why RB as gone for Whitten's stability and saved Short's cutting edge for the last quarter when defences are stretched.

I'm in 2 minds with regards to Slade. For me he has always been and always will be a 10. In this match he will be a 10 in the 12 channel (like a kiwi 2nd 5) but his future is surely as Steeno's successor. We need to be giving him that experience and game time now so he is ready to step up for Chiefs later, and I truly believe if he lives up to his potential he will be England's' premier 10. I would have liked to have seen him stay at flyhalf for this match but another flop would cause too much damage to his confidence. Maybe some time in the centres alongside Steeno (taking over as 10 for final quarter) will help him get over this post injury wobbler.

Although Mooner had a good game last weekend, I rate Hepburn very highly and can see him popping up in the EPS within the next couple of ears. He is a fairly lightweight SH style prop and tears around the park either showing skillful hands or smashing people. I think the reason why he isnt starting is that he is too similar to LCD and either RB wants to spread their effectiveness out for the full match or he doesnt trust the 2 of them to scrum together effectively. I could be wrong and I hope I am because I think the two of them together (as we saw briefly last week) would cause any team problems.

 

[Peat]

He was played on the wing in his last season at Ulster but nobody thought it was a particularly good idea. Well, no one other than the coach.

 

[Every Time Ref]

Yes.
Of course, I'd rather have another couple of centres, a THP and another specialist OSF whilst also rotating, protecting the injured and giving the academy kids a shot; but that may just be a dream, never to be fulfilled in professional rugby.

Probably a pipe dream, but something approaching that over a long time is a pretty good description of the great dynasties in any team sport, current All Blacks through Man Utd in the 90s to that Aussie cricket team