Aviva Premiership - Round 3

[goodNumber10]

just watched the entire Bath game on the train into work, really good performance, and Ford is looking exceptionally good.

More importantly Eastmond has been utterly brilliant in attack - i really hope he gets a shot in the AI's.

***EDIT: Trinder Shoulder op, Tom Youngs out for 3 months.

 

[TheRugbyRef]

I do agree he shouldn't have used his foot unless attwoods arm was over the ball - he was trying to "encourage" attwood to roll off the man, wheras you're only legally allowed to do it if they're on the ball.

You're not legally allowed to do it at all! You can only ruck the ball, if you can't see the ball (which he couldn't) how can he justifiably have claimed he was rucking the ball?

Law 16.3(f)
A player rucking for the ball must not intentionally ruck players on the ground. A player
rucking for the ball must try to step over players on the ground and must not intentionally
step on them. A player rucking must do so near the ball.
Sanction: Penalty kick

.......and I am a Tigers fan.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So this weekend tigers will also be without:

T.Youngs, Morris, Manu and Allen and parling is a 50/50 call ATM.

 

[psychic duck]

London Welsh look utterly woeful. Sale were only playing in 3rd gear and still hammered them in virtually every department.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Their players are simply not up to this level from what we've seen so far. They're a top-6 Championship team.

 

[Geordie]

We're not much better...but i would hope we can put some points on Welsh.

 

[ratsapprentice]

You'd hope so - not many sides concede 150+ points in three games.

 

[Geordie]

Just need Dean to pick the right team.

Ie Move Socino to 10 and get rid of Godawful once and for all. That guy and Clegg are no better than championship players at best.

 

[Wendigo7]

Just need Dean to pick the right team.

Ie Move Socino to 10 and get rid of Godawful once and for all. That guy and Clegg are no better than championship players at best.

Not even that currently.

You'll be ok though. Richards is a quality coach and the pitch is a good first step. Staying in the prem a second season and getting some more good players was another good step. The next one is fine a decent pack.

As with Richards I trust he'll make the right decision. He generally does more often than not from a coaching perspective.

 

[Geordie]

We have a decent pack actually, much of the problems i think is John Wells.

I really dont think its a coincidence that England were poor at the breakdown when he was in charge and now we are poor there. His coaching is dated. Dean needs to recognise this.

Ive said on the Falcons unoffy i think we need to consider letting one of GOdman or Clegg go now. Move Socino to 10 and bring in young Willis the academy 10. Hes a solidly built lad whos been playing for Tynedale in the National Division 1. He cant do a worse job than either of them.

Soe of the signings have been good...some like Kane THompson who could be a cracking signing have been injured and not played yet. We need him for 8 as Aly Hogg is now looking well past his best.....and that leads me to another signing i believe has backfired...Alex Tuilagi. Whilst we all knew he was past his best....i dont think we realised just how past it he was. The guy looks like a fat old prop out on the wing.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Yeah the Flacons pack looked really impressive and more than handled Saints at scrum time. Furno and Tuilagi are great carriers for you but you need too move Socino to 10, and then find a good crash ball centre.

 

[Geordie]

Yeah the Flacons pack looked really impressive and more than handled Saints at scrum time. Furno and Tuilagi are great carriers for you but you need too move Socino to 10, and then find a good crash ball centre.

Saffy

With Brookes and Scott Wilson at prop and big Dom at lock i had no doubt we'd be ok..but its other areas...like the breakdown which is an issue. What is Wells doing with them.

Alex Tuilagi hasnt looked great at all...but we do have Andy who whilst not the most skilled has looked good in the A games...doing what he is good at...heavy duty carrying from 12.

In a surprise twist it could be that Andy not Alex is the worthwhile signing.

Furno is a cracking signing...but no way should he be a lock. He's just too lightweight. He's a cracking livewire 6 that gets in to opposition faces with pace and at 6'6 a lineout option.

We also have a load of top class kids comig through like Hammersley who has been a revelation at 15 and is only 21yo. But you need to bring the kids into a nice settled well performing side.

We'll get there...im convinced of that , indeed whilst we have seen some poor play this season, we have also seen some very good play, which is a progress from last season which was simply all awful!!

I just think the coaching needs to be looked at.

 

[TheSaffycen]

It could well be the problem you have is the coaching. Your defence against Saints was dreadful though and they didn't need to do much to put on 35 points. Your pack will give you a great platform too work off, players like Sinoti Sinoti, Alesana, Andy, Hammersley and Cato can get you points. Also what has happened to Saul ? He was really promising for us and he would be great for you guys to have a jackler. This year will be easy anyway if Welsh keep up what they are doing.

 

[Geordie]

But we relied on Wuss last year...and only just made it. Id rather not rely on others anymore.

We'll see how it goes.