Premiership Rugby 19/20 - Rd 18

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[EdBirch]

Obviously squad dependent but i think the hardest one to pick here is Quins v Bath

 

[BPM]

Agreed. So far, we have either played against full strength (Sale and Worcester) or mix and match sides (Saracens and Saints). It would be nice if Bath sent their reserves/kids ...

Not out of the realms of possibility given the 5 day turnaround from the Wasps game. They also play Worcester at home the following Weds, which they may think is a better chance of bagging maximum points. Particularly if Worcester continue the approach of playing their 2nd team for away games against the sides in the upper half of the table.

I reckon there's a reasonable chance Bristol will stick with a second string too. Sixways is a hard place to pick up a win and I think they'll roll the dice knowing they've got Saints at home quickly after (Tues).

Very long-winded way of saying that I'd go for home wins across the board. Tigers and Quins probably most vulnerable depending on who the oppo select.

 

[EdBirch]

I have a feeling that Exeter might do Saints with a 2XV like they did against Bristol. Feel that Tigers v Sale might be a tough watch.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Watch us get battered by Tigers

 

[BPM]

I have a feeling that Exeter might do Saints with a 2XV like they did against Bristol. Feel that Tigers v Sale might be a tough watch.

Good shout. Exeter probably have the strongest 2nd XV in the league.

 

[FLOBALOB]

Bit of thought required by teams in top 5/6 as to which games they prioritise to win, as players will only start 2 out of next 3 max. Bristol play Worcs, Saints and Wasps so you'd imagine beating Wasps would be their priority, Bath v SAle as their 3rd game ,so that should be both teams priority.

 

[BPM]

Yep. That's what I was getting at. I figure, Bristol might feel that a mix and match side could get a result at Sixways and allow them to roll out the big guns against Saints and Wasps.

To be fair, Bath might feel the same about coming to the Stoop. It's not like teams going to Sandy Park thinking 'we've no chance here' and are half way beaten before they even kick off. I imagine opposition coaches are basically saying 'look guys, it's Quins ... they might be good, but they're just as likely to be crap'. A very different mentality.

 

[Which Tyler]

Yeah, good luck with that theory @BPM
Bath are sending out the 1st XV at the weekends, 2nd XV mid-week

Expect to host our strongest side, Wuss to get our reserves

 

[Scotty]

I think Chiefs might go strong here so they can go second team vs Gloucester meaning full strength team fresh for the clash against Sarries. I think there will be a point to prove from both teams.

 

[BPM]

Yeah, good luck with that theory @BPM
Bath are sending out the 1st XV at the weekends, 2nd XV mid-week

Expect to host our strongest side, Wuss to get our reserves

Tough on them after a short turnaround though ...

 

[Which Tyler]

Tough on them after a short turnaround though ...

Any other way would be even tougher, and a 5-day turnaround is normal enough

 

[BPM]

Look - I'm clutching at straws here ... I find it grossly unfair that we only get to play full strength sides while others are racking up huge wins over kids and reserves.

Then again, we're exactly the type of side that complacently thinks they're going to waltz through that kind of game only to get a bloody nose.

At least when we lose against good sides we can be slightly less embarrassed.

 

[FLOBALOB]

I think Chiefs might go strong here so they can go second team vs Gloucester meaning full strength team fresh for the clash against Sarries. I think there will be a point to prove from both teams.

Would make sense, playing 1st team next 3 weekends, Saints, Sarries then Europe QF v Saints.
Also would be good to put down a marker on friday ,with regards to Euro QF in 2 weeks.

 

[EdBirch]

Going full strength for this against a hopefully weakened Bristol. Will be nice if Nanai can stay on the pitch and not do something stupid again.

 

[BPM]

Bristol going pretty strong as well. Should be a good game.

 

[EdBirch]

Not good enough to be on a main BT channel again

 

[sCriv]

I'm just hoping Saints can at least be mildly competitive. I'd settle for only losing by 10-15.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not happy about Oosthuizen back at loosehead - I guess Harrison really was injured in the captains run last week, and not tactically removed after seeing the Bristol side. Would've started Morozov, definitely.

Hope to see Ashman and Quirke get some game time off the bench.

Quirke's Mom is from Ireland, so he'll be in a green shirt soon enough.




Edit:

 

[will311293]

Wasps have gone for 2nds/Young Guns, obviously after quick turnaround and big game vs Bath.

B.Harris, Cruse, Alo, Rowlands, Cardall, T Willis, Morris, Vailanu
Vellacott, Gopperth, Bassett, Le Bourgeois, De Jongh, Odogwu, Miller

Bench: TJ Harris, McIntyre, Owlett, Vukasinovic, Curran, Wolstenholme, Atkinson, Simonds..

Not expecting a win but excited to see how they go. Barbeary obviously being kept for 1sts now with Oghre and Taylor out