Aviva Premiership 16/17 - Round 2

[Ddanno]

Sadly I agree. In the predictions thread I put us down as 7th which was definitely with an optimistic, 'see what happens' mindset!

Our next 5 games are horrible. I can't remember the exact order but it's Sale, Sarries, Exeter, Wasps and Saints and based upon last weekend's performance, I think it's entirely possible we'll lose all five. I'm even concerned about our ability to pick up a losing BP in a couple of those games too. Add the AIs in to the equation and we could easily be in the relegation mix before we even hit the half way point.

I don't want to be a doom monger but right now, I'll take anything above 11th!

With the sides I've seen Bath vs Newcastle will be an interesting one. I was really impressed with the Newcastle back row last week and given that Bath's is somewhat cobbled together, I'm backing the Falcons to pull off a surprise win.

Tigers vs Wasps is too close to call. Home advantage may well be the difference-maker.

Ugh, I hadn't even factored the AIs and that run of fixtures in. It's going to look quite ugly by Xmas.

Signings weren't exactly inspiring, Kingston doesn't appear to have changed much about the side and we *still* don't have the depth to cover us during the international windows. Ho-hum. Hopefully I'll end up surprised.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

AJ failed a late fitness test so Mugford starts and Bedlow comes onto the bench.
Little surprised Morton didn't get the nod as we've no 10 cover (James and Mitchell played there as kids but not within the past few years and not at any sort of high level)

 

[Which Tyler]

Good to see the TMO disallowed the Sharples effort; if not he'd been at the Gardens last week

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I thought Tigers only did those late changes stuff

Big loss for Sale.

 

[Which Tyler]

LWelsh were famous for them, would get 10-12 "late withdrawals" . It didn't win them any fans.


Delighted that Wuss got the reward for actually trying to use the penalty advantage

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Kvesic showing off in front of Eddie

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doesn't look good for TJ Ioane

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Glous for relegation

 

[Which Tyler]

Ouch. Nice test for the new HIA - not that they'll need to, clean out

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Delighted that Wuss got the reward for actually trying to use the penalty advantage

2 tries from 3 attempts to score from the advantage - great to see

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Remember when Twlvetrees was a International player.

 

[Which Tyler]

A triumph of hope over reality - bit like Brexit / Christianity / USA

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Brian Mujati has his own bar at the ground tonight selling pints of his home brews
https://twitter.com/SaleSharksRugby/status/774304750347161600

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeh Ben Youngs and Tom Croft now have a coffee and Donut stand @ Welford road.

Def a good business plan IMO selling food and rink @ your home ground reckon more might follow.

 

[j'nuh]

Red is very harsh there.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yet another example of judging by outcome.

How on earth do you classify that as a strike?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

you can't led with your arm though.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Agree with all the comments on the red. Who'd be an official?

What's the story with the Glaws scrum? Dire.

V good try.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

tigers academy still producing for others.

 

[ratsapprentice]

He didn't lead with his arm... It was tight to his chest, as it is for pretty much every player carrying into contact.
It's neither a strike or leading with the arm -after the contact he pushes off with his arm, which didn't have anything to do with the KO.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

you can't led with your arm though.

The angle he was running what else was he supposed to lead with?
Defender should've gone lower.

Didn't BdP get a yellow for a way more blatant forearm strike? (It was his 2nd yellow so a red, but still technically a yellow).

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He shouldn't of followed through with his arm IMO.

(Don't agree with the red).

 

[j'nuh]

Agree with Tigs here. He does lead with his arm and the follow-through is fairly bad, but red is still harsh. Yellow for me.