Aviva Premiership - Round 1

[Peat]

No, thank god. Just the best stream I could find, oddly enough.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Gonna be a long season for Welsh.

Completely agree with Flatman on those cannonball tackles - second to tip tackles they are the most dangerous IMO.
The sort of injury that they can cause doesn't bear thinking about... you can end a career with them.

Sooo happy that he's going to be doing more commentary, he's my favorite along with Kay.
I hope ITV pick those two up for the RWC.

 

[Patchey]

Going to re-watch both Double Header games so I can get a better grip of how my teams did, but here are some quick thoughts on this weekend.

Saints v Glos
Very disappointing from Glos, who looked dreadful, but very clinical from Saints. Myler managed the game very well, the backs looked to be very sharp and the forwards were dominant as ever. However I don't think Glos will be that poor again. To me it didn't look like anything systematic was wrong, they just still looked like a team in pre-season and a big kick up the backside should do them some good. As a forward I can't see anything wrong with the North clear out.

Tigers v Falcons
Some promising stuff from Falcons but they couldn't match Tigers' pack. Burns looked very sharp and kicked his goals (I think?). Bai, Manu and Goneva shouldn't be allowed in the same back line! Alex Tuilagi looks like a barrel.

Sarries v Wasps
Not much to add to what has already been said. Sarries did not look sharp, certainly not like a team kicking on from a good season last year. I know Saffy was very keen on the new signings in the pack but my suspicions remain about whether they're going to be as dominant. Wasps were blistering in attack but need to defend better. I think they're reaching the stage Quins were a few years ago where they look like a hard team to play but not one that will consistently trouble the big boys. Need to improve their defense. Leiua and Daly at 12/13 sounds very tasty.

Quins v Irish
Disappointing from Quins, although not helped by at least one dubious yellow. Both tries were nicely worked but we failed to capitalise on a good first half and almost let Irish back in. I guess the fact we managed to hold on for the win is a sort of positive though. Irish looked same old to me.

Welsh v Exeter
Welsh need to sack their fitness and defense coached, Exeter took them apart for fun with a very tasty looked 10/12/13 (intersting to see Slade at 13). Welsh had their moments on attack but need to do better.

Didn't see enough of Bath v Sale but that Watson try was lovely.

Gonna be a long season for Welsh.

Completely agree with Flatman on those cannonball tackles - second to tip tackles they are the most dangerous IMO.
The sort of injury that they can cause doesn't bear thinking about... you can end a career with them.

Sooo happy that he's going to be doing more commentary, he's my favorite along with Kay.
I hope ITV pick those two up for the RWC.

I missed what he said / the incident he was referring to, can you give us a quick summary? I agree he's a good comentator.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I missed what he said / the incident he was referring to, can you give us a quick summary? I agree he's a good comentator.

Welsh prop did a diving tackle, no arms, at the carriers lower shin.
Good to see the ref pull out the yellow straight away. It's literally how my cousin's career ended: Broke his leg, took over a year to get fit so got released from his club and went to a championship side but only played one or two games before having to call it quits.

 

[Patchey]

Welsh prop did a diving tackle, no arms, at the carriers lower shin.
Good to see the ref pull out the yellow straight away. It's literally how my cousin's career ended: Broke his leg, took over a year to get fit so got released from his club and went to a championship side but only played one or two games before having to call it quits.

Ah...yes that is very stupid. Glad it was called up. There is a massive difference between a good tackle that chops someone down from the ankles and that.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Well he's just said what I've been saying since they crept into regular use by some players in the last 5 years.

Basically the style of tackle where you just dive at the feet/ankles with your shoulder (not wrapping) is soooo ****ing dangerous, yet it doesn't generate anywhere near the sort of reaction that clotheslines or tip tackles do.
If the guy being tackled gets his studs in the ground, or you hit him at the wrong angle you are probably going to break his tibia, hyperextend his knee and or tear his hamstring from the bone.

I see Paul James and Dylan Hartley do them all the time and it makes me fume.

 

[goodNumber10]

Going to re-watch both Double Header games so I can get a better grip of how my teams did, but here are some quick thoughts on this weekend.

Saints v Glos
Very disappointing from Glos, who looked dreadful, but very clinical from Saints. Myler managed the game very well, the backs looked to be very sharp and the forwards were dominant as ever. However I don't think Glos will be that poor again. To me it didn't look like anything systematic was wrong, they just still looked like a team in pre-season and a big kick up the backside should do them some good. As a forward I can't see anything wrong with the North clear out.

Tigers v Falcons
Some promising stuff from Falcons but they couldn't match Tigers' pack. Burns looked very sharp and kicked his goals (I think?). Bai, Manu and Goneva shouldn't be allowed in the same back line! Alex Tuilagi looks like a barrel.

Sarries v Wasps
Not much to add to what has already been said. Sarries did not look sharp, certainly not like a team kicking on from a good season last year. I know Saffy was very keen on the new signings in the pack but my suspicions remain about whether they're going to be as dominant. Wasps were blistering in attack but need to defend better. I think they're reaching the stage Quins were a few years ago where they look like a hard team to play but not one that will consistently trouble the big boys. Need to improve their defense. Leiua and Daly at 12/13 sounds very tasty.

Quins v Irish
Disappointing from Quins, although not helped by at least one dubious yellow. Both tries were nicely worked but we failed to capitalise on a good first half and almost let Irish back in. I guess the fact we managed to hold on for the win is a sort of positive though. Irish looked same old to me.

Welsh v Exeter
Welsh need to sack their fitness and defense coached, Exeter took them apart for fun with a very tasty looked 10/12/13 (intersting to see Slade at 13). Welsh had their moments on attack but need to do better.

Didn't see enough of Bath v Sale but that Watson try was lovely.





I missed what he said / the incident he was referring to, can you give us a quick summary? I agree he's a good comentator.

I think the bigger issue is that they had no time with them because they have 25 new players and sacked half of the team that brought them up.

I hope they get absolutely smashed all season.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I agree - I can't see what there is to like about them... did they not learn from last time?

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I hope they get absolutely smashed all season.

I agree - I can't see what there is to like about them... did they not learn from last time?

 

[ratsapprentice]

And the people in Oxford must love supporting a team that fully represents the town.

The last thing the premiership needs is another "London" exiles sattelite team that has had to hastily scramble together a team that can survive the premiership because they weren't ready for it.

They add sooo much to the quality of the competition!

 

[Feicarsinn]

In fairness, I can understand a dislike of LW. They have about as many Kiwis in their squad as Welsh players and they play in bloody Oxford. Their situation is pretty comparable to LI, but at least Reading is somewhat near London, and they're actively trying to bring Irish players in. Still wouldn't cheer for them mind.

In any case, fair play Exeter. Great little club, an example of how to do things right. Nearly ended up living there, so I have a massive soft spot for them.

 

[Patchey]

I think the bigger issue is that they had no time with them because they have 25 new players and sacked half of the team that brought them up.

I hope they get absolutely smashed all season.

I did think that actually when watching them butcher those first half attacking chances. There is a lot to be said about trying to bring in players with Premiership level experience when you're promoted, but Welsh seem to have done that at the expense of the kind of cohesion and instinctive game knowledge you get from having a team built around a core of players who know each other and have a season or more worth of games and training together. On paper 9. Weepu, 10, Barkley, 12. May, 13. Moleenar looks pretty handy, but as none of them have ever played together you can't expect them to perform to their best for a number of weeks. Effectively you are at a massive disadvantage (disregarding the fitness issue) for at least a month, if not much longer, at the start of the season.

For all the talk of teams trying to emulate Exeter's promotion and success pattern, most clubs seem to be missing the point. Build a solid, youthful squad that can win the Championship then trust the bulk of those players to keep improving and only recruit in key positions during your first few season. Don't just spaff your entire budget on an entirely new team. The fact that the likes of Steenson and, until his retirement, Richard Baxter have played for Chiefs throughout their path to the Premiership and were retained instead of being shipped out for Premiership experienced players shows a lot about how Exeter have built their success IMO.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Maybe welsh getting promoted will be a good thing for Bri/Wuss as the game they just played was brilliant and both having a season in the Championship gives them time to gel as a squad. who knows.

But the Bris v wuss game was a great watch.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think the bigger issue is that they had no time with them because they have 25 new players and sacked half of the team that brought them up.

I hope they get absolutely smashed all season.

BT Sport essentially saying the same thing, that a lot of those players will be watching with a ry smile on their face.

 

[goodNumber10]

 

[Wendigo7]

Carnegie secured a bonus point win away at Pirates which is a pretty good result, 18-29.

Nice to have the league back gents.

 

[Peat]

Also, London Irish have a good academy bringing through some top quality players, an actual fanbase and all the little things that make them a club that adds to the Premiership.

 

[Patchey]

And they have, or at least did when I was last there, a pretty good atmosphere at home games. Something that seems to be a bit lacking at the Kassam by all accounts. The only issue at the Majeski is the size of the place dwarfs the gusty choruses of the Fields of Athenry...

Carnegie secured a bonus point win away at Pirates which is a pretty good result, 18-29.

Nice to have the league back gents.

Wow, another Quins fan here. I just lost my self appointed status as 'TRF's Resident Quins Expert'. Damn you Wendigo, damn you to hell.

 

[Tony Manx]

Carnegie secured a bonus point win away at Pirates which is a pretty good result, 18-29. Nice to have the league back gents.

Carnegie WON...................jeez, I cannot talk to my mate!!!

I thought the Bris/Wuss match was brilliant!! Better than a lot of APL games!!

Also, London Irish have a good academy bringing through some top quality players, an actual fanbase and all the little things that make them a club that adds to the Premiership.

I love it there....said it before....used to go there for mid week/sunday games there when working near Aldermaston and was always made soooooooooo welcome. Guys and lasses next to me would introduce themselves and always asked me to join them in the bar afterwards.. remember 2003 game LI v Wasps 20+ thousand there to welcome the world cup.....fabulous and only wish good things to them!!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Kinda hard to have an atmosphere when there are only 2,700 people in attendance!
Still... look on the bright side - that's actually more than double their average for last season.