Aviva Premiership Round 16/17 Round 11

[BPM]

To be young sand moriarty are really different players both with a fair amount of potential.

Youngs is the classic 7. Mariarty is a hardworking, rucking, carrying 6 who can cover 8. Can't really compare them skill wise.

Edit: am drunk so sorry about typos

Young is an excellent player who is unfortunate to be behind Warburton and Tipuric and in competition with Ellis Jenkins and James Davies for a squad place with Wales. While he's based in England, he's also got the disadvantage of needing a wildcard slot due to 'Gatland's Law', so the odds of him being selected for Wales are slim.

IIRC, Eddie did make an inquiry re. his eligibility/interest in playing for England and got a 'thanks, but no thanks' answer.

I can totally understand why he wouldn't want to play for England, but it is a shame that we won't see a player of his quality on the test scene.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

How close is Vrandell to Marks try record now?

 

[RedruthRFC]

How close is Vrandell to Marks try record now?

The AP website has Cueto on 90 and Varndell on 86, with two to add from today.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So very close then.

Why doesn't the AP do Derby games on the Christmas weekend? Makes sense supporters won't have to travel far (other than Sale and Falcond I guess)

Tigers V Saints
Wasps V Worcester
Bath V Bristol
Glous V Exeter
Sarries V Quins
Falcons V Sale

Makes sense from a logistics POV IMO.

One of the few things pro 12 get right.

- - - Updated - - -

Varndrll hat trick!!!!!!!!!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Olyy are you a bit nervous now?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nah, we were dead last with change at Christmas one season and came back to be...10th?
I'm not nervous until we're mathematically relegated.

 

[SelimNiai]

Really pleased with that

We aren't dead yet muthatrcukers!!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Nah, we were dead last with change at Christmas one season and came back to be...10th?
I'm not nervous until we're mathematically relegated.

At least you have Bristol and Worcs at home.

 

[RedruthRFC]

Really pleased with that

We aren't dead yet muthatrcukers!!

Given how hapless Worcester are, I'd give Bristol a really good chance of survival TRF_SelimNiai.

Given the changes in fortunes of the teams, it doesn't say a lot of Andy Robinson but reflects well upon Dean Ryan.

 

[shaunwilding89]

Noticed Cipriani has gone back to wearing a scrumcap.
Bloody southerners.

Yeah I noticed that too....... Wonder why?

 

[SelimNiai]

Given how hapless Worcester are, I'd give Bristol a really good chance of survival TRF_SelimNiai.

Given the changes in fortunes of the teams, it doesn't say a lot of Andy Robinson but reflects well upon Dean Ryan.

We've improved a lot since AR went. Apparantly training was changed in an effort to make the players enjoy it, we're not defending as badly as we were and look a bit more potent in attack. The key is form, including Europe we've won 3 in a row and theres plenty of reasons to think we can go to Sale next weekend and get a result

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeah I noticed that too....... Wonder why?

As said it is the southern influence.

 

[BPM]

Given how hapless Worcester are, I'd give Bristol a really good chance of survival TRF_SelimNiai.

Given the changes in fortunes of the teams, it doesn't say a lot of Andy Robinson but reflects well upon Dean Ryan.

Indeed - Worcester seem to be in free fall whilst the wins Bristol picked up in Europe seem to have given them a big lift.

With Sale also in poor form, it's not inconceivable Bristol could pick up another win there. If that happens, it could start to get very interesting at the bottom of the table.

 

[Jimeno]

How close is Vrandell to Marks try record now?

One to equal, two to pass.

He must have been getting worried at one point - dropped from the team - so near and yet so close.

Surely now, in the next few matches, he will get there.

 

[SelimNiai]

One to equal, two to pass.

He must have been getting worried at one point - dropped from the team - so near and yet so close.

Surely now, in the next few matches, he will get there.

He had a tough start to the season, in a faltering side I think we looked to him and his natural try scoring ability to conjour something from nothing, his try v Quins was a gift and since then he looked like he was trying too hard. Last few weeks he's playing more naturally and coupled with our improved play in general he's finishing chances he wasnt a month ago

 

[Gavin]

I've always rated Varndell highly and have been surprised that he hasn't won more England caps

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm a fan of varndell too.
Remember reading an interview with him not long after he moved to wasps where he said he was basically at peace with his lack of international game time. When he was at Tigers he coasted by on natural ability and didn't try/train hard. He admits he was a bit of a prick and the change of scenery/attitude is what made him up his game more.

 

[Gavin]

I remember sitting beside him in Yo Sushi in London Gatwick a few years ago. I thought I pigged out with 4 sushi plates, but he stacked up 10 in one sitting. His arms were bloody massive.

 

[McTallshort]

One of those great pros who impacts anywhere they play. Like Andy Goode and Peter Stringer