Aviva Premiership - Round 21

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

We should have an amazing pack after World Cup if Lancaster actually picks new players.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

We should have an amazing pack after World Cup if Lancaster actually picks new players.

Whenever I get frustrated with England's World Cup prospects, I whisper "2019 RWC Japan" to myself, then imagine a pack of Marler, Youngs, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Ewers, Kvesic, Vunipola.

Edited to add: Bloody hell! How many tries is Waldrom on now? Something ridiculous like 15...

 

[91jmay]

Awful decision from Farrell. Million miles behind Ford as a 10 ball in hand.

- - - Updated - - -

Super game again. Most television games over last 2 months have been fantastic, hard pitches has produced some great rugby.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So if Leicester beat Saints we will finish 3rd

Hell of an ask but at Welford road I fancy it.

Sarries need to score 4 more points against Welsh than what Exeter get against Sale.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

What an ending!
Some of those tackles from the Chiefs defence were epic

 

[chippieolamus]

Ugh. Should NOT have lost that. If Strettle had just seen Wyles on his left shoulder in the last minute... Still think we'll qualify though, considering we're playing Welsh, as we'll probably get a bonus point and will have a better points difference than Exeter, and/or Leicester will lose.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Home semi in the bag.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I think we can beat Saints at Home.

 

[yaboyjj]

Sarries look half the team without Billy V, I doubt Exeter will get through though on pd- they needed to get/prevent Sarries getting the bonus point.
It all hinges on the Tigers match really- will Saints rest players? I'd back Tigers to win that in any case.

 

[91jmay]

I wouldn't back us at Welford Road. Would think we won't rest players unless they have a knock (George North I would hope still rested for e.g) but Leicester looked intense against Wasps and will be bang up for it.

 

[yaboyjj]

I wouldn't back us at Welford Road. Would think we won't rest players unless they have a knock (George North I would hope still rested for e.g) but Leicester looked intense against Wasps and will be bang up for it.

Agreed, but I kinda want to see a Saints v Tigers semi (nothing beats that), and I think Tigers may end up playing Bath if they win?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If Leicester win they will finish 3rd

Allen says he is fit so hopefully cancel out Bai getting a likely ban

Hoping our team will be:

1) Ayerza
2) Youngs
3) Cole
4) Slater
5) Kitchener
6) Parling
7) Salvi
8) Crane
9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) Thompstone
12) Allen
13) Tait
14) Goneva
15) Morris

16) Leo G
17) Mulipola
18) Balmain
19) Thorn
20) Gibson
21) Harrison
22) Bell
23) Loamanu

On a narrow pitch likes ours that pack should do the job against most.

Also side note Burns has improved so much kicking on spot and he made the most tackles out of all the backs yesterday(so I read).

 

[91jmay]

Burns looked good ball in hand as well. Aggressive move going for line instead of drop goal was his call for the last score.
Slater ready to start after so long out?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Allen says he is fit so hopefully cancel out Bai getting a likely ban

If he is back then that's the understatement of the century
Tigers always like 10x better with Allen in the side.

 

[yaboyjj]

If Leicester win they will finish 3rd

Allen says he is fit so hopefully cancel out Bai getting a likely ban

Hoping our team will be:

1) Ayerza
2) Youngs
3) Cole
4) Slater
5) Kitchener
6) Parling
7) Salvi
8) Crane
9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) Thompstone
12) Allen
13) Tait
14) Goneva
15) Morris

16) Leo G
17) Mulipola
18) Balmain
19) Thorn
20) Gibson
21) Harrison
22) Bell
23) Loamanu

On a narrow pitch likes ours that pack should do the job against most.

Also side note Burns has improved so much kicking on spot and he made the most tackles out of all the backs yesterday(so I read).

Dat pack looks very good now, I think Mulipola somewhat cancelled out not having a big ball carry no.8 yesterday though
Would Slater be more likely to start at blindside than Parling? (I think Gibson is being snubbed somewhat after his decision to move)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Slater looks good yesterday and another week of training and I think he could start although we are sorted for locks ATM.

Parling has had more experience at 6 than Slater and I think Slater grunt would be better match with Kitchener athleticism.

 

[GazzaJAnimal]

A cracking performance from Tigers yesterday. Although I bit my finger nails down to the quck! I fancy 'em to beat Northampton next week.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Fair play to the Tigers, I thought they were really excellent yesterday and more than worth the win. Such good defence, and actually I'd like to see some stats on the number of times Wasps haven't scored a try - could that be the first time this season?
For Wasps part I thought it showed how far we are from being top 4 calibre. I think that given their best players fit and playing well, Tigers are a better side than we are and I can therefore fully accept the result. When we don't strike early we seem to lose direction and we're largely not a many-phase side with ball in hand.

The biggest positive was having Launchbury back in the second half. He was full of energy and really had instant impact, everywhere. For me it just proved how being rested adequately ensures you get the most from players, just as Dan Cole showed when he came back from injury for England.

In other news Andy Goode does not have what it takes any longer and while he's been a good servant these last two years, I'm not remotely sorry to be losing him.

 

[Sorcerer]

Just seen the highlights. Great performances by Tigers and Chiefs.
Both red cards looked good calls.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Am I the only one who thinks Rob Baxter looks a bit like Rhod Gilbert from the right angle?