Aviva Premiership Round 8

[TRF_Olyy]

Friday 2nd November

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Saturday 3rd November

Live on ESPN

Live on Sky Sports

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Sunday 4th November

Live on ESPN

 

[Draggs]

Going with: Not Nots, Tiggers, Chefs, Quins, Saracens, Bath

 

[Teh Mite]

Not Nots, Saints, Wuss, Tractor, Pests, Not Not Nots.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Big shout on Wuss over Chiefs in Exeter!

I reckon all home wins apart from Bath will beat Welsh.

 

[Teh Mite]

You missed what I did there...

 

[psychic duck]

Cameron Shepherd makes his debut for Sale.

Whilst Eifion Lewis-Roberts, Dwayne Peel and Rob Miller are all dropped to the bench behind a 20 year old kid Ross Harrison, Leinster and Connacht reject Cillian Willis and the epitome of average club player Nick MacLeod.

Dwayne Peel's move to Sale was one of the worst career moves, he went from the top Lions scrum half in 2005 but now has wrecked his international career and barely features in discussions for Wales squads even when Mike Phillips is on poor form and Rhys Webb gets called up. And whilst he is at Sale, he joined as soon as the good Sale side that had Fernández Lobbe, Chabal, McAlister, White, Robinson etc all left and the club declined towards the bottom of the table, and has struggled to even cement a place in the side ahead of Wigglesworth and now ... Cillian Willis. If he had stayed in Wales, he would probably have nearly 100 caps by now, but instead is warming a bench in Salford on Friday evening.

Eifion Lewis-Roberts was doing quite well in Toulon last season, surprised he's dropped to the bench so soon behind some kid.

Rob Miller was the Premiership leading try scorer last season, and now also is left on the bench.

 

[Teh Mite]

TBF, Peel is an old fart now. And Miller last season summed up how much the World Cup ruining the league benefitted Sale more then anyone.

 

[j'nuh]

Normally wouldn't feel too positive of picking up a win at the Stoop, but after last weekend, and given that the Quins will be missing Care, Robshaw, Marler, JTH and Robson, I feel pretty good about it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I don't understand Miller going on to the bench - only explanation I can think of is that they're expecting/planning a lot of kicking and MacLeod is the better kicker and better under the high ball (also explains Cueto/Shepard on the wings over Brady/Jenning/Addison (though I think Addison is injured after Hodgsons shoulder charge at the death last round).

Peel is only just coming back (this is his first game) from a dislocated shoulder so I'm not sure he is second fiddle to Willis - he was certainly first choice last season and the first part of this season. Don't agree with that though, I'd have Willis and Fowles over him - as Mite said Peel is getting on and is deteriorating. Still got great vision on the break/quicktap, but his passing is slower and more erratic and he's started adding a couple of steps before the pass too.

ELR on the bench is an odd one, could just be being rested a bit as he's played the majority of the season so far, however Harrison played very well vs Worcester so why not give him another shot? Fridge is on the bench if things go pear shaped.

 

[r0cky flanker]

Sale, Leicester, Exeter, Quins, Saracens and Bath

 

[Nobblynick]

Normally wouldn't feel too positive of picking up a win at the Stoop, but after last weekend, and given that the Quins will be missing Care, Robshaw, Marler, JTH and Robson, I feel pretty good about it.

Hate to say it but I agree. Gloucester are very well placed to make the most of the International window and given their performance last week, it's anyone's game at the stoop this week.

I'd take it on the chin if I thought it meant Freddie Burns got an England call up!!

 

[Taranus]

Should be an interesting game tonight between Sale and London Irish. will be interesting to see if Diamond can have an immediate impact upon the squad or whether Irish can carry the good form from last weekend into this game.

I noticed on the bbc website Guscott has said he thinks Sale will win this (I'm hoping not!)

 

[racingmetrofan]

Will be interesting to see how Calumn Clark goes against Leicester!

 

[j'nuh]

What's happened to Stephen Jones at Wasps? Not even making the bench?

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

What's happened to Stephen Jones at Wasps? Not even making the bench?

Been either injured or sick. When fit he's been our deserved first choice

 

[Teh Mite]

Will be interesting to see how Calumn Clark goes against Leicester!

I expect better then the Saints fans on the terrace will endure the bile and venom from the home support.

 

[j'nuh]

Will be interesting to see how Calumn Clark goes against Leicester!

Perhaps a case of where it's justifiable to give a player stick?

As far as I'm concerned, it's sad that he's already allowed to take to the field. Does the punishment really fit the crime if he gets to play before Hawkins does?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Teh Mite]

1/1 this weekens for me so far...

 

[Tony Manx]

Leics v Saints - Typical RL type game....bish bash kick restart bish bash bosh kick restart bish bash knock on..........

Ford missed three out of five kicks, another penalty kicked dead and done nothing positive of any note. Leicester must have had massive possession advantage but neither side showing a cutting edge.

Care a shoe in for England after this adequate display from Youngs!

6:6 at half time and looking for some wet paint to watch.......