The 2014/15 pre-season general news/discussion thread

[iINDOMINUSxx]

yeah,

btw really good seeing an 18 year old going in quick to win the turnover scotland needs alot more players like him,

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Both the flankers looking very good.

Promising for Scotland future there.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Pohe looks Shorter a wider than Manu, but also less athletic looking.

Oh year - a bit like a bigger Tom Youngs... remember what Manu used to look like though.

Is Pearce still injured?

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Both the flankers looking very good.


Promising for Scotland future there.

most definitely yeah, scotland back does look good for the future

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Oh year - a bit like a bigger Tom Youngs... remember what Manu used to look like though.

Is Pearce still injured?

Pearce is sort of injuryed now, he is training but he is huge I mean he has legs bigger than Manu, I mean he could be devastating at 8.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

the frustration from leicester is starting to show

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Hamish Watson MotM, well deserved, I don't know how much game time he has been given but he should be pushing to be in the 23.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Leicester did not deserve that win, it looked like they were getting outplayed by edinburgh and didn't even play that well being honest

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Don't you love French SH's and there kicking.

Leicester did not deserve that win, it looked like they were getting outplayed by edinburgh and didn't even play that well being honest

TBh I can't remember Leicester ever having a strong Pre-season, never play well, and usually stay at 3rd gear max.

agree Edinburgh should have won.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

well about Hamish Watson he's most likely to get subbed on in the pro 12, but would really like to see him get more game time and the same with Jamie Ritchie

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Glous 1st XV hammering a very green looking Munster team,

 

[Patchey]

Glasgow 6 - Harlequins 7 as half time approaches, Danny Care sin binned three minutes before half time.

Converted try from a lineout drive for Quins. Hopper apparetnly nearly scored a second try just before Care's yellow but was bundled into touch. Doesn't exactly sound like a vintage Quins performance so far.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

for not a very experienced glasgow team, Glasgow aren't doing that bad

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale 22 - 16 Worcester, 3 tries to 1.
Worcester got their try after 80mins from a quick tap, apart from that didn't particularly threaten the line (got one help up, but it was never going to be scored, and we turned over the resulting scrum).
Gave away a lot of penalties, but a decent enough win.
Apparently Cussiter and Cipriani looked very good together.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Sale 22 - 16 Worcester, 3 tries to 1.
Worcester got their try after 80mins from a quick tap, apart from that didn't particularly threaten the line (got one help up, but it was never going to be scored, and we turned over the resulting scrum).
Gave away a lot of penalties, but a decent enough win.
Apparently Cussiter and Cipriani looked very good together.

i read on the news that Cusiter was really looking forward to playing along side Cipriani and really thinks they'll get along very well and it must have showed

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Any glous fans know I Burns has played 12 before?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Have a feeling he played there a couple of times last season when Billy Burns was in the 23 (Billy would come on and Freddie would move outside one).
Think they started one game like that as well.

 

[Patchey]

Yeah Olly is right, played a few times at 12 having been moved there during the game and once starting there outside Billy.

Williams and Mele are the only other recognised goal kickers at Tigers as far as I know so it'll be interesting to see how they manage Burns' on/off kicking. After George Ford's performances from the tee at the club I don't have much faith in their kicking coaches' ability to improve the technique of a player who isn't naturally excellent.

I guess they could play 10. Williams 12. Burns (Cockerill wasn't afraid to play a recognised ten, Flood, at 12 last season to accommodate Williams) or 9. Mele 10. Burns and not have Burns kick. As he an Mele are likely to be second choice in their positions to start with at least I think that is probably most likely.

Kicking aside, Burns looked sharp and confident today from the bits of the game I saw. Good news for England, bad news for Cipriani...

 

[munstermuffin]

Well Munster got a hammering. Glaws were very good but effectively at full strength vs our 3rd string effectively but they'll be very good this year and certainly be a match for anyone in England. As for us we used our new jerseys which are and while some grew as game went on it was an awakening how much of gap between bottom half of squad and top half is but well in Waterford next week we will hopefully be more passionate

 

[Peat]

Not being funny, but Burns is a wee bit on the small side to be playing 12. Besides, Leicester start the season with no real choice there - Williams is out, so it has to be Burns. He kicked fine on the NZ tour - not sure why people are in a rush to consider how to not have him kick for Leicester after one game. Far more beneficial to let him take the kicks and find his rhythm, he's a good goal kicker when he's on.

edit: Speaking of 10s as 12s, apparently the turning point in the Ulshaft-Exeter game (according to one Ulster fan there) was when Exeter went to Steenson 10 - Slade 12.