JP Morgan 7s

http://www.premiershiprugby.com/jpmsevens/

The new season must be getting close as tonight is the first round of the AP pre season 7 s tournament.

We're starting off at the Twickernham Stoop with Quins, Wasps, LI and Sarries all competing for that all important ticket to the finale on the 3rd of August at the Wreck.

So, who are we looking out for, which are the ones to watch?

http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2012-13/rugby/story/166981.html

The following link has all the squads.

Looks like Wasps are going to get a battering.

London Irish should be favourites. Certainly on paper they are with the likes of Tagicakibau,Ojo,Homer,Geraghty etc.

Squads are (cheers, Beshocked):

Harlequins: Dave Ward, Will Skinner (c), Luke Wallace, Sam Smith, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ross Chisholm, Ben Botica, Seb Stegmann, Miles Mantella, Henry Taylor, Louis Grimoldby, Jordan Burns

London Irish : Alex Gray, Chris Hala'ufia, Shane Geraghty, Tom Homer, Topsy Ojo, Michael Worrincy, Gerard Ellis, Darren Allinson, Steven Shingler, Tomás O'Leary, Conor Gaston, Sailosi Tagicakibau

London Wasps: Sam Jones, Matt Everard, Derek Asbun, Jonah Holmes, Jack Wallace, Chris Mayor, Sean Morris, Danny Wells, Liam O'Neil, Will Robinson, Mitchell Tamiau, Jono Woodward

Saracens: Jackson Wray, Jono Ross, Will Fraser, George Kruis, Duncan Taylor, Ali Price, Ben Spencer, Nils Mordt (c), Kameli Ratuvou, James Short, Nathan Earle, James Stephenson

No worries Sam.

From Saracens I would say the star player is James Short. He had a cracking tournament last year.

For a young prospect - look out for Nathan Earle - England U18s winger.

Can't find much about him but here's a link of one his recent tries. The link said that it was Muliana at full back he got past!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjLrVv5DZNs

Sarries do look to have a decent team again this year. Think they may struggle though as that LI team looks really strong. There's some big boys in there, international half backs to provide some flair and pace on tap with Sailosi and Ojo.

Quins should be annoying to play against with two opensides on the pitch but not sure they'll have the required fire power even with their pacey wingers.

Quite a bit of pressure on London Irish though.

Newcastle showed in last season's Jp Morgan tournament that outright pace can be beaten by good ball retention and strong forwards.

Quins, Irish & Sarries have put out very strong sides so there could be some interesting games.

As someone who rarely grumbles ( ) I shall take this opportunity to have a moan - how come when Glaws stage a round it's going to be on a Thursday night? A man of my age can't drink on a school night

HKC would the Friday clash with the Olympics?

I'd still watch the rugby but many others wouldn't.

formerly known as Sam wrote:HKC would the Friday clash with the Olympics?

I'd still watch the rugby but many others wouldn't.

Quite possibly, but I'm sure the extra money spent on booze in Gloucester on a Friday night will have a greater impact upon the economy than some egg and spoon race!

Quins have got some real pace in their squad - Stegman, Smith, Lindsey Hague, Chisholm all serious speedsters.
But I'm looking forward to seeing our new signings - B.Botica and Ward.
Grunt in the team provided by Ward, Skinner and Wallace.
And there is a sprinkling of academy guys in there too. Looks like a good balance.
I expect Lindsey-Hague as the experienced 7's operater to lead the attack.

Exiles have packed their team with 1st teamers - they should do well.
Sarries seem to have a similar blend to Quins.
and Wasps are pretty much all unknowns to me, the name Everard rings some bells.

Wasps traditionally give the academy players a run out in this competition and this year is no exception.

Chris Mayor ex England 7s will hopefully be able to steer the Wasps youngsters to some success.

Didnt Nick Easter turn out for Quins in this comp. last year?

BigTrev,
Yes I think he did. I remember Chisholm playing, and wallace. Maybe York and Peter Brown playing. Tom Williams has been left out this year.

Just a little taster -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ZgF1t4llw&feature=relmfu

and Wasps are pretty much all unknowns to me, the name Everard rings some bells

Prop, Matt Everard former Tigers and England under 20s openside. Looked like he would be a future England cert as he came through the age grades but never quite made the final step up.

Jack Wallace is a promising full back who got game time last season. Sam Jones played a fair bit last year and I think has England under 20 honours is seen as a very good prospect indeed. Will Robinson is a 19 year old fly half who some think will be a first teamer in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5Wt65pHB0&feature=relmfu

I prefer this one Propdavid_london.

Also shows a taster of what James Short can do.

I love Scott Spurling's try too.

propdavid_london wrote:Just a little taster -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1ZgF1t4llw&feature=relmfu

I was at that, Quins were on another level to everybody else that day. They seemed so much quicker and sharper than everybody else involved.

Quins should be very strong tonight with the likes of Wallace, Botica, Smith, Chisholm and Hague.

Looking forward to seeing how Botica goes in this as he has a lot of potential apparently.

That is a serious looking London Irish squad - certainly the makings of a pretty handy 15s set of backs.

Well, it starts in a few minutes. Thanks for the heads-up on the young talent to watch. Enjoy.

I like the LI jerseys

Right, I'm trying to get a stream for this and all I can see is two women I've never heard of playing tennis!

Cumbrian wrote:Right, I'm trying to get a stream for this and all I can see is two women I've never heard of playing tennis!

Are they wearing clothes?

Clearly, or I wouldn't be complaining!

yep I'm having the same problem. I hate it when websites promise rugby and then put unknown tennis players on

The stream is right, ESPN keep scrolling a long the bottom that the Rugby will be on when the tennis match is finished.

Can you get a stream which shows ESPN?

Quins 21 Irish 14

It's right now.

Sarries just absolutely puled Quins 33-0. Quins rarely looked like scoring at all.

It's a straight shoot out between us and Sarries to win it now. Think we have to either get a tbp or deny them the LBP to take it though.

George Kruis looks to have picked a nasty injury. I hope nobody takes this the wrong way because it is always terrible to see an injury, but why does it always appear to be the really young promising players?

Cumbrian I am gutted about George Kruis. Very promising youngster who could well take Botha's 2nd row starting spot at Saracens.

It looks like Saracens will put out the big guns in Bath going from Mordt's post match interview. I expect to see the likes of Wyles (ex USA sevens captain),Ashton,Strettle,Goode etc etc.

I thought the ESPN commentary team and coverage in general was very good. Shame the broadcast was delayed because of a pretty low profile tennis game!

Credit to London Irish - they looked very good but with their side it was to be expected.

I agree with the ESPN team - Alex Gray was the best player of the day and James Short's try was the pick of the bunch.

From what I saw, it was a great night of 7s rugby, given the conditions. Alex Gray looked to be on top form, and young Luke Wallace got some good turnovers, and proved to be a great linkman. Skinner got steamrolled for one of the tries if I remember correctly- never good for as flanker, especially during 7s.

I thought Short was exceptional. He was elusive and aggressive in every game, and in my mind, could be a bolter for the EPS soon.

bluestonevedder agree with that.

http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2012-13/rugby/story/167181.html

Highlights on this link of one of the games.

Might have been Kruis who ran Skinner over.

Trying to find a highlight of Short's try vs London Irish. That was a cracker.

In regards to Short depends how much game time and how attacking Sarries decide to be.

Cheers for the artice link beshocked- a good read. Glad to see that it's getting some great coverage now. Wish I had made the trip to the Stoop now, would've been a cracking night.

Short really really impressed me. Loved his blend of aggression and agility. I like to see a bit of tenacity in wingers, and his little tustle with Stegmann (?) after handing him off in the face and finally being brought down, was great. Think Ashton might have to show some other dimensions to his game next season to consistently be selected.

P.S Agree about his try too! Unbelievable show of pace. His acceleration is ridiculous! Looked like he made for the 7s stage to be honest.

I was disappointed at how little Short seems to be used by Sarries. The preferences for Wyles and Strettle on the wings is very defensive and limits Goode's counter attacking abilities. I'm hoping Sarries give him more game time this season as they will be playing much more attacking rugby if Ashton and Short are on the wings. It will inject some more pace into Goode's counter attacks as well.

First bit of news for the second round of games is that Tigers returning academy product Matt Cornwall will be captaining the side, the experienced utility back (27) returned from a stint in Italy and will be joined by a blend of youth and first team squad players. Expect a weak side.

formerly known as Sam wrote:I was disappointed at how little Short seems to be used by Sarries. The preferences for Wyles and Strettle on the wings is very defensive and limits Goode's counter attacking abilities. I'm hoping Sarries give him more game time this season as they will be playing much more attacking rugby if Ashton and Short are on the wings. It will inject some more pace into Goode's counter attacks as well.

First bit of news for the second round of games is that Tigers returning academy product Matt Cornwall will be captaining the side, the experienced utility back (27) returned from a stint in Italy and will be joined by a blend of youth and first team squad players. Expect a weak side.

To be fair Sam, they played him 22 times last season and gave him 16 starts.

Really? It seemed less than that. My memory must be going. I'd certainly be looking at him in the Saxons if I was Lancaster.

Out of (23+7+4) 34 games, so he was used in about 2/3rd of the games. Started about half. It should still probably be more than than that given I'd say he was their form winger last year. Still, he's better rested and this is a good thing right? Although the well rested Irish players can get around 30 games including internationals.

The 22 matches I quoted were for the AP only. His Sarries profile states he played 28 games in all competitions (can't find the the stats for his HC matches so I don't know how many he started). I wouldn't necessarily use the Anglo-Welsh cup either in your calculations as it seems a purely developmental competitions now.

Leicester Tigers (JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby Sevens, Friday, July 20, Edgeley Park, kick-off 7.30pm)
1 Matt Cornwell (c) - returning academy graduate former England under 20 captain
2 Andy Symons - 22 year old IC who has been part of the Sarries academy and also played in New Zealand
3 Alex Lewington - Academy graduate and regular captain of the 7s team
4 Pasqualle Dunn - England under 18s boshing IC
5 Tom Hudson - no idea - academy player
6 Joe Cain - mobile forward made his debut against Quins in the LV Cup last season
7 Harry Wells - fromer England under 16 international lock
8 George Oliver - no idea - academy player
9 Tom Bellak - no idea - academy player
10 Harrison Lee-Everton - heard he is a promising academy player but not seen anything of him
11 Lawrence Wooldridge - trailist, there's a spriner of the same name but no idea if it's the same person.
12 Brock Davies - trialist, google search indicates he's a NZ lock who's been at Montpellier's A team.

We're going to finish bottom of the group again then.

Also worth noting that Short has been dual-registered with Bedford, which would seem like a bit of a backwards step for him.

Pretty rubbish team compared to what evereyone else is putting out, to be honest. Don't know why, but part of me was really really really hoping that Tait had made a miraculous recovery, and would be included. Heard good things about Pasqualle Dunn though.

Yeah the Tigers academy centres are pretty good with Dunn, Catchpole and Pohe all offering slightly different. I think Dunn is playing more OC now Pohe is settled at IC but it's been a while since I caught many A League or Academy games. I was hoping to see MacAuley or El Mahdi in there for Tigers as they are the rapid back three players that seem to wrack up the tries for the academy.

I think a few of those guys are new academy players the management was to access quickly. Tait would have been an excellent choice given his lack of game time but he isn't fit and the other guy who would have been a real asset is Richard de Carpienter the fromer England Uni and England 7s player but I assume Cockers wants him focussing on his 15 man game as he is a big mobile number 8.

London Welsh squad:

1. Ben Seru
2. Gerhard Vessells
3. Tom Rees
4. Iolo Evans
5. Michael Hills (Capt)
6. Peceli Nacamavuto
7. Aaron Myers
8. Rhys Howells
9. Ed Tellwright
10. Chris Banfield
11. Rhodri McAtee
12. Geraint Walsh

Only Michael Hills, former England 7's player, is from Welsh, remainder are guest players.

Rhodri McAtee is a World Cup winner with Wales in Dubai, now with Plymouth after many years with the Pirates.

Iolo Evans - is he a Scarlet? Not sure about the others.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Yeah the Tigers academy centres are pretty good with Dunn, Catchpole and Pohe all offering slightly different. I think Dunn is playing more OC now Pohe is settled at IC but it's been a while since I caught many A League or Academy games. I was hoping to see MacAuley or El Mahdi in there for Tigers as they are the rapid back three players that seem to wrack up the tries for the academy.

I think a few of those guys are new academy players the management was to access quickly. Tait would have been an excellent choice given his lack of game time but he isn't fit and the other guy who would have been a real asset is Richard de Carpienter the fromer England Uni and England 7s player but I assume Cockers wants him focussing on his 15 man game as he is a big mobile number 8.

I recognise that name, from you mentioning him beofre? Isn't he an absolute speed demon? A sprinter or something? Richard de Carpienter would have been a great shout, alongisde Tait. Any news on Tait's injury Sam?

Sale Sharks squad.

http://www.salesharks.com/RugbyNewsDetail/article/2852668/name/Easter%20skippers%20Sale%20Sharks%20Sevens%20squad

Saints squad

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/8503.php


Looks like none of these sides are taking this competition seriously at all. Shame really.

Complete contrast to the first round.

El Mahdi scored the only Tigers try last year (I think we only got one) with a rather tastey solo effort. An out and out winger he is rangey and rapid. His progress has been fairly slow though so I guess there's a fair bit to fine tune but the few times I've seen him be looks a decent tackler and a natural finisher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhm9tp9Mlco&feature=watch_response

1.34 on there though it's not a great clip.

Tait should be back in September. There's a rumour on the Notts board that he might play a couple of games for them to get back up to speed but I don't know about that.

Sale Sharks squad:

1.Will Bordill
2.Tom Cruse
3.James Doyle
4.Will Hafu
5.Mark Easter (capt.)
6.Mark Jennings
7.Jordan Davies
8.Will Cliff
9.Tom Brady
10.Charlie Amesbury
11.Johnny Leota
12.Will Addison

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS SEVENS SQUAD
JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby Sevens Series
Edgeley Park
Friday, July 20th, 2012
1 Ethan WALLER
2 Jack ALLCOCK
3 Darrell DYER
4 Tom COLLINS
5 Tom STEPHENSON
6 Ryan GLYNN
7 Alex WOOTTON
8 Alex WOOLFORD
9 Will HOOLEY
10 Alex DAY
11 Anders MOGENSEN
12 Howard PACKMAN

A load of nobodies from Saints and some pacey youngsters from Sale. The likes of Cliff, Brady and Addison should give Sale the pace to win this round with added power from the likes of Leota.

Damn. Those 3 squads are a real shame to be honest. COnsidering the quality of the 4 squads last friday. There were some massive names in them, and it feels like a bit of a cop-out.