Aviva Premiership - Round 13

First topic message reminder :

Well, the Doc brought a level of humour mixed with cynicism to the round 12 preview that I cannot hope to match (I do wonder if our former military medic has styled himself on Hawkeye Pierce ). so back to the more mundane I am afraid.

Table

POS	TEAM	-PL-	-W-	-D-	-L-	-PF-	-PA-	-DIFF-	-TF-	-TA-	-TB-	-LB-	-PTS-
1	Wasps	12	10	0	2	393	261	132	48	31	7	0	47
2	Saracens	12	10	0	2	299	134	165	33	9	4	2	46
3	Exeter Chiefs	12	7	1	4	324	226	98	40	28	6	3	39
4	Bath Rugby	12	8	0	4	272	192	80	29	19	3	2	37
5	Leicester Tigers	12	7	0	5	269	243	26	25	26	2	2	32
6	Northampton Saints	12	6	0	6	207	209	-2	18	16	1	3	28
7	Harlequins	12	6	0	6	251	285	-34	27	33	2	2	28
8	Newcastle Falcons	12	5	0	7	204	293	-89	23	34	2	3	25
9	Gloucester Rugby	12	3	2	7	264	258	6	28	30	3	6	25
10	Sale Sharks	12	3	1	8	219	293	-74	26	33	3	2	19
11	Worcester Warriors	12	2	2	8	215	354	-139	24	38	1	1	14
12	Bristol Rugby	12	2	0	10	190	359	-169	22	46	0	4	12

Fixtures

Friday 6th

19:45 Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby (BT Sport 1)
Falcons fans will be starting to wonder if they can qualify for next seasons Champions Cup. To do that they have to start winning these sort of matches. A misfiring Bath team, hit by injuries, will be stunned at their late collapse to Top 4 rivals Exeter last week and have to correct things very quickly. If Falcons can start as well as they did last week, Bath could be blown away before they have even shaken off the travel lethargy. Joel Hodgson needs to play better than last week (if selected – though if Delaney is in then Falcons surely have no hope.). With the mounting injuries to the Bath front row, Falcons will be looking to gain a significant edge up front and force Hodgson’s opposite number, England’s Ford, onto the back foot. With a significant number of the Bath line-up having been in Brighton for two days this week, their training will have been disjointed.
Falcons fans will be starting to wonder if they can qualify for next seasons Champions Cup. To do that they have to start winning these sort of matches.



Saturday 7th]

15:00 Gloucester v Worcester
Whilst matches with Bristol and Bath have more history, what we shall now call the M5 derby brings Glaws closest neighbours down to Castle Grim. When they are good Gloucester are a match for almost anyone, but when they are poor they are truly awful. Sometimes they manage both in one game. With 3 wins from 12 games you would normally talk about a team as relegation candidates, yet the other 9 matches have included two draws and six LBPs. This has them level on points with Falcons and only 3 behind Northampton who currently occupy the last Champions Cup spot. Start to turn those narrow defeats into wins and top 6 is still possible, though it could make the takeover more of a problem.
Worcester will have been relieved to win last week, and by all accounts were much the better team against Quins Joy however will have been tempered by news of Bristol’s win at Sale. Worcester are still missing some of their big players from last season and could struggle to match the home team this week.

15:00 Harlequins v Sale Sharks
Quins have flattered to deceive, mixing excellent performances with woeful ones. With the players available to them, they should have done better than they have so far. Noises of unease at new DoR John Kingston are surfacing on various forum. With this the last match before the 6Ns, where Quins can expect to lose the spine of their team, they simply have to beat a Sale team that has forgotten how to win.
Sale gave Bristol their first away win in the premiership last week and have not won a game now since the leaves were still on the trees. The takeover of the club has promised money for players for next season – but they have to get there first. The only real consolation for them this week will be that the two teams below them are also likely to lose.

15:00 Northampton v Bristol
Mikey Haywood says that Saints are refinding their mojo. Not sure I can agree with that yet, and the pressure is still on Jim and Doreen to maintain a top 6 position. Of course win this game and they would possibly leapfrog struggling neighbours Leicester into 5th spot. You do feel though that right now 5th spot just puts you at the top of the list of mediocre teams. Saints fans will want new boys Bristol to be despatched with ease and to see a style of play that indicates their team can build from here.
Bristol will probably lose, but have been much more competitive recently, gaining two wins and two losing BPs in their last five games, along with two big wins in the Challenge Cup. They could surprise Saints, but unlikely Varndell to break the Cueto try scoring record may be the only reward they get.

15:00 Saracens v Exeter (BT Sport 1)
In the 2014/15 season Chiefs beat the reigning champions home and away. Since then I think they have now lost 5 matches in a row in all competitions to the boys from Barnet. Both teams will have missed key players for much of this week’s training so impact should be negated.
While Sarries are not at their best at the moment, and will miss the Vunipola boys, Exeter too have not been on top form. If Chiefs can win the set-piece battles, most crucially at lineout, they could maul the champions out of this game. If Sarries can gain close to parity and force Exeter to go wider then their aggressive defence and ability on the counter attack should ease them home.


Sunday 8th

15:00 Wasps v Leicester (BT Sport 1)
Wasps are a good team in form. Leicester are not.

Tap and go! No, fine kick it out. 

Falcons deserved to win that.

How have we won that?

6th place in the league, I've got a nosebleed.

Keep it warm for us

If you could keep beating the teams above us that would be handy. Please crumble when you next play Tigers though. 

I wanted Falcons to go for the TBP at the end. Slightly disappointed when they kicked the ball out. Bath looked deflated it was definitely on.

formerly known as Sam wrote:If you could keep beating the teams above us that would be handy. Please crumble when you next play Tigers though. 

I wanted Falcons to go for the TBP at the end. Slightly disappointed when they kicked the ball out. Bath looked deflated it was definitely on.

It is almost guaranteed marra, don't sweat it!

You little feckin beauties!!!

Odd game...both sides dominated periods...but just so glad we got there! The noise we so loud at times!

And Jon Welsh must have had a nosebleed when he made that run.... lol

GeordieFalcon wrote:You little feckin beauties!!!

Odd game...both sides dominated periods...but just so glad we got there! The noise we so loud at times!

And Jon Welsh must have had a nosebleed when he made that run.... lol

He put that chip in, it must have been adrenaline! 'I've seen other people' do this....' To be fair it wasm't a bad effort. All round great resilience shown by the lads. I must say even living this city, Bath look vulnerable. They have a soft underbelly.

Mate it was that spark that brought the falcons back to life in the second half. We were not in the game in the second half up till that point.

I see all the Bath fans are screaming that Falcons fans are pathetic and disgusting for booing fords kicking.

Something happened in the West Stan that caused all that though...its out of Character for Falcons fans to boo a kicker.

Sounded to me (TV) like someone was counting down how long he had left and the booing started after that.

It was just totally odd Scott. We don't do that at KP, yet something happened which result it the boos after that.

I was in the North stand and we were completely silent for every kick...so it'll be interesting to see what caused it. Some have suggested it was at the referee for time wasting / taking too long over the kicks. That would go along with what you thought.

Regardless of that Fords kicking was appalling. He kicks them you win.

His general play was ok though. Our defence was pretty good.

It appears the booing was for the referee because he kept allowing over the permitted allocated time for kicking

The booing appeared to be one person originally then a small group. Well as best as I could tell from the tv. I suspect booze was the main culprit but Ford was raking his time, more so given his concentration was clearly effected by the booing.

With reference to Newcastles improved performances this season can part of it be due to the improved pitch?

rosbif wrote:With reference to Newcastles improved performances this season can part of it be due to the improved pitch?

They've had that for a couple of seasons now, there is an advantage to be had because of the way the ball bounces and it always being firm under foot. However it's got to be the change in flyhalf. Delaney is very negative, the difference last season when Goode arrived and saved them was incredible. Hodgson whilst not perfect offers them something more in attack and as he is gaining confidence the rest of his game is improving as well.

Hodgsons re-signing was viewed with very mixed (possibly mostly negative) views by the fans.

We always knew he had so much potential, but apparently (those close to club have pretty much confirmed) he was very immature and was encouraged by Dean to move away for a few years to essentially "grow up".

Whilst he didn't quite make it at Saints or Leeds his return here has been a breath of fresh air.

He plays right on the gain line, his passing is sharp and his is always looking for the break. He is incredibly brave for his size and made some big important tackles last night.
The biggest thing is his tactical play. He is controlling the game better..ie kicking the ball to touch in the correct parts of the pitch.

We have a very good pack and lineout and we are using it well.

He's far from the finished product and still improving... so the future looks good.

But he is just one part. The whole team is playing well . Mark Wilson for example is just insanely good. How he is not even in the Saxons squad is just ludicrous!! Evan Olmstead has been the signing of the premier season in my opinion. Will Witty will be attracting suiters from all over and Goneva etc has been great.

Then you have players like Calum Green. Not flashy, you rarely hear his name..yet he's probably Deans first name on the team sheet.

Falcons have accumulated a good pack over the last few seasons. They've had that last season and for the opening part of this season. The change at half back has allowed them to play in the right parts of the field. That's the key, having a good scrum and lineout put forever using it in your and the middle third is of little use.

Takalua and Hodgson are giving Falcons forward momentum and Hodgson is putting them in the opposition third from where they can build pressure and actually use the pack and the set pieces. Getting plenty of ball in the final third means you can look to use Goneva anf Watson so they become more prominent elements in the team.

Absolutely...lets hope it continues...

Ah Red for Barrington in 10 mins.

The ref had no option with the new laws.

But I agree with Flatman...Barritt was involved aswell and strictly by the laws he should have had a yellow aswell.

New tackle directive means Saracens lose prop Barrington to a red card. Without Barrington's shoulder contact, Brad Barritt could easily have got a red for his initial tackle, so both players probably should have been penalized.

Parling out of the game.

Sorry just added to my previous one RF..i agree with Flatman. Barritt strictly should have got a yellow aswell if the laws are being followed strictly.

Holy moly....outstanding by Jack Nowell!!!!

Nowell scores, and Exeter lead 10-0.

Some interesting score-lines all round at the moment

No fear of relegation....happens every season.

AH how is Itoje penalised for that!!!!???

Are you not allowed to compete for the lineout now.

Rugby is becoming touch rugby!

GeordieFalcon wrote:AH how is Itoje penalised for that!!!!???

Are you not allowed to compete for the lineout now.

Rugby is becoming touch rugby!

Agreed that was a pathetic penalty - fair competition in the air for me.

And now exactly the same AGAINST him and hes been penalised!!!

And another odd one - deliberate knock-on by the attacking team?

Heaf wrote:And another odd one - deliberate knock-on by the attacking team?

Technically correct. He made no attempt to catch it.

Sarries got a big let off at the end, after Chiefs won the ball against the head in the scrum the whole back line for Sarries raced up and was well offside. Looked like the old days of the offside line being at the back feet of the scrum.

Thought Bristol put in a decent performance today but a nice run of results for Saints. That's the easier run of games gone though.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Heaf wrote:And another odd one - deliberate knock-on by the attacking team?

Technically correct. He made no attempt to catch it.

Sarries got a big let off at the end, after Chiefs won the ball against the head in the scrum the whole back line for Sarries raced up and was well offside. Looked like the old days of the offside line being at the back feet of the scrum.

Technically yes but still odd that the TMO would be used to check that.

Heaf wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Heaf wrote:And another odd one - deliberate knock-on by the attacking team?

Technically correct. He made no attempt to catch it.

Sarries got a big let off at the end, after Chiefs won the ball against the head in the scrum the whole back line for Sarries raced up and was well offside. Looked like the old days of the offside line being at the back feet of the scrum.

Technically yes but still odd that the TMO would be used to check that.

Looked like the Sarries player was trying to flick the ball back into play, but didn't get enough on it. Technically correct decision.

A good win for a pretty scratch Quins team.

We've had terrible luck with injuries in the props now as well, at this point Adam jones isn't pretty much out only fit prop. So much for that retirement!

Backrow as well is getting slowly decimated.

But still a good win, playing badly for long points but doing enough to create and take chances when we can. Swiel had a very good game and is Frak quick!

Did anyone see the Saints / Bris game, family duties meant I only caught the last 20 minutes on the radio. Seemed to me that Saints were going nowhere from the commentary, making the wrong decisions (opinion of course) and fumbling around. It wasn't until Prince Harry (FLAEC, haven't written that for a while) came on that we started to see some sensible play and a little imagination used in the last 10.

Three scratchy wins in a row have relieved the pressure on Malinder, but the problems still remain and hopefully will not be side-lined due to the improved league position. Attack still seems woefully disjointed and boringly obvious. Not having seen the game I cannot know, but does three tries by the forwards actually say something about the way the backs are playing?

Fewer handling errors but not much in the way of imagination other than from JJ. Picamoles outstanding again.

Typical that our only seemingly creative players both play 12. I get the feeling that Myler is getting past his sell by date quicker than I expected; Olver is not yet ready for regular AP starts, so, Harry to 10?
Problem with JJH is, he is so flakey at 10, especially in his kicking, he seems to do a better job at 12. Was he like that at Munster?

Can't see anything but a wasps win here. Just hope it isnt going to be a thrashing

nathan wrote:Can't see anything but a wasps win here. Just hope it isnt going to be a thrashing

Matt Smith after a couple of months out injured has to start straight away and mark Eastmond. That's tough. 

Hope we can play clever.

What was I saying about playing clever. Fecking stupid.

Well we see one player who will get dropped. pulling out od a tackle that blatant?

This ref isn't going to give us any favours. Clearly wasps didn't role away. Then he pulls tigers away from the centre of the line outline leaving to wasps hookers a couple of feet close to his own team

This is going to be a massacre. The lineout defence is completely absent with Fitzgerald calling the lineout. I'd happily pay personally to send him back to NZ.

11 minutes and two tries. Leicester need to get this under control quickly. Really looks like they are pressing too much. This could get ugly quickly.

It will get ugly doc, no doubt about it

We need to drag O. Williams off as he's been paints so far

Might watch if Leicester are taking a hammering.

nathan wrote:We need to drag O. Williams off as he's been paints so far

Fitzgerald has been far worse.

We're getting nothing in attack at the breakdown need to go hard there in defence.