Hello all. I am watching a cracking game of footie between PSG and Barça but, nonetheless, my mind is drifting to our line up for Saturday's big game at Sandy park.
It was interesting to hear Steele and Lang say they would want to face Exeter in the Premiership final because you want to measure yourself against and beat the best. That intent was quite inspiring to hear. No doubt that belief will be bubbling through the boys this week!
Morris will be out after his nasty head knock but, otherwise, there might not be too many changes. I am not sure if Evans and Symons are back but, if so, would be straight in. I also think Murley and Earle might not be quite ready.
That said, here is my suggestion:
1. Marler
2. Baldwin
3. Louw
4.Lamb
5. Lewies
6. J. Chisholm
7. Kenningham (White has played well but Kenningham is excellent at the breakdown)
8. Dombrandt
9. Care
10. Smith
11. Green
12. Esterhuizen
13. Marchant
14. Lynagh
15. Brown
16. Gray or Elia but would prefer Musk
17. Els
18. Kerrod
19. Young
20. White
21. Landajo
22. Herron
23. Northmore
What would you do?
Pretty much in complete agreement Comet. If Symons is out then Tizard would be my choice to partner Lewies.
White isn't a genuine openside in my book. If Evans is still out then Kenningham must start.
Agree on Musk. He has always looked very capable and I would like to see him getting more minutes.
Tizard is a good shout KQ. He could easily come in and provide some grunt against a meaty Exeter pack. I think he is a bit heavier than Lamb. I just think Lamb played well last week and I like the way continuity is being used in the selection.
Just thinking a bit further, could our scrum dominate Exeter's? We certainly don't need to feel second best to anyone.
Away at Exeter? Rotation time.
Away at Exeter? Rotation time.
Not during 6N, especially with current form from the Chiefs, this is a winnable game which we must target with our best available XV if we hope for a home semi (which must be the aim). Winning is addictive and the current 23 are getting addicted, let them continue where possible. Rotate for 'safer' games against opposition lower in the table, if we want the play-offs we must compete home and away against the best.
Lasike on the bench please if he's back to fitness - the ultimate super sub for me.
Lasike on the bench please if he's back to fitness - the ultimate super sub for me.
He's certainly had a positive impact off the bench in the past 12 months - the only question is versatility. He can only really play in the centres and is a direct swap for Esterhuizen rather than, say, Lang or Northmore who cover multiple positions. That said, given how physical Exeter's game is it could be effective to have him and Andre hammering away at them, perhaps moving Marchant to the wing to bring a little magic.
Wouldn’t have Lasike and Esterhuizen in the centres together purely for defensive reasons. Yes Exeter have a big forward pack but in Woodburn, Cordero and O'Flaherty they have some real pace in the backline. I would worry that Lasike and Andre would leave too much space to be exploited.
Wouldn’t have Lasike and Esterhuizen in the centres together purely for defensive reasons. Yes Exeter have a big forward pack but in Woodburn, Cordero and O'Flaherty they have some real pace in the backline. I would worry that Lasike and Andre would leave too much space to be exploited.
It depends a bit on the back three. It could work with Murley, Marchant and Brown. Not so much if it's Lynagh, Morris (not that he's an option, sadly) and Green which is quite a bit... greener.
Rotate for 'safer' games against opposition lower in the table, if we want the play-offs we must compete home and away against the best.
I'm not saying I disagree with this, but I'm not sure! Gustard used to play his A team against strong opposition and lose, and then the B team would lose against Irish, Gloucester ....
It's a quandary - yes we aim to win every game, but winning those against 'lesser' opposition is essential and we've a history of losing easier points.
It depends a bit on the back three. It could work with Murley, Marchant and Brown. Not so much if it's Lynagh, Morris (not that he's an option, sadly) and Green which is quite a bit... greener.
I think Liverpoolquin is right here. Our midfield has enough gaps appearing with Andre playing alongside Marchant, it's worse when Lasike is there, and the two together could well be revolving doors. It's not so much about the back three as it is about the 10-12-13 axis and giving breaks through the middle.
I've always wondered if the coaches might try Lasike on the wing at some point. His defensive game is always a bit of a worry for me at 12 - although, obviously, the front foot ball he gives us at second receiver in attack is such a weapon, especially as second fiddle to Esterhuizen who gives us almost exactly the same go-forward. I just wonder if we might be giving him some training time on the wing to see if he can defend better when he has the touchline to help him - and you still have the option of bringing him in at second receiver on first phase ball off a scrum or lineout...
Might be worth a look, especially as most of our fit wingers now are of the smaller, more agile variety. Always nice to have one winger that offers one type of threat and another who's challenging defenders in an entirely different kind of way.
I've always wondered if the coaches might try Lasike on the wing at some point. His defensive game is always a bit of a worry for me at 12 - although, obviously, the front foot ball he gives us at second receiver in attack is such a weapon, especially as second fiddle to Esterhuizen who gives us almost exactly the same go-forward. I just wonder if we might be giving him some training time on the wing to see if he can defend better when he has the touchline to help him - and you still have the option of bringing him in at second receiver on first phase ball off a scrum or lineout...
Might be worth a look, especially as most of our fit wingers now are of the smaller, more agile variety. Always nice to have one winger that offers one type of threat and another who's challenging defenders in an entirely different kind of way.
I cannot see Lasike is a winger.
I think that the likely Backs will be:
15: Brown
14: Marchant
13: Northmore
12: Esterhuizen
11: Green
10: Smith
9: Care
Northmore, looked in top form the other day. He has come back from injury and looks absolutely rapid!
Lynagh on the bench to cover 15 and wings.
I like the idea of what Lasike could offer in attack on the wing, but he is very much not suited to the majority of a modern wing's game (high balls, kicking, positioning, turning and chasing)
Lasike can only really play 12 at this level. At any other position I’d worry that he would be seriously exposed.
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