Is it likely that we will put out a weak side next Saturday? Nothing to play for, don’t risk any injuries or bans etc.
I would've thought the opposite. Otherwise you're looking at a 3 week break between their last game and the semi. Would be a serious risk of going into the semi not match sharp.
Hope not. We need the same team together that will be taking on the semi, so everyone sings from the same hymn sheet. We don’t want some ring rusty team put together who need to find a groove again.
I'd expect our strongest available team. We need a good hit out against a Newcastle side that will be fighting for a place in Champions Cup next season. Most of the first choice players have already had a week's rest and need a good run out before we play Bristol away
No doubt. A second string would be crazy.
Doesn't make sense to field a weak side for Newcastle if we have a break between now and Play-offs.
Re your excellent point on another thread Rodney, what about the Front Row? With 160 minutes needed from them across the semi (and hopefully) final, would you risk Joe, Balders and baby rhino on a game that has nothing riding on it?
Maybe take them off after 50 or bring them on for the last 30?
I would have thought it'll be as close to full as possible. Anyone carrying a knock or less than 100% may well be rested.
I don't believe the coaches will even be considering the Team for the Final tbh. The Semi Final is potentially our Final so we throw absolutely everything at it and go again if we succeed.
Re your excellent point on another thread Rodney, what about the Front Row? With 160 minutes needed from them across the semi (and hopefully) final, would you risk Joe, Balders and baby rhino on a game that has nothing riding on it?
Maybe take them off after 50 or bring them on for the last 30?
good point. I'd definitely start them but look to bring them off after after 50.
good point. I'd definitely start them but look to bring them off after after 50.
Definitely this. It's a tough one for the coaches on how to approach it psychologically, as it's both a meaningless dead rubber and key for us to get firing on all cylinders and build our confidence.
Falcons will be desperate to make top 8 via a win, so other than blowing the dust off and proving to ourselves that all the key players/structure are operating at 100% in the first half, I'd personally play 40mins at full gas then wrap the 1st choice players in cotton wool.
Meantime, Exe and Sale can smash each other to pieces and Briz will presumably be keen to keep top spot, which should help our freshness vs whoever we play. In theory!
IMO we've not been playing particularly well so this should be a real opportunity to hammer out the problems with our defensive structure and our cohesion. It's not like we've been cruising through games and just want to keep people fresh - if we play the semi final like we have played in the last few matches (prior to the Sale game) then we'll have little chance of victory. So use this game as a serious contest.
Just got a call from the ticket office, MaidstoneQuin is going to be in the house for this!
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