Taps and Marchant always formed a pretty handy, nippy and tough tackling centre partnership before injuries and sabbaticals to NZ. They wee our first choice centre pairing for a while. I think they can gel together effectively tomorrow. I think the last start for Taps was against Munster and he did pretty well. Did he start against Briz on Boxing day? Maybe.

Esterhuizen is a really special player and has helped to shape our attack with great success. Congratulations to him and his family. Taps can break the line with power or footwork but might also look to offload just as contact comes. I think we might see Marcus picking up some passes on the loop.

The team is really good. Go well boys. Be mentally strong and put Ex on the back foot.

It's going to be great!

I've no issue with Ester being rested. I thought he looked a bit ponderous in defence last week. I just hope he comes back with renewed vigour as he's been such a good signing.

There was an email - probably from the club - with an image from Club's Twitter that showed that Ester had made 12 tackles in the last game - didn't mention how many he had missed, but 12 tackles is a fair amount for a centre, no?

I was a little underwhelmed on first read but there are at least 12 first choice players in the starting lineup. There may be some rustiness on the bench but none of them are poor players. If we go down there with a positive mindset we may well pull off a surprise.

There was an email - probably from the club - with an image from Club's Twitter that showed that Ester had made 12 tackles in the last game - didn't mention how many he had missed, but 12 tackles is a fair amount for a centre, no?

I'm pretty sure I saw him miss at least two where he looked rather slow and ineffectual. I'm not sure they'd have counted as missed tackles in the stats as I think he was too slow to even get a hand on them.

I dont think it is a problem having Lasike on the bench, if you have players like Marchant, Green, Lynagh etc staring.  Marchant cover WG, Green apparently covers FB/Cen/ and FH, Lynagh cover FB. The starters can provide the flexibility.   I would hate to lose him because of that.

After being disappointed that Lasike did not start....I agree

Agreed, coaches proved it was a very wise decision. Thoughts he had a very solid game, murley looked rusty though.

Taps has more game time and experience generally than Murley (and so may recover his game impact faster) - still like Murley he's fearless: as others have said, he seems that he may be a variation on Tom Williams...