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Author Topic: Teams up!  (Read 1547 times)

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Fearless Fred

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Teams up!
« on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:03* »
On the Offy

Ibitoye makes first start of the season against Agen in Challenge Cup
Friday, 12th October 2018 @ 12:00



Kunatani makes his first start for the club and Saili returns to the 23.
Winger Gabriel Ibitoye will make his first start of the season for Harlequins against Agen at The Stoop in the Challenge Cup on Saturday (kick-off: 15:00).

Ibitoye, who has scored four tries in the Premiership Rugby Shield this season, is part of a back line that includes Ben Tapuai – returning at inside centre - and Joe Marchant, who scored the Gallagher Premiership’s try of the week against Saracens last Saturday, at outside centre.

Elsewhere Fiji international Semi Kunatani makes his first start for the Club at flanker, with George Merrick and Charlie Mulchrone making their first starts of the season too. Alex Dombrandt makes the match 23 for his first appearance and Francis Saili makes a welcome return from injury as he is named among the Game Changers. James Chisholm will captain the side with Chris Robshaw and James Horwill both not considered for selection.

Head of Rugby Paul Gustard said: “Gabriel Ibitoye has earned his place in the starting XV against Agen this weekend through his attitude to commit to extra work to improve aspects of his game allied to some excellent performances in the Shield this season.

“I am also looking forward to seeing the contribution Semi Kunatani will make on his first start for the club and I am delighted that Francis Saili makes the match 23 for the first time this season. His return is testament to his professionalism, positive attitude and the excellent work from our medical and strength conditioning team headed up by Gareth Tong  and Andy Reynolds.

“I am also excited about the introduction of Alex Dombrandt who has impressed all in pre-season and makes his first appearance for the club he supported as a boy.

“Agen have been one of the strongest clubs in France over the years which we respect but we have a rich history in the Challenge Cup and we want to do well in the competition by starting strongly tomorrow. This is also an opportunity for us to build on recent performances and move the team and the Club forward.

“We took pride in our resilient performance against Saracens last week and we have been pleased to see the improvements in our defence and scrum. Now we want to see our attack become more threatening and that is something we have focused on this week.

“This is a squad that will never give up and is united in what it is trying to achieve, which I believe the supporters can recognise and relate to. The atmosphere at The Stoop last week was the best I have experienced at a club ground in five years and the noise that was reverberating around the ground helped drive the team forward.”

Harlequins XV to play Agen (kick-off: 15:00)
15 Mike Brown (300)
14 Gabriel Ibitoye (7)
13 Joe Marchant (62)
12 Ben Tapuai (5)
11 Nathan Earle (6)
10 Marcus Smith (34)
9 Charlie Mulchrone (23)

1 Joe Marler (173)
2 Max Crumpton (4)
3 Kyle Sinckler (125)
4 George Merrick (81)
5 Matt Symons (6)
6 Renaldo Bothma (12)
7 Semi Kunatani (2)
8 James Chisholm (61) (Captain)

Game Changers
16 Elia Elia (19)
17 Lewis Boyce (17)
18 Will Collier (131)
19 Stan South (22)
20 Alex Dombrandt (-)
21 Dave Lewis (17)
22 Demetri Catrakilis (6)
23 Francis Saili (5)

Not considered for selection
Nick Auterac
Rob Buchanan
Danny Care
Jack Clifford
James Horwill
Josh Ibuanopke
Mark Lambert
Paul Lasike
James Lang
Chris Robshaw
Phil Swainston
Niall Saunders
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WellingQuin

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #1 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:06* »
Saili! Finally may get another glimpse of him. Great to see Dombrant on the bench too.

Great that Ibitoye is getting a start.

Some players there I thought we might have given a rest, but strong team.

never sleep

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #2 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:08* »
Things to feel good about on a Friday:
1. Gabriel Ibitoye starting
2. Semi Kunatani starting
3. James Chisholm captaining
4. Elia Elia returning
5. Alex Dombrandt - 1st game
6. Demetri Catrakilis working his way back in
7. Francis Saili returning




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poorfour

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #3 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:22* »
Assuming Care, Robshaw and Horwill are rested and Lasike recovers quickly, we're starting to have a decent squad available. It'd be good to have Clifford back.

Still, a lot to look forward to. We are taking a big group from our mini-rugby club so hoping for a good showing from Quins.

Fearless Fred

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #4 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:26* »
Assuming Care, Robshaw and Horwill are rested and Lasike recovers quickly, we're starting to have a decent squad available. It'd be good to have Clifford back.

Still, a lot to look forward to. We are taking a big group from our mini-rugby club so hoping for a good showing from Quins.

I think you're right in the assumptions for Care Robshaw & Horwill. I hope Lang is just being rotated as well, as I'd like to have all three FHs fit & playing regularly.
Interesting (Good) to see Mulchrone starting ahead of Lewis.
Ruours are that Lasike is aiming on being back for next week (RTP protocols permitting) so it would be good to have him back in consideration too.

honkytonk

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #5 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:32* »
The thing that pleases me is that we seem to have a few options now.  No need to keep flogging players when they could do with a rest. 
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Quins Head

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #6 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:35* »
Strong team really looking forward to Sat afternoon

Only Joe Quin

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #7 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:43* »
We're in the best position injury wise we have been in for some time. There's 11 senior squad on the "not considered" list, of which 3 are being rested (we hope). And only 2 long term injuries, Buchanan and Clifford, as far as we know.

deadlyfrom5yardsout

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #8 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 12:55* »
Sshhh the fates are listening...

Matt72

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #9 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 14:44* »
I've bought a ticket for the final in Newcastle. Only £15 with a £2 booking fee so no great loss of £17.00 if we don't get that far but I have a good feeling. 

https://www.epcrugby.com/european-professional-club-rugby/finals-newcastle-2019/
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A222Quin

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #10 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 16:32* »
I like the look of that lineup. Pleased to see Kunatani start and hopefully the Cat and Saili should get some decent game time. Good luck to James Chis as captain too!

Teddington Taff

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #11 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 16:44* »
Interesting slection.
He's left enough umph in the forwards to allow Semi to attack at the loose and we still have a considerably fast and talented set of backs with the stalwart MB at FB.
If - and I believe he is - he's working on a "squad of players" meaning what it says on the tin - he's sending out the right signals to all and sundry.
I am looking fowrad to tomorrow!!!
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quins4life

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #12 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 16:50* »
Regarding Lang, he was hobbling around in a protection boot on saturday so who knows. Must have been reasonably close as he was named on the bench unless it was mind games from Gustard

Chipstead Quin

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #13 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 17:01* »
Regarding Lang, he was hobbling around in a protection boot on saturday so who knows. Must have been reasonably close as he was named on the bench unless it was mind games from Gustard

Lang pulled a calf muscle in the Captains Run last Friday , ( which is why Cat had a call up ) I spoke with him and he said it wasn't serious ,"just a tweak" and he thought he would be available for this weekend - he's also hoping to get a Scotland call  for the AI's , so wants to get back asap . - prob just rested this week along with the others .

returnoftheshrek

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Re: Teams up!
« Reply #14 on: Friday 12-Oct-2018, 17:41* »
I must admit I'm not an avid watcher of the Top 14, i know that Agen are second from bottom, but the team they are putting out tomorrow seem to be not the usual starters.

Unless they are saving everything for this competition?

Can someone who is more educated in these matters please enlighten the board?

 

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