The Official English Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

It'd just be guesswork - no-one really knows what to expect after such a disruption. It's a decent Quins team that's been put out, but no idea if they'll gel and they've gone for putting width on the ball with Lang at 12 rather than a big lump and that might backfire. With Ashton and Marchant we have two of the best at running support lines for offloads, but aside from Dombrandt and Brown we don't have many noted offloaders in the team.

Would be nice if Care was playing but he's fragile these days. The Saffers will add some steel when they're here but I've seen far worse Quins teams.

[SaintK]

Bookies have Sale by 6 tonight.
Anyone have any dissenting views? On paper and given the lack of home crowd advantage I think it might be a prison-style dressing down for Quins.

I've gone Sale +9 on Superbru! Obviously no current form to go on, just looking at the respective team sheets, Sale look stronger.

[Un Pilier]

Word is that Nadalo will be unavailable for Tigers. What sort of unavailable I don’t know.

[Nols]

Prem back this weekend?

[duke]

Prem back this weekend?

Tonight

[sockwithaticket]

Prem back this weekend?

Yep and BT are broadcasting all games for as long as there're no crowds, which is pretty cool.

[SaintK]

Prem back this weekend?

Yep and BT are broadcasting all games for as long as there're no crowds, which is pretty cool.

If you have BT TV!

[Dinsdale Piranha]

It'd just be guesswork - no-one really knows what to expect after such a disruption. It's a decent Quins team that's been put out, but no idea if they'll gel and they've gone for putting width on the ball with Lang at 12 rather than a big lump and that might backfire. With Ashton and Marchant we have two of the best at running support lines for offloads, but aside from Dombrandt and Brown we don't have many noted offloaders in the team.

Would be nice if Care was playing but he's fragile these days. The Saffers will add some steel when they're here but I've seen far worse Quins teams.

It's a good Quins backline who I don't think are going to see enough of the ball. Sale look stronger up front.

[ASMO]

Prem back this weekend?

Yep and BT are broadcasting all games for as long as there're no crowds, which is pretty cool.

If you have BT TV!

https://www.vipbox.lc/

[Nols]

Sweet. Rugby.

Yeah, I'll be using vipbox/viprow!

[SaintK]

Yep and BT are broadcasting all games for as long as there're no crowds, which is pretty cool.

If you have BT TV!

https://www.vipbox.lc/

Thanks, I'll save that.
I do have the BT Sports App on my phone so can cast that. Can't get it to pause, rewind or fast forward though

[JM2K6]

While I do often feel the desire to fast forward Quins matches, live broadcasts rarely work like that ;)

[SaintK]

While I do often feel the desire to fast forward Quins matches, live broadcasts rarely work like that ;)

yes, very true!

[duke]

Sides are up for Bath v Irish (Saturday 3pm at the Rec)

BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Lewis Boyce, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Tom de Glanville

London Irish
15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Ben Donnell, 5 George Nott, 6 Matt Rogerson, 7 Seán O’Brien ©, 8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements
16 Matt Cornish, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Matt Williams

Not sure about the Irish EQPs

[Jim Lahey]

Sides are up for Bath v Irish (Saturday 3pm at the Rec)

BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Lewis Boyce, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Tom de Glanville

London Irish
15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Ben Donnell, 5 George Nott, 6 Matt Rogerson, 7 Seán O’Brien ©, 8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements
16 Matt Cornish, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Matt Williams

Not sure about the Irish EQPs

You’d have to expect Bath’s pack to knock seven shades out of LI’s. Like the look of their BR as well.

A comfortable Bath win shirley.

[sockwithaticket]

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

[Raggs]

I'd love to say I feel confident about Wasps chances, but I really really don't. No idea which way this could go.

[JM2K6]

Interesting to see Umaga retains the 10 shirt. Poor Sopoanga.

Is Grayson Jr broken at the moment for Saints?

[sockwithaticket]

I actually fancy our chances a bit. Which is a bit of a kiss of death, so I'm trying to think my way out of it.

Interesting to see Umaga retains the 10 shirt. Poor Sopoanga.

Is Grayson Jr broken at the moment for Saints?

Guess season form continue in training? Raw as he is, Umaga was a much more positive operator in the team than Soapy, even while Dai was still holding the reins.

[Oxbow]

Interesting to see Umaga retains the 10 shirt. Poor Sopoanga.

Is Grayson Jr broken at the moment for Saints?

Just rested I imagine, they have cover at 10 with Mallinder, Francis (until he goes off with the inevitable concussion) and at a push Furbank. It's rare you get a Saints side with both Biggar and Grayson in the same 23. Unless it's Grayson who has the Covid of course, but the point still stands.

[Raggs]

Interesting to see Umaga retains the 10 shirt. Poor Sopoanga.

Is Grayson Jr broken at the moment for Saints?

He's been our best 10, earned the shirt. If his form continues we'll do well.

[Margin__Walker]

Sides are up for Bath v Irish (Saturday 3pm at the Rec)

BATH RUGBY SIDE TO FACE LONDON IRISH
15. Anthony Watson, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Josh Matavesi, 11. Ruaridh McConnochie, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Lewis Boyce, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Zach Mercer, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau.

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Josh Bayliss, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Cameron Redpath, 23. Tom de Glanville

London Irish
15 Tom Parton, 14 Ben Loader, 13 Curtis Rona, 12 Terrence Hepetema, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Nick Phipps, 1 Harry Elrington, 2 Motu Matu’u, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Ben Donnell, 5 George Nott, 6 Matt Rogerson, 7 Seán O’Brien ©, 8 Albert Tuisue

Replacements
16 Matt Cornish, 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Blair Cowan, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Theo Brophy Clews, 23 Matt Williams

Not sure about the Irish EQPs

EQP added. Fairly lightweight (albeit mobile) pack with two hybrids at lock. Decent back row and backline with lots of pace outwide. Bath clearly favourites mind.

[Double]

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

Are our best wing current wing options really two fullbacks? I would've thought that we'd have everyone available given the break, is Collins left out on form?

[fishfoodie]

When is one of you wasters going to start a match thread for this important first game ?

[Margin__Walker]

When is one of you wasters going to start a match thread for this important first game ?

There you go

[Oxbow]

Spoiler

Show

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

Are our best wing current wing options really two fullbacks? I would've thought that we'd have everyone available given the break, is Collins left out on form?

Sleightholme is injured, Naiyaravoro on the bench to presumably come on and smash a tiring Wasps later in the game, no idea about Collins.

[Saint]

Spoiler

Show

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

Are our best wing current wing options really two fullbacks? I would've thought that we'd have everyone available given the break, is Collins left out on form?

Sleightholme is injured, Naiyaravoro on the bench to presumably come on and smash a tiring Wasps later in the game, no idea about Collins.

The games are going to rack up. 6 days, then 4 days, then 4 days. There's no way we're going to see a cup final team till we reach the semifinals (if we make them)

[JM2K6]

[Jim Lahey]

Bookies have Sale by 6 tonight.
Anyone have any dissenting views? On paper and given the lack of home crowd advantage I think it might be a prison-style dressing down for Quins.

Well I got that one completely wrong!
Could only stick 25 mins of it as it was pretty dire compared with the football.
New law interpretations played a big part from what I saw with Sale’s meathead saffers not adapting. Tom Curry looked impressive from what I saw. Did it get any better in the 2nd half?

[Niegs]

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

I must have totally missed the Ryan Mills announcement! Hope he goes well for Wasps! (Sapoaga heading home after this or staying put?)

[sockwithaticket]

Didn't realise Ted Hill's now captain at Worcester. Picks up a delightful little cross field kick to score after a minute and a half. May and Cips completely bottling their defensive duties

Wasps & Saints teams for their game:

I must have totally missed the Ryan Mills announcement! Hope he goes well for Wasps! (Sapoaga heading home after this or staying put?)

He should be a like for like replacement for Gopperth, who I can't see carrying on much longer.

No idea about Sops, but I suspect he's off at the end of the season. That's when his contract's up and I can't seeing us renew it at the current level given what he's produced for the club so far. On top of that Umaga has taken to senior rugby like a duck to water (so far...) and is making a legit case for being our number 1. I don't get the sense Sops would want to fight to be no.1 at a club. That could be unfair, but he's come up here for money and I feel like he'd rather move to secure pay and first choice.

[SaintK]

Bookies have Sale by 6 tonight.
Anyone have any dissenting views? On paper and given the lack of home crowd advantage I think it might be a prison-style dressing down for Quins.

I've gone Sale +9 on Superbru! Obviously no current form to go on, just looking at the respective team sheets, Sale look stronger.

Played Quins......much the better team.

[Raggs]

Exeter not being allowed to play their usual game, impressive from tigers so far.

[sockwithaticket]

Game's shifting towards Exeter now.

[Nols]

Didn't realise what I was seeing as LCD scored his try, until you saw it mentioned on Twitter.

He puked in his mouth in the act of scoring and then shouted as he stood up, spraying it all over whoever was underneath him.

[notfatcat]

What the hell has Priest Rhysland done to his head.

[Raggs]

I do love the fact that Maxwell Key's voice still regularly breaks :D and that he takes the mickey out of himself for it.

[sockwithaticket]

BT comms said Wigglesworth has more Prem appearances than the entire Bristol team! Must say I find that hard to believe with guys like Atwood, Afoa and Hughes in the side.

I do love the fact that Maxwell Key's voice still regularly breaks :D and that he takes the mickey out of himself for it.

He must be mid-20s by now? Still has an unfortunately teenager-ish appearance in a game where he's supposed to be ordering around men much bigger than him.

[Raggs]

They said more than Bristol. As in Bristol as a club.

[sockwithaticket]

Ah, that makes more sense. That's still mad.

Good to see Rhodes get pinged for that. Really dislike him as a player for precisely that kind of thing.