Exeter vs Leicester Sunday 3 pm

[p/d]

If Exeter's 9s could either put in a descent box kick or not fecking bother, then this is a side that could really do some damage.

What's the score with LCD?

It's not just better kicking from 9 Exeter need to progress, they could really use an openside but there's nothing in the AP that will obviously force them to change

..or the laws tbh. Though having Kvesic v Evans would have been great!

Kvesic has been outstanding for them. I assume rested.

[twitchy]

[Digby]

Austin will be knowledgeable when it comes to gluing false bits to a head

[Oakboy]

...than?

His recent games.

gotcha. Easing himself in, unsurprisingly.

Do you think his pace has gone or was he just not pushing himself? I hope he's lost his pace temporarily at this stage of recuperation because I fear for him if he's not playing flat-out. That's a recipe for more injury.

[Timbo]

His recent games.

gotcha. Easing himself in, unsurprisingly.

Do you think his pace has gone or was he just not pushing himself? I hope he's lost his pace temporarily at this stage of recuperation because I fear for him if he's not playing flat-out. That's a recipe for more injury.

I think he’s playing flat out, but for now he definitely looks a yard (or three) slower. He’ll obviously get a bit sharper and quicker the more he plays, but whether his speed comes back fully we’ll just have to see. Frankly, if his top end pace is gone for good he becomes a lot less interesting a player for England imo. Without pace he’s just an English Jonathan Danty.

[Scrumhead]

I agree that he looks considerably slower/less explosive but TBH, I feel a bit sorry for Manu.

After stringing his first set of games together in a long, long time, we’re immediately questioning him. In a way, I’m glad it’s been a less than stellar return. Perhaps it will give him some time to get back to full fitness/sharpness without the pressure of being automatically recalled for England.

In all fairness, I thought he was a bit better yesterday than in the previous games. I don’t recall him coughing up possession and he did OK with the minimal amount of ball he was given,

[fivepointer]

Its early days in the comeback. If he's still looking sluggish in a couple of months time, then its fair to wonder if he is a spent force.
Eddie is right not to have picked him for the training squad and, unless theres an upturn in his form, will have to leave him out of the 6N's.

[Oakboy]

I agree that he looks considerably slower/less explosive but TBH, I feel a bit sorry for Manu.

After stringing his first set of games together in a long, long time, we’re immediately questioning him. In a way, I’m glad it’s been a less than stellar return. Perhaps it will give him some time to get back to full fitness/sharpness without the pressure of being automatically recalled for England.

In all fairness, I thought he was a bit better yesterday than in the previous games. I don’t recall him coughing up possession and he did OK with the minimal amount of ball he was given,

Fair comment. We can only trust Leicester's management and medical staff, presuming they know what they are doing. My observation would be that he does not currently deserve a place. That's not criticising him but suggesting that he might not yet be up to 1st XV standard. Recuperating on the job in that stuttering Leicester side is a fair ask. Of course, I have no knowledge of his progression to this point. I just hope he doesn't break again before he finds real form.

[Digby]

He's actually done okay Vs Munster, Sarries and Exeter, which in itself is impressive, at times he's been their best carrier which okay he hasn't sustained, but nobody does sustain that in isolation from 13

[twitchy]

If he remains fit it will take him many months to start getting his edge back. It's almost impossible to keep him out of the england discussion in the media but I would hope he was just left with tigers this season then given a proper pre season we can look at him next season if all goes well.

[Puja]

His recent games.

gotcha. Easing himself in, unsurprisingly.

Do you think his pace has gone or was he just not pushing himself? I hope he's lost his pace temporarily at this stage of recuperation because I fear for him if he's not playing flat-out. That's a recipe for more injury.

I'd say it's as much his awareness and game sense that's taking its time to come back as anything else, which is understandable considering how long it's been since he's had a consistent run of games. There's been very little opportunity for him to get up to full speed as a) he's been chosing the wrong option and seeking contact a lot (less yesterday) and b) Leicester have been playing rubbish against good opposition since he's come back and so he's barely had the ball in space.

Yesterday was promising (about the only thing for Leicester that was) - he actually caught the ball when on a crash ball line (baby steps), he ran a few good lines, and the move where he worried the defence and then set May away was very nice. Last week, he'd've just bulldozed into the nearest defender. Hopefully the improvement will continue at the same rate.

Puja

[Puja]

I agree that he looks considerably slower/less explosive but TBH, I feel a bit sorry for Manu.

After stringing his first set of games together in a long, long time, we’re immediately questioning him. In a way, I’m glad it’s been a less than stellar return. Perhaps it will give him some time to get back to full fitness/sharpness without the pressure of being automatically recalled for England.

In all fairness, I thought he was a bit better yesterday than in the previous games. I don’t recall him coughing up possession and he did OK with the minimal amount of ball he was given,

Fair comment. We can only trust Leicester's management and medical staff, presuming they know what they are doing. My observation would be that he does not currently deserve a place. That's not criticising him but suggesting that he might not yet be up to 1st XV standard. Recuperating on the job in that stuttering Leicester side is a fair ask. Of course, I have no knowledge of his progression to this point. I just hope he doesn't break again before he finds real form.

He's not exactly facing stellar competition for the Leicester shirt though. With Owen out, our option is Matt Smith, who is hardly inspiring. I'm happy giving Manu the gametime to get sharp.

Puja

[Tigersman]

He’s played in what 3 80 minutes games surely if something was to reoccur from being rushed it would have happened by now esp considering Munster, Saracens and Chiefs are all physical.

It’s now all about getting match fit and getting rid of rust which will only happen by playing.

Maybe if Owen was fit he would be on the bench but he isn’t, TBF it isn’t like he has cost us the games either.

[Mikey Brown]

Just seen Almond’s try. Ewers is an absolute beast. Great to see him fit again.

[Oakboy]

Just seen Almond’s try. Ewers is an absolute beast. Great to see him fit again.

Yes, there was the double factor of Armand's strength in keeping his feet and Ewer's in forcing him over. I find it stranger by the day that Eddie doesn't pick Armand. He seems to me to do exactly what Eddie is looking for when picking a lock in the back row except that he does it better.

[Puja]

Just seen Almond’s try. Ewers is an absolute beast. Great to see him fit again.

Yes, there was the double factor of Armand's strength in keeping his feet and Ewer's in forcing him over. I find it stranger by the day that Eddie doesn't pick Armand. He seems to me to do exactly what Eddie is looking for when picking a lock in the back row except that he does it better.

Agreed with you on that. I'd wager also that he'd be a better international lock than Itoje or Lawes are international 6s, so if we are looking for RWC squad flexibility, then that's there.

I wasn't a massive fan last season - thought he was okay but nothing more - but he's reacted to being left out by Eddie by pushing on even further this season and is now comfortably the form 6 in the Premiership.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Just seen Almond’s try. Ewers is an absolute beast. Great to see him fit again.

Yes, there was the double factor of Armand's strength in keeping his feet and Ewer's in forcing him over. I find it stranger by the day that Eddie doesn't pick Armand. He seems to me to do exactly what Eddie is looking for when picking a lock in the back row except that he does it better.

Agreed with you on that. I'd wager also that he'd be a better international lock than Itoje or Lawes are international 6s, so if we are looking for RWC squad flexibility, then that's there.

I wasn't a massive fan last season - thought he was okay but nothing more - but he's reacted to being left out by Eddie by pushing on even further this season and is now comfortably the form 6 in the Premiership.

Puja

Also, with what Eddie looks for from a 7 he could equally well play in that shirt - better than Haskell around the park and a serious line-out presence.