Exeter v Castres Sun 1pm

[fivepointer]

Exeter: Nowell; Cordero, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; Simmonds, White; Hepburn, Yeandle (captain), Francis, Dennis, Hill, Skinner, Armand, Kvesic.

Replacements: Cowen-Dickie, Moon, Williams, Lees, Lonsdale, Maunder, Steenson, Whitten.

Castres: Palis ; Paris, Combezou, Ebersohn (captain), Smith ; Urdapilleta, Radosavljevic; Tichit, Jenneker, Kotze, Lassalle, Jacquet, Gerondeau, Delaporte, Vaipulu.

Replacements: Firmin, Stroe, M. Clerc, Mafi, Jelonch, Tulou, Vialelle, Kockott.

[twitchy]

A very weird weekend of games from an english perspective. Big match ups on paper but with nothing to play for. I'm just hoping we don't get any more injuries.

[fivepointer]

Exe arent completely out of it, but will have to get 2 BP wins and hope results go their way elsewhere. Its quite a stretch tbh.
Nowell at FB and Simmonds at 10 indicates attacking intent. They've simply got to go for it.

[padprop]

I wonder if Nowell at 15 is through his own asking, as it is probably his best shot at getting a World Cup space now.

[Oakboy]

I wonder if Nowell at 15 is through his own asking, as it is probably his best shot at getting a World Cup space now.

How much do any of the players get listened to? It would be interesting to know where quite a few want to play, given the choice. In addition to Nowell, what about Slade, Daly, Tuilagi, Farrell, Itoje, Isiekwe, Lawes? Presumably, 99% of the time they just play where they are told for club and country.

[Timbo]

Exe arent completely out of it, but will have to get 2 BP wins and hope results go their way elsewhere. Its quite a stretch tbh.
Nowell at FB and Simmonds at 10 indicates attacking intent. They've simply got to go for it.

If they get a BP win today, I think an 8+ point win in Munster is enough- basically they don’t HAVE to get 4 try’s at Munster.

[Puja]

I wonder if Nowell at 15 is through his own asking, as it is probably his best shot at getting a World Cup space now.

How much do any of the players get listened to? It would be interesting to know where quite a few want to play, given the choice. In addition to Nowell, what about Slade, Daly, Tuilagi, Farrell, Itoje, Isiekwe, Lawes? Presumably, 99% of the time they just play where they are told for club and country.

I would imagine a reasonable amount for their clubs - it's probably sorted out in discussions between DoRs and players rather than one side dictating to the other. No DoR wants a player that's unhappy and, if Nowell comes to Baxter and says I want to play 15, I'd imagine that's taken under consideration whsn selection comes round.

For country, on the other hand, I would expect you go where you're put and are happy to be selected.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Lovely from Slade there

[p/d]

Casters 10 is an absolute tosser

[Buggaluggs]

whoops a daisy

[Mellsblue]

Nowell needs to get his 15 game time in this season, cos he ain’t getting next season.

[Scrumhead]

Casters 10 is an absolute tosser

Agreed. Still not as bad as Kockott though.

[Oakboy]

I was impressed by Hill.

[p/d]

I was impressed by Hill.

Was it the chip through at the end that won you over?

[Mikey Brown]

Sounds like Slade and Nowell were good. Anybody see Nowell? I’ve thought he may be better at 15 for a while (though thought that about Daly) and imagine he is vying directly with Ashton for an England spot at the moment so needs to match his (apparent) ability to play there.

[fivepointer]

Nowell was excellent. Slade really good too, as were all the pack.
All round Exe were first class, particularly in the 1st half when they played with great pace, width and skill.
They've given themselves a real chance. Winning away in Munster is a tough ask, but at least they have a chance to progress.

[Mikey Brown]

Just saw Nowell's try. I'm not sure I've ever seen that kind of acceleration from him before.

Devoto's offload for Simmonds was class too.

Has that ship sailed or could he still become England 12 post RWC? I don't know if he can consistently put it together but he has all the pieces. (I'm aware I've also said that about 12T)

[Mikey Brown]

Lol. Slade's try not quite as pretty but the one he makes for O'Flaherty was nice.

[Oakboy]

I was impressed by Hill.

Was it the chip through at the end that won you over?

I'll forgive him that as he was back on from putting his feet up. it was probably the rum in his tea.

[twitchy]

Pleased with the result but we are getting battered next week so bit of a dead rubber still.

[Timbo]

Pleased with the result but we are getting battered next week so bit of a dead rubber still.

Twitchy; the least optimistic sports fan...ever!

[Puja]

Sounds like Slade and Nowell were good. Anybody see Nowell? I’ve thought he may be better at 15 for a while (though thought that about Daly) and imagine he is vying directly with Ashton for an England spot at the moment so needs to match his (apparent) ability to play there.

He was very good, but that wasn't the type of game to test a full-back. Daly would've been all right in that kind of game. I'd imagine he'll get a bit more pressure next week.

Puja

[Beasties]

Just saw Nowell's try. I'm not sure I've ever seen that kind of acceleration from him before.

Devoto's offload for Simmonds was class too.

Has that ship sailed or could he still become England 12 post RWC? I don't know if he can consistently put it together but he has all the pieces. (I'm aware I've also said that about 12T)

Devoto was really very good. It's such a shame that he's been on the treatment table endlessly. I look for his name on the Exeter team sheet every week but it's also a shame he signed for Exeter. He'd have got more games elsewhere when fit, he would've been perfect for Wasps when they were in for him with Exeter.

[Spiffy]

Lol. Slade's try not quite as pretty but the one he makes for O'Flaherty was nice.

Slade has always had the skills, but this season has added some physicality. He is not a massive bloke, but is looking increasingly powerful with ball in hand. Good gas too. Still think that if he had been developed exclusively as a 12, he would be a very good one by now. Then we might have seen an England 3/4 line of;
Daly Slade Joseph May, with Watson at FB. Not too shabby.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Cracking game that. One thing that stands out a mile is how much better LCD is than Hartley.