Saints v Glos

[Gloskarlos]

Gloucester Rugby:

Tom Marshall; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Louis Rees-Zammit; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Jamal Ford-Robinson; 4. Alex Craig, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow, 8. Ben Morgan


Replacements:

Todd Gleave, 17. Alex Seville, 18. Fraser Balmain, 19. Gerbrandt Grobler, 20. Freddie Clarke, 21. Joe Simpson, 22. Billy Twelvetrees, 23. Matt Banahan


Unavailable for selection:

Ruan Dreyer, Corné Fourie, James Hanson, Jaco Kriel, Val Rapava Ruskin, Ed Slater, Ollie Thorley, Owen Williams

[Gloskarlos]

15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Francois van Wyk
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison (c)

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 David Ribbans
21 Henry Taylor
22 Andrew Symons

[Gloskarlos]

Prior to being smashed in Europe Saints were looking very good, certainly playing better than Glos. I’d be happy with 2 points out of this game, I’m not really sensing a win.

[Adam_P]

It's a shame Proctor is out, but a real boost to have Henry Taylor and Ribbans back from injury. Should be an entertaining game with both teams playing some very attractive rugby. Collins vs Rees-Zammit could be interesting, both lightening quick.

[Banquo]

It's a shame Proctor is out, but a real boost to have Henry Taylor and Ribbans back from injury. Should be an entertaining game with both teams playing some very attractive rugby. Collins vs Rees-Zammit could be interesting, both lightening quick.

Is Fraser Dingwall injured?

[Adam_P]

No he's not, but did play for the Wanderers the other night

[fivepointer]

Could be very entertaining. Saints have had 3 bruising defeats on the bounce but are always stronger at home. Still not sure about Glos ability to string together convincing performances.

[Banquo]

No he's not, but did play for the Wanderers the other night

fallen right down the pecking order, shame.

[fivepointer]

Good game. Both sides wanted to play and there was much to enjoy.

[Gloskarlos]

2 points taken. Can’t argue against the result, too many penalties from Glos means territory and possession building just didn’t happen. Reinach is class, and a nice guy. He was the difference today.

[Adam_P]

Just back from the game, good win but feel like we left a bonus point out there. Definitely an entertaining game. Felt like the officials were poor but will have to watch it back on TV to confirm. Rees-Zammitt is quality.

[Gloskarlos]

Officiating was spot on I think. I quite rate Dickson. Pundits on bt sport agreed if that holds any water with you.

[Adam_P]

The thing that stuck out was warning Glos for repeated pens in the 22 before half time, then shortly after they concede again down there and nothing happens. Like I said though, watching from the stands with a few beers in I really have very little idea of what's actually going on on the field so will reserve judgement.

Seems like Cips had quite a good game - certainly the rip on Naiyaravoro when he was smashing his way over the line was good. Furbank had a very assured game at 15 then fly half, and Lawes was very good.

[Gloskarlos]

Aside from my pet hate of the constant and distinct feint ‘dummy’ with the head and shoulders from every base, Reinach was standout. Furbank was good, Lawes didn’t stand out for me that much. Cips was ok, Atkinson excellent, LRZ just next level quick. Poor discipline did for us though as I said earlier.

[Timbo]

Lawes certainly stood out for me. Him and Reinach were the two real class acts on the field imo.

[Banquo]

Lawes certainly stood out for me. Him and Reinach were the two real class acts on the field imo.

yep; Furbank did well in both positions though, very skilled with the ball. Reffing was top notch I thought.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed on Furbank. He seems to have deservedly established himself as first choice at 15 and I’m excited to see how he develops.

I’m curious about how good Rees-Zammit actually is. He’s obviously very quick, but all of the tries I’ve seen him score seem to involve him finishing off good team moves by running in a straight line which I’d expect from any decent winger. Is there more to him than pure gas? I’m not saying there isn’t - I just haven’t seen him do a great deal as of yet.

[fivepointer]

Furbank really does look like such an accomplished all round player. Similar to Max Malins in his footballing nous.

I thought Lawes was first rate and i'd give a big thumbs up to Atkinson, who i think never has a poor game.

Karl Dickson is developing into a very good ref.

[francoisfou]

Karl Dickson is developing into a very good ref.

Wasn’t he at the World Cup as a touch judge? It surely won’t be long before he refs an international match - maybe tier 2?)

[Mellsblue]

Furbank really does look like such an accomplished all round player. Similar to Max Malins in his footballing nous.

I thought Lawes was first rate and i'd give a big thumbs up to Atkinson, who i think never has a poor game.

Karl Dickson is developing into a very good ref.

Good game for Bedford then! About time I had some good news about Bedford rugby.

[Timbo]

Lawes certainly stood out for me. Him and Reinach were the two real class acts on the field imo.

yep; Furbank did well in both positions though, very skilled with the ball. Reffing was top notch I thought.

Yes, he’s an interesting player from an England perspective. Very nice footballer and has good vision, time on the ball. But despite watching him a fair bit I can’t tell if he’s got the sort of athleticism you might want in an international fullback.

[Gloskarlos]

Agreed on Furbank. He seems to have deservedly established himself as first choice at 15 and I’m excited to see how he develops.

I’m curious about how good Rees-Zammit actually is. He’s obviously very quick, but all of the tries I’ve seen him score seem to involve him finishing off good team moves by running in a straight line which I’d expect from any decent winger. Is there more to him than pure gas? I’m not saying there isn’t - I just haven’t seen him do a great deal as of yet.

It’s mostly gas right now in all honesty, I’m fairly sure there’s nobody as quick in the prem. I’ve mentioned before his defence could be a little more aggressive, but his footballing skills are excellent, not bad under the high ball either, stuff to work on, but very encouraging signs

[Banquo]

Lawes certainly stood out for me. Him and Reinach were the two real class acts on the field imo.

yep; Furbank did well in both positions though, very skilled with the ball. Reffing was top notch I thought.

Yes, he’s an interesting player from an England perspective. Very nice footballer and has good vision, time on the ball. But despite watching him a fair bit I can’t tell if he’s got the sort of athleticism you might want in an international fullback.

Agreed, much to do; if anything he might end up being a little lightweight.

[Puja]

Karl Dickson is developing into a very good ref.

Wasn’t he at the World Cup as a touch judge? It surely won’t be long before he refs an international match - maybe tier 2?)

He has been - he did Georgi vs Samoa last year and a couple this year.

Puja

[Spiffy]

yep; Furbank did well in both positions though, very skilled with the ball. Reffing was top notch I thought.

Yes, he’s an interesting player from an England perspective. Very nice footballer and has good vision, time on the ball. But despite watching him a fair bit I can’t tell if he’s got the sort of athleticism you might want in an international fullback.

Agreed, much to do; if anything he might end up being a little lightweight.

Lightweight in skills or actual bulk? He looks to have the makings of a very good footballer, with footwork, gas and brains. He is bigger than Damian McKenzie, Brice Dulin, Cheslin Kolbe and a few Japanese players who lit up the Rugby World Cup. He already looks a better all-round FB than the England incumbent, Daly (who, to be fair, is a great wing but nothing special at FB). The post-RWC England squad needs a bit of a shakeup, and Jones should at least be running his eye over talented young players like Furbank. If he winds up outplaying his counterparts on a regular basis, then he should be given consideration for a squad slot. Of course, Jones does not favour smallish chaps. Christian Wade, when he was scoring tries for fun with Wasps (and doing OK in defence too), never got a look-in.