Saints vs Irish - Friday

[Puja]

Northampton: Tuala; Sleightholme, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Reinach; B Franks, Haywood, O Franks, Coles, Ratuniyarawa, Wood, Harrison (capt), Eadie.

Replacements: Fish, Waller, Painter, Bean, Tonks, Taylor, Symons, Collins.

London Irish: Stokes; Naholo, Rona, Hepetema, Hassell-Collins; Myler, Meehan; Elrington, Porecki, Kepu, Van der Merwe (capt), Coleman, Rogerson, Cowan, Tuisue.

Replacements: Atkins, Dell, Hoskins, Mafi, Donnell, Phipps, Stephenson, Williams.

[Digby]

You just look at that Irish team and think you lucky bastards

[Banquo]

Not sure how Symons gets a place in the squad, pony last week

[Oakboy]

Why haven't we got a SH half as good as Reinach?

[Scrumhead]

Naiyarovoro vs. Naholo could be a tasty battle on one wing.

[fivepointer]

Another outing or Grayson. He's developing very nicely i think.
3 u20's involved. Sleightholme and Tonks for Saints and Donnell on the bench for Irish.
Expect a very comfortable home win, though i do wonder if now Irish know they are safe from relegation it might see them relax and open up a bit. Come to think of it, all those clubs struggling at the bottom now have more than half a season to sort themselves out, maybe give some youngsters a decent run and play a little more adventurously.

[Banquo]

Another outing or Grayson. He's developing very nicely i think.
3 u20's involved. Sleightholme and Tonks for Saints and Donnell on the bench for Irish.
Expect a very comfortable home win, though i do wonder if now Irish know they are safe from relegation it might see them relax and open up a bit. Come to think of it, all those clubs struggling at the bottom now have more than half a season to sort themselves out, maybe give some youngsters a decent run and play a little more adventurously.

Making the case for ring fencing inadvertently

[Puja]

Another outing or Grayson. He's developing very nicely i think.
3 u20's involved. Sleightholme and Tonks for Saints and Donnell on the bench for Irish.
Expect a very comfortable home win, though i do wonder if now Irish know they are safe from relegation it might see them relax and open up a bit. Come to think of it, all those clubs struggling at the bottom now have more than half a season to sort themselves out, maybe give some youngsters a decent run and play a little more adventurously.

Making the case for ring fencing inadvertently

The complete removal of drama or interest in the seasons of those at the bottom end of the table makes the opposite, however.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Another outing or Grayson. He's developing very nicely i think.
3 u20's involved. Sleightholme and Tonks for Saints and Donnell on the bench for Irish.
Expect a very comfortable home win, though i do wonder if now Irish know they are safe from relegation it might see them relax and open up a bit. Come to think of it, all those clubs struggling at the bottom now have more than half a season to sort themselves out, maybe give some youngsters a decent run and play a little more adventurously.

Making the case for ring fencing inadvertently

The complete removal of drama or interest in the seasons of those at the bottom end of the table makes the opposite, however.

Puja

Define 'drama or interest' from a Leicester perspective.

[Banquo]

Another outing or Grayson. He's developing very nicely i think.
3 u20's involved. Sleightholme and Tonks for Saints and Donnell on the bench for Irish.
Expect a very comfortable home win, though i do wonder if now Irish know they are safe from relegation it might see them relax and open up a bit. Come to think of it, all those clubs struggling at the bottom now have more than half a season to sort themselves out, maybe give some youngsters a decent run and play a little more adventurously.

Making the case for ring fencing inadvertently

The complete removal of drama or interest in the seasons of those at the bottom end of the table makes the opposite, however.

Puja

fair. However the status quo is crap imo

[fivepointer]

Yes we wont have the drama of a relegation dogfight. It's going to be interesting to see just how the rest of the season shape up now clubs know they are safe. A few will be very grateful for that. That could produce better rugby, it could mean we see greater investment in young players, it could mean we see a little more risk taking.
The clubs have the cushion of relegation not being an issue so that should see some changes in emphasis.

[Banquo]

Yes we wont have the drama of a relegation dogfight. It's going to be interesting to see just how the rest of the season shape up now clubs know they are safe. A few will be very grateful for that. That could produce better rugby, it could mean we see greater investment in young players, it could mean we see a little more risk taking.
The clubs have the cushion of relegation not being an issue so that should see some changes in emphasis.

Quite

[Puja]

Making the case for ring fencing inadvertently

The complete removal of drama or interest in the seasons of those at the bottom end of the table makes the opposite, however.

Puja

Define 'drama or interest' from a Leicester perspective.

Don't get me wrong; I am grateful that our inevitable relegation this year has been averted.

Puja

[Timbo]

I’m probably not your typical Premiership rugby fan as I will always book 2/3 games in every weekend without fail (bit lame I guess, but there’s only so much family time I can take). But I can’t be the only one who is looking forward to this weekends games as much as any other? If the rugby actually increases in standard and enjoyment, and there’s more quality young players and more eqp, then I for one will be happier with the product despite the loss of relegation.

[Banquo]

I’m probably not your typical Premiership rugby fan as I will always book 2/3 games in every weekend without fail (bit lame I guess, but there’s only so much family time I can take). But I can’t be the only one who is looking forward to this weekends games as much as any other? If the rugby actually increases in standard and enjoyment, and there’s more quality young players and more eqp, then I for one will be happier with the product despite the loss of relegation.

Mixed blessing - but yes. Would have been even better if internationals weren’t in camp

[Adam_P]

The opening 12 mins have been amazingly physical, great watch

[Adam_P]

Francis knocked out in the tackle... Again

[twitchy]

That was nasty. He just went limp.

[Scrumhead]

Concerning for Francis. I’m not sure whether this is another head knock or his neck. Neither is good, but with his recent concussion injuries, I’m worried for his career.

[Adam_P]

He seems to have a bad habit of getting his head on the wrong side in the tackle. Certainly a brave defender, but seemly to his own detriment

[Raggs]

Harsh pen, if instead he'd just waved his arms in the air, it would likely have gone the other way for obstruction.

[Scrumhead]

He seems to have a bad habit of getting his head on the wrong side in the tackle. Certainly a brave defender, but seemly to his own detriment

Yep. I know that to my cost. I fractured my eye socket by getting my head on the wrong side 3 or 4 years ago.

I’m really hoping it’s nothing too serious for Francis.

[twitchy]

That was really silly.

[Adam_P]

Little twat that Irish 9. Lucky the post stopped Reinach landing on his head

[Raggs]

Little twat that Irish 9. Lucky the post stopped Reinach landing on his head

Post didn't stop it, he just landed on his back.

Should be a red though. After the whistle, clearly didn't have the ball and the 9 knew he didn't have the ball.