Exeter vs Glasgow

[Epaminondas Pules]

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE GLASGOW WARRIORS

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Henry Slade
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Tom O'Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Jack Maunder
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Jonny Gray
5 Sam Skinner
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jacques Vermeulen
8 Sam Simmonds

16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Ben Moon
18 Marcus Street
19 Jonny Hill
20 Richard Capstick
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Ian Whitten

[fivepointer]

Surprised Hill doesnt start as he's hardly been overplayed by England.

[Oakboy]

Surprised Hill doesnt start as he's hardly been overplayed by England.

Two feisty Jocks in the 2nd row v Jocks.

[p/d]

Clean sheet. Tidy

[Banquo]

Masterclass from Exeter. They really are a well coached side with great attitude. Simmonds x 2 both pretty decent again, Devoto went ok as well as Slade in the backs. But the pack just excellent, even if not quite as ruthless close to the line as usual.

[fivepointer]

That was pretty emphatic. Exe far too good up front and with the backs to make something when given the chance.

[Spiffy]

Masterclass from Exeter. They really are a well coached side with great attitude. Simmonds x 2 both pretty decent again, Devoto went ok as well as Slade in the backs. But the pack just excellent, even if not quite as ruthless close to the line as usual.

How long will Eddie Jones continue to ignore the outstanding Simmonds bros?

[Banquo]

Masterclass from Exeter. They really are a well coached side with great attitude. Simmonds x 2 both pretty decent again, Devoto went ok as well as Slade in the backs. But the pack just excellent, even if not quite as ruthless close to the line as usual.

How long will Eddie Jones continue to ignore the outstanding Simmonds bros?

Dunno, especially both have excellent all round skills; J Simmonds goal kicking is pretty impressive. Simmonds S impressed over the ball too, good to see it again.

[FKAS]

Some of the kicking from hand by J Simmonds was a bit loose. Not his usual immaculate performance. Having said that he was still very good, just the decision making is so reliably good.

Baxter has the team so well drilled and they back each other completely just makes them relentless.

Glasgow showed glimpses of class by their discipline was just so poor. Can't do that against Exeter.

[Banquo]

Some of the kicking from hand by J Simmonds was a bit loose. Not his usual immaculate performance. Having said that he was still very good, just the decision making is so reliably good.

Baxter has the team so well drilled and they back each other completely just makes them relentless.

Glasgow showed glimpses of class by their discipline was just so poor. Can't do that against Exeter.

One very poor kick. But what I like is that he just gets on and does his job quietly. If anything he could use his pace more.

Most undersung player- Yeandle. Coach’s dream.

[Oakboy]

Masterclass from Exeter. They really are a well coached side with great attitude. Simmonds x 2 both pretty decent again, Devoto went ok as well as Slade in the backs. But the pack just excellent, even if not quite as ruthless close to the line as usual.

How long will Eddie Jones continue to ignore the outstanding Simmonds bros?

The younger showed what place-kicking is all about and impreseed in attack and defence. The elder, justifiably MoM, showed that pace/flair at 8 is the best defence opener. Modern thinking would have both in England's starting XV. That's yesterday's argument, though. I'm trying to decide how good Devoto is.

[Banquo]

Masterclass from Exeter. They really are a well coached side with great attitude. Simmonds x 2 both pretty decent again, Devoto went ok as well as Slade in the backs. But the pack just excellent, even if not quite as ruthless close to the line as usual.

How long will Eddie Jones continue to ignore the outstanding Simmonds bros?

The younger showed what place-kicking is all about and impreseed in attack and defence. The elder, justifiably MoM, showed that pace/flair at 8 is the best defence opener. Modern thinking would have both in England's starting XV. That's yesterday's argument, though. I'm trying to decide how good Devoto is.

Me too on Devoto. Lovely touches but overall not sure; needs a proper run of games.

[p/d]

How long will Eddie Jones continue to ignore the outstanding Simmonds bros?

The younger showed what place-kicking is all about and impreseed in attack and defence. The elder, justifiably MoM, showed that pace/flair at 8 is the best defence opener. Modern thinking would have both in England's starting XV. That's yesterday's argument, though. I'm trying to decide how good Devoto is.

Me too on Devoto. Lovely touches but overall not sure; needs a proper run of games.

Always looked to have the class at top level, and signs of it again. Did Bath not shunt him about positionally?

[FKAS]

The younger showed what place-kicking is all about and impreseed in attack and defence. The elder, justifiably MoM, showed that pace/flair at 8 is the best defence opener. Modern thinking would have both in England's starting XV. That's yesterday's argument, though. I'm trying to decide how good Devoto is.

Me too on Devoto. Lovely touches but overall not sure; needs a proper run of games.

Always looked to have the class at top level, and signs of it again. Did Bath not shunt him about positionally?

Yeah played him at 15. He got stepped by Tom Croft in one particularly disastrous display. Think he may have played a bit of 10 as well. He wasn't quick enough for 15 nor had the time on the ball for 10. Playing 12 in the Chiefs system seems to suit him very well.

[p/d]

Most undersung player- Yeandle. Coach’s dream.

Amen to that. Quality season after season

[Oakboy]

Most undersung player- Yeandle. Coach’s dream.

Amen to that. Quality season after season

I rarely watch any of the build-up chat but I caught Nowell's comment on how lucky Exeter were to have the two Simmonds with them as England weren't interested. Add in the props, Ewers and, most of all, Yeandle, and you can argue that Baxter is rather special in his player recruitment/retention. Exeter can cover the international absences better than most but their hard core of ever-presents is key to the character of the team. Yeandle can make a case for being the best club hooker in the league and for being the best captain.

[twitchy]

The prem is weird. It rewards you for finding players that are at a very specific level (top club but not international). I would say that is why south african imports are incredibly tempting also.

[fivepointer]

There's great value in having consistent quality performers who arent going to get picked to play internationals. You do have to get them to that level though, and its here that Exe have been so good.

[Banquo]

There's great value in having consistent quality performers who arent going to get picked to play internationals. You do have to get them to that level though, and its here that Exe have been so good.

Yes. Other sides try and fly under the international radar whilst making sure that they get RFU cash for EQP, but none do it so well. And before it’s said, Eddie has looked at most of the best EQP Exeter players, though I’d encourage him to look again at Sam and have a good look at Joe. Sam’s breakdown work should have answered a few doubters yesterday.

[Banquo]

The prem is weird. It rewards you for finding players that are at a very specific level (top club but not international). I would say that is why south african imports are incredibly tempting also.

Of course, club v country prevails, though clubs also want their EQP money. Can’t see an easy resolution, and whilst this ‘tension’ is there, alongside salary caps, it will always have an impact on the quality of the prem. can’t blame DORs, especially those without security of tenure. The upside is that a fair few academies have matured and producing good players.

[jngf]

There's great value in having consistent quality performers who arent going to get picked to play internationals. You do have to get them to that level though, and its here that Exe have been so good.

Yes. Other sides try and fly under the international radar whilst making sure that they get RFU cash for EQP, but none do it so well. And before it’s said, Eddie has looked at most of the best EQP Exeter players, though I’d encourage him to look again at Sam and have a good look at Joe. Sam’s breakdown work should have answered a few doubters yesterday.

Never had doubts myself also S Simmonds put in something like 15 tackles in as many minutes when coming on as an impact sub in one England autumn test (possibly in 2017?) - i think he’d easily settle into an England flank berth but Jones’ doesn’t seem for deviating from CurryHill unless his hand is forced.

[Banquo]

There's great value in having consistent quality performers who arent going to get picked to play internationals. You do have to get them to that level though, and its here that Exe have been so good.

Yes. Other sides try and fly under the international radar whilst making sure that they get RFU cash for EQP, but none do it so well. And before it’s said, Eddie has looked at most of the best EQP Exeter players, though I’d encourage him to look again at Sam and have a good look at Joe. Sam’s breakdown work should have answered a few doubters yesterday.

Never had doubts myself also S Simmonds put in something like 15 tackles in as many minutes when coming on as an impact sub in one England autumn test (possibly in 2017?) - i think he’d easily settle into an England flank berth but Jones’ doesn’t seem for deviating from CurryHill unless his hand is forced.

Fair few were saying there was no evidence that Sam was good over the ball, when the case for inclusion in the back row was made. In fairness there are a lot of good back rows. Curry and Underhill are top class and a top pairing.

[Raggs]

Yes. Other sides try and fly under the international radar whilst making sure that they get RFU cash for EQP, but none do it so well. And before it’s said, Eddie has looked at most of the best EQP Exeter players, though I’d encourage him to look again at Sam and have a good look at Joe. Sam’s breakdown work should have answered a few doubters yesterday.

Never had doubts myself also S Simmonds put in something like 15 tackles in as many minutes when coming on as an impact sub in one England autumn test (possibly in 2017?) - i think he’d easily settle into an England flank berth but Jones’ doesn’t seem for deviating from CurryHill unless his hand is forced.

Fair few were saying there was no evidence that Sam was good over the ball, when the case for inclusion in the back row was made. In fairness there are a lot of good back rows. Curry and Underhill are top class and a top pairing.

Did he get several turnovers then? Or consistently slow ball legally? I only half watched about 60 minutes of it. I can see in the highlights of his performance 1 turnover, that a lot of refs would have told him to get off it, as he's not presenting even close to a good picture.

I've seen Lawes win turnovers (better ones than that, shockingly), and yet I desperately do not want to see him in the England backrow again.

He's a backrow player, winning a turnover does not show that he's good over the ball, it shows he's capable, which is the bare minimum expected of anyone playing in the backrow really. I'd love to see more from him, but that one turnover would be evidence to the contrary in my mind, due to the awful position. I don't know if you have been watching the inside line (or whatever it's been called) for England over the autumn, but they showed the flankers practicing their breakdown. Body position had to be spot on, hands had to be instantly on the ball and lifting. If they missed, even if they didn't lose their balance, put their hands down etc, they "lost". That's the accuracy expected at international.

[Banquo]

Never had doubts myself also S Simmonds put in something like 15 tackles in as many minutes when coming on as an impact sub in one England autumn test (possibly in 2017?) - i think he’d easily settle into an England flank berth but Jones’ doesn’t seem for deviating from CurryHill unless his hand is forced.

Fair few were saying there was no evidence that Sam was good over the ball, when the case for inclusion in the back row was made. In fairness there are a lot of good back rows. Curry and Underhill are top class and a top pairing.

Did he get several turnovers then? Or consistently slow ball legally? I only half watched about 60 minutes of it. I can see in the highlights of his performance 1 turnover, that a lot of refs would have told him to get off it, as he's not presenting even close to a good picture.

I've seen Lawes win turnovers (better ones than that, shockingly), and yet I desperately do not want to see him in the England backrow again.

He's a backrow player, winning a turnover does not show that he's good over the ball, it shows he's capable, which is the bare minimum expected of anyone playing in the backrow really. I'd love to see more from him, but that one turnover would be evidence to the contrary in my mind, due to the awful position. I don't know if you have been watching the inside line (or whatever it's been called) for England over the autumn, but they showed the flankers practicing their breakdown. Body position had to be spot on, hands had to be instantly on the ball and lifting. If they missed, even if they didn't lose their balance, put their hands down etc, they "lost". That's the accuracy expected at international.

Lol. I knew someone would bite. He got at least two pure jackals, both of which were fine, and indeed slow ruck ball down, even though neither are his number one tasks in the role Exeter ask him to play. My point is not tricky- he is actually very good over the ball, strong and gets in good positions and picks and chooses well. He’s no Willis, but I’d put him as good as Underhill and Earl in terms of technique, and Lawes if you want to continue down that vein. So maybe the one example you remember is not the usual picture; it was being claimed,not necessarily by you, that there was no evidence he was a decent jackaller and I’d seen plenty of it from him in the past- but it’s not consistently how Exeter approach breakdown defence in general.

[Mellsblue]

I don’t buy the argument that he should’ve or shouldn’t have been pinged when it comes to the grey areas. All you’re ever told is ‘play the ref’ - if he’s being more lenient at the breakdown and you can get away with it then get away with it.