Challenge Cup Weekend

[fivepointer]

Potentially some good games over the weekend. Bath and Irish are taking it seriously.

Zebre: Di Giulio; Bruno; Boni (capt), Lucchin, D'Onofrio; Canna; Violi; Fischetti, Bigi, Zilocchi, Sisi, Nagle, Leavasa, Mbanda, Giammarioli

Replacements: Fabiani, Lovotti, Bello, Krumov, Bianchi, Renton, Pescetto, Mori

Bath: Watson; Rokoduguni, Clark, Ojomoh, Cokanasiga; Bailey, B Spencer; Obano, Walker, Stuart, McNally (capt), Stooke, Reid, Underhill, Faletau

Replacements: du Toit, Bhatti, Thomas, W Spencer, Bayliss, Chudley, Wright, Gray



London Irish: Parton; Loader, Rona, Brophy Clews, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, Phipps; Goodrick-Clarke, Creevy, Chawatama, Nott, Simmons, Rogerson (capt), Cowan, Tuisue.

Replacements: Cornish, Gigena, Hoskins, Munga, Donnell, O'Brien, Meehan,Hepetema.

Cardiff Blues: Morgan; Adams, Lee-Lo, Halaholo, Amos; Evans, Williams; Domachowski, Dacey, Lewis, Davies, Hill, Navidi, Botham, Turnbull (capt).

Replacements: Belcher, Carre, Arhip, Thornton, Robinson, Williams, Thomas, Harries.

[Which Tyler]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

[Scrumhead]

Kind of forgot about Ojomoh. Hopefully this is the springboard he needs for a bit more first team action.

Just got the Syzlak reference - cruel but quite accurate.

[FKAS]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

very good.

[Puja]

Leicester team out:

Tigers XV
[club appearances in brackets / * denotes club debut]

15 Zack Henry [19]
14 Harry Potter [10]
13 Matías Moroni [9]
12 Matt Scott [16]
11 Guy Porter [14]
10 Johnny McPhillips [15]
9 Ben Youngs (c) [254]
1 Luan de Bruin [10]
2 Charlie Clare [24]
3 Joe Heyes [61]
4 Cameron Henderson [10]
5 Tomás Lavanini [29]
6 George Martin [8]
7 Luke Wallace [13]
8 Jasper Wiese [9]

Replacements
16 Nic Dolly *
17 James Whitcombe [3]
18 Will Hurd *
19 Harry Wells [114]
20 Tommy Reffell [40]
21 Ben White [70]
22 Dan Kelly [11]
23 Freddie Steward [25]

Connacht Rugby: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sean O'Brien, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 David Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 7 Conor Oliver, 8 Paul Boyle (c).

Reps: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali'I, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Peter Sullivan

Looks like we're concentrating on the Prem - no Muri, no Ford, complete reserve front row, no Liebenberg, and Steward and Wells on the bench rather than starting. Shame really, as I think we'd have a chance to do well in this competition. Anyone better versed in Irish rugby than me able to say how strong a side Connacht are putting out?

Puja

[FKAS]

The England guys are required to have two rest weeks post 6N and end of the season because it seems the RFU are fucking stupid and like taking the piss. Hence no Ford or Genge and why no Youngs last weekend.

I'm not sure there's no Murimurivalu. Borthwick is big on rotating the squad and he's made several comments about expecting people to step up. At 21/19/21 it's a very young reserve front row. Dual playmakers in the backline makes sense but I'd expect Connacht to be putting some contestable high balls in the channel between Porter and Henry.

Connacht are missing their captain Butler, Aki and Quinn Roux from the second row. They look to have named a strong side in paper so you'd assume they'd be well up for it. I'm a little disappointed we haven't gone a little stronger with our selection. Big DC or/and Captain Tom on the bench would have given us that little more experience and impact if we need it.

[Banquo]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

.....looks like a banana skin tripped on so far...

[Which Tyler]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

.....looks like a banana skin tripped on so far...

So far?
4.00KO isn't it?

ETA: arse! 4.00 local time

[Banquo]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

.....looks like a banana skin tripped on so far...

So far?
4.00KO isn't it?

Not according to the beeb website......#maybenottooreliable

(also on the European Challenge cup site). Haven't put hyperlink up as that would be a spoiler.

[Banquo]

Hmmm - maybe I will try to watch after all - first start for Ojunior, 2nd start for Bailey; Gray on the bench.
Young Szyslak at 6 is always worth keeping an eye on too - developing realy nicely

.....looks like a banana skin tripped on so far...

So far?
4.00KO isn't it?

ETA: arse! 4.00 local time

I did wonder...

[Which Tyler]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

[Banquo]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

haven't been watching, just saw the score

[Raggs]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

Underhill got knocked out, not quite cold, but when he stood up, he promptly fell over again.

Zebre taking their chances really well, Bath looking like there's just a few things not clicking at the moment, but scrum domination will keep them in it.

[Which Tyler]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

Underhill got knocked out, not quite cold, but when he stood up, he promptly fell over again.

Zebre taking their chances really well, Bath looking like there's just a few things not clicking at the moment, but scrum domination will keep them in it.

Thank you.
Doesn't sound good for Sam then

[FKAS]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

Underhill got knocked out, not quite cold, but when he stood up, he promptly fell over again.

Zebre taking their chances really well, Bath looking like there's just a few things not clicking at the moment, but scrum domination will keep them in it.

Thank you.
Doesn't sound good for Sam then

Hopefully Underhill isn't to badly concussed. Never like to see that with a player.

Bath are playing so much off 9 that their attack is narrowing despite having some real talent in the backs. It's making more of a meal of it than they need to. Bailey doesn't seem to get the ball with licence to play much. Zebre had some chances and took them though you'll back this Bath pack to wear them down in the second half.

[Raggs]

There's cones on the try line in the bath half, ffs, it annoys me a bit when they warm up in there, but to put cones on the pitch!

[paddy no 11]

Leicester team out:

Tigers XV
[club appearances in brackets / * denotes club debut]

15 Zack Henry [19]
14 Harry Potter [10]
13 Matías Moroni [9]
12 Matt Scott [16]
11 Guy Porter [14]
10 Johnny McPhillips [15]
9 Ben Youngs (c) [254]
1 Luan de Bruin [10]
2 Charlie Clare [24]
3 Joe Heyes [61]
4 Cameron Henderson [10]
5 Tomás Lavanini [29]
6 George Martin [8]
7 Luke Wallace [13]
8 Jasper Wiese [9]

Replacements
16 Nic Dolly *
17 James Whitcombe [3]
18 Will Hurd *
19 Harry Wells [114]
20 Tommy Reffell [40]
21 Ben White [70]
22 Dan Kelly [11]
23 Freddie Steward [25]

Connacht Rugby: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sean O'Brien, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 David Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 7 Conor Oliver, 8 Paul Boyle (c).

Reps: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali'I, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Peter Sullivan

Looks like we're concentrating on the Prem - no Muri, no Ford, complete reserve front row, no Liebenberg, and Steward and Wells on the bench rather than starting. Shame really, as I think we'd have a chance to do well in this competition. Anyone better versed in Irish rugby than me able to say how strong a side Connacht are putting out?

Puja

Strong enough. Captain is suspended and papalipi on bench. No bundee either so missing 2 very strong players

Papalipi should come on pretty quick in 2nd half

[Banquo]

Was that Bayliss?
What happened to being him on in the first half?
Who's hurt? How badly?

Underhill got knocked out, not quite cold, but when he stood up, he promptly fell over again.

Zebre taking their chances really well, Bath looking like there's just a few things not clicking at the moment, but scrum domination will keep them in it.

Thank you.
Doesn't sound good for Sam then

banana skin avoided well by the look of it

[Scrumhead]

Leicester team out:

Tigers XV
[club appearances in brackets / * denotes club debut]

15 Zack Henry [19]
14 Harry Potter [10]
13 Matías Moroni [9]
12 Matt Scott [16]
11 Guy Porter [14]
10 Johnny McPhillips [15]
9 Ben Youngs (c) [254]
1 Luan de Bruin [10]
2 Charlie Clare [24]
3 Joe Heyes [61]
4 Cameron Henderson [10]
5 Tomás Lavanini [29]
6 George Martin [8]
7 Luke Wallace [13]
8 Jasper Wiese [9]

Replacements
16 Nic Dolly *
17 James Whitcombe [3]
18 Will Hurd *
19 Harry Wells [114]
20 Tommy Reffell [40]
21 Ben White [70]
22 Dan Kelly [11]
23 Freddie Steward [25]

Connacht Rugby: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sean O'Brien, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 David Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 7 Conor Oliver, 8 Paul Boyle (c).

Reps: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali'I, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Peter Sullivan

Looks like we're concentrating on the Prem - no Muri, no Ford, complete reserve front row, no Liebenberg, and Steward and Wells on the bench rather than starting. Shame really, as I think we'd have a chance to do well in this competition. Anyone better versed in Irish rugby than me able to say how strong a side Connacht are putting out?

Puja

I thought Nic Dolly had quit after being released by Sale.

Good player if you’ve signed him.

[Spiffy]

LI 41 -35 Cardiff Blues

Entertaining game,. Some great running by both teams. Loader, Hassel-Collins electric.
Lead constantly changing in the last 10 minutes.

[FKAS]

Leicester team out:

Tigers XV
[club appearances in brackets / * denotes club debut]

15 Zack Henry [19]
14 Harry Potter [10]
13 Matías Moroni [9]
12 Matt Scott [16]
11 Guy Porter [14]
10 Johnny McPhillips [15]
9 Ben Youngs (c) [254]
1 Luan de Bruin [10]
2 Charlie Clare [24]
3 Joe Heyes [61]
4 Cameron Henderson [10]
5 Tomás Lavanini [29]
6 George Martin [8]
7 Luke Wallace [13]
8 Jasper Wiese [9]

Replacements
16 Nic Dolly *
17 James Whitcombe [3]
18 Will Hurd *
19 Harry Wells [114]
20 Tommy Reffell [40]
21 Ben White [70]
22 Dan Kelly [11]
23 Freddie Steward [25]

Connacht Rugby: 15 John Porch, 14 Alex Wootton, 13 Sean O'Brien, 12 Tom Daly, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Kieran Marmion; 1 Denis Buckley, 2 David Heffernan, 3 Finlay Bealham, 4 Ultan Dillane, 5 Gavin Thornbury, 6 Eoghan Masterson, 7 Conor Oliver, 8 Paul Boyle (c).

Reps: 16 Shane Delahunt, 17 Jordan Duggan, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Oisin Dowling, 20 Abraham Papali'I, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Conor Fitzgerald, 23 Peter Sullivan

Looks like we're concentrating on the Prem - no Muri, no Ford, complete reserve front row, no Liebenberg, and Steward and Wells on the bench rather than starting. Shame really, as I think we'd have a chance to do well in this competition. Anyone better versed in Irish rugby than me able to say how strong a side Connacht are putting out?

Puja

I thought Nic Dolly had quit after being released by Sale.

Good player if you’ve signed him.

He's been playing for Coventry in the Championship. We've signed him up. Follows the pattern of some of our recent signings, age grade player who's development has either stalled or is at a club in lower division. We brought back Ollie Chessum from Notts and acquired Dan Kelly from Loughborough University last summer alongside Cam Henderson from Glasgow. All under 20 internationals. I suspect Jake Kerr is off this summer and Dolly is the new fourth choice hooker who will be looking to move up the pecking order as will Hurd another former age grade international originally from Leicestershire but who's been playing up in Scotland and Whitcombe a 19 year old England under 20s player. All three will start next season as fourth choice.

[TheNomad]

Hassall-Collins looks awesome. He can’t be far off a call up

[twitchy]

Loader has a nice step on him as well doesn't he. I missed the end of the game (I'll watch it this afternoon) how long did LI play with 14 for? Great win for them.

Also there are certain older player you really have to take your hat off too. They were rightly praising creevy but blair cowan is ancient and still looks an absolute menace.

[fivepointer]

Very good win for Irish. They are a really good side to watch right now. Bath laboured to their win.

Was looking forward to Quins-Ulster but Quins have stood down a lot of first choice players.

Harlequins: Green; Northmore, Lang, Lasike, Earle; Herron, Steele; Garcia Botta, Elia, Collier, Tizard, Hammond, White, Kenningham, Lawday (capt).

Replacements: Head, Els, Kerrod, Cavubati, Jurevicius, Stafford, Tapuai, R Chisholm.

Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, Stockdale; Burns, Cooney; O'Sullivan, Herring, Moore, O'Connor, Treadwell, Reidy, Murphy (capt), Timoney.

Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, O'Toole, Izuchukwu, Rea, Mathewson, Madigan, McIlroy.

[Adam_P]

Saints team for Dragons today:

15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ollie Sleightholme
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Nick Auterac
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 JJ Tonks
8 Teimana Harrison (c)

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Oisín Heffernan
19 Lewis Bean
20 Shaun Adendorff
21 Henry Taylor
22 Ahsee Tuala
23 Tom Collins


Interested to see how Mallinder goes with a start at 15. He really needs to settle into a position to realise his early promise. I'd persist with 12 if I were him.