Bristol v Northampton Saints, Friday, 26th (7.45pm KO)

[jimKRFC]

Bristol team:

15. Charles Piutau (52 apps); 14. Toby Fricker (21 apps), 13. Piers O’Conor (88 apps), 12. Alapati Leiua (88 apps), 11. Henry Purdy (26 apps); 10. Callum Sheedy (114 apps), 9. Andy Uren (121 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (89 apps), 2. Jake Kerr (9 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (34 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (131 apps), 5. Chris Vui (73 apps), 6. Sam Jeffries (38 apps), 7. Jake Heenan (c) (60 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (14 apps).

System players: 16. Will Capon (53 apps), 17. Yann Thomas (75 apps), 18. George Kloska (12 apps), 19. John Hawkins (24 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (94 apps), 21. Tom Whiteley (3 apps), 22. Sam Bedlow (40 apps), 23. Niyi Adeolokun (19 apps).

Unavailable: Bryan Byrne, Harry Thacker, John Afoa, Kyle Sinckler, Steven Luatua, Harry Randall, Tiff Eden, Ioan Lloyd, Semi Radradra, Siva Naulago, Luke Morahan, Jack Bates.

Northampton:
15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell, 1 Alex Waller
2 James Fish, 3 Paul Hill, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Alex Moon, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun, 18 Conor Carey, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Karl Wilkins, 21 Tom James, 22 Rory Hutchinson, 23 Josh Gillespie

Bristol's unavailable again looking stronger than the first XV, Kloska to have his second appearance at TH, and a very strong looking Saints team. I think Saints will win. The recent matches have all been close so hopefully Bris can nick the win here.

[Adam_P]

Like the look of the Saints team very much, that's got to be our best backline at the moment. Could be pursuaded to put Sleightholme on the wing and move Freeman to 15, but it's a close one. With the exception of Fish for Matavesi, the pack is up there too. Also good to see Gillespie into the first team after impressing during the cup games (though may also be somewhat forced by injuries).

[Adam_P]

Sounds like a good Saints performance. Haven't had chance to watch it yet because, of course, it wasn't on BT - but the write ups sound like Mitchell, Freeman and Furbank in particular all went well.

[fivepointer]

Good result for Saints. Scrums a key area, one in which Saints were well on top apparently.

[Adam_P]

Watched the game yesterday. Augustus is looking to be a really quality signing. Him and Ludlam combine so nicely in the same back row.

[jimKRFC]

From people that watched it Bristol were competitive until we lost Lahiff, then the scrum went to bits and pretty much every scrum resulted in a penalty to Saints...

The lack of prop depth is killing Bristol. I think that any money currently spent on Hughes needs to go towards some props for next season. This one is looking a write-off now as we'll only just get Sinckler back and it'll be the 6N and he'll be off again. This season also appears to have been one to far for Afoa. Key signings for me next year have to be Mako (if he's not in the 6N) or Kitshoff. Still annoyed we didn't try and get VRR.

[FKAS]

Aren't both of those players looseheads? I really think that Bristol need to spend on the tighthead side. Afoa potentially retiring and Sinckler likely to miss a third of every season with England has left them very vulnerable a number of times on that side of the scrum.

[fivepointer]

Yep, Bris need a quality, experienced tight head.

[jimKRFC]

To be honest we need both & couldn't think of an available, quality, tight head. If you do please feel free to send answers to:
Mr P Lam
Bears High Performance Centre
Bristol

[Timbo]

From the extended highlights Mitchell and Freeman looked really sharp. Can’t believe Freeman is only 20. He looks the goods and definitely has the athletic credentials to go to the next level.

[Adam_P]

Definitely think Freeman and Steward will be a force together in an England back 3, and can rotate around wing/fullback through a game

[FKAS]

To be honest we need both & couldn't think of an available, quality, tight head. If you do please feel free to send answers to:
Mr P Lam
Bears High Performance Centre
Bristol

I'm sure he's aware of the available tightheads. Whether he can afford them within the cap is another matter entirely.

Definitely think Freeman and Steward will be a force together in an England back 3, and can rotate around wing/fullback through a game

If you add in Malins that would be a back three you could rely on all day under the high ball. Malins and Freeman would be tricky out wide and Steward a little bit of power through the middle. Three guys at the back who can kick as well.

[Banquo]

To be honest we need both & couldn't think of an available, quality, tight head. If you do please feel free to send answers to:
Mr P Lam
Bears High Performance Centre
Bristol

I'm sure he's aware of the available tightheads. Whether he can afford them within the cap is another matter entirely.

Definitely think Freeman and Steward will be a force together in an England back 3, and can rotate around wing/fullback through a game

If you add in Malins that would be a back three you could rely on all day under the high ball. Malins and Freeman would be tricky out wide and Steward a little bit of power through the middle. Three guys at the back who can kick as well.

Collectively short of gas I'd say- none are rapid for intl level. Bloody good players, but not sure they are a balanced back 3. Personally I think Freeman and Steward may well duke it out at 15, and Malins may possibly end up utility bench. Could very well be wrong

[Puja]

To be honest we need both & couldn't think of an available, quality, tight head. If you do please feel free to send answers to:
Mr P Lam
Bears High Performance Centre
Bristol

I'm sure he's aware of the available tightheads. Whether he can afford them within the cap is another matter entirely.

Definitely think Freeman and Steward will be a force together in an England back 3, and can rotate around wing/fullback through a game

If you add in Malins that would be a back three you could rely on all day under the high ball. Malins and Freeman would be tricky out wide and Steward a little bit of power through the middle. Three guys at the back who can kick as well.

Collectively short of gas I'd say- none are rapid for intl level. Bloody good players, but not sure they are a balanced back 3. Personally I think Freeman and Steward may well duke it out at 15, and Malins may possibly end up utility bench. Could very well be wrong

Agreed, but it could be a fun back three against someone like South Africa where you know where the attack's coming.

Puja

[Banquo]

I'm sure he's aware of the available tightheads. Whether he can afford them within the cap is another matter entirely.



If you add in Malins that would be a back three you could rely on all day under the high ball. Malins and Freeman would be tricky out wide and Steward a little bit of power through the middle. Three guys at the back who can kick as well.

Collectively short of gas I'd say- none are rapid for intl level. Bloody good players, but not sure they are a balanced back 3. Personally I think Freeman and Steward may well duke it out at 15, and Malins may possibly end up utility bench. Could very well be wrong

Agreed, but it could be a fun back three against someone like South Africa where you know where the attack's coming.

Puja

not sure 'fun'covers that one

[Adam_P]

I think Freeman is deceptively quick, certainly faster than Steward

[FKAS]

I'm sure he's aware of the available tightheads. Whether he can afford them within the cap is another matter entirely.



If you add in Malins that would be a back three you could rely on all day under the high ball. Malins and Freeman would be tricky out wide and Steward a little bit of power through the middle. Three guys at the back who can kick as well.

Collectively short of gas I'd say- none are rapid for intl level. Bloody good players, but not sure they are a balanced back 3. Personally I think Freeman and Steward may well duke it out at 15, and Malins may possibly end up utility bench. Could very well be wrong

Agreed, but it could be a fun back three against someone like South Africa where you know where the attack's coming.

Puja

Dunno Freeman has looked pretty quick when I've seen him. Not Johnny May rapid but quick and elusive enough to be the finisher in the back three with Malins and Steward. I think Freeman could be a bit like a younger Watson if he stays injury free.

Adam_P he's certainly quicker than Steward who is always quicker than you think but let's face it his real skill is timing his runs so he comes onto the ball moving and then at his size it's an awkward tackle to make that and he can distribute and kick.

[Banquo]

Collectively short of gas I'd say- none are rapid for intl level. Bloody good players, but not sure they are a balanced back 3. Personally I think Freeman and Steward may well duke it out at 15, and Malins may possibly end up utility bench. Could very well be wrong

Agreed, but it could be a fun back three against someone like South Africa where you know where the attack's coming.

Puja

Dunno Freeman has looked pretty quick when I've seen him. Not Johnny May rapid but quick and elusive enough to be the finisher in the back three with Malins and Steward. I think Freeman could be a bit like a younger Watson if he stays injury free.

Adam_P he's certainly quicker than Steward who is always quicker than you think but let's face it his real skill is timing his runs so he comes onto the ball moving and then at his size it's an awkward tackle to make that and he can distribute and kick.

Steward isn't very quick, but likely quick enough. Mailins has good acceleration, but again, doesn't strike me as top end pacy. Freeman to me looks like a 15 all day, though good on the wing, and I don't see the similarity to Watson tbh. You really need some top end pace in the back three internationally imo, or remarkable acceleration and elusiveness.

That said its quite hard to judge until they turn up on the intl stage- I had my doubts over Steward's pace, but he's looked fine so far.

[Banquo]

I think Freeman is deceptively quick, certainly faster than Steward

Yep, but I wouldn't say top end pacy.

[Adam_P]

Agreed on Freeman definitely being a 15, but whilst both him and Furbank are playing well having him on the wing works and he does a good job

[Banquo]

Agreed on Freeman definitely being a 15, but whilst both him and Furbank are playing well having him on the wing works and he does a good job

No argument here.