Worcester vs Bristol, Friday 18th (7.45pm KO)

[jimKRFC]

Worcester:
15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Alex Hearle, 12 Ashley Beck (C), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Gareth Simpson,
1 Murray McCallum, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Christian Judge, 4 Matt Garvey, 5 Graham Kitchener, 6 Joe Batley, 7 Matt Kvesic, 8 Sione Vailanu.

Replacements:
16 Isaac Miller, 17 Ethan Waller, 18 Jay Tyack, 19 Andrew Kitchener, 20 Justin Clegg, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Billy Searle, 23 Seb Atkinson.

Bristol :
15. Ioan Lloyd, 14. Jack Bates, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Piers O’Conor, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Theo Strang
1. Yann Thomas, 2. Jake Kerr, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua (c), 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Fitz Harding

Subs:
16. Harry Thacker, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Ashley Challenger, 19. Joe Joyce, 20. Sam Jeffries, 21. Toby Venner, 22. Antoine Frisch, 23. Henry Purdy

Unavailable: Kyle Sinckler, John Afoa, John Hawkins, Harry Randall, Andy Uren, Tom Whiteley, Sam Bedlow, Toby Fricker, Charles Piutau, Luke Morahan, Siva Naulago, Charlie Powell.

Missed last weeks game (funeral) but Bristol will need to improve the discipline or it'll be another long night. Missing 9s & 15s aren't helping either...

[twitchy]

This won't be cancelled because of the storm?

We got a red warning down here but not sure about wuss.

[jimKRFC]

This won't be cancelled because of the storm?

We got a red warning down here but not sure about wuss.

I suspect it might be, wont be put off long enough to Bris any good though!

[Scrumhead]

That’s a very pessimistic take. It’s taken half a season but IMO, Bristol have looked like they’re starting to get back into form.

Yes, they just got walloped by Irish, but the red card had a lot to do with that margin. IIRC, it was 15-21 when Naulago was sent off?

Losing Uren and Whiteley is a blow with Randall already away with England, but having Sheedy back should help (assuming the game goes ahead).

[fivepointer]

Worst of the weather should have passed before k/o tomorrow.

Bris minus a few but so too Wuss. Lawrence has been out of action for weeks now.

[Banquo]

Worst of the weather should have passed before k/o tomorrow.

Bris minus a few but so too Wuss. Lawrence has been out of action for weeks now.

Problem with travelling though, I'd think.

[fivepointer]

Worcester Warriors and Bristol Bears have agreed to put the kick-off time of Friday’s Gallagher Premiership match at Sixways back by half-an-hour to 8.15pm.
The decision, which has been taken following consultation with Premiership Rugby, aims to minimise the risk of travel issues for spectators, players, officials and staff due to Storm Eunice.
Strong winds are expected on Friday morning and early afternoon but the latest weather forecasts suggest that they will abate by late afternoon.
The stadium will now be open to supporters at 6.15pm on Friday.

Seems a very sensible move.

[jimKRFC]

Worst of the weather should have passed before k/o tomorrow.

I meant delayed long enough to get one of 9s back!

[FKAS]

Game's started at break neck speed. Young Finn Smith isn't playing like he's young, impressed by him so far. After the next world cup looks like it'll be a shoot out of the Smiths for the England 10 shirt.

[FKAS]

Wuss discipline is shocking. Small amount of pressure from Bristol and they are coughing up pretty unnecessary penalties.

[Scrumhead]

Is Radradra carrying a knock? He looks so sluggish compared to last season and I don’t really know why he’s been used on the crash when that’s not really his forte?

[FKAS]

I think he's just battered and bruised from being run into brick walls. I agree you want to be trying to create one on one opportunities for Radrada in the outside channels, ideally against some poor sod half his size. The loss of Hughes does mean they are short of that big ball carrier.

[FKAS]

Diamond looks to have got a bit more out of Worcester. I don't watch them often but they really should have had a TBP today and it's not often you can say that. If they can fix that awful rolling maul they'll be a lot more dangerous.

[Scrumhead]

I think he's just battered and bruised from being run into brick walls. I agree you want to be trying to create one on one opportunities for Radrada in the outside channels, ideally against some poor sod half his size. The loss of Hughes does mean they are short of that big ball carrier.

Possibly, but he had the ball in space a few times and just looked completely pedestrian. He was easily contained which isn’t something I thought I’d ever say about him TBH. Particularly given Worcester’s midfield is hardly known for it’s punishing defence - even more so when you consider they’re missing Venter and Lawrence.

[jimKRFC]

Semi hasn't been the same since the injury he got at the Olympics. He's had 3 (I think) games back but he's just not the same player. Doesn't help when everyone around him playing garbage though...

That was a generally deflating thing to which. Bristol just kept letting Worcester off. Totally unable to build any sustained play because they kept messing basics up. Scrum was a worry at the end to.

All in all 2021/22 has been pretty poor from Bri's. Not sure what they change either at this time.

Kiss of death playing 9 for us at the moment as well. Hopefully Toby isn't too badly hurt or we'll a 3rd loan 9 (the academy 9 is also injured).

[fivepointer]

Radradra doesnt look half the player he was last season. Thats a concern, as is the backward step Bris have taken over the last 2 weeks. Injuries arent helping but they had those last season and still came through. Some of their basics just arent good enough right now.
Wuss should be pleased with that. They lack some grunt but they worked hard and their set piece was reliable.
Fin Smith will only get better. He's a very bright talent.

[Banquo]

Radradra doesnt look half the player he was last season. Thats a concern, as is the backward step Bris have taken over the last 2 weeks. Injuries arent helping but they had those last season and still came through. Some of their basics just arent good enough right now.
Wuss should be pleased with that. They lack some grunt but they worked hard and their set piece was reliable.
Fin Smith will only get better. He's a very bright talent.

Is Will Butler still about, do you know?

[Epaminondas Pules]

He is. Picked up a season ending injury late last year. Just had no luck that guy!

[Banquo]

He is. Picked up a season ending injury late last year. Just had no luck that guy!

Indeed, I knew his grandad

[Raggs]

May have been imagining it, but after a few poor attempts he looked very reluctant to try and tackle dvdm.not that I'd be eager to, just expect more.

[Puja]

I have to say, I was wrong about DVDM. Thought he was going to be a rubbish signing and wouldn't do well for Wuss, but he's done a very good job for Wuss and has given a lot of bang for the buck in terms of the impact he's made on his team.

Puja

[FKAS]

I have to say, I was wrong about DVDM. Thought he was going to be a rubbish signing and wouldn't do well for Wuss, but he's done a very good job for Wuss and has given a lot of bang for the buck in terms of the impact he's made on his team.

Puja

Same. Didn't see the point in a team that couldn't get front foot ball splashing the cash on a winger. However, since Finn Smith's come in and combined with the second playmaker at 15 Worcester are getting the ball wide to the big man with either space or a one on one tackle situation which is what a player of his power wants.

Once Lawrence is back Finn Smith will have some good options, I thought Shillcock was good at 15 as well. Worcester definitely lost something when he didn't come out for the second half.

[Scrumhead]

Actually I think Beck and Venter are very underrated. For all Lawrence’s promise, I’d argue the other two is probably Worcester’s best pairing - definitely in terms of consistency anyway.

[Puja]

I have to say, I was wrong about DVDM. Thought he was going to be a rubbish signing and wouldn't do well for Wuss, but he's done a very good job for Wuss and has given a lot of bang for the buck in terms of the impact he's made on his team.

Puja

Same. Didn't see the point in a team that couldn't get front foot ball splashing the cash on a winger. However, since Finn Smith's come in and combined with the second playmaker at 15 Worcester are getting the ball wide to the big man with either space or a one on one tackle situation which is what a player of his power wants.

Once Lawrence is back Finn Smith will have some good options, I thought Shillcock was good at 15 as well. Worcester definitely lost something when he didn't come out for the second half.

Agreed on Shillcock - a very underrated player in general IMO. Always seems to give heart and soul for Worcester, like a new Chris Pennell.

Puja

[FKAS]

I have to say, I was wrong about DVDM. Thought he was going to be a rubbish signing and wouldn't do well for Wuss, but he's done a very good job for Wuss and has given a lot of bang for the buck in terms of the impact he's made on his team.

Puja

Same. Didn't see the point in a team that couldn't get front foot ball splashing the cash on a winger. However, since Finn Smith's come in and combined with the second playmaker at 15 Worcester are getting the ball wide to the big man with either space or a one on one tackle situation which is what a player of his power wants.

Once Lawrence is back Finn Smith will have some good options, I thought Shillcock was good at 15 as well. Worcester definitely lost something when he didn't come out for the second half.

Agreed on Shillcock - a very underrated player in general IMO. Always seems to give heart and soul for Worcester, like a new Chris Pennell.

Puja

Yeah Shillcock is reminiscent of Pennell. Huge boot, solid and always seems to beat the first man. Agree he's underrated, never really mentioned by BT but always seems to have a decent game.

Scrumhead, agree Beck and Venter are very capable players but they miss the explosive impact of a player like Lawrence, I think you want one of Beck and Venter in there to organise and provide solidarity but Worcester could do with a little more midfield penetration for young Smith to work with.