LI v Gloucester, Friday 19.45

[Margin_Walker]

Teams for LI v Gloucester tomorrow night (on BT Sport). From a LI point of view it's a pretty important game. With the Worcester win struck off, we need a few league points to actually go with the pretty play. Gloucester bring the sort of tight game we struggle against.

On a positive note, a first outing for what most fans would consider a first choice back row. Parton's also back from injury and onto the bench.

[fivepointer]

Intriguing match up.
Irish are great to watch but really struggled last week. Glos could have easily lost against Bristol so this is a difficult one to call.

[Banquo]

That Irish back three.....

[FKAS]

That Irish back three.....

That Gloucester back three isn't exactly boring and slow either.

[Banquo]

That Irish back three.....

That Gloucester back three isn't exactly boring and slow either.

tru dat

[Puja]

Cinti over Joseph at 13? Surprising and disappointing.

I had forgotten that the Wuss game would be struck from the record and was trying to work out why LIrish were second bottom. Important to stay away from the trapdoor, given the possible imminent rearrangement of the leagues.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah, is Loader the ‘slow’ one out of that lot?

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, is Loader the ‘slow’ one out of that lot?

Yeah, probably. He's not super quick as prem wings go. He's more of a power option with a very good step and decent acceleration. Neither Loader or OHC offer out and out long range gas.

[Margin_Walker]

Cinti over Joseph at 13? Surprising and disappointing.

I had forgotten that the Wuss game would be struck from the record and was trying to work out why LIrish were second bottom. Important to stay away from the trapdoor, given the possible imminent rearrangement of the leagues.

Puja

Yeah, 13 is an interesting call. Kidney's managing the minutes Joseph and Arundell get, but it's possible he considers Cinti a better option for this one. I like Cinti, but I think he's a better wing than centre, so interesting to see how it goes.

[Spiffy]

Yeah, is Loader the ‘slow’ one out of that lot?

He's probably at least as fast as H-C. Nice smooth, gliding running style that may make him look slower than he really is.

[Margin_Walker]

TBF Loader is very quick where it matters. Over 20 - 30 metres. The kind of distance you need to be quick over to finish off moves or cut through the line in the opposition 22. He's a decent finisher, who just has issues staying fit. Hopefully some of those are behind him.

[Gloskarlos]

Probably about first choice team that for Glos. Opportunity for Giorgi to spend an extended run at 12 now Aki out for the season. Glos not quite firing yet, odd start to the season with on off fixtures, and looked knackered in the last 15 mins of both recent matches. This is the sort of match that can show Glos deficiencies in defence. Looks like there could be a fair few tries, good for the neutral.

[Banquo]

Probably about first choice team that for Glos. Opportunity for Giorgi to spend an extended run at 12 now Aki out for the season. Glos not quite firing yet, odd start to the season with on off fixtures, and looked knackered in the last 15 mins of both recent matches. This is the sort of match that can show Glos deficiencies in defence. Looks like there could be a fair few tries, good for the neutral.

Lineout meltdown last week didnae help

[Scrumhead]

Already a bit of a butchers’ bill here for England. Arundell off with an ankle injury (might not be serious) and May off with a dislocated elbow : \

[Mikey Brown]

I really hope we get more VRR interviews in the future. Bizarre stuff.

He completely miss-hit that drop-goal right?

[Gloskarlos]

Bitty kind of a match. Mistakes everywhere and stupid penalties galore. Hate watching us try to close out games, not good for my ticker.

[Puja]

Already a bit of a butchers’ bill here for England. Arundell off with an ankle injury (might not be serious) and May off with a dislocated elbow : \

Ben Loader the player who crocked both - maybe he's been told he'd on Eddie's reserve list if enough back three go down injured?

Not a great game all in all - both sides guilty of failing to hold onto possession at key times. Glaws will be pleased to've scraped a win.

He completely miss-hit that drop-goal right?

Oh, absolutely. I was watching it thinking it was one of those scragged efforts that you mock players for trying and it barely goes halfway, only it just kept flying.

Puja

[Timbo]

Pearson is some player. Has everything you’d want in a top, modern flanker. Really impressed by him. Would go as far to say that the likes of Ludlam and Underhill need to be looking over their shoulders with the World Cup looming. I think he could be a bit more of a presence at the breakdown, but other than that really impressive.

[Mikey Brown]

Pearson is some player. Has everything you’d want in a top, modern flanker. Really impressed by him. Would go as far to say that the likes of Ludlam and Underhill need to be looking over their shoulders with the World Cup looming. I think he could be a bit more of a presence at the breakdown, but other than that really impressive.

Reminds me a bit of Dan Leavy.

[Beasties]

Pearson is some player. Has everything you’d want in a top, modern flanker. Really impressed by him. Would go as far to say that the likes of Ludlam and Underhill need to be looking over their shoulders with the World Cup looming. I think he could be a bit more of a presence at the breakdown, but other than that really impressive.

Was just thinking the same while having brekkie. I’ve never noticed him stamp himself on a game like that before. He reminds me a little of Jack Willis out of the current crop.

[fivepointer]

Pearson is terrific. I get the Willis comparison and dont think its far off.

Scratchy kind of game but Glos did well to get a result. They're building quite a bit of resilience.

Tough on May. Hopefully Arundell's injury not too serious.

[twitchy]

I'm always impressed by irish's ability to consistently develop players. It must be frustrating being a fan though. They are a bit like southampton in football. If they could have hung on to the players they would have a top class team.

[Margin_Walker]

Pearson is some player. Has everything you’d want in a top, modern flanker. Really impressed by him. Would go as far to say that the likes of Ludlam and Underhill need to be looking over their shoulders with the World Cup looming. I think he could be a bit more of a presence at the breakdown, but other than that really impressive.

Only made his prem debut a year ago, but usually manages to be the most effective player in that pack. I know putting yourself about should be the bare minimum, for a pro back rower, but that's what he give you. He's a softly spoken kid, but he's f**king relentless when he's playing both sides of the ball. Never jogs into contact or just settles for a soak tackle.

Rubbish loss in the end from a LI point of view. Played a lot of the better rugby and didn't take our chance. That said were a distant second when it came to tactical kicking, which was key for me. Also, if you're going to lose by a score, it may as well be one as good as the one Hastings scored.

Ben White's form has dropped since last year and we miss Phipps. Jackson's also not providing a huge amount from 10