Sale V Exeter Fri 7.45

[fivepointer]

Sale: Addison (capt); Solomona, James, Jennings, McGuigan; O'Connor, de Klerk; Harrison, Webber, John, Evans, Ostrikov, Ross, T Curry, Strauss.

Replacements: Jones, Flynn, Aulika, Nott, Ioane, Neild, Cliff, Haley.

Exeter: Dollman; Turner, Slade, Whitten, Short; Steenson, White; Rimmer, Yeandle (capt), Williams, Lees, Atkins, Armand, Simmonds, Waldrom.

Replacements: Taione, Hepburn, Francis, Hill, Skinner, Townsend, Hendrickson, O'Flaherty.

[Oakboy]

I hope this is worth watching as I won't see the Saints v Wasps game tomorrow.

[Mellsblue]

Do most people see Williams as the 'natural successor to Dan Cole'? In that he scrums without doing an awful lot around the park, then yes. The next in line to the no3 shirt, then no.

[Mellsblue]

Great kick from James, poor positioning from Dollman or a bit of both?

[Mellsblue]

Great feet by Jennings.

[Which Tyler]

Do most people see Williams as the 'natural successor to Dan Cole'? In that he scrums without doing an awful lot around the park, then yes. The next in line to the no3 shirt, then no.

First I'd heard of it.

[Mellsblue]

Do most people see Williams as the 'natural successor to Dan Cole'? In that he scrums without doing an awful lot around the park, then yes. The next in line to the no3 shirt, then no.

I take it back, that dummy was outrageous.

Christ, I've started quoting myself. No more Friday liquid lunches.

[Mellsblue]

Do most people see Williams as the 'natural successor to Dan Cole'? In that he scrums without doing an awful lot around the park, then yes. The next in line to the no3 shirt, then no.

First I'd heard of it.

Quote from Kay. He's also just said that Cook converted to scrumhalf at 21 years of age.

[Which Tyler]

Yes Rowan; I heard it from Kay as well - which was the first I'd heard that Williams is widely considered the natural successor of Cole.

[Mellsblue]

Yes Rowan

There is absolutely no need for that.

[Which Tyler]

Well... If you're going to engage yourself in conversation...

[Mellsblue]

Yes Rowan

There is absolutely no need for that.

Seconded

[Mellsblue]

Piss poor chase on that kick.

[Mellsblue]

From his two interventions so far tonight, is anyone glad Solomona is in the EPS?

[Oakboy]

I don't think much of White. What does Baxter like about him?

[Oakboy]

From his two interventions so far tonight, is anyone glad Solomona is in the EPS?

He looks a bit shaky under kicks.

[Mellsblue]

I don't think much of White. What does Baxter like about him?

To be fair, this is by far his worst game I've seen him play so far. Not sure anyone leaves that half with their reputation enhanced.

[Which Tyler]

I don't think much of White. What does Baxter like about him?

To be fair, this is by far his worst game I've seen him play so far. Not sure anyone leaves that half with their reputation enhanced.

Josh Beaumont; Ollie Devoto

[16th man]

Sam Jones unlucky to be the chosen guy for the token off feet penalty. Pretty much every breakdown has seen someone swallow diving at a point 6 inches above the tackle and not being called for it.

[Oakboy]

I don't think much of White. What does Baxter like about him?

To be fair, this is by far his worst game I've seen him play so far. Not sure anyone leaves that half with their reputation enhanced.

Josh Beaumont; Ollie Devoto

I did like De Klerk, mind. How come Sale got him and Exeter got lumbered with White?

[twitchy]

I watched pretty much the entire game but still managed to miss the only try. It wasn't pretty but from an exe perspective I'm pleased as it's a tough fixture and could have gone either way.

[fivepointer]

Sam Jones unlucky to be the chosen guy for the token off feet penalty. Pretty much every breakdown has seen someone swallow diving at a point 6 inches above the tackle and not being called for it.

Yep, Diamond was a bit cheesed off and you could see his point. Almost every breakdown involves players go off their feet and its seldom penalised.
Overall a poor game lacking in attacking quality. Both sides defended well to be fair.
Exe will be glad to take the points but this was generally low grade stuff.

[twitchy]

Only just saw the interview.

[Digby]

Yep, Diamond was a bit cheesed off and you could see his point. Almost every breakdown involves players go off their feet and its seldom penalised.

It feels like the situation of 9s and straight feeds from a few seasons back. The refs know there's an assessor in the stands, and they know they need to get a tick box for covering the offence, so some unlucky sod gets pinged normally at some point later in the game

[Raggs]

Thing is, players should be extra aware that refs are watching for it in the dying minutes, they always are. So many games see teams trying to grind their way up, or hold onto the ball for the dying minutes, and give away exactly that penalty.