IT'S BACK - Harlequins vs Sale - Friday night

[Banquo]

I'm assuming Sale's 11-15 have been learning Afrikaans...

Byron McGuigan was brought up on Cape Town so he's covered.

I presume the James brothers are injured otherwise one or both of them would be included. Sale do have 6 of 8 as English on the bench and would probably point to previous pilfering of their best young talent.

Interesting- who are you thinking of? I'd still say they seem to be heavily reliant on imports, though they are not alone in that.

The James boys would be replacing other EQPS, but agree be nice to see them in action, though I seem to be almost alone in rating Sam Hill. Would Luke get the nod over Hammersley?

[Scrumhead]

I read FKAS post to refer to players like Tommy Taylor or Henry Thomas from the days when there was a perception that players from some clubs rarely got picked for England.

You’re not alone in rating Sam Hill. I think he’s a good player - maybe a bit short of test quality but good enough to be a regular starter in the Premiership.

Hammersley has played most (maybe all?) of the games he’s been available for so I think he’s definitely Sale’s first choice fullback.

Luke James is definitely underrated though - I’ve never seen him have a bad game whether that’s been in the centre or as a fullback.

[Banquo]

I read FKAS post to refer to players like Tommy Taylor or Henry Thomas from the days when there was a perception that players from some clubs rarely got picked for England.

You’re not alone in rating Sam Hill. I think he’s a good player - maybe a bit short of test quality but good enough to be a regular starter in the Premiership.

Hammersley has played most (maybe all?) of the games he’s been available for so I think he’s definitely Sale’s first choice fullback.

Luke James is definitely underrated though - I’ve never seen him have a bad game whether that’s been in the centre or as a fullback.

Crikey, that's a few years ago- Henry left in 2014.

[Scrumhead]

True - it would make sense if he’s talking about that era though.

Looks like everyone’s written Quins off completely tonight. I think the Sale team is probably too good and with home advantage counting for little with no fans, I can definitely see an away win, but I also think Quins are being dismissed a little to easily.

[fivepointer]

Effectively this is a new season. Clubs form of 5 months ago isnt a reliable guide to how well teams will do for the 2nd part of this season.
Based on where we left off in March, you would probably make Sale slight favourites but you wouldnt bet a large sum on it.
Quins have enough quality to do well. They have a good back row, an excellent, inventive FH and a back 4 with plenty of attacking potential.

[Raggs]

True - it would make sense if he’s talking about that era though.

Looks like everyone’s written Quins off completely tonight. I think the Sale team is probably too good and with home advantage counting for little with no fans, I can definitely see an away win, but I also think Quins are being dismissed a little to easily.

Don't think many have completely written them off, just saying that Sale are the definite favourites.

[Timbo]

I’m in agreement with everyone regarding the number of Saffas in Sale’s team. Not ideal by any stretch.

I know for a fact, however, that they’ve poured a lot of money into their academy under the new owners. They have something like 4 times as many players in their system as they did previously, more coaches and strong links to local clubs and schools. They’ve had discussions about taking on quite a few of the northern RFU coaches being made redundant too, as they already have established networks and relationships in the area.

They clearly see their academy and producing their own players as key to the long term future of the club.

[Banquo]

I’m in agreement with everyone regarding the number of Saffas in Sale’s team. Not ideal by any stretch.

I know for a fact, however, that they’ve poured a lot of money into their academy under the new owners. They have something like 4 times as many players in their system as they did previously, more coaches and strong links to local clubs and schools. They’ve had discussions about taking on quite a few of the northern RFU coaches being made redundant too, as they already have established networks and relationships in the area.

They clearly see their academy and producing their own players as key to the long term future of the club.

That's good news. hope they follow through- definitely a change in strategy which is sound.

[chris1850]

I’m in agreement with everyone regarding the number of Saffas in Sale’s team. Not ideal by any stretch.

I know for a fact, however, that they’ve poured a lot of money into their academy under the new owners. They have something like 4 times as many players in their system as they did previously, more coaches and strong links to local clubs and schools. They’ve had discussions about taking on quite a few of the northern RFU coaches being made redundant too, as they already have established networks and relationships in the area.

They clearly see their academy and producing their own players as key to the long term future of the club.

That's good news. hope they follow through- definitely a change in strategy which is sound.

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

[Banquo]

I’m in agreement with everyone regarding the number of Saffas in Sale’s team. Not ideal by any stretch.

I know for a fact, however, that they’ve poured a lot of money into their academy under the new owners. They have something like 4 times as many players in their system as they did previously, more coaches and strong links to local clubs and schools. They’ve had discussions about taking on quite a few of the northern RFU coaches being made redundant too, as they already have established networks and relationships in the area.

They clearly see their academy and producing their own players as key to the long term future of the club.

That's good news. hope they follow through- definitely a change in strategy which is sound.

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

Fair enough, one has to then ask why they are now rammed with saffers; Timbo was saying there was now a lot more investment, which sounds like a change in strategy to me

[Puja]

That's good news. hope they follow through- definitely a change in strategy which is sound.

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

Fair enough, one has to then ask why they are now rammed with saffers; Timbo was saying there was now a lot more investment, which sounds like a change in strategy to me

In their current squad, they do have Neild, Harrison, Beaumont, Postlethwaite, Curry, Curry, Cliff, Warr, Wilkinson, James, James, and Reed who have come through the academy, which compares pretty favourably with anyone else in the Prem (as well as recently losing Haley and Addison to Celtic promises). They just also have a load of Saffers that came cheap.

Puja

[Raggs]

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

Fair enough, one has to then ask why they are now rammed with saffers; Timbo was saying there was now a lot more investment, which sounds like a change in strategy to me

In their current squad, they do have Neild, Harrison, Beaumont, Postlethwaite, Curry, Curry, Cliff, Warr, Wilkinson, James, James, and Reed who have come through the academy, which compares pretty favourably with anyone else in the Prem (as well as recently losing Haley and Addison to Celtic promises). They just also have a load of Saffers that came cheap.

Puja

Does it compare that well? I'm not familiar with too many squads, but Wasps have 13, and Wasps are typically towards the bottom of the list.

[Banquo]

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

Fair enough, one has to then ask why they are now rammed with saffers; Timbo was saying there was now a lot more investment, which sounds like a change in strategy to me

In their current squad, they do have Neild, Harrison, Beaumont, Postlethwaite, Curry, Curry, Cliff, Warr, Wilkinson, James, James, and Reed who have come through the academy, which compares pretty favourably with anyone else in the Prem (as well as recently losing Haley and Addison to Celtic promises). They just also have a load of Saffers that came cheap.

Puja

To me they've always 'appeared' (appearances being deceptive ) to be a pick'n'mix outfit (like a lot of cash strapped Prem teams, but also backed up by onboarding cheap saffas in bulk) with no long term cohesive strategy; I'm taking Timbo's steer on the extra investment for the long term, and that it signals a significant shift.

[Scrumhead]

Very messy from both sides so far

[Raggs]

Very messy, Sale have looked poorer than I was expecting. Quins doing well, moments of magic and taking advantage of Sale's discipline very well.

[OnlyMonikerRemaining]

Ross Harrison is Struwelpeter and I claim my £5.

[Raggs]

Don't hate the piped in noise.

[Stom]

Not sure it's a change in strategy? Sale have always had a strong academy. Necessarily so because until the last couple of years they haven't been able to afford star names

Fair enough, one has to then ask why they are now rammed with saffers; Timbo was saying there was now a lot more investment, which sounds like a change in strategy to me

In their current squad, they do have Neild, Harrison, Beaumont, Postlethwaite, Curry, Curry, Cliff, Warr, Wilkinson, James, James, and Reed who have come through the academy, which compares pretty favourably with anyone else in the Prem (as well as recently losing Haley and Addison to Celtic promises). They just also have a load of Saffers that came cheap.

Puja

Does it?

Marler, Collier, Lamb, Chisholm, Robshaw, Clifford, White, Smith, Lang, Marchant, Murley, Brown, Chisholm,

[Tigersman]

Not going to lie after Diamonds comments re Manu, pretty pleased how unfit and lost he looked.

I'm sure it will sharpen up but still nice.

[Scrumhead]

Very messy, Sale have looked poorer than I was expecting. Quins doing well, moments of magic and taking advantage of Sale's discipline very well.

That pretty much sums up the game. On paper, Sale have a stronger side, but Quins played the game and the conditions better and adapted to the new laws more quickly than Sale.

A couple of the penalties we conceded were harsh, but the majority were not at the breakdown which was encouraging..

[Raggs]

Thought Quins kicking game was really on point too. Noticed a crossfield kick opportunity they didn't take, but then not long after they did.

[Mr Mwenda]

Only caught 5 minutes and saw Dombrandt badling missing a tackle following a line out. I miss the golden age of illegally streamed channels.

Sounds like Smith was good. Any other Englishers shining? Heartening to hear that bulk buying saffas doesn't succeed automatically any more.

[Raggs]

Only caught 5 minutes and saw Dombrandt badling missing a tackle following a line out. I miss the golden age of illegally streamed channels.

Sounds like Smith was good. Any other Englishers shining? Heartening to hear that bulk buying saffas doesn't succeed automatically any more.

Is there something wrong with the streams available these days? I had one 2 minute blackout I think.

[Peej]

Dross. Absolute dross

[Beasties]

Quins had a lovely little planned move out of their own 22 on 32 mins, almost resulted in a try.