Connacht vs Leicester - Sat 3.15pm

[FKAS]

Aki has already apologised on Twitter. As long as he's not said anything naughty he might get away with either a one game ban or a final warning.

Just went and looked and it's an actual apology (rather than a Boris style nonpology), which is very good to see. A cynic might say, if he hadn't had the thought to apologise himself, he'd probably be ordered to by the Ireland camp tout suite to avoid a ban.

Puja

Came a bit quick after the game to be IRU mandated. I think he calmed down and regretted his actions. I'm sure we've all been there in games when you're seething but by the time there's a beer in hand afterwards have calmed down enough to rationalise the situation better.

I hope Covid rules haven't meant he couldn't buy the ref a pint post game and apologise or at least apologise in person once he'd calmed down.

If Ireland have Ringrose and Henshaw fit does he make the 23? Over the three games he played against Tigers both this and the tail end of last season I've been pretty underwhelmed. His handling skills are really good for a big lad but he doesn't make the impact his size suggests he should. I was expecting a much more physical threat.

[oldbackrow]

Aki has already apologised on Twitter. As long as he's not said anything naughty he might get away with either a one game ban or a final warning.

Just went and looked and it's an actual apology (rather than a Boris style nonpology), which is very good to see. A cynic might say, if he hadn't had the thought to apologise himself, he'd probably be ordered to by the Ireland camp tout suite to avoid a ban.

Puja

An issue which may make the situation worse was that he had already been warned, along with his captain, in the first half by the ref for the same behaviour.

[FKAS]

Aki has already apologised on Twitter. As long as he's not said anything naughty he might get away with either a one game ban or a final warning.

Just went and looked and it's an actual apology (rather than a Boris style nonpology), which is very good to see. A cynic might say, if he hadn't had the thought to apologise himself, he'd probably be ordered to by the Ireland camp tout suite to avoid a ban.

Puja

An issue which may make the situation worse was that he had already been warned, along with his captain, in the first half by the ref for the same behaviour.

Good point. Having your 10/12/13 all warned during the game and then at the final whistle 13 kicking off isn't a good look. I say a website has transcribed what was said and there's no bad language but it's not very sporting. Aki tells the ref that his apology won't be enough and he's fed up of apologies for ref mistakes against Connacht. Ref tells Aki he'll be the one to apologise, looks like the ref was right about that as well as the final try.

Could well be a ban for Aki but if it's consistent with those given recently, unlikely I know, at most he'll get two weeks which just means a rest before the 6N.

Got to say I thought the ref did a decent job. Tigers very much deserved their yellow card, scrum battle was fierce but ref didn't seem to favour either side or let previous decisions at other scrums sway him. Consistent at the breakdown. Consistent with the offsides from kicks and in open play. The TMO checked the last try repeatedly and his foot is a good inch in from the line when it hits the floor, you can see grass between.

[Puja]

Apparently back rows are like London buses - quite apart from having Robinson in on loan and Wiese going a game without getting carded, now Liebenberg, Martin, and Ilione are all allegedly back in training again. Don't know if they'll be in contention for Bordeaux, but they'll definitely be useful for when we lose Chessum to England for the Sale match.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Do you consider Chessum a backrow now? I thought he’d had just a couple of games there during your backrow crisis?

[Puja]

Do you consider Chessum a backrow now? I thought he’d had just a couple of games there during your backrow crisis?

I'd say he's got potential both at 5 and 6 - I'd prefer him to be a lock (cause good locks are rarer and I think he could be that), but he's been outstanding at 6 (and 8!) over the last few weeks, so it's definitely a viable position for him. I suspect back row is what's got him into the England squad, so we'll see if that turns his head.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Hmm. I'd have thought with Lawes now being a 6 too, and only Itoje, Hill, Ewels in the squad he might be pushing for a bench spot as a lock. I'd hope so.

[FKAS]

Do you consider Chessum a backrow now? I thought he’d had just a couple of games there during your backrow crisis?

I'd say he's got potential both at 5 and 6 - I'd prefer him to be a lock (cause good locks are rarer and I think he could be that), but he's been outstanding at 6 (and 8!) over the last few weeks, so it's definitely a viable position for him. I suspect back row is what's got him into the England squad, so we'll see if that turns his head.

Puja

I think he's a mobile lock that can play in the backrow as opposed to a backrow. I think he's got the potential to be a very high quality lock, as Puja says they're rarer. Versatility could help him if Eddie wants one option to cover lock and 6 on the bench.

[Puja]

Hmm. I'd have thought with Lawes now being a 6 too, and only Itoje, Hill, Ewels in the squad he might be pushing for a bench spot as a lock. I'd hope so.

That's an encouraging point - I had assumed he was in the squad simply to understudy Lawes, but hadn't considered that he was in a one-on-one fight with Ewels for 19. Mind, Ewels is probably inked in knowing Eddie, but I can live in hope.

Puja