RugbyRebels

Exeter Chiefs: Nowell; Cuthbert, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J. Simmonds, White; Moon, Yeandle (capt), Williams, Dennis, Hill, Ewers, Armand, Kvesic.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Hepburn, Francis, Skinner, S. Simmonds, Maunder, Steenson, Hill.

Saracens: Goode; Williams, Lozowski, Barritt (capt), Maitland; Farrell, Spencer; Barrington, George, Koch, Skelton, Kruis, Itoje, Wray, B. Vunipola.

Replacements: Woolstencroft, Adams-Hale, Judge, Isiekwe, Rhodes, Wigglesworth, Tompkins, Strettle.

Quite a gamble on Brad and Exeter have a definite edge on front row bench....close I think.

Interesting that Rhodes is fit but does not displace Itoje from the 6 shirt.

Oakboy wrote:Interesting that Rhodes is fit but does not displace Itoje from the 6 shirt.

Because Skelton is in such good nick I'd think. Skelton plus Kruis plus Itoje deemed stronger than Itoje plus Kruis plus Rhodes. Same as last week, and Rhodes isn't much fitter than then.

Barritt cannot be anywhere near 100%, can he?

Suspect there wont be much in it. Saracens marginal favourites, which I think is fair enough.

fivepointer wrote:Barritt cannot be anywhere near 100%, can he?

Suspect there wont be much in it. Saracens marginal favourites, which I think is fair enough.

No, he was only 1/2 fit for the semi, and very few hammy pulls clear up in a week, unless it was cramp.

Banquo wrote:

Oakboy wrote:Interesting that Rhodes is fit but does not displace Itoje from the 6 shirt.

Because Skelton is in such good nick I'd think. Skelton plus Kruis plus Itoje deemed stronger than Itoje plus Kruis plus Rhodes. Same as last week, and Rhodes isn't much fitter than then.

Fair comment. Oddly enough, when I look at Exeter's second and back rows on paper I think they ought to get turned over by the Saracens' units. On the pitch, they more or less match them, though. It leads me to conclude that Hill, in particular, is a damned sight better than many suggest. I've rated him for some time and he's right up there now as an all-rounder, just the right balance of bulk, height, pace and skill.

Oakboy wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Oakboy wrote:Interesting that Rhodes is fit but does not displace Itoje from the 6 shirt.

Because Skelton is in such good nick I'd think. Skelton plus Kruis plus Itoje deemed stronger than Itoje plus Kruis plus Rhodes. Same as last week, and Rhodes isn't much fitter than then.

Fair comment. Oddly enough, when I look at Exeter's second and back rows on paper I think they ought to get turned over by the Saracens' units. On the pitch, they more or less match them, though. It leads me to conclude that Hill, in particular, is a damned sight better than many suggest. I've rated him for some time and he's right up there now as an all-rounder, just the right balance of bulk, height, pace and skill.

I think the Exeter back row will give that Sarries back row a tough time, as it happens- they will have to work hard to keep Kvesic from making an impact at the breakdown; I'd have been tempted to start LCD if I was Baxter for the same reason. Think the Sarries second row is quite a bit better all round than Exeter's though. Be interested to see if Chiefs look to play slightly wider and looser than they have generally been this season, that's when you can trouble sarries. Also be interesting to see how Chief's back three copes if sarries kicking game is only 80% as good as last week.

Is Santiago Cordero injured?

Barritt isn't declared fit yet I was told, but named anyway to give him the chance.

Oakboy wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Oakboy wrote:Interesting that Rhodes is fit but does not displace Itoje from the 6 shirt.

Because Skelton is in such good nick I'd think. Skelton plus Kruis plus Itoje deemed stronger than Itoje plus Kruis plus Rhodes. Same as last week, and Rhodes isn't much fitter than then.

Fair comment. Oddly enough, when I look at Exeter's second and back rows on paper I think they ought to get turned over by the Saracens' units. On the pitch, they more or less match them, though. It leads me to conclude that Hill, in particular, is a damned sight better than many suggest. I've rated him for some time and he's right up there now as an all-rounder, just the right balance of bulk, height, pace and skill.

Is Dennis good? I always thought he was a 6. Was hoping Skinner would be able to push past him for a starting spot at 4 really.

Digby wrote:Barritt isn't declared fit yet I was told, but named anyway to give him the chance.

choose your source..yours or this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:Barritt isn't declared fit yet I was told, but named anyway to give him the chance.

choose your source..yours or this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232

I will note that that article contains no quotes about him being declared fit and just appears to have extrapolated from the team announcement.

Mikey Brown wrote:Is Dennis good? I always thought he was a 6. Was hoping Skinner would be able to push past him for a starting spot at 4 really.

Dennis has been on a decent run of form and has taken, Easter-like, to the second row to extend his usefulness. I think Skinner is generally ahead of him, but he's still only about three games back from an injury that they thought might be season-ending, so he's had no chance really to stake a claim.

Puja

Mikey Brown wrote:

Oakboy wrote:

Banquo wrote: Because Skelton is in such good nick I'd think. Skelton plus Kruis plus Itoje deemed stronger than Itoje plus Kruis plus Rhodes. Same as last week, and Rhodes isn't much fitter than then.

Fair comment. Oddly enough, when I look at Exeter's second and back rows on paper I think they ought to get turned over by the Saracens' units. On the pitch, they more or less match them, though. It leads me to conclude that Hill, in particular, is a damned sight better than many suggest. I've rated him for some time and he's right up there now as an all-rounder, just the right balance of bulk, height, pace and skill.

Is Dennis good? I always thought he was a 6. Was hoping Skinner would be able to push past him for a starting spot at 4 really.

I think Dennis does the job well and forms an effective second row pairing with Hill. On paper, they should be well below the Saracens pairing but in practice? Let's face it, would punditry choose any of Hill, Dennis, Ewers or Armand in a combined selection? All four contribute to an effective pack within the Exeter ethos yet Kvesic and/or Simmonds are advocated as of higher class. Compare and contrast tomorrow.

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:Barritt isn't declared fit yet I was told, but named anyway to give him the chance.

choose your source..yours or this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232

I will note that that article contains no quotes about him being declared fit and just appears to have extrapolated from the team announcement.



Puja

You are Digby and have a snowball.

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote: choose your source..yours or this

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48438232

I will note that that article contains no quotes about him being declared fit and just appears to have extrapolated from the team announcement.



Puja

You are Digby and have a snowball.

That's a horrible thing to say to anyone, even me!

Puja

There's nothing wrong with a snowball, and I have no update on Barritt though given it's still early that's not perhaps a surprise. What interests me is how calm they are with Tomkins and whoever will step in onto the bench if needed

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:
I will note that that article contains no quotes about him being declared fit and just appears to have extrapolated from the team announcement.



Puja

You are Digby and have a snowball.

That's a horrible thing to say to anyone, even me!

Puja

Soz. I would be surprised if Brad were fit too

Reasonable start by Chiefs.try White after Kruis fumble from kick off.1st min.

Exe 7 - 0 Sar, 2 min.

Slade bin, no pen. try after delib. knock-on
Sar over from line out.. George.
7 - 5 after 5 mins.(faz miss)
Flying start.

Exe 7 - 8 Sar
Pen Faz after 10 mins.,
Cuthbert ruck infringe.

Billy V & George spritely thus far.

Kvesic in the backs from scrum as anti Billy strategy..

Itoje straight off his feet about 2 rucks before that try

Try Spencer 14 mins, after scrum attack..
Exe 7 - 13 Sar , con. miss Flakey.