Saints vs Tigers

[Puja]

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tom Collins, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Alex Waller (c), 2 Mikey Haywood, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Ben Moon, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Tom Wood, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 8 Teimana Harrison.

Replacements: 16 Michael van Vuuren, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Ehren Painter, 19 Api Ratuniyarawa, 20 Jamie Gibson, 21 James Mitchell, 22 Fraser Dingwall, 23 Ahsee Tuala.


Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, away, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 George Worth

14 Jonny May

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Jaco Taute

11 Jonah Holmes

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Ellis Genge

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Guy Thompson

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Jake Kerr

17 Facundo Gigena

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Sam Lewis

20 Jordan Coghlan

21 Ben White

22 Noel Reid

23 Andy Forsyth

[Tigersman]

Typical that Liebenberg, Taufua and Reffell all out at the same time

[Puja]

We could really do with winning this one. Not sure I see it happening though.

Puja

[Oakboy]

I wonder if Lavanini will do 80 minutes.

[fivepointer]

Having their WC players back is a big boost for Tigers but Saints are playing well at the moment that it makes a home win hard to bet against.
Scrum could be a key factor.

[francoisfou]

Two strong teams- on paper, but can’t see anything but a home win. As an aside, Wells at 6? Does he have any experience at blindside at this level?

[Mellsblue]

Two strong teams- on paper, but can’t see anything but a home win. As an aside, Wells at 6? Does he have any experience at blindside at this level?

He played there intermittently for Bedford a couple of seasons ago. He’s always been a bit of a 5.5 in my eyes.

[francoisfou]

Two strong teams- on paper, but can’t see anything but a home win. As an aside, Wells at 6? Does he have any experience at blindside at this level?

He played there intermittently for Bedford a couple of seasons ago. He’s always been a bit of a 5.5 in my eyes.

Cheers, Mell. Should’ve known that he’s another product of the Goldington Rd Finishing Academy for budding back row forwards

[Puja]

Two strong teams- on paper, but can’t see anything but a home win. As an aside, Wells at 6? Does he have any experience at blindside at this level?

He has played 6 for Leicester before; it wasn't a tour de force, but it wasn't utterly terrible. Missing three potential 6s and an 8 is hard work on a squad, so he's the best we can do at the moment.

Puja

[Peej]

Taute and Manu is a big old midfield.

[Mellsblue]

Two strong teams- on paper, but can’t see anything but a home win. As an aside, Wells at 6? Does he have any experience at blindside at this level?

He played there intermittently for Bedford a couple of seasons ago. He’s always been a bit of a 5.5 in my eyes.

Cheers, Mell. Should’ve known that he’s another product of the Goldington Rd Finishing Academy for budding back row forwards

Another true believer. It’s £20 entry in to Goldington Rd and £100 in the collection tray to pay for Preacher Mells’ top of the range Mercedes S Class.

[Adam_P]

Looking forward to this. Quietly confident for a Saints win, but Leicester look so much stronger than the start of the season with the England boys back. Proctor looked a bit shaky in his first start last week, but hasn't played much rugby recently so hopefully he starts to bed in and relax.

Interesting to see Ben Moon has changed clubs and position for this one

[Adam_P]

Saints with some significant late withdrawals from Owen Franks, Lawes and Biggar. Not ideal.

[Mikey Brown]

Who plays 10?

[Puja]

Saints with some significant late withdrawals from Owen Franks, Lawes and Biggar. Not ideal.

That makes a massive difference. Feeling a bit more confident with those changes.

Who plays 10?

Grayson's stepped in.

Puja

[Adam_P]

Yep, and Painter starting for Franks and Ratuniyarawa for Lawes

[Banquo]

Young’s first second and third thought is to kick. Badly so far.

[Adam_P]

Why is Carly instructing Lavanini to get off the ball, and continues to do so when he doesn't get off it, instead of penalising him. In the red zone too.

[Oakboy]

What is the current law interpretation about SHs twitching a shoulder at the ruck, pretending to start a passing movement? A feint is a feint. Should it not be penalised? Reinach often does it.

[Mellsblue]

SA’s third choice 9 is better than Eng’s first choice 9. Proctor’s timing and change of running line was class.

[Adam_P]

What is the current law interpretation about SHs twitching a shoulder at the ruck, pretending to start a passing movement? A feint is a feint. Should it not be penalised? Reinach often does it.

As far as I'm aware the scrum half dummying is not allowed. However almost all 9s in the league do it on every box kick

[Adam_P]

How was that not a penalty against Tigers for holding on at the ruck before that try. Carly is a cock

[Banquo]

Lovely stuff, Saints are a very good handling team.

[Adam_P]

Proctor certainly seems to have settled in now!

[Mellsblue]

Furbank is class. The line to put Naiyaravoro in space was glorious. Then a lovely wrap around (before almost butchering it).