Northampton vs Exeter - Friday night

[Puja]

15 George Furbank
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Matt Proctor
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Henry Taylor

1 Francois van Wyk
2 James Fish
3 Owen Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Courtney Lawes
7 JJ Tonks
8 Teimana Harrison (c)

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Nick Auterac
18 Paul Hill
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Shaun Adendorff
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Piers Francis
23 Taqele Naiyaravoro


CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15 Josh Hodge
14 Tom O’Flaherty
13 Phil Dollman
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Corey Baldwin
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Tomas Francis
4 Dave Dennis
5 Sam Skinner
6 Jannes Kirsten
7 Sean Lonsdale
8 Don Armand

16 Jack Innard
17 Billy Keast
18 Alfie Petch
19 Tom Price
20 Richard Capstick
21 Joe Snow
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Tom Wyatt

[Scrumhead]

Curious to see how Corey Baldwin goes. I know he was very highly rated in Wales, but he’s EQ. Might be nice to get a reverse Johnny Williams.

Saints still going with the mix and match approach. Not sure the results are justifying the strategy right now.

[Banquo]

Curious to see how Corey Baldwin goes. I know he was very highly rated in Wales, but he’s EQ. Might be nice to get a reverse Johnny Williams.

Saints still going with the mix and match approach. Not sure the results are justifying the strategy right now.

Totally, though Chiefs doing them a favour here.

[FKAS]

Curious to see how Corey Baldwin goes. I know he was very highly rated in Wales, but he’s EQ. Might be nice to get a reverse Johnny Williams.

Saints still going with the mix and match approach. Not sure the results are justifying the strategy right now.

A little surprised Dollman is at centre whilst Baldwin is on the wing. Thought it might be the other way round or with Hodge on the wing and Dollman at 15. Be interesting to see how Baldwin develops at Exeter could be a great steal.

Saints team looks strong. They've not has the best time since the restart but will be expecting a win here, would be quite a blow to lose to the Chiefs seconds.

[Scrumhead]

Yeah - I thought the same re. Baldwin, Dollman and Hodge. Baxter obviously wanted to mess with everyone like he does with the back row.

While it’s clearly a second string Exeter side, they still saw off Bristol with a similar line-up.

They’re just such a well-drilled side with a very identifiable gameplan - whoever comes in knows exactly the role they’re there to perform.

I wonder when Hinkley will get a run out? He’s much better than Lonsdale and Capstick from what I’ve seen.

[fivepointer]

Hinckley must be injured. He's not even on the bench for the 2nds. Capstick is a very promising player but its disappointing we've not seen Hinckley yet.
Petch is on the bench and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.
Looking forward to see more of Hodge at FB.

[Puja]

Yeah - I thought the same re. Baldwin, Dollman and Hodge. Baxter obviously wanted to mess with everyone like he does with the back row.

I don't see why that selection is so outre. Hodge is clearly being groomed as Hogg's understudy and eventual successor, so it makes sense for him to play at 15. Dollman is comfortable at either 15 or 13 and did rather a good job at centre against Radradra last Tuesday, so it's far from outlandish to put him there. The only question is Baldwin on the wing, but Dollman doesn't really have the pace to play there anymore, so he's just the odd sod being given his chance where there's a space.

I don't see what the logic would be of pushing a player that you want to develop as a 15 onto the wing just to accomodate Baldwin at centre.

Puja

[twitchy]

From a spectators viewpoint couldn't exe have played the b team vs wuss's b team last week?

[Scrumhead]

You could equally look at it the other way though and say ‘couldn’t Worcester have sent their first XV’?

As a Quins fan, I find it grossly unfair that we’ve yet to play anyone else’s reserves/kids. So far, we’ve had Sale and Worcester at full strength and Saracens and Saints with a mix and match sides containing a good chunk of first choice players. Bath seem only to be rotating for mid week games so we’ll probably get their 1s too ...

[twitchy]

You could equally look at it the other way though and say ‘couldn’t Worcester have sent their first XV’?

As a Quins fan, I find it grossly unfair that we’ve yet to play anyone else’s reserves/kids. So far, we’ve had Sale and Worcester at full strength and Saracens and Saints with a mix and match sides containing a good chunk of first choice players. Bath seem only to be rotating for mid week games so we’ll probably get their 1s too ...

Yeah fair point. Couldn't the coaches collude or is that against the rules?

[FKAS]

Yeah - I thought the same re. Baldwin, Dollman and Hodge. Baxter obviously wanted to mess with everyone like he does with the back row.

I don't see why that selection is so outre. Hodge is clearly being groomed as Hogg's understudy and eventual successor, so it makes sense for him to play at 15. Dollman is comfortable at either 15 or 13 and did rather a good job at centre against Radradra last Tuesday, so it's far from outlandish to put him there. The only question is Baldwin on the wing, but Dollman doesn't really have the pace to play there anymore, so he's just the odd sod being given his chance where there's a space.

I don't see what the logic would be of pushing a player that you want to develop as a 15 onto the wing just to accomodate Baldwin at centre.

Puja

As Baldwin is 99kg (or roughly 15 and a half stone) I'd assumed he'd been signed as Hill's replacement in the centres and is the long term successor to Whitten as the ball carrying option. Hodge playing wing isn't exactly a stretch given how many young fullbacks slot onto the wing in order to gain experience. I had forgotten about Dollman playing 13 opposite Radrada though.

[Puja]

Yeah - I thought the same re. Baldwin, Dollman and Hodge. Baxter obviously wanted to mess with everyone like he does with the back row.

I don't see why that selection is so outre. Hodge is clearly being groomed as Hogg's understudy and eventual successor, so it makes sense for him to play at 15. Dollman is comfortable at either 15 or 13 and did rather a good job at centre against Radradra last Tuesday, so it's far from outlandish to put him there. The only question is Baldwin on the wing, but Dollman doesn't really have the pace to play there anymore, so he's just the odd sod being given his chance where there's a space.

I don't see what the logic would be of pushing a player that you want to develop as a 15 onto the wing just to accomodate Baldwin at centre.

Puja

As Baldwin is 99kg (or roughly 15 and a half stone) I'd assumed he'd been signed as Hill's replacement in the centres and is the long term successor to Whitten as the ball carrying option. Hodge playing wing isn't exactly a stretch given how many young fullbacks slot onto the wing in order to gain experience. I had forgotten about Dollman playing 13 opposite Radrada though.

Point, although most young full-backs slot in on the wing because they're playing alongside the no 1 choice. If Hogg's not playing, it seems like a missed opportunity not to give Hodge experience in his actual position.

Puja

[FKAS]

I don't see why that selection is so outre. Hodge is clearly being groomed as Hogg's understudy and eventual successor, so it makes sense for him to play at 15. Dollman is comfortable at either 15 or 13 and did rather a good job at centre against Radradra last Tuesday, so it's far from outlandish to put him there. The only question is Baldwin on the wing, but Dollman doesn't really have the pace to play there anymore, so he's just the odd sod being given his chance where there's a space.

I don't see what the logic would be of pushing a player that you want to develop as a 15 onto the wing just to accomodate Baldwin at centre.

Puja

As Baldwin is 99kg (or roughly 15 and a half stone) I'd assumed he'd been signed as Hill's replacement in the centres and is the long term successor to Whitten as the ball carrying option. Hodge playing wing isn't exactly a stretch given how many young fullbacks slot onto the wing in order to gain experience. I had forgotten about Dollman playing 13 opposite Radrada though.

Point, although most young full-backs slot in on the wing because they're playing alongside the no 1 choice. If Hogg's not playing, it seems like a missed opportunity not to give Hodge experience in his actual position.

Puja

Missed opportunity not to give Baldwin game time at 13 though. Hardest position to defend in is the 13 channel. Got to keep the midfield defensive line and also link with your wingers. You're expected to compete at the breakdown in wide channels.

Given the modern pendulum style back three defensive patterns most wingers now play like fullbacks covering the backfield.

I do like the way Chiefs have clearly gone out and purchased long term players as successors to players they don't expect to lose for several years. Level of long term planning is impressive. The academy helps as well as their ability to plunder down in to Cornwall.

[Puja]

As Baldwin is 99kg (or roughly 15 and a half stone) I'd assumed he'd been signed as Hill's replacement in the centres and is the long term successor to Whitten as the ball carrying option. Hodge playing wing isn't exactly a stretch given how many young fullbacks slot onto the wing in order to gain experience. I had forgotten about Dollman playing 13 opposite Radrada though.

Point, although most young full-backs slot in on the wing because they're playing alongside the no 1 choice. If Hogg's not playing, it seems like a missed opportunity not to give Hodge experience in his actual position.

Puja

Missed opportunity not to give Baldwin game time at 13 though. Hardest position to defend in is the 13 channel. Got to keep the midfield defensive line and also link with your wingers. You're expected to compete at the breakdown in wide channels.

Given the modern pendulum style back three defensive patterns most wingers now play like fullbacks covering the backfield.

I do like the way Chiefs have clearly gone out and purchased long term players as successors to players they don't expect to lose for several years. Level of long term planning is impressive. The academy helps as well as their ability to plunder down in to Cornwall.

Again, fair point, although I would say the counter is that Hodge is closer to the 1st XV than Baldwin is right now and is the one in greater need of blooding.

It is a very good bit of forward planning and matches how they've grown as a club - evolving rather than doing anything drastic. The trick will be to see whether they can bring on players like Witty, Hinkley, Baldwin, and Hodge who came from without their system.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I had such high hopes for Hodge and now this. Shame. Yet another talented, young player cruelly ruined by the system.

[Banquo]

As Baldwin is 99kg (or roughly 15 and a half stone) I'd assumed he'd been signed as Hill's replacement in the centres and is the long term successor to Whitten as the ball carrying option. Hodge playing wing isn't exactly a stretch given how many young fullbacks slot onto the wing in order to gain experience. I had forgotten about Dollman playing 13 opposite Radrada though.

Point, although most young full-backs slot in on the wing because they're playing alongside the no 1 choice. If Hogg's not playing, it seems like a missed opportunity not to give Hodge experience in his actual position.

Puja

Hardest position to defend in is the 13 channel. G.

Finally someone else who gets it

[FKAS]

I played 10 through 15 (couple of rare games at 9 and openside as well). 13 definitely the toughest to defend. Well other than when I was playing 12 alongside a 10 that liked to disappear from the defensive line, he was there and then all of a sudden he wasn't.

Puja, I'd say Baldwin and Hodge are in the same boat. They'll be there for rotation and international cover. As Baldwin is a little older and more experienced he should be pushing for more inclusion.

[twitchy]

What a win. Unbelievable really.

[TheNomad]

I had such high hopes for Hodge and now this. Shame. Yet another talented, young player cruelly ruined by the system.

Didn’t see the game. What do you mean by this?

[Mikey Brown]

I had such high hopes for Hodge and now this. Shame. Yet another talented, young player cruelly ruined by the system.

Didn’t see the game. What do you mean by this?

Oh sorry, nothing. There just seemed to be some alarm he’d missed out on some vital minutes at fullback.

[fivepointer]

Exe did well to win that.
Saints got well on top in the middle part of the game when Exe looked like they had completely run out of steam. It was a good effort to turn it around and claim the win.
Baldwin showed up pretty well. He looks to have a physical edge to his play and seems better suited to centre.

[Banquo]

I played 10 through 15 (couple of rare games at 9 and openside as well). 13 definitely the toughest to defend. Well other than when I was playing 12 alongside a 10 that liked to disappear from the defensive line, he was there and then all of a sudden he wasn't.

Puja, I'd say Baldwin and Hodge are in the same boat. They'll be there for rotation and international cover. As Baldwin is a little older and more experienced he should be pushing for more inclusion.

I was mostly a 13 (with a bit of 15) in my senior career, having played everywhere in the backs up to the age of 20. And definitely the hardest position to defend is 13, and even more so now imo.

[Mikey Brown]

And yet Wales pick George North at 13.

[Oakboy]

Exeter's collective 'engine' of second and back rows gives them the edge over most other clubs. Kirsten's tackle count stood out out but all five of these reserves put work in around the park the effect of which was within a whisker of what the first choice group can do. Their 80 minute mental toughness and determination not to lose is remarkable. They even coped with supporting a very raw replacement front row.

[Banquo]

And yet Wales pick George North at 13.

Random, and only cos they have no-one else when JD2 is injured (a superb defender)