Bristol v Saints, Tues 19.45

[jimKRFC]

Bristol team for Saints:

15. Charles Piutau; 14. Piers O’Conor, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Siale Piutau (c)*, 11. Alapati Leiua; 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren; 1. Jake Woolmore, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Ben Earl, 8. Nathan Hughes.

System players: 16. Will Capon, 17. Yann Thomas, 18. Peter McCabe, 19. Steven Luatua, 20. Dan Thomas, 21. Chris Cook, 22. Max Malins, 23. Luke Morahan.

* Pending the disciplinary panel tonights results. Not sure who would go 12 if he gets a ban as Bedlow is still injured....

[jimKRFC]

Saints team:
15 Tommy Freeman
14 Ryan Olowofela
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 James Grayson
9 Tom James

1 Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Ehren Painter
4 Alex Moon
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Lewis Ludlam (c)
8 Shaun Adendorff

Replacements:
16 Reece Marshall
17 Nick Auterac
18 Karl Garside
19 Lewis Bean
20 Tui Uru
21 Henry Taylor
22 Reuben Bird-Tulloch
23 Josh Gillespie

[Adam_P]

That's a very strong Bristol team. I'm a big fan of the Saints starting pack, but the bench isn't particularly strong. Think Moon and Isiekwe is a really good lock partnership, absolutely solid. We're pretty screwed in the back 3 with injuries to Collins and Tuala at the weekend, on top of the already injured Mallinder and Sleightholme.

[Raggs]

Siale is more than likely going to miss this, he's down for punching. Either there's footage of him doing it, then regardless of circumstances, he's getting a few games ban, or there isn't. And seeing as it was called up by the citing officer, I have to assume there is.

[jimKRFC]

For Siale I've seen a few clips (on twitter) and there's not clear one of him punching Kitchener, but suspect he'll get a ban. That would leave us with POC playing 12 where he's not really convinced. Bundee Aki on loan perhaps.....

It's a strong side and suggests we'll send the 2nd XV to Wasps on the weekend.

[Peej]

If Siale is out, I assume Purdy comes in, or Morahan, and O'Conor goes to 12?

Bristol not doing much in the way of rotation are they?

--Edit-- Apologies, Jim, didn't see your post before I posted

[fivepointer]

Very little rotation from Bristol. A lot of these players turned out on Friday night.
Saints opting for a very different approach and basically putting out a completely fresh side. They've got Tigers next so will want to put out a strong side for that.
Home win likely but i do like the look of the Saints side. There's plenty of quality in that squad.

[Puja]

Can I just take a moment to say how much I appreciate when other people set up the match threads. I mean, I don't mind doing them - I enjoy spending time here and having threads for every match stimulates discussion - but it does make my life easier if one or two of them are done already by the time I log on. Thanks Jim!

Puja

[Banquo]

That's a very strong Bristol team. I'm a big fan of the Saints starting pack, but the bench isn't particularly strong. Think Moon and Isiekwe is a really good lock partnership, absolutely solid. We're pretty screwed in the back 3 with injuries to Collins and Tuala at the weekend, on top of the already injured Mallinder and Sleightholme.

Is Coles crocked?

[Banquo]

Very little rotation from Bristol. A lot of these players turned out on Friday night.
Saints opting for a very different approach and basically putting out a completely fresh side. They've got Tigers next so will want to put out a strong side for that.
Home win likely but i do like the look of the Saints side. There's plenty of quality in that squad.

Boyd's strategy has seemed sound on paper, and I remain a fan, but the rotation has not worked in results terms, and they've missed the play off boat I think.

[Adam_P]

That's a very strong Bristol team. I'm a big fan of the Saints starting pack, but the bench isn't particularly strong. Think Moon and Isiekwe is a really good lock partnership, absolutely solid. We're pretty screwed in the back 3 with injuries to Collins and Tuala at the weekend, on top of the already injured Mallinder and Sleightholme.

Is Coles crocked?

Aye, did his ankle when he came off the bench in (I think) the first game back.

[Scrumhead]

That's a very strong Bristol team. I'm a big fan of the Saints starting pack, but the bench isn't particularly strong. Think Moon and Isiekwe is a really good lock partnership, absolutely solid. We're pretty screwed in the back 3 with injuries to Collins and Tuala at the weekend, on top of the already injured Mallinder and Sleightholme.

Has Biggar or Grayson ever played at 15? Biggar’s good under a high ball and I wonder whether that could be worth trying against Tigers.

[Adam_P]

I'm sure I've seen Grayson fill in there, although as you say Biggar would be my choice for his high ball prowess. I believe Proctor can play across the back 3 too, but haven't seen him at 15 for Saints.

[jimKRFC]

Thanks Jim!

Puja

You're welcome!

Very little rotation from Bristol. A lot of these players turned out on Friday night.

8 changes from Friday, with a possible 9th to come, Pat does seem to go with the 2 strong sides then a weak one. Seem to recall hearing that from a player perspective it's not too bad as they don't train much between the short turn arounds & very limited impact sessions. THink we'll get beaten by Wasps though now as it's the "weak" team going there.

[Raggs]

Thanks Jim!

Puja

You're welcome!

Very little rotation from Bristol. A lot of these players turned out on Friday night.

8 changes from Friday, with a possible 9th to come, Pat does seem to go with the 2 strong sides then a weak one. Seem to recall hearing that from a player perspective it's not too bad as they don't train much between the short turn arounds & very limited impact sessions. THink we'll get beaten by Wasps though now as it's the "weak" team going there.

We managed to lose to Sale with a strong side, but I'd hope we don't make the same mistake again. A win against tigers, followed by Bristol, would be huge.

[Scrumhead]

It would. The win over Saracens with a mostly second string side was a big one. It will give those players a lot more belief for the next time they’re called-upon. Beat Tigers (as I expect you will and you’re in the box seat for a play-off place.

[Raggs]

Siale Piutau misses 3 matches, so Bristol will have to re-arrange their lineup.

[jimKRFC]

Can't argue with Siales' ban but not sure how a single punch is worth the same as repeatedly punching someone pinned down and then abusing the ref....

Suspect POC will go to 12 and who knows to the wing. Think Purdy has fewer minutes.

[Adam_P]

This is going well. Saints need this season to end and they need a boot up the ass

[Scrumhead]

3 tries in 18mins is a great start for Bristol.

Third try was a peach.

[padprop]

Painter looks like he’s running in treacle out there. Alot of these saints forwards not up to the pace of bristol

[Scrumhead]

Why the hell did Thacker not give that ... it was a walk in for Radradra!

[padprop]

Saints haven’t even fired a shot yet

[Adam_P]

6 penalties against Bristol in their 22 and still no yellow. What the hell is Foley waiting for?

[Raggs]

I can understand not giving it for crossing, but I would have expected one for the previous run of pens. There again, Saints have been dire. Pick and goes, same direction (despite there being no defence whatsoever in the other direction at times). Why the hell weren't the backs call for that?