Sale v Saints Fri 8pm

[fivepointer]

Sale: L James; Solomona, S James, J V Rensburg, Hammersley; MacGinty, De Klerk; Morozov, Van der Merwe, Oosthuizen, Wiese, JL du Preez, Ross (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Langdon, Rodd, Cooper-Woolley, Phillips, Postlethwaite, Cliff, R du Preez, McGuigan.

Northampton: Furbank; Tuala, Proctor, Francis, Collins; Grayson, Taylor; Waller (capt), Fish, Hill, Moon, Ratuniyarawa, Isiekwe, Wood, Harrison.

Replacements: Marshall, Auterac, Franks, Ribbans, Tonks, Mitchell, Dingwall, Mallinder.

[FKAS]

Interesting that both Ribbans and Mitchell bench. Is that because they missed a bit of pre season with England? I'd have thought both would have started. Is Painter injured?

Young Bevan Rodd who made his debut a year ago against the same opposition is on the bench and could come on for Sale to face up against Ben Franks in the second half. Just what every 20 year old aspiring prop wants to see.

[Adam_P]

Painter isn't injured as far as I know, certainly been training this week. Strange he's not starting really, as we seem to have gone for a pretty hefty pack otherwise (as hefty as we can muster anyway). Nice to have some senior loose heads fit again.

I'm surprised Adendorff isn't in the squad. He was the one player who consistently impressed in our poor end to the season.

Fingers crossed Mallinder can get some minutes in and not get injured, he really needs a full season to push on.

[Banquo]

Is Coles still injured?

[Banquo]

Painter isn't injured as far as I know, certainly been training this week. Strange he's not starting really, as we seem to have gone for a pretty hefty pack otherwise (as hefty as we can muster anyway). Nice to have some senior loose heads fit again.

I'm surprised Adendorff isn't in the squad. He was the one player who consistently impressed in our poor end to the season.

Fingers crossed Mallinder can get some minutes in and not get injured, he really needs a full season to push on.

What will Mallinder push on as do you think?

[Adam_P]

I believe Coles is fit again. Think Mallinder will settle in the back 3, primarily 15 but he has appeared on the wing before. Wing seems to be a bit of a waste of his passing and kicking abilities though.

[Puja]

I believe Coles is fit again. Think Mallinder will settle in the back 3, primarily 15 but he has appeared on the wing before. Wing seems to be a bit of a waste of his passing and kicking abilities though.

I do think he's probably best suited to 15 - space to use his vision and boot, as well as fewer head-on tackles and rucks to be involved in than at 12. Just needs to stay fit for a while now.

Puja

[Adam_P]

It's very frustrating, because on paper he is the ideal 12 - all the skills of a decent fly half, but also 6 foot 5 and 17 stone. Shame he plays like he's 7 stone.

[Banquo]

I just hope he has learned to tackle.

[Banquo]

I believe Coles is fit again. Think Mallinder will settle in the back 3, primarily 15 but he has appeared on the wing before. Wing seems to be a bit of a waste of his passing and kicking abilities though.

I do think he's probably best suited to 15 - space to use his vision and boot, as well as fewer head-on tackles and rucks to be involved in than at 12. Just needs to stay fit for a while now.

Puja

In theory, the trouble is that the few head on tackles 15’s have to make these days tend to be both very obvious, and also quite difficult as most backs at this level should be able to beat a 15 one on one in space, and would back themselves v Mallinder on reputation . It then erodes confidence in player and coach- and confidence is an issue for him imo. If it’s a courage issue then he’s screwed tbh.

[Puja]

I believe Coles is fit again. Think Mallinder will settle in the back 3, primarily 15 but he has appeared on the wing before. Wing seems to be a bit of a waste of his passing and kicking abilities though.

I do think he's probably best suited to 15 - space to use his vision and boot, as well as fewer head-on tackles and rucks to be involved in than at 12. Just needs to stay fit for a while now.

Puja

In theory, the trouble is that the few head on tackles 15’s have to make these days tend to be both very obvious, and also quite difficult as most backs at this level should be able to beat a 15 one on one in space, and would back themselves v Mallinder on reputation . It then erodes confidence in player and coach- and confidence is an issue for him imo. If it’s a courage issue then he’s screwed tbh.

He's pretty good at a side-on tackle though and he'll see more of those at 15. I think his problem was contact where he didn't set the terms and at 15, even head-on tackles, he'll be able to prepare and get himself set as he likes.

Puja

[Banquo]

I do think he's probably best suited to 15 - space to use his vision and boot, as well as fewer head-on tackles and rucks to be involved in than at 12. Just needs to stay fit for a while now.

Puja

In theory, the trouble is that the few head on tackles 15’s have to make these days tend to be both very obvious, and also quite difficult as most backs at this level should be able to beat a 15 one on one in space, and would back themselves v Mallinder on reputation . It then erodes confidence in player and coach- and confidence is an issue for him imo. If it’s a courage issue then he’s screwed tbh.

He's pretty good at a side-on tackle though and he'll see more of those at 15. I think his problem was contact where he didn't set the terms and at 15, even head-on tackles, he'll be able to prepare and get himself set as he likes.

Puja

Not sure about that tbh. If you set yourself up for a front on at 15 you’ve either planted your feet and will get caught flat footed or it won’t be on your terms. Historically he just hasn’t fancied it, maybe that was shoulder. I will have to believe you on side ons.

[Puja]

In theory, the trouble is that the few head on tackles 15’s have to make these days tend to be both very obvious, and also quite difficult as most backs at this level should be able to beat a 15 one on one in space, and would back themselves v Mallinder on reputation . It then erodes confidence in player and coach- and confidence is an issue for him imo. If it’s a courage issue then he’s screwed tbh.

He's pretty good at a side-on tackle though and he'll see more of those at 15. I think his problem was contact where he didn't set the terms and at 15, even head-on tackles, he'll be able to prepare and get himself set as he likes.

Puja

Not sure about that tbh. If you set yourself up for a front on at 15 you’ve either planted your feet and will get caught flat footed or it won’t be on your terms. Historically he just hasn’t fancied it, maybe that was shoulder. I will have to believe you on side ons.

I'll take your word on it - 15 is one of only two positions I've never played myself and I have no desire to expand my repertoire.

Puja

[16th man]

As mentioned above, he was never really out of position for tackles, just didn't commit, which caused all sorts of issues. If that's down to his shoulders, and given the number of injuries and surgeries, you'd tend to think it was, if he can get a run at full back and get confidence in his body back, then 12 might be back on the menu.

[FKAS]

He's pretty good at a side-on tackle though and he'll see more of those at 15. I think his problem was contact where he didn't set the terms and at 15, even head-on tackles, he'll be able to prepare and get himself set as he likes.

Puja

Not sure about that tbh. If you set yourself up for a front on at 15 you’ve either planted your feet and will get caught flat footed or it won’t be on your terms. Historically he just hasn’t fancied it, maybe that was shoulder. I will have to believe you on side ons.

I'll take your word on it - 15 is one of only two positions I've never played myself and I have no desire to expand my repertoire.

Puja

I'd say there's two occasions you plant your feet as a fullback. When it's a big forward making the break and who has a clear intention to try and go over the top of you. The second is where it's a two on one and you've got no chance of making a play, line up the ball carrier and then snot him even if he makes the pass. Put some doubt in his mind for a possible next time.

Hated playing 15. I was only ever average under the high ball and we used to play on a pitch with an obvious slope so for one half you'd get peppered. Never had the knack of knowing when to come into the line either. Tackling wise it's fairly easy as long as you can get the positioning right.

[Tigersman]

Saints being dominated

[Adam_P]

It's crazy how foreign Sales team is. How many EQP are in their starting 15 tonight? 4? They're the new Saracens

[FKAS]

It's crazy how foreign Sales team is. How many EQP are in their starting 15 tonight? 4? They're the new Saracens

I think EQ for Sale are;

Sale: L James; Solomona, S James, Hammersley, Ross (capt), B Curry

Replacements: Langdon, Rodd, Cooper-Woolley, Phillips, Postlethwaite, Cliff.

[Adam_P]

Saints really could do with someone like van Rensburg in the midfield - we have no hard runners there to hold defences.

Picked up for Saints in the latter half of the first half, but generally we look underpowered against Sale

[FKAS]

Saints really could do with someone like van Rensburg in the midfield - we have no hard runners there to hold defences.

Picked up for Saints in the latter half of the first half, but generally we look underpowered against Sale

With no Nariyavoro you are missing your wrecking ball but Mallinder and Tuala are in the back three and you have two playmakers at 10 and 12 you should be able to make it work.

Edit - oops Mallinder is on the bench. Could be introduced shortly to address the issue.

[Adam_P]

Mallinder is on, replaced Furbank after he was KO'd by an unpenalised high tackle from Ross.

I think that's the first time I've ever seen a penalty given for collapsed maul in a maul from a held up tackle. That has always annoyed me, so fair play Tempest

[Puja]

It's crazy how foreign Sales team is. How many EQP are in their starting 15 tonight? 4? They're the new Saracens

I think EQ for Sale are;

Sale: L James; Solomona, S James, Hammersley, Ross (capt), B Curry

Replacements: Langdon, Rodd, Cooper-Woolley, Phillips, Postlethwaite, Cliff.

Solomona and Ross being EQ in the same vein as Ireland and friends.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Except they weren’t brought over as deliberate ‘project players’.

[Peej]

Mallinder is on, replaced Furbank after he was KO'd by an unpenalised high tackle from Ross.

I think that's the first time I've ever seen a penalty given for collapsed maul in a maul from a held up tackle. That has always annoyed me, so fair play Tempest

Wasn't a high tackle, but a nasty head on head. Ross hit him in the chest

[FKAS]

I think that's the first time I've ever seen a penalty given for collapsed maul in a maul from a held up tackle. That has always annoyed me, so fair play Tempest

Let's hope it will be consistently applied over the season. One of my annoyances as well. Soon as a choke tackle is called as maul you see the defenders just drag it to the floor. No idea why refs don't consider it a proper maul.