RugbyRebels

Ref: Karl Dickson
TJs: Luke Pearce & Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Stuart Terheege

Bath:
15 Tom de Glanville
14 Will Butt
13 Jonathan Joseph
12 Max Ojomoh
11 Will Muir
10 Orlando Bailey
09 Ben Spencer

1 Valeriy Morozov
2 Jacques du Toit
3 D’Arcy Rae
4 Josh McNally ©
5 Ewan Richards
6 Taulupe Faletau
7 Jaco Coetzee
8 Nathan Hughes

16 Tom Doughty, 17 Arthur Cordwell, 18 Kieran Verden, 19 Richard de Carpentier, 20 Josh Bayliss
21 Joe Simpson, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Max Clark


Leicester:
15 Bryce Hegarty
14 Harry Potter
13 Guy Porter
12 Dan Kelly
11 Nemani Nadolo
10 Freddie Burns
09 Richard Wigglesworth (c)

1 Francois van Wyk
2 Julián Montoya (vc)
3 Joe Heyes
4 Harry Wells
5 Eli Snyman
6 George Martin
7 Tommy Reffell
8 Jasper Wiese

16 Charlie Clare, 17 James Whitcombe, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Calum Green, 20 Hanro Liebenberg
21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Matt Scott, 23 Chris Ashton

Tigers have a few missing up front but I'd still hope a mixture of the conditions and the forward strength mean we can get the job done. The Rec hasn't been a happy hunting ground for more than a decade for us so a win here would be a big one, the table positions aren't going to count for anything.

A little surprised Scott isn't starting this one given Porter hasn't got bags of experience at 13 at this level and he's up against Joseph who is an astute operator at 13.

Good to see Hurd come onto the bench, local lad gets another chance to show what he can do.

Little wary of the impact from the Bath backs on the bench, two halfbacks there who could spark a bit of late drama potentially.

I won't mention JVP on the bench again...

FKAS wrote:Little wary of the impact from the Bath backs on the bench, two halfbacks there who could spark a bit of late drama potentially.

From the little we've seen of them this season, most of that drama will be in your favour.

Which Tyler wrote:

FKAS wrote:Little wary of the impact from the Bath backs on the bench, two halfbacks there who could spark a bit of late drama potentially.

From the little we've seen of them this season, most of that drama will be in your favour.

Yes I left that open as they can be as helpful as they are unhelpful. I mean from my point of view it would be great if they stuff it up but equally they could somehow go the length from nothing.

To my impartial eye, on paper anyway, if you put the Bath backs with the Leicester forwards you'd have a pretty useful 23. Theoretically, if that is half-way accurate, Leicester will win comfortably. Odd then to wonder if Bath just could be smart enough to buck the odds, especially as management/leaders have not so far displayed that characteristic from what little I have seen.

Is there relegation this season...?. I'm just asking for a friend.

Banquo wrote:I won't mention JVP on the bench again...

With the weather the way it is in the west at the moment, I thoroughly endorse that selection. This is Wiggy-weather. Shame it's not going to be better rugby weather tbh - would've been nice to see Kelly/Porter vs Ojomoh/Joseph, as it's three up-and-comers and one been-there-done-that, but I don't think they'll see a huge amount of the ball in hand.

Good side overall from Leicester, although I am a little surprised that Van Wyk's got the nod over Whitcombe, who has been very promising so far.

Puja

Whitcombe has played quite a few minutes for the last couple of games having had not much game time in the couple of months before. I presumed we rotated him out just to give him a little breather.

Expecting Heyes to want to put in a big display with Eddie no doubt watching with interest after Stuart's lukewarm performance Vs Italy.

Weather bound to be a factor. Going to be wet and windy.

The Kelly/Ojomoh match up may take a back seat to the forward exchanges, where its likely Tigers will hold a decisive edge.

FKAS wrote:Whitcombe has played quite a few minutes for the last couple of games having had not much game time in the couple of months before. I presumed we rotated him out just to give him a little breather.

Expecting Heyes to want to put in a big display with Eddie no doubt watching with interest after Stuart's lukewarm performance Vs Italy.

I was a bit surprised to see Heyes sent back to Leicester in truth, the Stuart half-time hook felt very Luther Burrell in Brisbane to me.

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:I won't mention JVP on the bench again...

With the weather the way it is in the west at the moment, I thoroughly endorse that selection. This is Wiggy-weather. Shame it's not going to be better rugby weather tbh - would've been nice to see Kelly/Porter vs Ojomoh/Joseph, as it's three up-and-comers and one been-there-done-that, but I don't think they'll see a huge amount of the ball in hand.

Good side overall from Leicester, although I am a little surprised that Van Wyk's got the nod over Whitcombe, who has been very promising so far.

Puja

...when will JVP learn to play in this sort of weather, cos he will have to in order to become a starter....

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:I won't mention JVP on the bench again...

With the weather the way it is in the west at the moment, I thoroughly endorse that selection. This is Wiggy-weather. Shame it's not going to be better rugby weather tbh - would've been nice to see Kelly/Porter vs Ojomoh/Joseph, as it's three up-and-comers and one been-there-done-that, but I don't think they'll see a huge amount of the ball in hand.

Good side overall from Leicester, although I am a little surprised that Van Wyk's got the nod over Whitcombe, who has been very promising so far.

Puja

...when will JVP learn to play in this sort of weather, cos he will have to in order to become a starter....

He's only 20 years old - he doesn't need to be perfect yet.

Puja

SDHoneymonster wrote:

FKAS wrote:Whitcombe has played quite a few minutes for the last couple of games having had not much game time in the couple of months before. I presumed we rotated him out just to give him a little breather.

Expecting Heyes to want to put in a big display with Eddie no doubt watching with interest after Stuart's lukewarm performance Vs Italy.

I was a bit surprised to see Heyes sent back to Leicester in truth, the Stuart half-time hook felt very Luther Burrell in Brisbane to me.

With Cole going off injured last weekend Eddie would have known Heyes would be starting this weekend. If he wants to select him for Wales he doesn't want him to have not played for four weeks. Makes sense for him to get a good hour under his belt then come back into camp and challenge Stuart.

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:
With the weather the way it is in the west at the moment, I thoroughly endorse that selection. This is Wiggy-weather. Shame it's not going to be better rugby weather tbh - would've been nice to see Kelly/Porter vs Ojomoh/Joseph, as it's three up-and-comers and one been-there-done-that, but I don't think they'll see a huge amount of the ball in hand.

Good side overall from Leicester, although I am a little surprised that Van Wyk's got the nod over Whitcombe, who has been very promising so far.

Puja

...when will JVP learn to play in this sort of weather, cos he will have to in order to become a starter....

He's only 20 years old - he doesn't need to be perfect yet.

Puja

...never too early to learn, and already impressive progress on kicking teckers....with Tigers certain to finish top four, against the worst side in the prem etc etc. Anyhow, we continue to disagree ...and as you say, if the intention is 'merely' to win, its probably the right call.

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote: ...when will JVP learn to play in this sort of weather, cos he will have to in order to become a starter....

He's only 20 years old - he doesn't need to be perfect yet.

Puja

...never too early to learn, and already impressive progress on kicking teckers....with Tigers certain to finish top four, against the worst side in the prem etc etc. Anyhow, we continue to disagree ...and as you say, if the intention is 'merely' to win, its probably the right call.

We've lost two of our last three games, we're missing the tactician who runs our team and has led us to the top of the table, it's miserable weather and a terrible pitch which is a great equaliser, and Bath are on an upwards swing. I'm confident that we'll win, but I'm definitely not confident enough to be able to go, "Oh, they're bottom of the league, we can do as we like."

Puja

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:
He's only 20 years old - he doesn't need to be perfect yet.

Puja

...never too early to learn, and already impressive progress on kicking teckers....with Tigers certain to finish top four, against the worst side in the prem etc etc. Anyhow, we continue to disagree ...and as you say, if the intention is 'merely' to win, its probably the right call.

We've lost two of our last three games, we're missing the tactician who runs our team and has led us to the top of the table, it's miserable weather and a terrible pitch which is a great equaliser, and Bath are on an upwards swing. I'm confident that we'll win, but I'm definitely not confident enough to be able to go, "Oh, they're bottom of the league, we can do as we like."

Puja

That's a bit of an extreme statement- its only asking (one of the) back up 9's who has been in excellent nick- to step up, and its not like theres no experience forward and aft. Anyhoo....we continue to disagree

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote: ...never too early to learn, and already impressive progress on kicking teckers....with Tigers certain to finish top four, against the worst side in the prem etc etc. Anyhow, we continue to disagree ...and as you say, if the intention is 'merely' to win, its probably the right call.

We've lost two of our last three games, we're missing the tactician who runs our team and has led us to the top of the table, it's miserable weather and a terrible pitch which is a great equaliser, and Bath are on an upwards swing. I'm confident that we'll win, but I'm definitely not confident enough to be able to go, "Oh, they're bottom of the league, we can do as we like."

Puja

That's a bit of an extreme statement- its only asking (one of the) back up 9's who has been in excellent nick- to step up, and its not like theres no experience forward and aft. Anyhoo....we continue to disagree

JVP started Vs Bath last time at WR in poor conditions and had his worst game in the first team. Knocked his confidence. I'd like to see him start more games again but understand why he's on the bench for this one.

Next week Vs Glaws at home I'm hoping he'll get his chance.

FKAS wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:
We've lost two of our last three games, we're missing the tactician who runs our team and has led us to the top of the table, it's miserable weather and a terrible pitch which is a great equaliser, and Bath are on an upwards swing. I'm confident that we'll win, but I'm definitely not confident enough to be able to go, "Oh, they're bottom of the league, we can do as we like."

Puja

That's a bit of an extreme statement- its only asking (one of the) back up 9's who has been in excellent nick- to step up, and its not like theres no experience forward and aft. Anyhoo....we continue to disagree

JVP started Vs Bath last time at WR in poor conditions and had his worst game in the first team. Knocked his confidence. I'd like to see him start more games again but understand why he's on the bench for this one.

Next week Vs Glaws at home I'm hoping he'll get his chance.

Me too, but I thought that last week . Unfortunately, its not all plain sailing, and you have to overcome setbacks, an all that- I do accept that delicate handling is needed for young uns, but he's a quick learner.

Banquo wrote:

FKAS wrote:

Banquo wrote: That's a bit of an extreme statement- its only asking (one of the) back up 9's who has been in excellent nick- to step up, and its not like theres no experience forward and aft. Anyhoo....we continue to disagree

JVP started Vs Bath last time at WR in poor conditions and had his worst game in the first team. Knocked his confidence. I'd like to see him start more games again but understand why he's on the bench for this one.

Next week Vs Glaws at home I'm hoping he'll get his chance.

Me too, but I thought that last week . Unfortunately, its not all plain sailing, and you have to overcome setbacks, an all that- I do accept that delicate handling is needed for young uns, but he's a quick learner.

Tbh, I'm of the opinion that he needs to wrest that 9 jersey out of Wigglesworth's hands. Promise and potential is all very well, but he's not made a case for being a better scrum-half than Wigglesworth is right now. If he wants to start, work harder, get better, earn it.

If he was being starved for minutes and experience, then that would be another thing, but he's really not. Wiggy's a challenge that he needs to improve to get past, not an impediment.

Puja

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:

FKAS wrote:
JVP started Vs Bath last time at WR in poor conditions and had his worst game in the first team. Knocked his confidence. I'd like to see him start more games again but understand why he's on the bench for this one.

Next week Vs Glaws at home I'm hoping he'll get his chance.

Me too, but I thought that last week . Unfortunately, its not all plain sailing, and you have to overcome setbacks, an all that- I do accept that delicate handling is needed for young uns, but he's a quick learner.

Tbh, I'm of the opinion that he needs to wrest that 9 jersey out of Wigglesworth's hands. Promise and potential is all very well, but he's not made a case for being a better scrum-half than Wigglesworth is right now. If he wants to start, work harder, get better, earn it.

If he was being starved for minutes and experience, then that would be another thing, but he's really not. Wiggy's a challenge that he needs to improve to get past, not an impediment.

Puja

So all this talk about Wiggy being the right starter for various conditions has been a waste of time? Wiggy is the better player in your eyes? That would have saved a debate .

Banquo wrote:

Puja wrote:

Banquo wrote:
Me too, but I thought that last week . Unfortunately, its not all plain sailing, and you have to overcome setbacks, an all that- I do accept that delicate handling is needed for young uns, but he's a quick learner.

Tbh, I'm of the opinion that he needs to wrest that 9 jersey out of Wigglesworth's hands. Promise and potential is all very well, but he's not made a case for being a better scrum-half than Wigglesworth is right now. If he wants to start, work harder, get better, earn it.

If he was being starved for minutes and experience, then that would be another thing, but he's really not. Wiggy's a challenge that he needs to improve to get past, not an impediment.

Puja

So all this talk about Wiggy being the right starter for various conditions has been a waste of time? Wiggy is the better player in your eyes? That would have saved a debate .

Smart-arse! If you note, I said he wasn't a better scrum-half than Wiggy right now, not that he was worse! Therefore, when conditions apply, Wiggy's got a definite lead.

Puja

Staggered JVP has been overlooked again. Tomorrow’s weather a perfect test for him

p/d wrote:Staggered JVP has been overlooked again. Tomorrow’s weather a perfect test for him

Very good.

Mellsblue wrote:

p/d wrote:Staggered JVP has been overlooked again. Tomorrow’s weather a perfect test for him

Very good.

Just wiling away time awaiting Natalie’s arrival on the Norton show