RugbyRebels

Northampton: Furbank (capt); Seabrook, Freeman, Litchfield, Hendy; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Langdon, Davison, Mayanavanua, Moon, Lawes, Pearson, Graham.

Replacements: Matavesi, Haffar, Hill, Lockett, Augustus, James, Savala, Sleightholme.

Toulon: Jaminet; Fainga'anuku, Tuicuvu, Sinzelle, Villiere; Herve, White; Priso, Singleton, Brookes, Halagahu, Ribbans, Abadie, Ollivon, Tolofua.

Replacements: Tolofua, Gros, Setiano, Warion, Le Corvec, Danglot, Smaili, Wainiqolo.

Looking forward to this. Can Saints keep their good form going? 3 England internationals in the starting Toulon pack.

That's a very sizeable back 5 in the Saints pack. Excellent to have Augustus back in the fold. Hopefully we can continue the good form from the last couple of games - Toulon has gone pretty strong though.

That Saints midfield defence is going to come under a lot of pressure. Not having Dingwall to organise it is a loss.

He isn't on the unavailable list so presumably just rested - hell of a confidence vote for Lichfield, who has looked good when he's played recently.

David Ribbans and Kieran Brookes are coming home and should get a warm welcome.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:31 am David Ribbans and Kieran Brookes are coming home and should get a warm welcome.

Home might be a stretch for the South Africa born and raised Ribbans and Stoke born and Flyde bred Brookes. Brookes must have played for about a third of the Prem before he went to France.

Quite a few former Prem regulars in the Toulon squad. With Singleton and White also in there. White Vs Mitchell should be interesting particularly because that could be replayed on the 6N.

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:46 am

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:31 am David Ribbans and Kieran Brookes are coming home and should get a warm welcome.

Home might be a stretch for the South Africa born and raised Ribbans and Stoke born and Flyde bred Brookes. Brookes must have played for about a third of the Prem before he went to France.

I'd no idea where they were born and brought up but I believe they both played a bit for Northampton.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:55 am

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:46 am

francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:31 am David Ribbans and Kieran Brookes are coming home and should get a warm welcome.

Home might be a stretch for the South Africa born and raised Ribbans and Stoke born and Flyde bred Brookes. Brookes must have played for about a third of the Prem before he went to France.

I'd no idea where they were born and brought up but I believe they both played a bit for Northampton.

Yeah they did, I was just joking with the home bit. Saints signed them both in. Ribbans stayed for a while but Brookes just for a couple of years.

Adam_P wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:39 pm He isn't on the unavailable list so presumably just rested - hell of a confidence vote for Lichfield, who has looked good when he's played recently.

He's resting a knee ligament injury

Furbank with knee issues and getting strapped up pre game. Seems to be doing ok though.

Toulon not clicking really, Saints looking better with any ball they can get.

I can't make my mind up about the ref. He seems fussy as hell but I can't fault his decisions. Weird.

Ref made the right calls for the double yellow there.

They should have done for the scrum rather than the lineout though. Would have opened up more of the field for a backs move.

great win with three outside backs off in an hour. Freeman and Lawes outstanding.

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:49 pm Ref made the right calls for the double yellow there.

They should have done for the scrum rather than the lineout though. Would have opened up more of the field for a backs move.

didnt cost.

Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:45 pm

FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:49 pm Ref made the right calls for the double yellow there.

They should have done for the scrum rather than the lineout though. Would have opened up more of the field for a backs move.

didnt cost.

No, good finish by the lock. He didn't have much to do but more than a few try and hug the touchline to closely making it easier to nudge them into touch. He angled in and let his bulk do the work.

Gutsy win. Thought Toulon would move clear once they got ahead but Saints did well to come back particularly after the injury disruption.
Lawes is just in fantastic form. Lichfield did well, Smith is looking all class and Freeman continues to make big strides at 13.

fivepointer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 8:28 am Gutsy win. Thought Toulon would move clear once they got ahead but Saints did well to come back particularly after the injury disruption.
Lawes is just in fantastic form. Lichfield did well, Smith is looking all class and Freeman continues to make big strides at 13.

Agreed. Despite some contentious scrum decisons, the front row hung on well. It was symptomatic of Saints' new backbone.

Saints replacement scrum half James has been cited for striking with the head against Ben White of Toulon.

Banned for 3 weeks. Just what we need with all the injuries picked up in the backs. That's Ramm, Hendy, Seabrook and Sleightholme out in the back three and James banned who could probably cover there.

Adam_P wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:27 am Banned for 3 weeks. Just what we need with all the injuries picked up in the backs. That's Ramm, Hendy, Seabrook and Sleightholme out in the back three and James banned who could probably cover there.

Time to see if Tom Collins wants to come back on loan?

Puja

Adam_P wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 11:27 am Banned for 3 weeks. Just what we need with all the injuries picked up in the backs. That's Ramm, Hendy, Seabrook and Sleightholme out in the back three and James banned who could probably cover there.

bet we have to give Garside back and McParlane back from Bedford to Saints

I reckon so. Has Garside featured much at 9 for you, or is he pretty much permanently out on the wing these days?

Adam_P wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:59 pm I reckon so. Has Garside featured much at 9 for you, or is he pretty much permanently out on the wing these days?

He played against us for Bedford on the wing, but came off the bench for us at 9! Its a weird world- Will Hobson played one game for us on loan from Quins, who recalled him and then sent him to London Scottish, so he may be against us on Saturday!

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:25 am

Adam_P wrote: ↑Wed Dec 20, 2023 5:59 pm I reckon so. Has Garside featured much at 9 for you, or is he pretty much permanently out on the wing these days?

He played against us for Bedford on the wing, but came off the bench for us at 9! Its a weird world- Will Hobson played one game for us on loan from Quins, who recalled him and then sent him to London Scottish, so he may be against us on Saturday!

and so it came to pass, and they also yanked a back row. Plus Bath called a prop back. FFS