Well that's one way to get your fly halves playing.....use 'em both!!

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY GLOUCESTER
LV= Cup final
Sixways
Sunday, March 21st, 2010
Kick off 3:30pm
15 Shane Geraghty
14 Bruce Reihana
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Paul Diggin
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Brett Sharman
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson (capt)
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Andy Long
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Jon Vickers
19 Mark Hopley
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Barry Everitt
23 Joe Ansbro

Linky to da offy

And the Glaws team is:

GLOUCESTER TEAM TO PLAY NORTHAMPTON
15 Freddie Burns
14 James Simpson-Daniel
13 Tim Molenaar
12 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
11 Lesley Vainikolo
10 Nicky Robinson
9 Rory Lawson
1 Nick Wood
2 Olivier Azam
3 Pierre Capdevielle
4 Will James
5 Alex Brown
6 Peter Buxton (capt)
7 Akapusi Qera
8 Adam Eustace

Replacements
16 Darren Dawidiuk
17 Yann Thomas
18 Rupert Harden
19 Apo Satala
20 Andy Hazell
21 Dave Lewis
22 Tom Voyce
23 Charlie Sharples

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Towsaint



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 19/03/2010 11:55 by Towsaint.

No Nacho, we're gonna have No Nacho...

Which is a shame!

Strong Gloss team esp those backs so our back row will have to cause a bit of mayhem amongst their half backs.

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COME ON YOU SAINTS !!!

Crickey that's a bit of a swap around for Jim. Surprised Nacho isn't around somewhere.

Has Geraghty played much at 15 for LI? What's he like under the high ball? I do remember the last time we went into a final with a No.10 playing at 15 and we seemed to do alright that day!

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That was larry who was a good allround footballer. David Dantiaq anyone?

Blimey, didn't see that coming, both Smyler & TinTin playing neither will Glaws have I suspect. Makes for a further interesting dimension to what I feel will be a facinating encounter !

Glaws are going to be "well up for it", but I feel our superior power and attacking skill will edge it.....I hope !

Both Nacho and Cannon crocked? Leaving us without any specialist lock cover.

Also, I hope we can work the alternating first receivers better than I've seen it done previously. Can anyone think of a team for whom is has actually worked?

Especially with this little practice?

.......nervous now!

i wondered if they might play one of the 10s at 15.maybe split the backs quite a bit

so it's all guns blazing and run the ball, with the fastest fittest pack available to support.and that is one hell of a fast fit pack.

It does mean there is the opportunity to swap Tintin and Smyler about to give a different attacking option throughout the game. Forcing Gloss into adjusting defensively.

It goes to show just how difficult the selection for 10 is.

Just hope our own defence will hold up with Sinbad in fine form at the moment.

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Reihana to try and stop Big Les?. Geraghty to fullback and Myler to 10. Signs of panic I think. As for your power I guess Azam, Wood,Capdevielle, Brown, James, Quera, Eustace,Buxton. Not exactly lightweight are they. That is a huge Glos pack who have been chucking other packs around for fun with the likes of Hazell to run it around later. Looking better by the second for Glos.

a big feature of our defence has been to dictate where the game is played.

the effect of having courtney at lock is that the midfield is policed by two big centres , plus the back five plus tiny , all of whom are big fast tacklers who are quite safe in midfield . the effect may be that glaws have to go wide and their pack will have to get there before ours.

it will also be interesting to see where tintin and our wings stand in defence.

I'm surprised that for one they haven't played Ansbro on the wing and Bruce and fullback. But also why TinTin has been preferred over Smyler for full back, when Smyler has played fullback for the Saints a few times before if my memory serves me correct.

Dream on BAZ, dream on.....

That is one hell of a team we've put out. cracking final in propect but I have no worries from our side.

As was mentioned Rugby Club last night, Saints adapt to the game in front of them very well.

CHARGE!!!

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Twickenham 27th May 2000 - The Stoop 22nd May 2009
First time, Every time!

It's gonna be spine tingling!

Once we've scored our fifth try, I'll start to relax then...

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COME ON YOU SAINTS !!!

Was discussing the merits of two 10's with one of them at 15 earlier this week, just that I thought it might be Smyler at 15 as he has played there before (not with huge success mind.)

Suspect Mayor may not be fit otherwise he could have played wing. Ansbro didn't exactly sparkle when he got his chance there earlier in the season so Bruiser is a horses for courses selection from Jim. Wouldn't worry too much about Vainikola, Digger can always switch over.

Everitt is an interesting selection on the bench. Either we are a bit short on backs or a bit nervous of our other kickers!

What gearsCT said. I would have expected Ansbro to go on the wing too and leave the rest settled. Whatever you say it smacks more of trying to stop our backs and a bit of panic over your kicking. In addition you've got to hope that your second rows don't get injured because there's not much cover there.

All in all pretty happy. We've lost Doran Jones and Morgan from the expected lineup but nobody has had to play out of position. Should be a cracker

People who know way more than any of us pick the team, they have guided us safely so far, no reason to believe they've suddenly statrted having brain wobbles. Bring on the glos.

COME ON YOU SAINTS

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Panic Baz ?? More of a conundrum for the Glos management. I agree with Broonie's comments i.e. we will miss Nacho's nous but that it one fast pack. And yes Geraghty has played 15 before and as I said a while back I'd prefer him at 15 to Myler. More pace and many more attacking options.

Bold selection. I hope it works.

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Saint til I die



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 19/03/2010 12:53 by Howlin.

1-8 will easily live with anything Glos throw at them and with Long Arm and Freddie on the rampage I expect them to be huffing and puffing by the 2nd half. Not worried about the backs, only who'll be kicking!!!

Geraghty at 15 when we are defending, 10 when we are attacking. No reason why not.

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COME ON YOU SAINTS !!!

Good luck lads ... Come on you saints



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 19/03/2010 12:58 by St Jerome.

Saint John said.......1-8 will easily live with anything Glos throw at them and with Long Arm and Freddie on the rampage I expect them to be huffing and puffing by the 2nd half. Not worried about the backs, only who'll be kicking!!!




Obviously you didn't see the non stop game against Cardiff but fair enough if their huffing and puffing it might be a good time for Andy Hazell and Satala to come on. I think Freddie might just get Quera'd or even Molenarr'd. The Cardiff centre is still wondering around Cardiff trying to remember what hit him. You guys need to watch Glos more. You really don't know much about how we have been playing.

We don't know much about how you are playing?

Look at the prem table Baz.

Let's get this game on.

Saints comfortably have the advantage on paper, particularly against a Glos pack with only around 3 first choice forwards in it and the game will depend on whether the pack can live with the Saints 8. Although they demolished the Cardiff pack last weekend, those Saints forwards are a class above what Glaws faced last week. If they can live with the Saints forwards, then Glaws have a chance, but my head unfortunately says Northampton to win. However it's knock-out rugby and may the best team win on the day!

Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday.

Quote:

Gloucester BAZ
You really don't know much about how we have been playing.

I know how many finals you haven't won lately!!

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Come On You Saints

Jeeez Baz you're starting to sound like a very badly broken record by that well known beat combo Cylops and the Uni-Eyes.

But it's good to see the confidence of the chap. It will have no effect whatsoever on either team, but why not be optimistic?

Personally, I'm enjoying the accusations of Saints' "panic" on the Shedweb thingy. Roll on Sunday afternoon.

I think you'll find most are quite apprehensive about facing a very tough Saints team. Not all us Glaws supporters share the confidence the guy seems to have in his postings above!

Glos will want it more as its their best route into next season's Heineken.

Quote:

Gloucester BAZ
What gearsCT said. I would have expected Ansbro to go on the wing too and leave the rest settled. Whatever you say it smacks more of trying to stop our backs and a bit of panic over your kicking. In addition you've got to hope that your second rows don't get injured because there's not much cover there.
All in all pretty happy. We've lost Doran Jones and Morgan from the expected lineup but nobody has had to play out of position. Should be a cracker

And if Glos props get injured ?? The kindergarten on standby I see.

Guys I think you'll find Baz is blowing a little smoke up yer ass and just having a little fun. You appear to have taken the banter a little too seriously.

Your pack looks very strong indeed. I would have thought you might have wanted to have a bit of a go at us with Geraghty at 10 but it's not like Mallinder doesn't know what he's doing.

Heart says we will win, the head is a little nervous!

We bite easily at a bit of phishing over here! ;-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 19/03/2010 15:23 by wheely.

Quote:

DE Jones
Glos will want it more as its their best route into next season's Heineken.

Yeah it doesn't sound like we've taken this cup seriously at all.

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Come On You Saints

I would be a bit concerned if Geraghty gets in a one on one situation at FB - his tackling, like Myler's, is his biggest weakness

Quote:

wheely
We bite easily at a bit of phising over here! ;-)

You should see us when someone mentions 'choking' (or anything to do with Bath).



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 19/03/2010 14:27 by Shaky from Glaws.

But that's one hell of a car tractor park you've got there for supporters, Shaky

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Why would be worrying about Volcano? He's just another one-trick pony like Tuilagi and that particular nag was felled fairly easily....

Quote:

Paul Flatt
But that's one hell of a car tractor park you've got there for supporters, Shaky

Combine Harvester Park thank you very much.......you swine.

You go into semi finals looking to win them,
you go into finals looking not to lose them...

imaginative and thought provoking selection - asa response to circumstances beyond our control ( Englands plundering ) it looks really very clever.

If it works it will be a revelation.

Can't wait to see how this works.

Looks like Hoppers & Easter for 2nd row cover. Not too shabby.

To be honest Gloucs Baz, it'd be nice to win this but Im not too fussed. Fair play to Glocs if they do win it, I'm sure it will be deserved. However, I'd rather we put more effort into our Heineken Cup QF and consolidating our positon of Second in the table. ;-)

Yep. just having a bit of banter guys. You can't blame me for sticking up for my team. Fact is one of the best days in rugby for me was the Glos Northampton final. The result was great but the relationship between the two sets of supporters was outstanding. Still remember getting one of your guys to model the latest, Northampton different coloured shirt, on the bus to Twickenham from Richmond. Great laugh after in the orange tree too.

Honestly think it's 50-50, as it should be. We know the game isn't played on paper so good luck to both sides, who both like to play rugby. Now back to my five bar gate and that straw to suck on

Lovely to read some great banter.Welcome aboard Gloucester BAZ and Shakey.It seems years since we had any of this...


I ent 'arf missed it!

Safe travels to all supporters,whichever colours you wear.See you on Sundee .












Saints by 2.

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17+ years ago.The Saints Coat.

But banter has to be taken as kosher before these finals, remember Uncle Keiths Wasps iffy players joke.

Was talking to a Saints devotee who goes to watch training, he said that Nacho came off early in the session on wednesday with what looked like hamstring trouble

nacho is playing himself into the ground, we need him to last the season. Sunday seems like a timely rest.

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Please sponsor Joe & Rich for Saints With Heart 9

Unfortunately like buses both events come at the same time but this is just as important to my family and friends

Team Holding On (who some of you may know from C Block) Cycle 4 Cynthia Sponsor Page