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NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Discussion started by Marching On , 08 March, 2018 20:31
NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Marching On 08 March, 2018 20:31
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Team's Up
tedge 08 March, 2018 11:56
Injury update:
Alex Waller, James Craig, Tom Wood, Christian Day and Luther Burrell are all unavailable for selection.



Tuala
Tuitavake
Horne
Francis
Foden
Myler
Reinach

Ma'afu
Marshall
Brookes
Ratuniyarawa
Ribbans
Gibson
Brussow
Harrison

Clare, Van Wyk, Ford-Robinson, Paterson, Nutley, Groom, Stephenson, Pisi



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/2018 11:57 by tedge.

Re: Team's Up
Chris Hoddle 08 March, 2018 12:01
Well not too many changes from what I thought last Sunday. Harry not about so Tuitavake in, also no Mikey so Reeece in it.
Like the looks of the backs could be good?
Pack looks OK as well if we can keep moving theirs?



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Re: Team's Up
Chris Hoddle 08 March, 2018 12:02
Bath team,

15. Tom Homer

14. Darren Atkins

13. Will Hurrell

12. James Wilson

11. Cooper Vuna

10. Josh Lewis

9. Chris Cook

1. Beno Obano

2. Nathan Charles

3. Max Lahiff

4. Levi Douglas

5. Charlie Ewels (c)

6. Tom Ellis

7. Josh Bayliss

8. James Phillips

Replacements

16. Michael van Vuuren

17. Nathan Catt

18. Henry Thomas

19. Elliott Stooke

20. Paul Grant

21. Kahn Fotuali’i

22. Aled Brew

23. Matt Banahan



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Re: Team's Up
ballsout 08 March, 2018 12:02
Must be nice to only have 5 players missing through injury

Re: Team's Up
tedge 08 March, 2018 12:07
Slightly surprised there's no Mallinder, who isn't listed as injured, but perhaps his and Haywood's absences are a token nod to "development" or they are just rested for unknown reasons.

Re: Team's Up
Nath-coys 08 March, 2018 12:10
Looking forward too seeing Francis in his better position!

With Myler directing the game I hope too see Francis playing heads up rugby.

Re: Team's Up
andysaint 08 March, 2018 12:16
I despair. After all the comments on Saturday about the performance, especially the first half, some of those players still get another go.

Re: Team's Up
Hantsaintsrus4 08 March, 2018 12:16
Not to start Stephenson is madness, we need 'dog' and defence he brings. Our open door policy has to stop.

Re: Team's Up
SaintsMan87 08 March, 2018 12:17
The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Re: Team's Up
Nath-coys 08 March, 2018 12:20
Francis is actually a pretty tenacious defender so don't see a problem there.

Not sure who else we could of selected to be honest??
We don't have a lot of options.

Re: Team's Up
ballsout 08 March, 2018 12:23
Obano the only first choice player for Bath, everyone else 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice...

Re: Team's Up
SaintsMan87 08 March, 2018 12:27
Quote:
ballsout
Obano the only first choice player for Bath, everyone else 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice...

No one is biting on any of your comments! Please feel free to return to your own forum where they don’t bite or approve of your comments either

Re: Team's Up
riverlodge 08 March, 2018 12:35
Quote:
Nath-coys
Francis is actually a pretty tenacious defender so don't see a problem there.

look at the footage of the kick through and Yarde's try last weekend, and the non chasing back

Re: Team's Up
Nath-coys 08 March, 2018 12:40
Pretty much all of our players have been guilty of poor poor play this year.
I could list instances pretty much all day.

People are calling for Stephenson too play, I like him and think he is a good player. But could point to plenty of poor play from him also.

However I try to think and focus on what I think they can bring to the game.
And I think Francis had a very good second half last week and his passing and decision making was something we haven't seen from a 12 at saints this year smiling smiley

Re: Team's Up
Saint Maul 08 March, 2018 12:51
The Bath bench is very strong. Being in the lead come 60 mins would be advisable.

Re: Team's Up
Saintsman94 08 March, 2018 13:17
Pleased to see Marshall starting, I think he's looked good this season and if we can bring him on a bit, it takes the pressure off of Mikey playing 80 (or 79) minutes every week when Dylan's away.

I think it's a real shame not to see the likes of Ludlam, Collins, Moon, Hill and Mitchell playing in games like this, even if it is just a bench spot. They may be young but they have, for the most part, looked better than their older, more experienced counterparts at times this season. Not to mention that some of them can't have played in weeks, Dicken's spoke about squad players not getting enough game time, well this was an opportunity to give them some.

I'd have liked to have seen Stephenson start too, although I can understand wanting to test out the Myler 10, Francis 12 axis a little more.

Re: Team's Up
Former Hollywood Saint 08 March, 2018 13:28
Wot no North? *

Incidentally, I know someone says it every week, but what do Collins, Elliot, and Hill have to do to make the squad. Also what is Ludlam up to at the moment?




FHS

Re: Team's Up
Saint 16 08 March, 2018 14:02
I understand peoples misgivings for not playing some less experienced players, but surely the club have to go all out to win this cup to put a gloss on the season?! Something positive is urgently required and I fully support the notion of playing the best squad we can right now.

I do think the side never looks as good when Harry's not in it though. For all the mistakes he can make, he still adds some spark and commitment that many others lack. Assume he is not playing due to being with England again?

Still a big ask for tomorrow I fear.

Re: Team's Up
Deesaint 08 March, 2018 14:04
Couple of things that will make the difference.
Mental attitude when they step out on the pitch - need a bloody good team talk.
SM giving PF room to play not standing deep and just shipping ball to him.
The front five need to play out of their skin really aggressive and confrontational
The back row have to win the breakdown (That includes you Mr G )

Re: Team's Up
SuffolkSaint 08 March, 2018 14:09
Just shows that 'Talk's cheap'

When are the coaches going to be held accountable - it's no good keep saying that players need to pull up their socks or face being dropped and then continue to pick them regardless of performance.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/2018 14:31 by SuffolkSaint.

Re: Team's Up
Walks11 08 March, 2018 14:30
Quote:
SaintsMan87
The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Constant? He was ill last week, no explanation this week but don’t see a trend of him not being selected

Re: Team's Up
Dragonboy 08 March, 2018 15:02
I do agree that it's a shame Lewis isn't getting more of a chance, particularly as he had such a strong start to the season, however we don't know how his illness has impacted on him. He may not be featuring on the injured list but is he yet recovered enough for first class rugby but then we must of course respect his privacy.

Tom Collins is a mystery to me as to why he doesn't feature. We were stuffed for pace last week by Yarde and Solomona, hey arguably our quickest available and wanting to play wing doesn't get a look in.

I've been an admirer of Tom Stephenson since he first started to appear in the Wandies at probably about 17, however for me he just doesn't cut it by virtue of the fact that he doesn't often pass and seems to try and beat everyone every time so it doesn't matter if we have Usain Bolt or Garry Pearce on the wing the result is always the same. The ball doesn't get that far. And with respect to Tom he isn't Alan Bateman.

Re: Team's Up
SuffolkSaint 08 March, 2018 15:04
Lewis is 100% fit and desperate for game time.


Quote:
Dragonboy
I do agree that it's a shame Lewis isn't getting more of a chance, particularly as he had such a strong start to the season, however we don't know how his illness has impacted on him. He may not be featuring on the injured list but is he yet recovered enough for first class rugby but then we must of course respect his privacy.
Tom Collins is a mystery to me as to why he doesn't feature. We were stuffed for pace last week by Yarde and Solomona, hey arguably our quickest available and wanting to play wing doesn't get a look in.

I've been an admirer of Tom Stephenson since he first started to appear in the Wandies at probably about 17, however for me he just doesn't cut it by virtue of the fact that he doesn't often pass and seems to try and beat everyone every time so it doesn't matter if we have Usain Bolt or Garry Pearce on the wing the result is always the same. The ball doesn't get that far. And with respect to Tom he isn't Alan Bateman.

Re: Team's Up
tedge 08 March, 2018 15:06
I am fairly sure Chris Boyd will want to encourage a fast off-loading game and off-loading is Stephenson's prime weakness (he is not alone). Gaffney inferred that it's too late to change his style so whether that's a challenge for Boyd or a non-starter is unknown.

Re: Team's Up
Themanwho 08 March, 2018 17:10
Big fan of the young guys but I think we wil haemorrhage them this summer. Have heard Hutchinson to Glasgow and Stephenson to Ealing Trailfinders.

Re: Team's Up
Hakuna Tuala 08 March, 2018 17:15
Would be a real shame to lose Hutchinson in particular... I bet he'd really kick on at Glasgow if the rumour is true!

Re: Team's Up
Chris Hoddle 08 March, 2018 17:21
When we played Glasgow in the friendly I was up there in the press box. Rory had played in the friendlies and had scored a few tries. Glasgow were very keen on him as he was obviously Scotland qualified.



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Re: Team's Up
OlneySaint2 08 March, 2018 17:25
That side, assuming Mikey is unable to play, is the strongest side we have available in the eyes of the coaches. Exactly as expected. Wrong on so many levels. Persistent failure is rewarded. First choice players are not rested. Development/squad players are discouraged just when they would be raring to go.

What must the likes of Paul Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Collins and Mitch Eadie be thinking? Or the younger prospects who have seen their counterparts in other clubs getting game time? Why remain at Saints if you want to play rugby and be developed? Will we play Lawes and Hartley in the A league latter stages so we can claim some silverware?

I do still hope we win the match and I do accept the obvious point that we are trying to salvage something from our season, but just can't suppress a feeling of embarrassment when I look at the Bath team. I'm going to the Rec, so will put up with none of my own arguments from the locals!

All that said, I agree with SaintMaul, the Bath bench is very strong. I expect James Wilson will have a point to prove and Hurrell is a strong runner. Their front row, bench and starting, could pose us problems and I'm not confident about Reece Marshall in the set piece. The Bath youngsters in their pack, Ellis, Bayliss and Douglas are eye-catching players and may combine well with the experience of Phillips and Ewels. Our Myler/Francis pairing is overdue and may be crucial, but I wonder whether our experience and class in the back row battle will be the deciding difference. Could be close.

Re: Team's Up
Wilson Pickett 08 March, 2018 17:31
Think we will win. Scrum improved since last played them, we will be keen to start well.

Re: Team's Up
Chris Hoddle 08 March, 2018 17:53
For those travelling the forecast looks now to be rather wet, make sure you take some waterproofs especially if you are on their east stand!



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Re: Team's Up
twsaint 08 March, 2018 18:29
Nothing new there then, Chris.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/2018 18:29 by twsaint.

Re: Team's Up
SaintsMan87 08 March, 2018 18:56
Quote:
Walks11
Quote:
SaintsMan87
The constant non selection of mallinder makes me wonder if there’s a deeper issue! Picked by eddie jones but not us

Constant? He was ill last week, no explanation this week but don’t see a trend of him not being selected

More a reference to him being picked once during 6 nations period

Re: Team's Up
SuffolkSaint 08 March, 2018 19:25
Spot on!

Quote:
OlneySaint2
That side, assuming Mikey is unable to play, is the strongest side we have available in the eyes of the coaches. Exactly as expected. Wrong on so many levels. Persistent failure is rewarded. First choice players are not rested. Development/squad players are discouraged just when they would be raring to go.
What must the likes of Paul Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Tom Collins and Mitch Eadie be thinking? Or the younger prospects who have seen their counterparts in other clubs getting game time? Why remain at Saints if you want to play rugby and be developed? Will we play Lawes and Hartley in the A league latter stages so we can claim some silverware?

I do still hope we win the match and I do accept the obvious point that we are trying to salvage something from our season, but just can't suppress a feeling of embarrassment when I look at the Bath team. I'm going to the Rec, so will put up with none of my own arguments from the locals!

All that said, I agree with SaintMaul, the Bath bench is very strong. I expect James Wilson will have a point to prove and Hurrell is a strong runner. Their front row, bench and starting, could pose us problems and I'm not confident about Reece Marshall in the set piece. The Bath youngsters in their pack, Ellis, Bayliss and Douglas are eye-catching players and may combine well with the experience of Phillips and Ewels. Our Myler/Francis pairing is overdue and may be crucial, but I wonder whether our experience and class in the back row battle will be the deciding difference. Could be close.

Re: Team's Up
Nath-coys 08 March, 2018 20:10
What younger prospects could we of choose?

Hill gets pasted at scrum time, I actually think he looks more like a loose head than a tighthead.

Do agree about TC and Eadie and Ludlam though.

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
twsaint 08 March, 2018 20:50
I'd love to see one or two more youngsters but , more than anything, I want a win.

I've got a drive from Kent to Bath via Hayling Island and then a meet up with a mate from distant student days prior to the game . But, as I said, more than anything I want a win.

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Stockers 08 March, 2018 21:19
Ooooh, you don’t want to go via Hayling Island, it’s a huge cul de sac!

Unless you’re checking a boat.

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Scrummy 08 March, 2018 22:03
Wot no Collins.


No *

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Eif Jones 09 March, 2018 01:17
Even a win would be Pyrrhic against a very weakened Bath.

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Saint James 09 March, 2018 02:01
Completely agree with above ref younger players getting a shot in a meaningful game.

Unfortunately sums up the desperation of the coaches and state of the season to make safe selectIons. I fear it might work the other way, fresh, motivated lads with a point to prove would have been nice to see.

Re: NEWS: Teams UP: AW Cup Semi Final Bath v Saints
Nath-coys 09 March, 2018 06:59
Quote:
Saint James
Completely agree with above ref younger players getting a shot in a meaningful game.
Unfortunately sums up the desperation of the coaches and state of the season to make safe selectIons. I fear it might work the other way, fresh, motivated lads with a point to prove would have been nice to see.

There is no younger players available.

Again, harsh on a few squad players Ludlam and TC in particular for me.


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