SAINTS NAME TEAM FOR OSPREYS CHAMPIONS CUP CLASH
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017
Jim Mallinder has made eight changes to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up for this weekend’s home clash against Ospreys.
Jim Mallinder has made eight changes to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up for this weekend’s home clash against Ospreys.
Saints welcome the Welsh region to Franklin’s Gardens having won the last six meetings between the sides, the most recent being a 36-6 triumph back in 2014.
Ahsee Tuala – who signed a new two-year Saints contract this week – is the only change to the back three, with the Samoan international joining full-back Harry Mallinder and Ben Foden.
Luther Burrell returns to the midfield to partner Rob Horne, with Piers Francis and Nic Groom forming a new-look half-back partnership.
Meanwhile there are also two changes in the engine room as both David Ribbans and Christian Day return from injury, with Courtney Lawes shifting to blindside flanker.
Alex Waller misses out through injury in the front row, so Francois van Wyk comes in with Dylan Hartley continuing to skipper the side from hooker
15 Dan Evans
14 Hanno Dirksen
13 Kieron Fonotia
12 Owen Watkin
11 Jeff Hassler
10 Sam Davies
9 Tom Habberfield
1 Nicky Smith
2 Scott Baldwin
3 Dmitri Arhip
4 Bradley Davies
5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)
6 Dan Lydiate
7 Olly Cracknell
8 James King
REPLACEMENTS
16 Scott Otten
17 Rowan Jenkins
18 Ma’afu Fia
19 Adam Beard
20 Rob McCusker
21 Reuben Morgan-Williams
22 James Hook
23 Ben John
Missing - sadly including Mooj
Cory Allen – Knee
Dan Baker – Knee
Ashley Beck – Groin
Dan Biggar – HIA
Sam Cross - Ribs
Keelan Giles – Knee
Dafydd Howells - Shoulder
Paul James – Calf
Brian Mujati – Shoulder
Sam Parry – Ankle
Gareth Thomas – Calf
Rory Thornton – Shoulder
Justin Tipuric - Thigh
Eli Walker – Back
Rhys Webb - Knee
Kieran Williams – Ankle
Tom Williams - Forearm
That looks like a proper, balanced back-row to me! Groom at 9 Francis at 10 would be my first choice half-back paring too. A much better team selection I think, shame to see Grayson dropped all together though.
Just hope this team turns up and puts in the performance we the long suffering supporters crave
I'm in the Parish tonight - MC at a boxing event at The St James WMC if anyone is in the area and fancies some good live boxing tonight, Come along and say hello
But I'm heading home to Brancaster in the morning as I don't think I want to be leaving the town feeling as fed up as I did after last Friday night
COYS!!!
A much more positive team selection that makes me more positive about tomorrow. Having not been at the Gardens since October, I am now looking forward to coming back.
I did not realise that Ospreys had so many unavailable. Saints need to take this opportunity and get a good win behind them.
Why do I get the impression we’re going to hammer Ospreys in a meaningless game for us, which will paper over the cracks and divert attention from our shambolic run recently. That being said a win’s a win a I’ll be there supporting. COYS!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017:12:08:12:32:20 by saintsfella.
If - if - Saracens do the double over Clermont and minimise Clermont's bonus points, and we can get 9 or 10 points from Ospreys, then Europe is still possible (mathematically at least).
One second-placed team went through to the QFs last season on 16 group points, though 18/19 looks to be a more normal minimum. When we went to Clermont I thought they looked very beatable (if we'd taken the chances we created), so if we can beat them in the return fixture at the Gardens we'd just need to figure out how to beat Sarries away. Hmm.
Foul up on Saturday, however, and we'll be sending the Wanderers to the next 3 European fixtures.
Decent looking team, hoping for a strong performance. A good result would be provide a base to kick on when the league restarts. Unfortunately I won't be there to witness as I am having a trot out for Casuals 3rds.
Thats the best looking team of the season (wing looks the only weak point). I just want a decent performance and no injuries. We need to put this team out a few weeks in a row to see if it has potential to dig us out of the poop.
Like all above very pleasing team selection
We need to win
We need to get a couple of good wins under our belt
Get some confidence returning
Get the winning mentality
And who knows
COYS
I prefer what Harry brings at FB over Ace.
And I like the size and power ace brings on the wing for us now.
H comes in to the line really well, can play as 2nd playmaker and has a howitzer of a boot.
I think he is only going to get better and really kick on.
Personal opinion Stockers. Are we not allowed that anymore without having to justify everything ?
From what I have seen of Harry, I simply don't rate him that's all (sorry if that upsets some). His place & out of hand kicking is very very erratic, decision making quite poor at times in choosing when to pass, take a player on etcc. Defence is also not good.
fleetg Personal opinion Stockers. Are we not allowed that anymore without having to justify everything ?
From what I have seen of Harry, I simply don't rate him that's all (sorry if that upsets some). His place & out of hand kicking is very very erratic, decision making quite poor at times in choosing when to pass, take a player on etcc. Defence is also not good.
Again a bit harsh, he’s a young lad still learning the game and not by any means the finished article. His kicking from hand is actually pretty good. Place kicking I grant you is not where it needs to be but I suspect he will only ever be a back up kicker. He’s also been moved around positionally so give him a chance to settle at FB and see where we are at the end of the seaso
Fair comments and thanks for tbe counter reasoned argument (unlike some who just accuse me of slagging him off with no counter argument !!).
Just out of interest why would you suspect he is only a back up kicker ? The evidence last week was that he was still our kicker with Grayson (doubt that would do much for his confidence) and Piers on the pitch.
Saintalex
I understand that you disagree.
Again I will stress it's personal opinion which I have explained above. I fully accept that I am in the minority but I also think this board should be a little more accepting of others opinions at times.
The way that a large amount of individuals talk about Harry on here, he will be the nailed on England full back for the next 10 years. Will be interesting to see if that comes to fruition or not.
Anytime the lad gets the ball in the oppo 22 i think we have a real chance of scoring. Thats exciting and cant be said for most saints players. No one has said he is nailed on england thats pure extrapolation on your part. Perhaps you're trying to even out the opinions of him to show hes not the finished article. I find myself doing that with Ace - his defence is rubbish, not premier no 15 standard but no doubt he is good with ball in hand.
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