Prodigal?
Bloodied but Unbowed...
Prodigal?
By Peter Creek April 9 2008
The Carnegies take on the Harlequins this weekend in a Guinness Premiership fixture where realistically they are only playing for their pride. The last two games have seen the lads battered first by Saracens and then by Bath at the Rec. So the question I ask myself is - can the Carnegies clobber the cocky ‘Quins?
Prodigal?
The Carnegies take on the Harlequins this weekend in a Guinness Premiership fixture where realistically they are only playing for their pride. The last two games have seen the lads battered first by Saracens and then by Bath at the Rec. So the question I ask myself is - can the Carnegies clobber the cocky ‘Quins?
I can almost hear the roar of "NO" reverberating up and down the M1 as the London club's cognoscenti deliver their verdict on such a preposterous idea. They have good reason to be confident. Dean Richards' team is having a storming season, currently lying third in the GP and toughing it out with Sale and Leicester for automatic Heineken Cup places next season. It is hard to believe that they were in ND1 two seasons ago. Add to that the fact that the Harlequins tonked Leeds 39-15 at the Stoop earlier in the season and there is little doubt in any sensible rugby fan's mind that the result on Sunday is a forgone conclusion. Did I claim to be sensible? Am I a fan of rugby? It is not many weeks ago that the ‘Negies raised their fans hopes of staying in the GP by beating the Falcons and drawing at Sixways. Achieving those results took its toll on the squad and the injury list soared into double figures. The lack of fit players goes some way to explaining why the team suffered two such heavy defeats. At one point in last week's fixture Mark Lock was playing in the centre!
Sadly for Leeds, Lee Blackett has to miss the rest of the season. Lee's progress this season has been notable. Much will depend this weekend on who is available to play in the centre. The Leeds fans will be waiting anxiously for news of how Hepworth and Tuilagi are progressing. Last week Leeds gave a debut to Adam Greendale and ought to let the non-traveling fans see the young man who has so much potential for themselves. The club needs to give this lad a good taste of the GP ready for when we return in eighteen months time. Players are now playing for contracts, as well as personal pride. It was good to hear this week that Tommy McGee has been rewarded for his sterling efforts this season with a new deal. Richard Welding has also secured an extension. We hope to see more of this winger now he has put his injuries behind him. Adam Balding, has shown an immense appetite for the fray since his loan move from Gloucester. If he is fit then he is a shoe-in for a start against ‘Quins. We are all hoping that he makes the move a permanent one.
It is always nice to welcome back to HC one of our own. This week it is Danny Care who returns. Danny has been an integral part of Harlequins recent success and is realising the potential that we all saw in him a couple of years ago. An England scrum half in the not too distant future for sure.
Back to Sunday's match which Harlequins should win. Well the form book says that they will. Will it be another breeze for the opposition? I do not think so. I expect the ‘Negies to show much more resistance and to dig in for a result. I can still remember a famous win against this opposition three years ago and am looking forward to another one. This Sunday?
Bookmark or share this story with:
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon| 9 Apr, 2008 22:13 | Report |
|
The Enchanter |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: The dark side of the street Posts: 2303 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Well said.
Lard and prard
Help the LCSA: Use our online mall
"And when the rain comes down, would you choose to walk or stay?
Would you choose to walk? Would you choose to stay?
Would you walk away?"
Lard and prard
Help the LCSA: Use our online mall
"And when the rain comes down, would you choose to walk or stay?
Would you choose to walk? Would you choose to stay?
Would you walk away?"
Reply•Quote
| 9 Apr, 2008 22:14 | Report |
|
Fan of Rugby (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 1088 |
| 9 Apr, 2008 22:19 | Report |
|
Registered User |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: Posts: 3061 |
| 9 Apr, 2008 22:43 | Report |
|
Tonight We Dine in the Carnegie Cafe - or not as the case may be! |
Date Joined: Nov, 2006 Location: Poo Hole! Posts: 928 |
| 10 Apr, 2008 11:30 | Report |
|
Viks (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: Posts: 802 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
We're hoping that Stretts should be fit, I'd imagine 14 rather than 13. Not sure what combo we're likely to put out in the centres, depends on injuries. Watch out for Mike Brown at FB, he likes a few mazy runs. Hope you've got some decent beef up front as our pack seems to have been more hit than miss lately.
Gutted I can't make the trip up to the homeland. With the exception of this game, all the best. Always like to have a Yorkshire team in the Prem.
Viks
Gutted I can't make the trip up to the homeland. With the exception of this game, all the best. Always like to have a Yorkshire team in the Prem.
Viks
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 11:55 | Report |
|
Fan of Rugby (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 1088 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Mike Brown's a good player, but defences are more aware of him this year. I hope Jordan Turner Hall plays, he's a cracking talent.
The Back Row battle should be interesting, our strongest area, and you have SKinner playing really well.
Danny Care should be up for it as well.
If you put pace on the game, the Leeds team won't be able to live with it.
The Back Row battle should be interesting, our strongest area, and you have SKinner playing really well.
Danny Care should be up for it as well.
If you put pace on the game, the Leeds team won't be able to live with it.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 12:17 | Report |
|
quins_hants (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 124 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Hope that it is a good game this weekend. Sorry to see that you are likely to go back down again, perhaps, if you can keep your squad together this time, they can gain more experience playing together and make an assault to return for 2009/10.
You have had horrific luck in the injuries this season, but from an outside perspective, when you DoR said at the start of the season that you didn't need to add much to the squad to complete, it did look bad from that point onwards. Even though we kept most of our team when we went down, we still struggled to get back up to speed with the GP when we first came back up.
Hope you have a great day on Saturday, and remember, Keep the faith - it is all too easy to support the team when it is going well, now is when the real fans stand up to be counted.
You have had horrific luck in the injuries this season, but from an outside perspective, when you DoR said at the start of the season that you didn't need to add much to the squad to complete, it did look bad from that point onwards. Even though we kept most of our team when we went down, we still struggled to get back up to speed with the GP when we first came back up.
Hope you have a great day on Saturday, and remember, Keep the faith - it is all too easy to support the team when it is going well, now is when the real fans stand up to be counted.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 12:48 | Report |
|
The Kid (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 394 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Quote:Fan of Rugby
Mike Brown's a good player, but defences are more aware of him this year. I hope Jordan Turner Hall plays, he's a cracking talent.
When Turner Hall plays we are a million times worse than when Tosh Masson plays IMO. Jordan doesn't pass the ball anywhere near as well or as often as he should. When tosh plays we score tries.
As for the back row, Hopefully we'll have Chris Robshaw back to play blindside, and he's been a revelation this year. Makes a huge difference.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 14:19 | Report |
|
Fan of Rugby (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 1088 |
| 10 Apr, 2008 15:43 | Report |
|
Harley Quin (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Aug, 2004 Location: Posts: 1294 |
| 10 Apr, 2008 16:38 | Report |
|
JTD (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Feb, 2005 Location: Posts: 1124 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Very true HQ. I have mixed feeling about this one, being of Northern stock and all that.I really don't want us to be the team that sends Leeds down but its a MUST WIN for both teams...for opposite reasons. I remember how I felt on that long drive back on the Quinssa bus back from Headingly a few years ago and the empty feeling after losing to Sale on the last day. It'll be a sad day for Yorkshire but Quins must prevail in this one.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 16:46 | Report |
|
Fan of Rugby (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 1088 |
| 10 Apr, 2008 17:37 | Report |
|
Fat Cat (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: Posts: 225 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Looking forward to a cracking weekend in Ottley / Leeds. I just hope that we play to our potential and we have a much happier trip home than the last time we were up for a game! God that coach trip home after that mid week game was the longest and most depressing of my life!!
With the exception of this game, good luck for the rest of the season.
With the exception of this game, good luck for the rest of the season.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 17:38 | Report |
|
Fat Cat (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: Posts: 225 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Looking forward to a cracking weekend in Ottley / Leeds. I just hope that we play to our potential and we have a much happier trip home than the last time we were up for a game! That coach trip home after that mid week game was the longest and most depressing of my life!!
With the exception of this game, good luck for the rest of the season.
With the exception of this game, good luck for the rest of the season.
Reply•Quote
| 10 Apr, 2008 20:29 | Report |
|
Registered User |
Date Joined: Apr, 2008 Location: Posts: 57 |
| 11 Apr, 2008 07:24 | Report |
|
Biglad (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 254 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
I think if quins dont become to cocky and under-estimate you guys, I feel we should give you a good run for the money, with how we are playing at the moment, we are very dangerous in most areas.....Good luck for all the fixtures after the mighty quins come to you!
Biglad.
You cant beat a bit of training.
"The relationship between the Welsh and the English is based on trust and understanding. They don't trust us and we don't understand them." - Dudley Wood (1986)
Biglad.
You cant beat a bit of training.
"The relationship between the Welsh and the English is based on trust and understanding. They don't trust us and we don't understand them." - Dudley Wood (1986)
Reply•Quote
| 11 Apr, 2008 08:54 | Report |
|
Registered User |
Date Joined: Feb, 2008 Location: Posts: 415 |
| 11 Apr, 2008 09:14 | Report |
|
jamesinyork (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2007 Location: Posts: 548 |
| 11 Apr, 2008 12:09 | Report |
|
The Prof (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Sep, 2003 Location: Posts: 5632 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
Flanker, Chris Robshaw comes back into the starting XV after failing a late fitness test before the Falcons match, so Tom Guest will move back to number eight. The only other change will see Ollie Kohn partner George Robson in the second row.
On the bench, three England players Andy Gomarsall, David Strettle and Nick Easter all take up places.
The full team is as follows:
15. Mike Brown
14. Tom Williams
13. Ugo Monye
12. Jordan Turner-Hall
11. Simon Keogh
10. Adrian Jarvis
9. Danny Care
1. Ceri Jones
2. Tani Fuga
3. Mike Ross
4. Ollie Kohn
5. George Robson
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Will Skinner (Capt)
8. Tom Guest
Bench
16. Gary Botha
17. John Brooks
18. Jim Evans
19. Nick Easter
20. Andy Gomarsall
21. David Strettle
22. De Wet Barry
On the bench, three England players Andy Gomarsall, David Strettle and Nick Easter all take up places.
The full team is as follows:
15. Mike Brown
14. Tom Williams
13. Ugo Monye
12. Jordan Turner-Hall
11. Simon Keogh
10. Adrian Jarvis
9. Danny Care
1. Ceri Jones
2. Tani Fuga
3. Mike Ross
4. Ollie Kohn
5. George Robson
6. Chris Robshaw
7. Will Skinner (Capt)
8. Tom Guest
Bench
16. Gary Botha
17. John Brooks
18. Jim Evans
19. Nick Easter
20. Andy Gomarsall
21. David Strettle
22. De Wet Barry
Reply•Quote
| 13 Apr, 2008 13:49 | Report |
|
rob101 (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Mar, 2006 Location: Posts: 2944 |
Re: Bloodied but Unbowed...
its a game of rugby, and lets face it anything could happen, and its a bit soggy. Quins need to go out and score tries, they need to get all the extras. The tykes are playing for pride, so I guess this is going to be a great game to watch, shame I'm at home and listening on the interweb
Reply•Quote
| 13 Apr, 2008 21:18 | Report |
|
haxbytyke (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Jan, 2008 Location: Posts: 284 |
| 14 Apr, 2008 00:00 | Report |
|
bazquin (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: May, 2006 Location: Posts: 231 |
| 14 Apr, 2008 00:05 | Report |
|
haxbytyke (IP Logged) Registered User |
Date Joined: Jan, 2008 Location: Posts: 284 |
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
More Leeds Carnegie headlines
- Leeds bid farewell to Premiership and Players
- Ashes to ashes: Leeds v Wasps
- Carnegie seeks New Director of Rugby
- Nothing to Lose Except Dignity
- Goodbye, And Thanks!
- Leeds Crash back to the ND1 Naughty Step
- Harlequins Provide Hammering at Headingley
- Leeds Lose out to Bouyant Bath
- Team News: Bath vs Leeds Carnegie
Leeds Carnegie latest threads
Leeds Carnegie Poll
