By ChrisC
October 21 2013

Unintended Consequences                                                                                                                As our visit was to be of indeterminate length we took our car down to Spain during the summer. The journey from the ferry ports at Bilbao or Santander is long but not arduous and, if care is taken with ferry times, can be accomplished within daylight hours.

Motorways are plentiful and while rarely busy this time they were unusually quiet with numerous retail outlets having closed down. Even the Guardia Civil was not much in evidence. 

The countryside of northern Spain is spectacular with wide plains and soaring mountains and when we see the numerous kettles of vultures we know we are truly back in Spain.  This time though these too were much fewer. 

It is my habit, upon arrival in the Xalon valley, to don a Tigers’ shirt and go to the local bar where Juan is always to be found in the early evening. His reaction to my appearance is unchanging; first there is much handshaking, embracing and back slapping then he will draw back and holding me at arms’ length say; “c’mon you Teegers” before collapsing in laughter as if it were the first time he’d uttered the bon mot. 

After the ritual is completed we’ll settle down with some wine and he’ll ask about our journey which is usually similarly unvarying but this time I asked him why the motorways were so quiet.  He explained that the Spanish government, in their quest for more revenue, have dramatically increased the tolls, so the indigenous population had returned to the normal highways which were now, once again, horrendously congested. 

 The consequential drop in revenue has been so dramatic that one of the private companies operating the motorways had become bankrupt. An unintended consequence was that the self same  government had been forced to take over the loss making operation. 

I then enquired where the vultures had gone. It seems that an EU edict has been implemented where the carcasses of dead farm animals, that had for millennia been left in the fields for the carrion to consume, have now to be collected for hygienic disposal. The unintended consequences are that vultures are fast dwindling with those that survive attacking young animals. Meanwhile foxes are entering the towns and villages in search of food. 

Unintended consequences.  Just as the hubris of ERC has brought about the unintended consequence of destroying the Heineken Cup. 

I confess to being a Luddite when it comes to rugby but it’s the endless tinkering with the laws that’s made me so.  

I listen to and read the positive comments relating to the latest meddling with the scrum and feel like the boy in Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes” as I watch another scrum collapse, another loose-head marching around the outside, another back row detaching himself early, another pair of front rows popping up like Meer cats and of course another scrum half feeding his forwards.  

All the while the referees, as bemused as anyone, huff and puff and randomly sanction. 

It happens repeatedly that the law makers dream up some new wheeze with the unintended consequence of making matters a whole lot worse or at best making no difference at all. 

Bonus points, since they were introduced for the 2000/1 season, have not influenced the top of the table position.  The teams that topped the table with bonus points would still have topped it without them. 

Lifting in the line out being legalised has led to this set piece becoming a maelstrom of offences and don’t start me off about the breakdown and league-union. 

And I’ll not again rehearse my opinion of stupidity of the play offs or the arcane LV= Cup. 

Just like governments our sport’s administrators obviously feel that they have “do something” when will such people just do less and leave us alone? 

Speaking of “innovation”- rugby on a Thursday night? Thursday?  Friday is bad enough but Thursday? 

Wasps’ meeting with Bayonne was a pretty scruffy affair with the visitors fuelling the stereotype by not travelling well, failing to make enough out of their dominant gigantic scrum in a first half when Wasps seemed to be playing in slow motion and reluctant to hold onto the ball past a couple of phases.  

After the break Wasps’ stepped on the gas, got their maul going and brought Christian Wade into the game.  This lad just must start on the wing for England who’ve needed somebody like him ever since Jason Robinson departed – a player who frightens the life out of opposition defences, something that none of England’s wingers do – even if they happen to actually be wingers of course and not full backs playing out of position. 

The following evening it was Tigers hosting Treviso.  The weary looking Tigers’ pack still went well enough and got field position with Thomas Waldrom making asses out of the Tigers’ selectors for leaving him out in the cold for so long as he put in a well deserved Man of The Match performance. 

The backs though had clearly mistaken the need to play at pace with merely being frenetic. It was at times an inaccurate, inconsistent and immature display with Toby Flood cast as the form teacher trying, without success, to control a team of twelve year olds who were having their first run about with a rugby ball. Flood eventiually drifted away from Youngs and again the midfield congealed.  

With headmaster Quelch now back in front line action on match days the kids had better stuff plenty of reading matter down the back of their shorts as he’ll be using his size nines in their direction if they don’t get a grip! 

Tigers got the requisite five points with the last gasp of a breathless encounter. Thompstone, as had Scully earlier, actually got the ball in space and made the most of it, as he usually does. 

Now the international circus starts so we have a couple of Premiership matches without the star players in the Premiership and the playing fields get metaphorically tilted. 

Dai Young is quietly building a good pack for Wasps and this construction is exemplified by the signing of young twenty-three year old Welshman Jake Cooper-Wooley from Cardiff Blues who’s making the most of his opportunity in the absence of injured Phil Swainson. 

Cooper-Wooley looks very impressive in the loose and it will be interesting to see how he goes opposite the returning Marco Ayerza in the set piece. Mulipola is, in the absence of Dan Cole on England duty, likely to move to the tight-head side prior to his joining the Samoa squad and be flexing his considerable muscle against Matt Mullan.  Signed from Worcester where his promise somewhat faded in the dysfunctional set up at Sixways and with injury curtailing his international aspirations, Mullan’s doing better under the tutelage of Young and looks to be getting back some of the form that saw him tipped as a star of the future. 

Tom Youngs will also be with England so Neil Briggs should get a start after regular appearances off the bench have got him into the swing of things while Dai Young has been rotating his options at hooker with the patience of Tom Lindsay being rewarded by his get some opportunities in the starting XV, where he’s already made three starts, another very modern and mobile forward. 

On Sunday though I rather think it’ll be the ex; Zebre, Aironi, Racing Metro, Gran Parma and Crociati Italian international Carlo Festuccia who’ll be partnering Mullan and Cooper-Wooley.  With over sixty caps the thirty-three year old L’Aquila born veteran brings plenty of experience and no little aggression to proceedings and looks to be forming a good understanding with Myall, Wasps’ new go to man at the line out. 

With Ayerza and Briggs both fresh and Mulipola having a dream start to the season I can see them being exceptionally mobile as well as edging the scrum, subject to the usual caveat of the match officials having some sort of clue as to what’s going on of course! 

Geoff Parling will also be absent with England as will Wasps’ Joe Launchbury. Two big losses whose absence brings the absurdity of playing important Premiership matches when Lancaster is messing about with players into sharp focus. 

I expect that Tigers will pair Graham Kitchener, a quite inspired signing for the 2011/12 season after the promise of another Worcester lock;  Richard Blaze, was so cruelly extinguished by injury, with either Louis Deacon or Ed Slater now that Steve Mafi looks likely to be restored to the blindside flanker spot. 

For Wasps Dai Young is the coach to finally bring the best from Kearnan Myall who, having loyally soldiered on at Leeds under the paucity of coaching ability and then, in a perfect example of exiting a frying pan for a conflagration had to serve his time at the equally dysfunctional Sale. 

I have always rated Myall and had he played with more accomplished clubs I’m sure he’d have got more international recognition than his three appearances for the Saxons (England A to  those of the Luddite persuasion!!) 

When ex Tigers’ favourite Wentzl went home I wondered who’d be the Wasps’ line out supremo, it’s Myall.  However without Launchbury, Cannon being a bit disappointing of late and Palmer injured, the Wasps’ lineout is likely to be predictable in its reliance on the talents of Myall whereas Tigers could have Deacon, Mafi and Kitchener (or Slater) to deploy.  So I see the line out being a challenging area for the hosts. 

The back row is interesting.  Tigers are, with the LV= rest period on the horizon, once again set to launch Salvi, while Wasps are likely to start Guy Thompson to try and stifle the Salvi threat. 

Now if you’ve not seen Thompson, another inspired spot by Young, ex of Jersey, keep your eye on this lad.  He managed seven tries from twenty appearances for the side whose home counts tomatoes and potatoes as its notable exports.  Thompson is another export from that beautiful island that’s worth looking out for.  Technically good, defensively superb, I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to competing against the best in the business. Though whether he’s ready for Salvi remains to be seen as does how the breakdown is refereed. 

With Mafi rumoured to be fit for the trip to Adams Park Ed Jackson, who did his best in a well beaten London Welsh side last term, will have his hands full if, with Ashley Johnson still injured, he is once again on the blindside.  

Ex Cheetah, South African Johnson, gives Wasps so much forward momentum that if he’s fit it’s hard to see him not usurping Jackson.  Will Jackson then return to his favoured #8 spot and depose young Kiwi Nathan Hughes, signed by Young from Auckland, who was quite superb against Bayonne?  To add to this treasure chest of talent James Haskell is once again fit and, Houdini-like has escaped the embrace of Stuart Lancaster (but not, if the tabloids are to be believed, that of Kelly Brook – some people have all the luck). 

Tigers are surely going to have Salvi joining with Mafi while the exciting Matera as in the wings but who’s to be at #8?  Tigers have of late shown a preference for Crane, and he’s played well. But, and it’s a big BUT, how can Waldrom, if fit, after his display against Treviso, fail to get the starting spot.  Coaches bore us to death saying how they select on form, so let’s see if the hyperbole is backed up and Waldrom starts. 

Behind the improved Wasps’ pack Joe Simpson looks in good form; sharp, feisty and accurate while with Ben Youngs, hoping that his edging back into form won’t be destroyed by the England coaches, gives way to David Mele who for me has looked the part whenever he’s had the chance. 

Will Simpson have the solid, but rarely inspiring, Goode outside him or the talented Joe Carlisle with whom Goode also fought for the starting shirt at Worcester? Surely Dai Young, when making his selection, will note that Goode, seemingly with an odd sort of axe to grind, gets himself into trouble whenever he plays Tigers, so I’d go with Carlisle who’s kicking well. 

With Flood also possibly away with England and Lamb injured I’m looking forward to seeing Owen Williams from the off.  The Welshman surgically dissected Tigers for Scarlets in the LV= Cup so it’ll be interesting and pivotal how he goes as part of yet another half back combination for Tigers.  I hope he’ll be great, he’ll kick anything and everything but I want to see his all round game at this level. 

Another ex Leeds and Sale (and Quins)player; Chris Bell has been in a job share with ex; Worcester, London Scottish, Moseley and Nottingham  Charlie Hayter for the Wasps’ inside centre berth as Bell has shuffled between inside and outside centre.  Great defensively and doesn’t take a backward step but does he have enough creativity in his game?  Maybe not but he’ll be a bulwark around which his team mates can coalesce and with the creative Dan Bowden sure to be at inside centre for Tigers it’ll be an interesting match up.  If Mele and Willams can get Bowden on the front foot there could be issues for Bell to address but if Simpson, especially, can get Bell similarly positioned Bowden’s defensive skills will be tested. 

The splendid Ben Jacobs is back at Wasps.  After a bit of a gap year when he played for Western Force in his native Australia and then for Kyuden Voltex (it’s owned by a Japanese electric company rather like EDF if you’re interested!) he’s back at Wasps where he spent a couple of seasons after being at Saracens. 

I’ve always thought him a good outside centre, quick in attack and resolute in defence. I expect to see him paired with Bell in the Wasps’ centre and opposite, if Goneva’s injury sustained in the opening exchanges against Treviso excludes the big Fijian, what looks to be the last man standing for Tigers; Terrence Hepetema.

 I’ve not seen enough of Hepetema  to form an opinion but then neither has Dai Young I guess.  If Goneva is fit then I can see some problems for Wasps but if it’s Hepetema?  Who knows?

As I’ve said already Christian Wade should be in the squad for England but with Lancaster in charge it could just as easily be Geoff Parling in the #14 shirt.

If Wade, by some fluke, plays for Wasps then Thompstone and Morris will have their hands full – actually correct that – everybody will have their hands full and another moment of brilliance from the young man could tip the scales in the home side’s favour.

If he’s absent and with Varndell out until Santa arrives then it’ll probably be ex Bedford Blue Josh Bassett on the left wing.  He had a patchy performance against Bayonne but took a sublime pass from Wade to score a try. He looks raw at this level and can be exposed defensively so Morris, Thompstone and Scully will want to get at him.

On the other wing, if Wade’s missing, it may be new signing; Tongan international William Helu.  I don’t know anything about him really.  He’s had a season each at Limoge, Grenoble, Rugby Roma Olympic, Bristol (for whom he managed ten tries from sixteen appearances) and Manly, so not exactly a “sticker” but he did score three tries in Wasps’ try fest against Viadana.  Other than that – I know nothing other than Dai Young has an eye for potential and the twenty-six year old does have over a dozen caps for his country.

Scully looked top notch for Tigers in a disjointed and disorganised back division and so as well as persuading the American Eagle to sign a long term contract I hope he’s selected against Wasps.

Finally as the last line of defence Niall Morris is pretty much the default with Tait still injured – my goodness he’s had some time on the sick over the years!  Morris looked back to form against Treviso and he’ll be a threat if Wasps give him some lovely kicks to run back at them.

For Wasps meanwhile the superb Masi is injured as is Daly.  If the situation is unchanged during the coming week then it’ll probably be Tommy Bell in the #15 shirt for Wasps bringing some consanguinity to the hosts’ back division.

He’s also spent time at Leeds and Sale and this is his second season at Adams Park where, in the main, he’s been a bit part player making just a couple of Premiership starts before this season.

If Daly’s fit he’ll be back with his Big Bertha of a boot, if not Tom Bell looks likely to retain the shirt.  He’ll bring solid defence and an occasional foray into the line which, if he did more often, could bring rewards.

Tricky match for Tigers and for Wasps who are badly in need of another victory to add to that against Worcester which was their first Premiership success since they triumphed over Gloucester on 17^th February.  Will they make it happen against a severely depleted Tigers?  Possibly so in a close encounter where the unintended consequences of our increasingly dysfunctional sport will be laid bare.

Wasps v Tigers Match Preview

Discussion started by TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk , 21/10/2013 22:23

TheLeicesterTigers.co.uk
21/10/2013 22:23

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:30:07:49:21 by Tiggs.

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seventyeight
21/10/2013 22:43

Thanks yet again for the detail - Always find it useful to be brought up to date with each of our oppos current squad, injuries and form.

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Rich W
22/10/2013 09:13

Thanks for that Mr C - top quality as always.

Whilst I consider myself a Crane fan I surely hope that Tank is rewarded with another start after last week.

I can only hope that the halves and centres - likely, whoever is finally available, to be a combination that has never appeared together previously - have had plenty of time this week to acquaint themselves!

...

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Johns
22/10/2013 12:35

Thanks Chris, excellent as always.

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odd-shaped vagaries
22/10/2013 15:56

Consanguinity .. you didn't let me down, and I see: with [con + blood [sang] = related, but how do they get 'sanguine', then, to mean confident / cheerful [o.k.; 'ruddy', just about]. which is the one we're familiar with? It's a sanguinely fabulous language, innit!

Thanks again for the insightful analysis, though if we can avoid shooting ourselves in foot, as is too commonly our wont at Adam's Park, this should be our game

'Lions led by donkeys' .. Lest we forget

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ChrisC
22/10/2013 16:09

Sanguine comes from another meaning aside from Red Chalk or blood. It's because as one of the ancient medical humors blood (sanguine) had the characteristics of being courageous, hopeful and amorous.

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Stopsy
22/10/2013 16:54

I thought it was from without blood i.e. without firey emotions?

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ChrisC
22/10/2013 17:17

Nope but I see where you're coming from.

It's somebody who's being relaxed, confident,
optimistic.

So: for example. "Although the centre partnership were disorganised they seemed sanguine about the future"

could equally be:

"Although the centre partnership were disorganised they seemed relaxed and optimistic that things would improve later"

As Roger said earlier it's what makes English such a wonderful language. With due deference to that of your forebears of course!

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odd-shaped vagaries
22/10/2013 17:33

So could be applied to the weekend ..

Sanguine Sunday - courageous + hopeful = amorous [with luck] in post-match, gory glory and good humo[u]r - relaxed, confident and optimistic


zazazizz

'Lions led by donkeys' .. Lest we forget

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Rich W
22/10/2013 18:28

Quote:

Stopsy
I thought it was from without blood i.e. without firey emotions?

So did I too.

...

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Tiger in the Bath
23/10/2013 09:53

Thanks Chris. Excellent as ever.

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