By Tightheed (on 29/10/02)
October 29 2002

What a difference a few weeks can make, less than a month ago we got humiliated by the hairy queens, we then battle for an away win in Europe then it is seven tries in two weeks and after last weekends result and a bonus point we must be riding high... But here come the Irish. A potential banana skin if I have ever seen one , seven points only one win from seven, second bottom in the table and the DoR stating publicly that he is under pressure. One look at the Irish squad shows it is stacked with quality, last weekend the team included Horak, Sackey, Appleford, Venter, Bishop, Everitt, Drotske, Strudwick, Gustard, Dawson,and Sheasby, all of them top class players.

The last two weeks we have seen the forwards beginning to turn the corner, solid scrums and dominant line outs have at last given the backs the platform they require to create openings. This coincides with us playing Huge in the back row and Stretch in the 2nd row, giving in my opinion a more balanced pack and as allowing us to use a more varied game plan than give it to Epi to run it from everywhere.

Speaking of Epi injuries allowing he must be in the reckoning for a recall to the wing this week with Liam moving to full back in place of Mr Wilkinson Snr however personally I would keep him on the bench until 30 minutes to go and bring him on to do his stuff.

Stand off is the position that Rob may change this weekend, he has already said Jonny will play but I feel he will bite the bullet this week (weather permitting) and start Godman at 10 and Jonny at 12.

I love predicting team selection and results so here is my first go at it for this game.

Peel, Brotherstone, Hurter, Hamilton, Grimes, Dunbar, Arnlod, Vyvyan, Charlton, Godman, Stephenson, Wilkinson (capt.), May, Noon, Botham.

Look out for part two later in the week when some squads have been announced and I will try and predict the score!!!

Onwards and upwards...

TIGHTHEED

So do you agree with Tightheed? If you have a different view then let us know on the Message Board!!