Tigers v Saints

[Cagey Tiger]

I would be happy with JP Doyle

+1

I think Ellis makes an interesting point… why risk Hartley at this stage in the season…?

Because if playing him constitutes a risk, why play him ever?!

In general, I would agree with you, but Hartley's degree of combustability increases significantly against Tigers. Saints only have pride and one-upmanship at stake on this game, but if he were to get sent off - he does have form - he would miss the semi and possibly the final.

[L Smith]

There's all sorts of speculation but it's nothing more than that.
IMHO, we won't even know the 2x 23's on Friday; expect some 'enforced changes' on both sides on Saturday at the eleventh hour!
Intriguing, n'est-ce pas?

Voldemort has said he'll do what he thinks he needs to do in order to win the Premiership.
Read into that what you will!

[RagingBull]

Ghiraldini sounds like he is out, Parling might as well.

Assuming Leo, Geoff, Allen and Bai are out would go with:

1) Mulipola, 2) Youngs, 3) Cole
4) Thorn, 5) Kitchener
6) Gibson, 7) Salvi 8) Crane
9) Youngs, 10) Burns
12) Loamanu, 13) Tait
11) Goneva, 14) Thompstone, 15) Morris

16) Thacker, 17) Ayerza, 18) Balmain, 19) Slater, 20) Pearce, 21) Harrison, 22) Bell, 23) Catchpole

[covrich]

Loamanu looked good when he came on, that guy is a serious unit, I assume he can fit in at 12 okay

[Will S]

The only reason Saints would put out a full strength team is pride and Jim is too shrewd to get caught in that trap. They know Tigers will be fighting for their life and it will be a hugely physical game and the last thing they want is for a front line player to pick up an injury before the semis. Even if they get beaten with a weakened team it won't knock their confidence or momentum as they will know they put out a weakened team. If they put out a full team and get beaten then it may well dent their confidence and also expose them to the risk or either injury or even suspensions (they don't have a good record against us on this).

I know Chiefs have done well against Saints this year but I actually think that given the option Saints would prefer to have Chiefs in the semis than Tigers. At full strength we are one of the few teams that can repel their forward power so I actually think Saints wouldn't mind us coming third anyway.

We shall see....

[G.K]

Don't think there is a realistic chance of meeting Saints in semis so I think they'll ring a few changes and be told to just go out and play. This might confuse Tigers who often seem to struggle to adapt their game.

[Tigerbeat]

On Rugby Tonight they showed Exeters record against the top four sides: Won 5 Lost 3. Two of those losses were to Tigers!!!!
Saints may not want an Exeter tie?

[Doghashadhisday]

Forget all this who would want to play who and who should be rested etc. Simple - win the next game and then see what happens. Focus should be on that and that alone. Win the next game and we have a shot at the title lose it and we risk missing out on the party.

[Maidman]

I think if I was Jim I might rest Hartley, or at the very most have him on the Bench. Maybe rest Ma'afu as well. Those boys can be a bit temperamental under pressure!

I suspect that Jim might put out a slightly under par 15, but it wont be a very weakened team. We're gonna have our work cut out, but I reckon it is within our grasp, even with a new centre partnership.

[APM16]

Premiership site
Referee: Matthew Carley (31st Premiership game).

[pipkoi]

Had it confirmed from Tigers today that the Crumbie & ABC bars are open on Saturday. Originally they were going to be closed, but Tigers have had a re-think.
Droglites bar is closed
See you all Saturday

[LE18]

Hope the guinness does not run out before the game starts!

[RagingBull]

anyone else notice that the general consensus is that:

1) saints put out weakened squad Tigers win
2) Saints put out first team Tigers lose.

I think it is fairly unfair considering our home record is pretty damn good.

Might just be me that noticed it.

[G.K]

The one that worries me is:

3) Saints put out weakened team Tigers lose

[RagingBull]

as said it was the general consensus .