Quins

[darganj]

Looking at the remaining fixtures and with both teams in a downward spiral, I think whoever loses this definitely won't finish top 4.

BIG GAME. Start Pearce and get that lump over the gain line.

Every team has got to play 10 out of the other 11 teams again, do not sure what your getting at concerning remaining fixtures

Cheers for that Poirot.

But the timing of the fixtures this year is more important than ever, as some teams aren't recognisable during the 6 nations.

[Noddy555]

Having said last Friday that we must field our best available side against Newcastle, I'm a bit perplexed as we did and look at the result,
perhaps we should field all our Juniors they seem to have the motivation and team spirit lacking in our first team squad. I would like Cockers to show this post to all first team squad members it may shame them into trying a bit better this Friday.

[4071]

Evans crocked! Don't take this the wrong way, I wouldn't wish a serious injury on any player, least of all a decent egg like him... but that is :censored: good news for us. That could send Quins into free fall. After last weeks botch Botica will be feeling the heat. With some of our leaders and turnover specialists back there really will be no excuse this time.

IIRC its not too long ago that Botioa played 10 against us while Evans was injured and had a belter (or was it just a half?). Just because we like to shoot our own players for a short-term dip in form doesnt mean we can safely apply the same medicine to others.

It's more that the game against us was a very short-term spike in form. Botica (and Swiel) are a very long way behind Evans, which is why Evans starts EVERY Premiership/not-Heineken Cup for which he's available. No rotation, even though he's in his mid-30s.

[TomWeston]

Don't worry, Noddy, a friend tells me that Cockers has a compendium of your posts which he consults every night when he goes to bed.

[4071]

Looking at the remaining fixtures and with both teams in a downward spiral, I think whoever loses this definitely won't finish top 4.

BIG GAME. Start Pearce and get that lump over the gain line.

Every team has got to play 10 out of the other 11 teams again, do not sure what your getting at concerning remaining fixtures

Cheers for that Poirot.

But the timing of the fixtures this year is more important than ever, as some teams aren't recognisable during the 6 nations.

So what is your analysis of the remaining fixtures for both teams (and the surrounding pack) that suggests the loser of this match will not make the play-offs?

[darganj]

You are going to need about 65 points to make top 4 this year. Little bit less than normal due to this period with weaker teams beating some top ones. Normally around 68-69 points.

Leicester are :censored: at getting bonus points so are probably going to need 7 wins out of 10 to make it.

Bath, Sale and Saints away are all very difficult fixtures and there are another few that are far from certainties in the next few weeks. Wasps away is an absolute write off in my book during 6 nations and Exeter at home will be tough. So on form I reckon maybe 4 or 5 are should wins plus this Quins game as a 50/50.

If Leicester blow this week then it is 7 out of 9 and I just don't see the team managing that. This week is a must.

[Brianf]

Quins have signed Sam Egerton, the England 7s Player, as short term cover for Karl Dickson, who is out for two months with a broken hand.

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/ne ... rl-dickson

[strawclearer]

Match officials - Ref: JP Doyle; Asst Refs: Roy Maybank & Wayne Falla; TMO: Sean Davey.
Let's hope we play the ref a bit better than we have recently!

[wellstiger]

After recent performances are we suggesting A WIN at Quins.

First we need to play like a team.

Don't panic Mr MAINWAIRING......

KEEP CALM CARRY ON

[floridaboy]

After recent performances are we suggesting A WIN at Quins.

First we need to play like a team.

Don't panic Mr MAINWAIRING......

KEEP CALM CARRY ON

......... Stupid boy

[Cagey Tiger]

After recent performances are we suggesting A WIN at Quins.

First we need to play like a team.

Don't panic Mr MAINWAIRING......

KEEP CALM CARRY ON

After recent performances, are you suggesting that Quins are nailed on favourites to win?

[Soggypitch]

This match could go either way, as Ian C said on radio Leics last night, a lot will depend on who gets the best start.

The team will be announced today at noon, very difficult to predict given all the players returning from injury (supposedly), but here goes;

Veainu
Betham
Manu
JDV
Thompstone
Kitto
Burns
Ayerza
Youngs
Balmain
Slater
Fitzgerald
Croft
McCaffrey
Pearce

Logo
Thacker
Bateman
Kitchener
O'Connor
Harrison
Smith
Tate

Well you can hope!!

[Jon]

This match could go either way, as Ian C said on radio Leics last night, a lot will depend on who gets the best start.

The team will be announced today at noon, very difficult to predict given all the players returning from injury (supposedly), but here goes;

Veainu
Betham
Manu
JDV
Thompstone
Kitto
Burns
Ayerza
Youngs
Balmain
Slater
Fitzgerald
Croft
McCaffrey
Pearce

Logo
Thacker
Bateman
Kitchener
O'Connor
Harrison
Smith
Tate

Well you can hope!!

I like the look of this team. Keen to see Kitto get a run out - as he provided some pace last week in a lacklustre team. My only thought is, would there be wholesale changes - bringing Manu, JDV, Slater in from the start or off the bench?

[SuperEagle]

Team is up

Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, away, Friday 7.45pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Peter Betham
13 Matt Smith
12 Manu Tuilagi
11 Telusa Veainu
10 Freddie Burns
9 Sam Harrison
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Ed Slater (c)
5 Mike Fitzgerald
6 Tom Croft
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Laurence Pearce

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Riccardo Brugnara
18 Logovi'i Mulipola
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Jordan Crane
21 Jono Kitto
22 Oli Bryant
23 Jean de Villiers

Harlequins: 15 Ross Chisholm, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Winston Stanley, 12 Harry Sloan, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Ben Botica, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 1 Mark Lambert, 2 Dave Ward, 3 Adam Jones, 4 James Horwill (c), 5 Charlie Matthews, 6 Mat Luamanu, 7 Luke Wallace, 8 Nick Easter.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Owen Evans, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 George Merrick, 20 James Chisholm, 21 Sam Egerton, 22 Tim Swiel, 23 Matt Hopper

I'm liking the look of this side. A lot

[silverfish]

Awful for Tom Youngs: he must have been desperate to show EJ and the rest he's the best English hooker out there, also awful for us since he is. Great to see O'Connor, Slater, Manu and Fitzgerald back, it's almost enough to make you feel optimistic again :)