Premiership Rugby Cup - Tigers vs Worcester

[JP14]

Here’s a chance to get revenge with Round 4’s defeat to the Warriors and I’m expecting Worcester to name a very strong side for this weekend’s fixture.

I’m thinking something like this:

1 Feao
2 Kerr
3 Heyes
4 Jordan
5 Lewis (I think Wells deserves a rest)
6 Tuilagi
7 Reffell
8 Mapapalangi
9 White
10 Hardwick
11 Apsland-Robinson
12 Worth
13 Smith
14 Olowofela
15 Owen
16 Mahoney
17 Gigena
18 Cortes
19 Lavin
20 Smith
21 Escurra
22 Costelow
23 Law

[Mark62]

I think you will see more of the intended side for Gloucester fed in over the next 2 weeks with both Spencer and Kitchener needing game time

[MikeR]

I think that side would be hammered . We need to be getting combinations ready for the Gloucester game - lets hope MOC's lack of advance planning is a thing of the past.

[voice of the crumbie]

I think that side would be hammered . We need to be getting combinations ready for the Gloucester game - lets hope MOC's lack of advance planning is a thing of the past.

Couldn't agree more, Mike R. Whilst I applaud development of our youngsters we have to see the bigger picture. The Gloucester game will be difficult enough without having to field players who, whilst uninjured, are not fully match fit. Putting out "undercooked" players against Exeter was part of the reason for MOC's demise and rightly so. As Santayana said "He who forgets the past is condemned to repeat it."

[TTRITH]

15. Jordan Olowofela
14. Adam Thompstone
13. Gareth Owen
12. George Worth
11. Sam Apsland-Robinson
10. Tom Hardwick
9. Ben White
1. David Fea'o
2. Jake Kerr
3. Joe Heyes
4. Sam Lewis
5. Graham Kitchener
6. Valentino Mapalangi
7. Tommy Reffell
8. Freddie Tuilagi

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Facundo Gigena
18. Gaston Cortes
19. Cameron Jordan
20. Mike Fitzgerald
21. Sam Harrison
22. Joe Ford
23. Matt Smith

[RagingBull]

The real revenge game will be Worcester away honestly don’t care about this result.

Would go with
1. Faeo
2. Kerr
3. Heyes
4. Kitchener
5. Jordan
6. Lewis
7. Reffell
8. Mapapalangi
9. Harrison
10. Hardwick
11. Thompstone
12. Worth
13. Owen
14. Aspland-Robinson
15. Olowofela

16. Mahoney
17. Gigena
18. Cortes (if fit ma’afu If not)
19. Fitzgerald (if fit Tuilagi if not)
20. Smith
21. White
22. Ford
23. Smith

[BFG]

Stick with it, rotate starting players and bench options wherever possible from those senior players who have not had much game time and returnees to provide some stability for the younger players to play off and show what they have got and go and win the game.
They had that opportunity on Saturday, some turned up and some didn't but importantly things were learned!
Young players who don't play don't develop OR find their level and we are just left with more questions than answers, if they don't perform then next years crop will be banging on the door.
I disagree about not caring about the game, it's an opportunity and the pressure to perform should be present.
Senior pro's shouldn't be undercooked for Gloucester, it's not pre-season, they should have a small rest to rid the body of the worst niggles where needed and then a good week or so training and be fresh for the next stretch of matches as it isn't just about the Gloucester match and it's not a cup final.

[trendylfj]

I wouldn't risk Telusa for this game whatever the state of his leg - if we need to give him game time ahead of Glaws then the following week would be ideal not this week. I would also apply that to other senior players - rest or bench this week and start next week.

[TTRITH]

I wouldn't risk Telusa for this game whatever the state of his leg - if we need to give him game time ahead of Glaws then the following week would be ideal not this week. I would also apply that to other senior players - rest or bench this week and start next week.

I wasn't thinking... ruddy heck.

I also would not risk Telusa, even if he is fit; Thompstone it is. I've also picked Matt Smith twice... I mean I know he's got a Tardis but that would create a paradox. I meant to put Gareth Owen to start; with Smith on the bench.

I'm having a mare. Apparently Kitchener could have started and been on the bench.

I need a lay down.

[trendylfj]

I wouldn't risk Telusa for this game whatever the state of his leg - if we need to give him game time ahead of Glaws then the following week would be ideal not this week. I would also apply that to other senior players - rest or bench this week and start next week.

I wasn't thinking... ruddy heck.

I also would not risk Telusa, even if he is fit; Thompstone it is. I've also picked Matt Smith twice... I mean I know he's got a Tardis but that would create a paradox. I meant to put Gareth Owen to start; with Smith on the bench.

I'm having a mare. Apparently Kitchener could have started and been on the bench.

I need a lay down.

hehehehe

[JP14]

Can see senior players being put on the bench to be utilised in the 2nd half perhaps.

[JP14]

It doesn’t matter what team we put put really, last year’s match versus Bath showed that our development team are capable of upturning any senior side thrown at it. Yes we ultimately lost that match because of Chris Baumann and Freddie Burns acting like a cocky little :censored to a team made of players who he had barely played with and were not at all involved in the reason he left.

[jgriffin]

Anything like last round, Wuss will bring their 1st XV

[BFG]

Anything like last round, Wuss will bring their 1st XV

I was intrigued by their result and had a look at their previous team list against the Ospreys and was surprised to discover that they had made changes.
They appear to be building depth!

[JP14]

I might have to change my predicted matchday squad (as will others) as I have just learned that Mapapalangi (and Kalamafoni) have been selected by Tonga for the Autumn Internationals. But then again he might be available as this weekend is outside the test window isn’t it