DingDong wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:12 pm
We need to shore up the 10/12 channel in defence otherwise expect Fordy to get pummelled. Manu at 12 would sort that!
Manu isn't a particularly good 12. Eddie moved away from that for England because he recognised Manu is a much better 13. We could put either Reid or Taute at 12 and get a better tackling option. Eastmond wasn't great in the tackle area but he did get a couple of handy turnovers and his read in defence got us a vital 7 points.
Tiglon wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:21 am
Reffell and Lewis together is a bit lightweight for me. Tough selection call if kalamafoni, Thompson and liebenberg are unavailable.
Both Lewis and Reffell are very good defensively but not the biggest ball carriers. If Spencer is back in the row with Lavanini then having them both in the backrow should be fine. Otherwise we might have to draft in Thom Smith or the loan signing to give us some more ballast ball in hand as Green doesn't carry.
The obvious solution is surely to play Wells at 6. He has had a good couple of games off the bench, carries harder than Lewis, and has much more experience, without us losing much in the lineout. Assuming Guy, SK, Hanro, and Spencer are out I'd go with:
1. Genge
2. TPN (give TY, who I think has been good, a rest)
3. Cole
4. Lavanini
5. Green
6. Wells
7. Reffell
8. Taufua
16. Youngs
17. Gigena
18. Leatigaga
19. Batley
20. Lewis
sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:22 pm
Both Lewis and Reffell are very good defensively but not the biggest ball carriers. If Spencer is back in the row with Lavanini then having them both in the backrow should be fine. Otherwise we might have to draft in Thom Smith or the loan signing to give us some more ballast ball in hand as Green doesn't carry.
sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:22 pm
Both Lewis and Reffell are very good defensively but not the biggest ball carriers. If Spencer is back in the row with Lavanini then having them both in the backrow should be fine. Otherwise we might have to draft in Thom Smith or the loan signing to give us some more ballast ball in hand as Green doesn't carry.
sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:22 pm
Both Lewis and Reffell are very good defensively but not the biggest ball carriers. If Spencer is back in the row with Lavanini then having them both in the backrow should be fine. Otherwise we might have to draft in Thom Smith or the loan signing to give us some more ballast ball in hand as Green doesn't carry.
Has Bolodau’s loan spell finished?
Yep he played for Nottingham on the 21st
I think that's why we signed Joe Batley, who played at 4 against Saints last week, he put in a good spell but we have 4 other locks, 5 if you include Lewis, so I cant see him starting, or being used in back row at the moment where we have loads of players if fit and alternative spare locks.
sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:22 pmManu isn't a particularly good 12.
Completely agree re the past, but that was then and he is a different player now. That channel is so vulnerable especially to passive tackles which Ford, Reid and Taute will concede when pounded by the Bears ferocious back row and centres. Temporarily we'll at least hopefully prevent a score so we can preserve any sort of lead, then stick him back at 13 where he belongs.
sam16111986 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2019 1:22 pmManu isn't a particularly good 12.
Completely agree re the past, but that was then and he is a different player now. That channel is so vulnerable especially to passive tackles which Ford, Reid and Taute will concede when pounded by the Bears ferocious back row and centres. Temporarily we'll at least hopefully prevent a score so we can preserve any sort of lead, then stick him back at 13 where he belongs.
Believe the match is very winnable , and our best chance is to turn the game into a good old fashioned ,messy arm-wrestle. Take and control the set piece and hit hard in the forwards.With the ball Bristol will cause problems if we are not vigilant and upto speed defensively from the breakdown and in midfield .Their chosen attacking method and lines (if you watch their previous matches) are however very predictable despite what looks initially like a 'laissez faire' approach to the game.Our pack , on paper is by far the stronger of the two and the threat we carry offensively can potentially damage anyone.I am really hopeful that a simple and 'traditional' approach will see us come through here.
Seemingly heading rapidly toward senility .....Not long or far to go now , in fact, getting worse daily.....
So, the tactic of aimlessly box-kicking to the midfield with no discernible chase won't work? I wonder if the coaches and players have worked this out yet?
RichieB wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 1:11 pm
So, the tactic of aimlessly box-kicking to the midfield with no discernible chase won't work? I wonder if the coaches and players have worked this out yet?
Well, as pretty well all the supporters realise that it's a fruitless exercise if coaches and players haven't then it really does prove a point!
We won't be as dominant in the scrum as last week but I have faith we can get a good win on Saturday. I believe Bristol may be starting to be on a poor run of form.
Formerly of Burbaaage (not Inkleh), now up north at uni
Wing Jordan Olowofela is available, but lock Will Spencer is still out with concussion and Hanro Liebenburg is still "a few weeks away" from returning, but has restarted training.
Murphy says Manu Tuilagi has suffered from a groin strain and he is unsure of his availability this week:
"Manu was unavailable [against Harlequins], he had a tight groin. We didn’t want the media storm around it so we said it was a selection issue."
Murphy adds that Guy Thompson is available for this weekend, having had a stuff neck, but hints his recent exclusion is form, not injury-based.
"It’s going to be tough because Tommy Reffell has been outstanding off the bench, so Guy might have to wait a few weeks for selection."
Last edited by strawclearer on Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Happy days clearing straw from the pitch before the Baa-Baas games! KBO
Wear a Mask>Protect The NHS>Save Lives
strawclearer wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:40 pm
Murphy on injuries:
Wing Jordan Olowofela is available, but lock Will Spencer is still out with concussion and Hanro Liebenburg is still "a few weeks away" from returning, but has restarted training.
Murphy says Manu Tuilagi has suffered from a groin strain and he is unsure of his availability this week:
"Manu was unavailable [against Harlequins], he had a tight groin. We didn’t want the media storm around it so we said it was a selection issue."
Murphy adds that Guy Thompson is available for this weekend, having had a stuff neck, but hints his recent exclusion is form, not injury-based.
"It’s going to be tough because Tommy Reffell has been outstanding off the bench, so Guy might have to wait a few weeks for selection."
Good to have Olowofela back, we need another option on the wing.
Don't understand the Manu thing, why would you want to avoid the "media storm" last week but not this week? I don't recall them saying it was a selection issue anyway - I think if they said that they didn't want to select him even though he was fit and available that would have caused more of a "media storm" than saying he has a tight groin.
I really don't think he's hinting that Thompson has been not selected based on form, he's just giving Reffell some deserved praise in the media.
