Pau vs Tigers - Sat 18 Jan 20

[Mark62]

Change of ref with Ben Whitehouse now the man in the middle for our game in Pau

Not unhappy with that

[Mark62]

Personally I would go with as conservative a team as possible.
IMO there are players we need to protect before the Bath match.
Therefore I wouldn’t risk Lavanini Taufua, Reid or Vieanu in Pau.

The good news is Lavanini still appears (according to Instagram) to be at home. Taufua seems to be on his travels too (Amsterdam), so I doubt either of them are going to be around if they aren't training this week.

I have to say this is an excellent move by the management, they have both played a lot of rugby before joining up with Tigers, and we will need them a lot for the remainder of the season. Give them a break while we can

[Jimmy Skitz]

1 Bateman
2 TPN
3 Leatigaga
4 Batley
5 Spencer
6 Lewis
7 Reffell
8 Boladau
9 Simmons
10 Hardwick
11 Olowofella
12 Eastmond
13 Thomas
14 Hughes
15 Worth

16 Kerr
17 Gigena
18 Heyes
19 Wells
20 Coughlan
21 White
22 Reid
23 Thompstone

[jgriffin]

Change of ref with Ben Whitehouse now the man in the middle for our game in Pau

Not unhappy with that

Was excellent when he started, very decisive and to the Laws but went off the boil, like too many do, in the name of 'entertainment. Better than Clancy though!

[Mark62]

Change of ref with Ben Whitehouse now the man in the middle for our game in Pau

Not unhappy with that

Was excellent when he started, very decisive and to the Laws but went off the boil, like too many do, in the name of 'entertainment. Better than Clancy though!

Not difficult
Think it was Leinster game he did at the weekend and was ok. Think he was being mentored by Nigel initially

[CrumblingTerrace]

I'd select all of the guys who will be stepping up for internationals, to get them into the groove, and then let the youngsters have a go...
- Bateman for Genge
- Leatigaga for Cole
- White for B.Youngs
- Hardwick for Ford
- Taute for Tuilagi
- Hughes for May

[johnthegriff]

Several of those will be highly flattered at being classed as youngsters.

[Mark62]

I'd select all of the guys who will be stepping up for internationals, to get them into the groove, and then let the youngsters have a go...
- Bateman for Genge
- Leatigaga for Cole
- White for B.Youngs
- Hardwick for Ford
- Taute for Tuilagi
- Hughes for May

I think we have to assume that all 6 will be called up to the initial 6 nations training squad, though they won’t all necessarily make the match day squad

[longlivethecrumbie]

Change of ref with Ben Whitehouse now the man in the middle for our game in Pau

Not unhappy with that

Was excellent when he started, very decisive and to the Laws but went off the boil, like too many do, in the name of 'entertainment. Better than Clancy though!

That's not hard - our 3 year old is better than Clancy!

[teds]

1 Bateman
2 TPN
3 Leatigaga
4 Batley
5 Spencer
6 Lewis
7 Reffell
8 Boladau
9 Simmons
10 Hardwick
11 Olowofella
12 Eastmond
13 Thomas
14 Hughes
15 Worth

16 Kerr
17 Gigena
18 Heyes
19 Wells
20 Coughlan
21 White
22 Reid
23 Thompstone

I like your selection. Maybe Reffell as captain?

[Tigerbeat]

I would go with a similar side to last week to build up for the Bath game....2 week break after that before the Wasps game!

[strawclearer]

Geordan Murphy says Jonah Holmes is fit to face Pau after being picked by Wales for the Six Nations today.

Jonny May won’t feature with a knee injury, Guy Thompson and Nephi Leatigaga will miss the game.

Manu Tuilagi is also available for selection.

[Jimmy Skitz]

Geordan Murphy says Jonah Holmes is fit to face Pau after being picked by Wales for the Six Nations today.

Jonny May won’t feature with a knee injury, Guy Thompson and Nephi Leatigaga will miss the game.

Manu Tuilagi is also available for selection.

Start Holmes at FB then I wouldn't start Manu now unless we think he needs a run out before the next Prem game, other than Cole & Heyes who would be next in line at tight head?, unless Bateman switches?

[OakhamTiger32]

This match is on BT Sport/ESPN at 1245 on Sat.

If you don’t have this channel there are likely to be 2 options for those that want to watch the game but aren’t making the trip to France:

1) Watch it on the EPC Rugby website as it will likely be streamed live. They will announce which matches are being shown in the next few days. This is likely to be the best option.

https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cup/

2) Watch it in BeIN Sports. “beIN SPORTS’ coverage includes the Saturday lunchtime match between Pau and Leicester Tigers in Pool 5”.

How to get beIN Sports in the UK:

The easy way to get beIN Sports in UK, is by subscribing to beIN CONNECT and use a VPN. I haven’t done this myself so can’t comment on it but it’s an option.

[ABClub]

With those guys absent/available:

1.Gigena
2.Kerr
3.Heyes
4.Wells
5.Spencer
6.Lewis
7.Reffell (vc)
8.Boladau

9.White (c)
10.Hardwick

11.Holmes
12.Eastmond
13.Taute
14.Olowofela
15.Worth

16.Polota-Nau
17.Bateman
18.Cole
19.Jordan
20.Coghlan
21.Simmons
22.Costelow
23.Steward

As said in a previous post I think getting Hardwick game time with 12.Eastmond/Reid 13.Taute is important before Lenny, Ford and Manu are away with Englannd again. I really hope Hardwick is at 10 rather than Reid. I rate Reid highly and think he has grown into the side with Ford back at 10 but Hardwick and Costelow are brilliant talents to bring through, whereas Reid is best at 12.

Like most French club sides Pau have a big pack so experience in the bench forwards would be good in the second half.