Newcastle (A) Friday night -18th March 2022 - PRC

[RagingBull]

That’s assuming that
1. Martin sees himself as a lock
2. As you say Borthwick isn’t playing anyone who has played recently

[mightymouse]

George Martin is a regular 1st team .. and excellent one at that .. I definitely don’t think he should be playing in a game like this in any position. I see no reason why he would either want to leave or why we let him go!

That does look like a reasonably experienced Falcons team .. I no expert in them but I also recognise several names and some of them are decent players

[Rugbygramps]

That’s assuming that
1. Martin sees himself as a lock
2. As you say Borthwick isn’t playing anyone who has played recently

Good point I suppose I see him more as a lock, but what do I know.

Don’t think selection will change a great deal for the Irish game given that Exeter is only 2 days before, though we then have a free weekend before away at Clement so maybe if people need game time.
Who’d be a coach ??

[TigerFeetSteve]

That’s assuming that
1. Martin sees himself as a lock
2. As you say Borthwick isn’t playing anyone who has played recently

Good point I suppose I see him more as a lock, but what do I know.

Don’t think selection will change a great deal for the Irish game given that Exeter is only 2 days before, though we then have a free weekend before away at Clement so maybe if people need game time.
Who’d be a coach ??

I think the rest of the U20's lads Chessum jnr, Ilione, etc will be in the team

[baz1664]

15 Alex Tait, 14 Ollie Lindsay-Hague, 13 Max Wright, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Nathan Earle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Louis Schreuder; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Charlie Maddison, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 George Merrick, 5 Rob Farrar, 6 Callum Chick (captain), 7 Freddie Lockwood, 8 Tom Marshall.

Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Jamie Blamire, 21 James Blackett, 22 Joel Hodgson, 23 Zach Kerr.

[RagingBull]

IDK with the English lads both senior and U20 I expect a decent amount of changes for the Irish game.

[Old Hob]

A losing bonus point would still keep us top on points diff; Falcons 6pts, Tigers 9 pts currently

[Roadsweeper]

Blamire - last week comes on as a replacement for England V Ireland, throws one not straight and dropped.

This week reserve in the noddy cup, not even at hooker!

[TigerFeetSteve]

Blamire - last week comes on as a replacement for England V Ireland, throws one not straight and dropped.

This week reserve in the noddy cup, not even at hooker!

Shows how thin their squad is they can't rest him

[Scott1]

Why would Martin leave?!

[sapajo]

George Martin is a regular 1st team .. and excellent one at that .. I definitely don’t think he should be playing in a game like this in any position. I see no reason why he would either want to leave or why we let him go!

That does look like a reasonably experienced Falcons team .. I no expert in them but I also recognise several names and some of them are decent players

Well I recognoise Tait, Burrell,Earle,Chick,Blamire, Lindsay Hague and Hodgson

[Rugbygramps]

Why would Martin leave?!

Depends, I suppose it’s where he sees his future position. I’m not aware that before SB arrived anyone thought of him as a 6. With Liebenberg and probably Cracknell next season will he be third choice at 6, surely he’s too good for that. If everyone is fit he currently isn’t first choice, if Borthwick saw him as a lock I believe he would be and should be starting most weeks.

You just don’t know but if Quins for instance offered him a contract with an assurance he would be one of the starting locks, things could be interesting. All guess work of course, but who would have said at the beginning of this season that Ford and Genge would be off next

[Hot_Charlie]

Taute could easily be captain on Friday.

My crystal ball appears to have worked for once.

[MurphysLaw]

That's a very experimental Tigers squad - quite a lot of experience in the starting backs; not so much in the forwards, so it will be interesting to see how much ball they get.
Newcastle look to be putting out a much more experienced squad - at home, and probably giving this competition a higher priority.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Why would Martin leave?!

Depends, I suppose it’s where he sees his future position. I’m not aware that before SB arrived anyone thought of him as a 6. With Liebenberg and probably Cracknell next season will he be third choice at 6, surely he’s too good for that. If everyone is fit he currently isn’t first choice, if Borthwick saw him as a lock I believe he would be and should be starting most weeks.

You just don’t know but if Quins for instance offered him a contract with an assurance he would be one of the starting locks, things could be interesting. All guess work of course, but who would have said at the beginning of this season that Ford and Genge would be off next

Martin has played at 6 for England, I doubt he is going to be 3rd choice behind Cracknell. Ifbhe stays at 6 he will challenge and rotate in a very physical position for the first choice.

1. McGinty said in his interview that he was contracted for another year.

2. Due to the cap relief clauses the fact he's a ex academy player with us means we can offer him more than other clubs within the cap so it's unlikely other clubs will be able to pay as much as we are for him.