London Irish (H) - 29th March 2022 - Prem Cup

[aslongaswebeatsaints]

Really enjoyable game last night. And I could see rest of crowd where also enjoying it. I’d add that the weakness at the restart was also due to some very good LI pressure from some of their experienced players.

Cannot add to the comments about the youngsters that has already been said. But just want to add on two of the “seniors” which last night did them no harm.

Murimurivalu. I think Kini is the most under-rated player in our squad and the most utilitarian player we have. And last night I’d add mentor to his list. He was everywhere. One place crashing in and gaining ground like a forward, another running in the line, and another catching and running in like a FB. I really hope we keep hold of him.

Saumaki. I don’t think it’s being wild to make a tentative prediction that Hosea is likely to be one of the outstanding Prem wingers of next season (perhaps the tail end of this one?). Why? He came with natural ability of lightning speed and surprising power but he initially seemed a bit clueless in his positional play and defence, seemed to fade a little, plus made a few mistakes. And even then he scored some worldly tries. However, as per his last few performances it’s clear the coaching team have really worked wonders on him and he’s looking more potent, faultless and integrated each game.

[Scott1]

Quick question,at 17-14 just before our next try had that maul detached when the player was brought down or did we have case for a penalty try?

[mol2]

Not quite sure what happened on the restarts - Chessum seemed dazzled by the lights and was jumping/being lifted a metre or 2 ahead of where he needed to be. Shame because he had a really good game apart from that.

The Chessum household must be like the set from Land of The Giants.

We have some good youngsters coming through.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Not quite sure what happened on the restarts - Chessum seemed dazzled by the lights and was jumping/being lifted a metre or 2 ahead of where he needed to be. Shame because he had a really good game apart from that.

The Chessum household must be like the set from Land of The Giants.

We have some good youngsters coming through.

Both teams struggled in with the high balls, especially the younger players. How many of them have much experience with floodlight stadiums? Hegarty for example was way better under the high ball than most, but he's experienced it more playing under floodlights with match pressure

[sam16111986]

Not quite sure what happened on the restarts - Chessum seemed dazzled by the lights and was jumping/being lifted a metre or 2 ahead of where he needed to be. Shame because he had a really good game apart from that.

The Chessum household must be like the set from Land of The Giants.

We have some good youngsters coming through.

He's never played with those lifters before so there could have been some mistimings.

Young Chessum looks very raw but there's bags of potential there. I'm sure Borthwick and game time at Nottingham will see him join his older brother in the first team engine room sometime in the next couple of years.

[Rugbygramps]

Not quite sure what happened on the restarts - Chessum seemed dazzled by the lights and was jumping/being lifted a metre or 2 ahead of where he needed to be. Shame because he had a really good game apart from that.

The Chessum household must be like the set from Land of The Giants.

We have some good youngsters coming through.

Both teams struggled in with the high balls, especially the younger players. How many of them have much experience with floodlight stadiums? Hegarty for example was way better under the high ball than most, but he's experienced it more playing under floodlights with match pressure

Certainly the one where Irish scored right from the kick off it seemed as though Tigers players lost the ball in the lights

[mol2]

I suspect our players were not used to the distance that the restarts were going and were back peddling.
The diffference between the range of premiership kickers to those in the junior ranks and lower divisions perhaps a factor too?

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Receipt of restarts has been a bit of an issue with our best XV if we are honest, not sure if its technical or psychological.

[westwinds31]

Receipt of restarts has been a bit of an issue with our best XV if we are honest, not sure if its technical or psychological.

I'm surprised at this, given Borthwick's attention to detail. Things like scrum, lineout, restarts...get that right and you're in the game.

[Rugbygramps]

Receipt of restarts has been a bit of an issue with our best XV if we are honest, not sure if its technical or psychological.

I'm surprised at this, given Borthwick's attention to detail. Things like scrum, lineout, restarts...get that right and you're in the game.

Totally agree especially as it’s sometimes referred to as the 3rd set piece

[Offside]

Looks like our shakey restart has been spotted and is being exploited, a bit like the city defence of corners. Need to practice variable distances and hang times. It seems our pods are static and realise they are in the wrong place too late. Possibly need to stand post the 10m and come forward quickly rather than try to move back and the lifter gets in the way of the retreat?

[Rugbygramps]

Out of the box thinking move Steward up to the area he will be competing against a chasing winger that he will win 9 times out of 10

[LE18]

I noticed early on the ploy of taking long restarts and kicking close to the goal posts, makes for the defenders to gain less ground when they kick back for touch.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Out of the box thinking move Steward up to the area he will be competing against a chasing winger that he will win 9 times out of 10

Doesn't the FB usually cover the middle to come forward? Whatever we do look slightly off in this area.
With Steward the savvy opponents are beginning to be more selective when they kick high to him...or they block like the Chiefs did with Whitton.

[Rugbygramps]

Out of the box thinking move Steward up to the area he will be competing against a chasing winger that he will win 9 times out of 10

Doesn't the FB usually cover the middle to come forward? Whatever we do look slightly off in this area.
With Steward the savvy opponents are beginning to be more selective when they kick high to him...or they block like the Chiefs did with Whitton.
[/quote

Don’t bring up Whitton still annoyed about that. Yes his ruling of the airwaves certainly causes opposition sides to alter their game plan.
Did anyone else notice that after the Whitton Incident he went up for a ball with all 6 studs showing