Team vs Ospreys

[Hull Fan]

My main concern is not with the starting line up (although it wouldn't be my choice but i'm not a DOR) is the lack of an obvious plan B from the bench.
It looks a bench of, if Plan A doesn't work lets keep bashing on with it just in case it starts to work.

[rich1576]

According to the Merc, Geordan was supposed to be fit again for this weekend. GM said that he was 90% fit for the Toulouse game but wanted to give it another week in prep for Ospreys.

I feel sorry for Ed Slater too. He got man of the match at Sale and now he can't even get into the matchday 22.

But of course look who's still there, Jordan Cockerill....I mean Crane. Anyone would think he was RC's love child though. Complete lack of leadership last week and same old crash it up.

[Darc Tiger]

But of course look who's still there, Jordan Cockerill....I mean Crane. Anyone would think he was RC's love child though..

I thought that was Smithy?

[rich1576]

He is but Cocker's has got him on the naughty step at the moment.

[Tigerbeat]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19989444

Interview with Cockerill

[TomR96]

Absolute rubbish team selection!!! After lasts week performance, there had to be new players coming in to the starting line up. I would of got rid of Jordan Crane and put in TTTE whilst moving Richard Thorpe to flanker, who knows what he's doing. I'd of put in George Ford as his tactical kicking is a lot better than Toby Flood. Maybe putting Toby Flood at inside centre and Manu outside, but that is a bit risky doing it now, why couldn't we try that earlier on in the season? After Adam Thompson scored a hat trick of tries against Exeter, he doesn't even get put on the bench, even though he got man of the match and finished his tries of well... rubbish!!! Bring back Pat Howard!!!!!

[rich1576]

Note to Jordan Crane and Richard Cockerill. Crash ball only works if you suck in defenders and then offload or recycle quick ball

[TTRITH]

Personally, I'd have gone with for this game

15. Scott Hamilton
14. Niall Morris
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Dan Bowden
11. Veriniki Goneva
10. Toby Flood
9. Ben Youngs
1. Marcos Ayerza
2. George Chuter
3. Dan Cole
4. Ed Slater
5. Geoff Parling
6. Steve Mafi
7. Richard Thorpe
8. Thomas Waldrom

16. Tom Youngs
17. Logo Mulipola
18. Martin Castrogiovanni
19. Graham Kitchener (I'd leave Louis till next week)
20. Jordan Crane
21. Micky Young
22. George Ford
23. Adam Thompstone

Really do not understand why Ayerza or Slater aren't starting; also unsure as to why Bowden hasn't been more involved unless his slight knock is more worrying than we are being told

[Darc Tiger]

After Adam Thompson scored a hat trick of tries against Exeter, he doesn't even get put on the bench, even though he got man of the match and finished his tries of well... rubbish!!! Bring back Pat Howard!!!!!

Smith got man of the match against Ex, and he only makes the bench. But it is harsh on Thompstone. Not the time to be throwing in Ford or playing Flood at 12. Especially when Flood has been playing pretty well. Argument for swapping Crane and Thorpe is fair though.

[Bill W (2)]

Almost unbelievable!

Last Sunday the back row were demonstrably unbalanced and the hinge inept.

So this Sunday we are going with the same?

Presumably we will see the Cole/Castro sub after 50 minutes and no others until 75.

Oh dear!

Still I keep the faith!

[Tom Tom]

Crane (get the ball and take 5 steps maximum and go to ground) is in MHO a very predictable waste of a place on the team.
Apart from the successful kick at goal in the shoot out, I am in difficulty to recall anything he has done that is memorable.
...and as a Captain!?!...I don't think so.
Someone really needs to get a grip with team selection.
From a very fed up & long standing ST holder.
I predict a boring loss on Sunday.
Prove me wrong - please.

[PM76]

People may be disappointed with this selection but are you suprised?? This is where Cockers and MOC are as coaches; they believe in their selections and methods and appear reluctant to change or even consider alternatives. If things "click", as thy did at the end of last year (bar the final) then this side is good enough to challenge for the prem and HC knock-out stages. At the minute however the style etc. is not working.

I think the side will win on Sunday but will probably let the Spreys get an LBP, meaning we will have to win in Ospreylia to qualify. I hope that by that point things will either have got better (as they did last year), or it will be another year out of Europe.

It's good to see Louis back even if Slater does deserve to be in the 23. My solution would have been to play:

4. Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Slater
7. Mafi
8. Waldrom

19. Deacon
20. Crane

but that would have been far too revolutionary!!

[Bill W (2)]

It's good to see Louis back even if Slater does deserve to be in the 23. My solution would have been to play:

4. Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Slater
7. Mafi
8. Waldrom

19. Deacon
20. Crane

but that would have been far too revolutionary!!

Hardly revolutionary! Sensible perhaps!

And since Youngs/Flood and Harrison/Flood do not work why not try Youngs/Ford??

[TigerLad]

It's good to see Louis back even if Slater does deserve to be in the 23. My solution would have been to play:

4. Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Slater
7. Mafi
8. Waldrom

19. Deacon
20. Crane

but that would have been far too revolutionary!!

Hardly revolutionary! Sensible perhaps!

And since Youngs/Flood and Harrison/Flood do not work why not try Youngs/Ford??

Youngs and Ford doesn't seem to work as well as other combinations from what we have seen against Sale. Saying that I think they need game time together to get an understanding of each other.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Unreal, here we go again.