Starting 15 for the Gloucester Game?

[Noddy555]

So lets speculate on what might be our starting 15 and subs for the Gloucester match. I'm going with this.

15 Veianu.
14 Thompstone
13 Betham
12 Mermoz
11 Brady
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge
02 Thacker
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Owen.
Backs: Kitto,Smith, Tait.

Variations on subs could include McCafferty and Roberts in place of Owen and Smith.

[strawclearer]

Having watched Question Time (with a nice Merlot) and This Week (accompanied by the required Blue Nun substitute), I'm going with...

15 Veianu.
14 Betham
13 Roberts
12 Mermoz
11 Thompstone
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge
02 Youngs
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Williams/Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Evans.
Backs: Kitto, Smith, Tait.

I may change this in the cold light of day...

[Spicer]

I'd honestly think it will depend on the Saracens match. A lot of the younger/fringe players (for example Harry Wells)were brilliant against Northampton. IF they can continue the form through the Saracens match and get a result then I see no reason to drop them for the premiership. You earn your opportunities and it's hardly like our first team have been playing well the last 5 matches.

[MikeR]

Barrow should start ahead of Fitzgerald

[wormus]

Having watched Question Time (with a nice Merlot) and This Week (accompanied by the required Blue Nun substitute), I'm going with...

15 Veianu.
14 Betham
13 Roberts
12 Mermoz
11 Thompstone
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge ***
02 Youngs
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Williams/Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Evans.
Backs: Kitto, Smith, Tait.

I may change this in the cold light of day...

As the Tigers V Glous is on the same day as Wales v England *** Genge may be there as cover still, I would love to see Ayerza back to his position.

[Qbec]

I tend to agree both Barrow & Wells amongst others have shown they have earned the right to be at the very least be bench players for this upcoming game.
But the outcome of sundays game may well have some bearing on wether this will be the case.

If Ellis is available then he should play for Tigers no doubt. If Marcus is fit enough at that time then perhaps a bench place maybe the best for him coming back from injury.

[kelmat]

So lets speculate on what might be our starting 15 and subs for the Gloucester match. I'm going with this.

15 Veianu.
14 Thompstone
13 Betham
12 Mermoz
11 Brady
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge
02 Thacker
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Owen.
Backs: Kitto,Smith, Tait.

Variations on subs could include McCafferty and Roberts in place of Owen and Smith.

JP should be ready so he told me last week, are we to include him somewhere?

[Scott1]

Still can't understand this ridiculous fascination with Fitzy at lock when along with Rhodes was arguably the best 6 in the AP last season and was our best forward last season from you guessed it 6 and was players POTS from yes you guessed it 6! Barrow and Slater in the second row with Fitzy at 6 and Williams as an impact player from the bench!

[Chobbsy]

So lets speculate on what might be our starting 15 and subs for the Gloucester match. I'm going with this.

15 Veianu.
14 Thompstone
13 Betham
12 Mermoz
11 Brady
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge
02 Thacker
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Owen.
Backs: Kitto,Smith, Tait.

Variations on subs could include McCafferty and Roberts in place of Owen and Smith.

Is Veianu fit again? It will be great if he is, really missed him
I may also go for Fitzgerald or Kitchener instead of Slater and Williams instead of Croft

[strawclearer]

Having watched Question Time (with a nice Merlot) and This Week (accompanied by the required Blue Nun substitute), I'm going with...

15 Veianu.
14 Betham
13 Roberts
12 Mermoz
11 Thompstone
10 Burns
09 Harrison

01 Genge
02 Youngs
03 Bateman
o4 Slater (Captain)
05 Fitzgerald
o6 Williams/Croft
07 O'Connor
08 Hamilton

Subs: McGuigan, Ayerza, Cilliers. Kitchener, Evans.
Backs: Kitto, Smith, Tait.

I may change this in the cold light of day...

ooops...I missed out Barrow...damn Merlot.

I'd bring him in and put Fitz on the bench instead of Kitch. Or maybe I'd play 16 depending on who Sir is.

[Noddy555]

I hope you are right about JPP if he is fit I'd put in the back line instead of Brady, but a centre pairing of Betham & Mermoz really excites me.

[Doghashadhisday]

Betham & Mermoz really excites me.

Should you really be getting excited at your age?

[ABClub]

Jack Roberts not being in the squad for Sarries suggest to me that the coaches want him for the 6 day turnaround to Gloucester. He usually excels in the AWC.

I wouldn't be surprised if Mermoz stays on the bench for Gloucester then starts against Bristol. Those two home games in a row present a good chance to get him involved.

Barrow will probably come straight back into the 23 too. Rightly so IMO. His hard carrying off 9 and tackling adds some much needed edge to our pack.

1.Genge 2.Youngs 3.Bateman 4.Barrow 5.Slater 6.Williams 7.Thacker 8.McCaffery
9.Harrison 10.Burns 11.Thompstone 12.Smith 13.Roberts 14.Betham 15.Tait

16.McGuigan 17.Rizzo/Ayerza 18.Cilliers 19.Kitchener 20.O'Connor/Hamilton 21.Kitto 22.Williams 23.Mermoz

I'd love to see something like that for Gloucs.

[Hot_Charlie]

I hope the Roberts/Mermoz pairing happens. International quality alongside Roberts' raw, developing talent and pace.

[BFG]

Still can't understand this ridiculous fascination with Fitzy at lock when along with Rhodes was arguably the best 6 in the AP last season and was our best forward last season from you guessed it 6 and was players POTS from yes you guessed it 6! Barrow and Slater in the second row with Fitzy at 6 and Williams as an impact player from the bench!

Fitzgerald works very hard but I would guess that the occasional missed tackle and the tries we conceded on first phase from the scrum, plus looking like he had lead in his boots early on when he left a big hole and Racing92 broke away before scoring in the semi-final last season hasn't helped his case at 6, but don't let the facts get in the way of a good argument!