Exeter Chiefs 21st December

[Tiglon]

It's time to move on from the glorious 20-13 slaying of the mighty Calvisano, in which we were only denied a more historic scoreline by the dastardly pantomine villain with the whistle. The Exeter match is an opportunity to put out a very strong side and turn the season around with a monumental performance.

Something like this would do it for me:

1.Genge
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Lavanini
5.Green
6.Kalamafoni
7.Thompson
8.Taufua

9.Youngs
10.Ford

11.May
12.Taute
13.Tuilagi
14.Holmes
15.Veainu

16.Kerr
17.Gigena
18.Leatigaga
19.Spencer
20.Reffell (Liebenberg if fit)
21.Harrison
22.Reid
23.Worth

[Mark62]

I would go Spencer over Green, who I think is poor at the moment, Reffel over Thompson, and I don’t think Holmes is fit now till the new year

[JP14]

1. Genge
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Spencer
5. Lavanini
6. Kalamafoni
7. Reffell
8. Taufua
8. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Taute
13. Tuilagi
14. Thompstone
15. Veainu
16. Polota-Nau
17. Bateman
18. Leatigaga
19. Liebenberg (Lewis if not fit)
20. Thompson
21. Harrison
22. Hardwick
23. Worth

[RagingBull]

Liebenberg and Holmes won't be playing rugby this year IMO.
1. Genge
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Lavanini
5. Spencer
6. Kalamafoni
7. Reffell
8. Thompson
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Taute
13. Tuilagi
14. Veainu
15. Steward

16. Polota-Nau
17. Bateman
18. Leatigaga
19. Lewis
20. Taufua
21. White
22. Reid (Hardwick if Reid is inured)
23. Worth

[Tiglon]

Good point re: Holmes. Spencer/Green is a toss up for me, I haven't been impressed with either.

Not sure I would play 2 number 8's, probably best to put Ben Youngs at 9 instead.

I'm interested why others wouldn't start one of Taufua or Thompson. Has Refell done enough yet to be first choice? Is he ready?

[Mark62]

Good point re: Holmes. Spencer/Green is a toss up for me, I haven't been impressed with either.

Not sure I would play 2 number 8's, probably best to put Ben Youngs at 9 instead.

I'm interested why others wouldn't start one of Taufua or Thompson. Has Refell done enough yet to be first choice? Is he ready?

Re Reffell I think he is ready. The one thing about their back row is that it will be big so I would go for Taufua extra physicality

[RagingBull]

Reffell is most likely the best tackler in our squad and against Exeter we will need that.

[OakhamTiger32]

1. Genge
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Spencer
5. Lavanini
6. Kalamafoni
7. Reffell
8. Taufua
8. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Taute
13. Tuilagi
14. Thompstone
15. Veainu
16. Polota-Nau
17. Bateman
18. Leatigaga
19. Liebenberg (Lewis if not fit)
20. Thompson
21. Harrison
22. Hardwick
23. Worth

Tough call between Thompson and Reffell as both are performing well but that team looks pretty much spot on IMO.

Taute was the preferred option vs Saints and I think will be again. Would like to see Taufua starting with Lady Gaga impact off the bench along with Bateman and TPN

[sam16111986]

I'd be tempted to have Lewis and Green start to try and disrupt the Chiefs lineout. Whilst our own was a mess Vs Saints we did manage to disrupt their lineout as well. Lewis extra mobility will be hand as well.

6/2 split on the bench, we have few backs fit anyway so there's not much impact to be had. You can also tell the pack they can go all out and not worry about running out of gas because we can replace most of the pack. Might help combat the Chiefs pack a little.

Genge, Youngs, Cole
Lavanini, Green
Lewis, Taufua, Reffell
Youngs, Ford
Taute, Manu
May, TV, Thompstone

TPN, Bateman, Leitagaga, Spencer, Kalamafoni, Thompson, Harrison, Hardwick.

[Mark62]

Watching Exeter beat Wasps it was very a job done up front . If we can cope with them up front, we stand a chance of getting something out of the game.
Aimless kicking will be punished by Hogg, not just running but long diagonal punts which is an under mentioned part of his game

[drc_007]

Watching Exeter beat Wasps it was very a job done up front . If we can cope with them up front, we stand a chance of getting something out of the game.
Aimless kicking will be punished by Hogg, not just running but long diagonal punts which is an under mentioned part of his game

They will also need to stop giving away stupid penalties, or Exeter will simply kick to the corner and pound their way over.

[JP14]

I agree.

[mol2]

I think Liebenber is out for at least a couple of months.

[JP14]

I have predicted a 20 point loss, not sure even the happy clappers will have too much to argue about that.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

We might have a chance if the game is correctly officiated.