QUINS VS TIGERS 28TH DEC

[Tiglon]

Quins have been described as "struggling", but with 3 league wins this season they are struggling considerably less than Tigers.

Leicester's first half against Chiefs showed what is possible, but for a victory at Twickenham we will need to either be given an easy ride or show a much greater ability to hold our nerve when things get a little tough.

I'd go with almost the same team again, unless anyone returns from injury. Green actually did well out of position against Exeter, but Reffell might be better suited to a less forwards-oriented Harlequins style.

Spend the week putting the players in pressurised situations and help them develop plans to cope. That and lineout practice. Lots of lineout practice.

[drc_007]

Don't think Green had a particularly good game, he just played like a third lock.

Made tackles close to the breakdown but I can't remember him contributing further out. In addition he made only 1 metre carrying the ball. I'd expect much more from a blindside. Wells made more of an impact in the short time he was on the pitch.

I'd prefer Reffell or Lewis in the back-row from the start.

[sam16111986]

Play like we did in the first half and I don't think Quins will hold on and score to stay in the game like Chiefs did.

I'd like to see Reffell start with Taufua and Kalamafoni in the backrow. Lavanini and Green at lock with Spencer as impact off the bench with hopefully Thompson, Leatigaga and Bateman.

[JP14]

Will Spencer be fit?

[RagingBull]

I would go with
1. Genge
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Lavanini
5. Wells
6. Kalamafoni
7. Taufua
8. Thompson (Hopefully)
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Reid
13. Manu
14. Thompstone
15. Veainu

16. Kerr
17. Bateman (Hopefully)
18. Heyes
19. Green
20. Reffell
21. White
22. Taute (Hopefully)
23. Worth

[Tiglon]

Don't think Green had a particularly good game, he just played like a third lock.

Made tackles close to the breakdown but I can't remember him contributing further out. In addition he made only 1 metre carrying the ball. I'd expect much more from a blindside. Wells made more of an impact in the short time he was on the pitch.

I'd prefer Reffell or Lewis in the back-row from the start.

To be fair to Green, it's quite likely that he was picked to disrupt their lineout and maul, which was achieved. And, unlike Wells v Saints, I don't recall him being caught out of position for a try.

But as I said before, I'd agree with Reffell to start next week if Thompson isn't fit.

[sapajo]

Will Spencer be fit?

Is he ever fit ???

[Mark62]

Will Spencer be fit?

Is he ever fit ???

Friendly Fire injury today via Greens head, what is he supposed to do about that

[JP14]

Will Spencer be fit?

Is he ever fit ???

Friendly Fire injury today via Greens head, what is he supposed to do about that

Actually it was more Kvesic’s cheap shot that was never penalised!

[Mark62]

Is he ever fit ???

Friendly Fire injury today via Greens head, what is he supposed to do about that

Actually it was more Kvesic’s cheap shot that was never penalised!

TV seemed to show Greens head making contact with Spencer’s

[OakhamTiger32]

I would go with
1. Genge
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Lavanini
5. Wells
6. Kalamafoni
7. Taufua
8. Thompson (Hopefully)
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Reid
13. Manu
14. Thompstone
15. Veainu

16. Kerr
17. Bateman (Hopefully)
18. Heyes
19. Green
20. Reffell
21. White
22. Taute (Hopefully)
23. Worth

Like that

Spencer to start if fit but perhaps unlikely after today. Maybe Hardwick on the bench instead of Worth for the extra kicking option? Not an expert on the intricacies of the scrum but would SK be better at 8 and GT at 6?

Otherwise I’d say we can build on the first 50 minutes of today’s game and stand a very good chance of coming away with the points. Maybe it’ll be that Christmas present that turns up a few days late and extends the festive period an extra few days

[Mark62]

Totally agree that there is something to build on unlike after the Saints game

[OakhamTiger32]

So here’s what I’m thinking.. in a bid to remain positive, build on today and move forward with a nice away win vs. Quins...

Today we lost the second half 17-0.
Last week away to Calvisano we under performed second half but still won the second half 12-10.
Home to Calvisano was an exception and we played well albeit against weak opposition.
Away to Saints we lost the second half 12-3.

There are clearly exceptions to this line of thinking but it’s been mentioned numerous times that our dressing room at HT is often people sat around in little groups or on their own with coaches dropping in and out. That was certainly the case today and vs once again Saints. Compare that to the opposition who always seem to be huddled around, together unified as a team hanging in every pearl of wisdom from their coach.

Perhaps this is an area that can be improved next week in a bid for that elusive 80 minute performance. Just a thought...

[ABClub]

1.Genge
2.Kerr
3.Cole
4.Lavanini
5.Green
6.Kalamafoni
7.Reffell (vc)
8.Taufua

9.Youngs
10.Ford (c)

11.May
12.Reid
13.Tuilagi
14.Veainu
15.Steward

16.Youngs
17.Bateman
18.Heyes
19.Lewis
20.Thompson
21.White
22.Hardwick
23.Taute/Thompstone

[OakhamTiger32]

1.Genge
2.Kerr
3.Cole
4.Lavanini
5.Green
6.Kalamafoni
7.Reffell (vc)
8.Taufua

9.Youngs
10.Ford (c)

11.May
12.Reid
13.Tuilagi
14.Veainu
15.Steward

16.Youngs
17.Bateman
18.Heyes
19.Lewis
20.Thompson
21.White
22.Hardwick
23.Taute/Thompstone

Not sure TY did much wrong today so can’t see JK getting the nod ahead of him. Youngs was 10/11 (if I’m not mistaken) at the lineout and put in a decent shift first half. Definitely think he’s worthy of inclusion in place of TPN though.

Equally I would be keen to see our back line kept the same as it worked nicely first half and they seemed to be linking up nicely imho