Rd 2 Premiership games - 17/18th September 2022

[Scuttle]

Just looking at the Sale website and Sanderson must be supremely confident of a win this weekend. The website mentions "....elsewhere the Sharks starting XI is unchanged....". They must be very sure of themselves if they think they only need 11 players to beat Bath. No cheeky comments about Bath please

[MCC1964]

Here’s hoping Manu gets through unscathed. I’d love to see him running out in the AIs.

[Rugbygramps]

Here’s hoping Manu gets through unscathed. I’d love to see him running out in the AIs.

Agreed but you get Manu at 12 you get Farrell at 10

[Big Dai]

Manu at 13 Faz at 12?

[Rugbygramps]

Manu at 13 Faz at 12?

Sale are playing him at 12 which could be more to do with their squad. IMO he isn’t a 13 any longer you use him to get over the gain line tie in 3 or 4 defenders then move quick ball. Just my opinion of course

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Manu at 12 means Slade or Marchant works at 13.
Trouble is if you are EJ do you plan for the RWC with Manu involved or do you make that scenario Plan C.

[Big Dai]

Manu at 13 Faz at 12?

Sale are playing him at 12 which could be more to do with their squad. IMO he isn’t a 13 any longer you use him to get over the gain line tie in 3 or 4 defenders then move quick ball. Just my opinion of course

Indeed....but they could interchange during the game? But that would take intelligence...coat being fetched!

[ABClub]

Manu at 12 means Slade or Marchant works at 13.
Trouble is if you are EJ do you plan for the RWC with Manu involved or do you make that scenario Plan C.

I've said for a while that I think you build a game plan, attack especially, that isn't reliant on Manu being at his best then treat it as a bonus if he is. To be fair I think the less structured attack they've moved towards has been an attempt to do that. It's just a shame it's been utter pish half the time!

There were a lot of backs missing in the 6 Nations though. Farrell, Manu, May and Watson is basically first choice centres and wings I'd imagine. I'd guess full strength is something like below:

9.JvP
10.Smith
11.May
12.Farrell
13.Tuilagi
14.Watson
15.Steward

With Slade, Marchant and Porter backing up the centres. Arundell, Freeman and Nowell challenging the back three. Then Lenny, Ford and probably Quirke (if fit) as the other halfbacks.

There's currently a big drop off from those two wingers. Nowell is brilliant defensively but does lack pace for an interantional winger. I think Arundell's continued development could be vital in challenging for a wing berth and offering better backup to Freddie at 15.

[Bge3095]

Great to see Worcester getting the game on really feel for the staff of the club