Three to go!

This weekend we are back to league action with the visit of Plymouth Albion on Sunday afternoon. A win in this encounter will guarantee us a spot in the play-offs. However our recent form does not give me any high expectations for the sharp end of the season.

Plymouth are back again this week. We beat them last weekend and I expect that we will beat them again on Sunday. We did, however, make hard work of the win and I would be a lot happier if we were playing with more consistency. Whilst the gung-ho style of rugby that we have adopted is great to watch (usually) at this stage of the season I would prefer a more pragmatic approach to games.

Certainly our trip to Abbeydale should be a game which we would want to win - if only to avoid Bristol in the play-off semis. I know that J-Lo and the lads are not bothered who we play but I think that Bristol have built up a real head of steam since we beat them at the Mem. if we are to meet them in the final we need to get five good wins under our belt before then. We also need to have a settled team. This may be a bit controversial but I would not play Green or McColl again. They have been out for too long and do not have time to get the right amount of match practice in the few remaining games.

J-Lo has to pick a team to start on Sunday with the final in the back of his mind. Lozowski at 15, Jonah and Doc on the wings etc. The Hampson issue will become a real problem if James D does not put in a few good shifts over the next few weeks! There was a time when the pack picked itself - now we have some good selection problems - not the least of which is who do we play at 6? Sisi does some serious ball carrying but Beck gives an extra lineout option and a definite edge at the breakdown. Harris will be missed but the other five props are all capable.

I hope we use Sunday's game to show that we are serious contenders. A win, without conceding a lot of points will set us up niceley for a trip to Sheffield and a finale at home to Pirates. Leeds by 12!

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