TEAMS FOR AWAY GLOUCESTER GAME AND EUROPE

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In answer to my question as Champions I think we must target the game v Lyon. So my team v Gloucester would be
1 Ben Moon,
2Jack Yendle [c]
3 Marcus Street
4 Will Witty,
5 Sean Lonsdale,
6 Jacques Vermuelen,
7 Don Armand,
8 Richard Capstick,
9 Sam H. Clyne
10 Harvey Skinner,
11 Facundo Cordero
12 Ollie Devoto.
13 Tom Wyatt
14 Ollie Woodburn
15 Josh Hodge
Subs. Jack Innard, Harry Williams, Alec Hepburn, Jannes Kirsten, Tom Price, Stu Townsend, James Short. Dan John
Rested/injured Tomas Francis, Luke Cowan Dickie, Johnny Hill, Johnny Gray, Sam Skinner, Sam Simmonds, Jack Maunder, Jo Simmonds, Tom Hendrickson, Ian Whitten, Jack Nowell, Aeron Hinkley, Alex Cuthbert, Henry Slade Stuart Hogg
I would hope that team is at least capable of getting a point away at Gloucester.

Hmmmm....that squad's a bit too much of a gamble for my liking, I'd rest anyone who is/was involved at any point in the Six Nations. Looks something like...

1. Moon
2. Yendle
3. Street
4. Whitty
5. Lonsdale
6. Vermuelen
7. Armand
8. S Simmonds
9. J Maunder
10. J Simmonds
11. Cuthbert
12. Devoto
13. Whitten
14. Woodburn
15. Cordero

Bench
Innard
Keast
Kenny
Kirsten
Price
Townsend
Short
Skinner

Hi Ex TC I think Whitts injury looked like he would be out for a while and I excluded Cuthbert because I assumed his recurring hamstring injury would take a week or two. If not I would pop him in instead of Shorty. We have got to rest Sam and Jo at some point and I would do it now. I may be sacked on Wednesday and certainly out of a job by Friday but we agreed on our front five and two of our back row so we are on the same pitch at least.

I think I'd go as strong as possible. The team almost need a warm up game before Lyon, many have hardly played for us this season. With Skinner and Gray out I'd certainly start Hill, it's not like he's had a lot of game time in the last three weeks. I would probably rest LCD and definitely Francis. If Slade is fit I'd stick him in as well. So I'd start with;

1. Hepburn
2. Yendle
3. Williams
4. Hill
5. Lonsdale
6. Ewers
7. Vermuelen
8. S Simmonds
9. J Maunder
10. J Simmonds
11. Cuthbert/ O'Flaherty
12. Devoto
13. Slade
14. Woodburn
15. Cordero

Then wrap the TBP up in the first 40 and make sweeping changes in the second half! It's easy this coaching lark!

Rob, constrained by international returns, no Sam Skinner or Stuart Hogg and some injury issues has certainly focused on the Lyon game. That has become a must win game psychologically as he obviously plans to put out our strongest fifteen against Lyon and has accordingly rested several key players against Gloucester. That will be a really tough test away with the team selected IMO.

Quote:

cornwallchief
Rob, constrained by international returns, no Sam Skinner or Stuart Hogg and some injury issues has certainly focused on the Lyon game. That has become a must win game psychologically as he obviously plans to put out our strongest fifteen against Lyon and has accordingly rested several key players against Gloucester. That will be a really tough test away with the team selected IMO.

Interesting that with more than half an eye on Europe, Chiefs are the only side this w/e to rest most of their first choice players. Nearly every other team has gone full bore for momentum I guess. Some will be proved right, others won’t. Time will tell, I’m getting nervous already!

Hi Rowancroft73; Yes Rob has certainly put a challenge down to both teams - this week and next. Next is an absolutely must win and I am sure he will be satisfied with nothing less next week. A win against Lyon and then the mighty Leinster would bring huge energy and belief to the squad. This weeks challenge seems to me to be more like ''show me your qualities''[ one of Rob's favourite phrases] for hard work, determination and energy and lets see what we can get. Last season we were underdogs and came through notably against Bristol but also on another occasion were thrashed - I think against Wasps. This game will be full of interest to see how Kenny, Price, Baldwin,Jon,and Tuima get on against a strong Glaws team. Will our kicks be on the money from Sam HC and HarveySkinner? It is quite windy and I fear Cordero will be bombarded with size difference against his opposite number. Tough to handle the difference in height. Their two wings are also very speedy with a kick chase to the try-line. I am seriously nervous like you but excited to see how we go.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2021:03:26:15:54:55 by cornwallchief.