Northampton Saints vs Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Ian Whitten
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Tom O’Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Sam Maunder
1 Alec Hepburn
2 Jack Innard
3 Patrick Schickerling
4 Jannes Kirsten
5 Daffyd Jenkins
6 Dave Ewers
7 Richard Capstick
8 Santiago Grondona

16 Jack Yeandle
17 James Kenny
18 Marcus Street
19 Lewis Pearson
20 Max Norey
21 Jack Maunder
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Facundo Cordero

Northampton Saints

15 George Furbank
14 Courtnall Skosan
13 Matt Proctor
12 Fraser Dingwall (capt)
11 Tom Collins
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Mike Haywood
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Alex Coles
7 Sam Matavesi
8 Karl Wilkins

Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Alex Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Alex Moon
20 Brandon Nansen
21 JJ Tonks
22 Tom James
23 Piers Francis

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Sara Cox & Michael Hudson.
TMO: Andrew Jackson.
Citing Officer: Jay Curts

Weather as at 1200 Friday
Sunny intervals with a gentle breeze the south south east

Temperature 9 degrees but feels like 7 degrees

Rain unlikely

Television Coverage from 12.30 pm

Channel 408 BT Sport 1 SD
Channel 430 BT Sport 1 HD

It's impossible to feel anything other than optimistic having listened to Rob's pre match interview.
Very pleased to see that Josh and Jannes are OK after their injuries last week. Good to see Big Dave back. Max Norey covering back row but Saints have Matavesi starting in their back row. Probably more used to it that Max but it is an indication of where all clubs are with playing staff at this stage of the season.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:02:25:15:11:27 by plymptonchief.

Hmmmmm....Saints are one of the teams breathing down our necks but that doesn't exactly look like a mindblowing lineup from them!

Northampton 25 Chiefs 25.

A win here would be huge. And v difficult!! Wonder where Don A is? Fingers massively crossed for this one.

The cupboard is bare but good luck lads just give it your best shot you never know.

The. Boys have played very well the last 2 weeks.

Saints 15 Chiefs 25

Quote:

Seaside Chief
A win here would be huge. And v difficult!! Wonder where Don A is? Fingers massively crossed for this one.

According to the Offy, Don picked up a knock at Newcastle.

I know it's too late in the season for the prediction league standings but as as long time browser of this forum who only recently managed to register himself I hope it's OK to play the prediction game?!
Chiefs 24 Saints 22... hopeful the grit that's returned will be matched by some corrections of last weeks errors in this weeks set piece and attack options
COYC

Northampton 18 - 21 Exeter. Just need to show the attitude of the past couple of weeks.

Working on the assumption that we can't play as bad as we did last week and, while the cupboard is looking a bit bare, that's not a bad side so I'm going for a close game but Chiefs to win by a score .......... Saints 20 Chiefs 24

Saints 18 - 25 Exe but I could be wrong

Weather looks dryish, so thinking this will be a fast game, could go either way, lots of scores, please Jo take the points when you get a penalty in front of the posts. Chiefs to scrap it 30-28

Saints 22 Exeter 21

Trips to ‘the gardens’ are often close affair’s,
Saints 23 - 21 Chiefs

Quote:

Alain le Chief
I know it's too late in the season for the prediction league standings but as as long time browser of this forum who only recently managed to register himself I hope it's OK to play the prediction game?!
Chiefs 24 Saints 22... hopeful the grit that's returned will be matched by some corrections of last weeks errors in this weeks set piece and attack options
COYC

You're very welcome, as is anybody. It's not the result but the game that counts! (But don't tell the lads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Thanks plymptonchief.... I won't tell a soul 😉

On my way, both teams aren't at full strength so a bit of a "who can get it together on the day"
Better conditions should help 24 Saintly folk - 28 those that count. Our boys are getting to know each other, and Robs upbeat.

Hard to predict so giving the saints are home its 23- 17 to them as a few players are tired and Lack experience , hope im wrong though.

Saints 18 Chiefs 24

Chiefs 30 Saints 24. Very unsure about this one but a win would be massive and may give that extra bit of energy. No cards or forwards injuries please.

Quote:

Lapo
Weather looks dryish, so thinking this will be a fast game, could go either way, lots of scores, please Jo take the points when you get a penalty in front of the posts. Chiefs to scrap it 30-28

I think this is the essence. We have to learn to win games by taking the points, not believe that we can steamroller teams which a) we can’t any more and b) we aren’t good enough to do within the new laws. So kick the goals. Only when we are three scores ahead start kicking for the corners and looking for the five points.

Score prediction? Could be a 20 point win for either side.

Overall we didn't play badly last week we just didn't play clever rugby and the line out didn't function at all.
Correct those 2 issues and and we can win this.
My main problem with our side is yet again the lack of any creativity or subtlety at centre for us.
Two patched up teams but Mitchell is the heartbeat of their side, keeping him quiet is the key to a win imo.
🤞

22-19 Saints win. Getting through the game with no more injuries will do for this week, that'd be a win in itself.

Saints 21 - Chiefs 28

Why is Baxter starting with Sam Maunder? He gives me the shakes every time he gets the ball With a good scrum half a 5 pointer would have been possible, so it's going to be tight. Saints 17 - 19 Chiefs

Saints' board demonstrating the same sort of uncertainty as ours. Needless to say most on there are going for a Saints' win. Should be a very interesting afternoon!

Again not an easy prediction. We are missing far more players than Saints, but they are in a bad run of form. I think home advantage will swing it for them. So Saints 25 Chiefs 19. I expected nothing from the block of games in the Six Nations with so many out, so we've already exceeded my expectations! A win here though would set us up nicely!
Our games against Saints are normally quite tight and enjoyable, but as exeforever said I wouldn't be at all surprised if one side won by 20!!

Agree with Zyder again, we are going with effectively two flankers in the centre.
I think we can win this despite the cupboard being bare. Those teams that win at FG tend to do it by dominating up front, so we need to “beat up” Saints up front to stand a chance of winning.
Can we do enough of that, because we are not likely to create much in the backs.?
Looking at the stats in the league table, apart from Falcons and Bath we have the fewest try bonus points, and equal most losing bonus points. Sooo….. we are defending quite well and only losing by the odd few points but those losses are due to our relative inability to score tries.
This reinforces my view that we are a team fairly representative of West Country rugby, forward dominated and reliant on perspiration rather than inspiration, indeed suspicious of inspiration.

Agree with Zyder again, we are going with effectively two flankers in the centre.
I think we can win this despite the cupboard being bare. Those teams that win at FG tend to do it by dominating up front, so we need to “beat up” Saints up front to stand a chance of winning.
Can we do enough of that, because we are not likely to create much in the backs.?
Looking at the stats in the league table, apart from Falcons and Bath we have the fewest try bonus points, and equal most losing bonus points. Sooo….. we are defending quite well and only losing by the odd few points but those losses are due to our relative inability to score tries.
This reinforces my view that we are a team fairly representative of West Country rugby, forward dominated and reliant on perspiration rather than inspiration, indeed suspicious of inspiration.

Hi BCLC.
Saints fan in peace.
On the Saints board we have been bemoaning the lack of A league games, here’s a chance to see one.
Not sure how many genuine starters you are missing, quite a lot I’m sure, but willing to have a game of top trumps. Genuine starters missing for us, Lawes, Biggar, Ludlum, Naiyarovoro, Freeman, Wood, Augustus, Harrison, Hutchinson & Sleightholme. Ten starters plus a handful of fringe players. Will be interested to see how our 4th choice lock and hooker get on as flankers tomorrow !!!
Things can only get worse next year as assume cap reductions will reduce squad sizes, will look out my old boots😀
Best of luck



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:02:26:16:04:45 by The New Normal.

Going for a Chiefs win. Saints 19 Chiefs 23

Going for a Chiefs win. Saints 19 Chiefs 23

Saints 22 Chiefs 25 ... but in those immortal words ... I could be wrong!

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quote:

The New Normal
Hi BCLC.
Saints fan in peace.
On the Saints board we have been bemoaning the lack of A league games, here’s a chance to see one.
Not sure how many genuine starters you are missing, quite a lot I’m sure, but willing to have a game of top trumps. Genuine starters missing for us, Lawes, Biggar, Ludlum, Naiyarovoro, Freeman, Wood, Augustus, Harrison, Hutchinson & Sleightholme. Ten starters plus a handful of fringe players. Will be interested to see how our 4th choice lock and hooker get on as flankers tomorrow !!!
Things can only get worse next year as assume cap reductions will reduce squad sizes, will look out my old boots😀
Best of luck

Welcome, and I accept your Top Trumps Challenge with:

1- Slade 2- LCD 3- Jack 4- Simmo 5- Hoggy 6- McSkinz 7-J Gray 8- J Hill 9- H Williams
10-Vermeulen 11- Devo 12- Moonie, and add in 13- Don
and as Rob said, those next to stand in, but also injured Lonsdale, Tuima, Tshiumza, Witty.

Fortunately you don't still have Reinach, oh the pain he has caused us in the past!

Saints 27 - 29 Chiefs

Same prediction I've made 3 games in a row! You know, a stopped clock and all that.

Saints 21 Chiefs 31

VERY cautiously optimistic if only because other results have largely gone our way and 4 points would really lift us.
Mrs PC 18 - 15
PC 21 - 20
Go well Chiefs!!

we should try Cordero at 13

Quote:

mommentum
we should try Cordero at 13

Not for this game obviously but I do think Nowellsy is going to be a centre in the future for us
I don't see him keeping his England place long term as his injuries have nullified any pace he had, Cuthbert made him look short of pace yesterday and he isn't blisteringly quick!

Just ahead at half time. Saints ruling the roost at scrum time and their backs look threatening ball in hand. Hodge looking good for us but scrum needs addressing.

Having been robbed of a try, 5 points well earned. Great character shown when things aren't going your way.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

After Saints' start to the second half I thought we were toast but scrum improved and Woody's try. WOW!!

Clalan maintains his lead.
39 Points: Clalan
38 Points: Bold Eagle
37 Points: Mike the Shirt; Cornwall Chief
35 Points: Mrs PC
34 Points: Osmium
32 Points: Fisher
31 Points: DumnoniiNomad
30 Points: Chief Firewater; Ex 58
29 Points: Plympton Chief; Ouch That Hurts; Curry Chief
28 Points: The Stoke Canon
26 Points: ExTeddChief; Thomas Hawk
24 Points: Big Chief Little Chief
20 Points: Last of the Beercans
21 Points: Keithbar54
18 Points: Exeterfan
11 Points: Ljs399



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:03:01:09:39:48 by plymptonchief.

AHA - Hang on PC - there may be an opportunity for you as a TMO - I predicted a win!!!! xx

Mea Culpa! Greatest apologies CC. You did indeed predict a win with your usual unerring accuracy.
I was turned down as a TMO as I wasn't sure what a ball on the ground looked like!

I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this PC, but if you look at Grondona's disallowed try on Sunday you can see exactly what a ball on the ground looks like