PRC: Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs:

15 Will Haydon-Wood

14 Paul Brown-Bampoe

13 Ben Hammersley

12 Harry Ascherl

11 Nick Lilley

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stephen Varney


1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Joseph Dweba

3 Josh Iosefa-Scott

4 Lewis Pearson

5 Rusi Tuima

6 Christ Tshiunza

7 Ethan Roots (c)

8 Ross Vintcent


Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Kwenzo Blose

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Andrea Zambonin

20 Kane James

21 Charlie Chapman

22 Ben Coen

23 Zack Wimbush

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Thursday
Light rain showers and a gentle breeze from the south south west
Temperature 13 degrees will feel like 12 degrees
Chance of Precipitation

TV Coverage

Not on TNT

Gloucester Rugby:

15 Charlie Atkinson,

14 Will Joseph,

13 Max Llewellyn,

12 Will Butler,

11 Ollie Thorley,

10 Ross Byrne,

9 Caolan Englefield,

1 Ciaran Knight,:

2 Jack Singleton,

3 Afolabi Fasogbon,

4 Freddie Thomas, '

5 Cam Jordan,

6 James Venter,

7 Lewis Ludlow (C),

8 Jack Clement

Replacements:

16 Jack Innard,

17 Archie McArthur,

18 Kirill Gotovtsev,

19 Matias Alemanno,

20 Josh Basham,

21 Mikey Austin,

22 George Barton,

23 Josiah Edwards-Giraud

Two quite experienced teams for the PRC!

I suspect we may struggle away at Kingsholm against quite an experienced Gloucester line up. Our backline looks particularly inexperienced although I'm hoping the pack will hold their own. At least both our scrum halves will be familiar with the stadium!
Gloucester 31; Chiefs 21

Is a good Gloucester team. Will do well to.win that methinks. Have no idea how it will go!

Glos 28- 21 Chiefs

Pre season friendly in a cup competition. Performance not result the important thing.

Pretty underwhelmed by the look of our team but probably based on how the players I know played last year and lots of faces I do not know. Playing away so and early in season - Glos 32 chiefs 19. Pleased to see Innard in the 23.

I hope I’m wrong but can’t see anything but a very comfortable home win. I don’t think it will resemble last years horror score and we may score a few points to get a lbp.
Glaws 48 chiefs 24

Happy tonsee Coen & Wimbush on the bench hope the both get a decent run. This is a strong Glaws team & can't see us winning at their place. Glaws 32 Chiefs 20.

Gloucester 35 Chiefs 28

Can see a few tries being scored, but more for them that us.
Hope I'm wrong.
Glos 39 Chiefs 26

Glaws 24 Chiefs 19

Start of a fresh season off we go!!
Glos 28 - 24 Chiefs

I don't think we'll settle quickly into this season, but I'd hope we look to improve game on game. Yes, a little cliché perhaps, but there are several new faces - 9-12 to start with.
Glaws 31: Chiefs 17

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

Many have already said some of my thoughts but I also think and hope we could play with a lot more freedom this season which might make for a close game, Gloss 31 - 28 Chiefs

Glos 24 - Chiefs 28

Glos 32 Chiefs 22

Glos 27 Chiefs 42

Glaws 31 Chiefs 26

That's the Chiefs best team at present so depth is an issue.
Glos 42 Chiefs 25

We have something to prove after last season

Glos 21 25 Chiefs

We have something to prove after last season

Glos 21 25 Chiefs

Glaws 26 Chiefs 12. I think the pack will hold its own, but that is a very inexperienced back line. Hope to see signs of progress even on a loss.

Glaws 29 - 32 Chiefs

Just wish I truly believed it!

Gloucester 47 - 26 Exeter

Here we go! Glaws 28-18 Exe but I could be wrong yet again!

Glos 37 Exeter 25

Listened to the match on the radio. Sounded like we just carried on from last year trying to bash it up through the middle and getting nowhere. Commentators recognised we need a good 10 and Skinner is not our man. We have the worst 10 in the league , why?

First table of the season

I didn’t watch or listen to the match so I curious if anyone did can say if the conversions were on the more difficult scale? Seems to be a missed opportunity to have gained an lbp? Just curious if conditions and difficulty level were a factor?

Stating the fliiping obvious I know but in games with small margins we need to increase conversion rate. I can’t help but think back to the steeno era when It felt almost certain kicks would go through the uprights, perhaps my glasses are a bit rose tinted.

Many games are quite tight on the scoreboard so failing to gain extra 2 conversion pts or 3 from penalties can be a big difference over the course of a season!

We seem to be perpetuating our fundamental inability to score more than 3 tries in a match. No doubt there’s someone of a statistical persuasion who can tell us in how many matches we scored 3 tries last season, but it felt like a lot. Perhaps my scoreline predictions for this season should be Chiefs 15/17/19/21; Opposition 24+. At least then I’ll get a few points…

I went to he match znd it was the same old issues so much promise very little delivered.

After listening to Robs interview It leaves me fearful this season.. I don't now if any other club is going into the start of the season with so many 1st choice players injured as we have, and the replacements are of a very average standard.

With the very disappointing news Helpher will still be at the club I think it will be the same old excuses. With Newcastle improving we must be favourite to finsh bottom.

I hope I'm wrong.

Quote:

Undercroft90
I didn’t watch or listen to the match so I curious if anyone did can say if the conversions were on the more difficult scale? Seems to be a missed opportunity to have gained an lbp? Just curious if conditions and difficulty level were a factor?
Stating the fliiping obvious I know but in games with small margins we need to increase conversion rate. I can’t help but think back to the steeno era when It felt almost certain kicks would go through the uprights, perhaps my glasses are a bit rose tinted.

Have a look at Joe Simmonds at Pau. Converted all four tries and added two penalties. Any body know why he left????????????????

Quote:

SixNineOne
We seem to be perpetuating our fundamental inability to score more than 3 tries in a match. No doubt there’s someone of a statistical persuasion who can tell us in how many matches we scored 3 tries last season, but it felt like a lot. Perhaps my scoreline predictions for this season should be Chiefs 15/17/19/21; Opposition 24+. At least then I’ll get a few points…

GP-H - 4 (we won 2, lost 2 (including v Bath, who scored 4 tries, by 2 points))
GP-A - 3 (we lost all 3 (including v Quins by 2 pts) - both of these games the oppos also scored 3 tries.

ERC-H - 2
ERC-A - 1

We got hammered in every game in Europe last season (and had 34 tries scored against us) !

Quote:

PC again

Quote:

Undercroft90
I didn’t watch or listen to the match so I curious if anyone did can say if the conversions were on the more difficult scale? Seems to be a missed opportunity to have gained an lbp? Just curious if conditions and difficulty level were a factor?
Stating the fliiping obvious I know but in games with small margins we need to increase conversion rate. I can’t help but think back to the steeno era when It felt almost certain kicks would go through the uprights, perhaps my glasses are a bit rose tinted.

Have a look at Joe Simmonds at Pau. Converted all four tries and added two penalties. Any body know why he left????????????????

Couldn’t agree more I looked at the French results earlier 14 points for PAU off the boot and god knows how he influenced other play (I didn’t watch), a true legend, local lad and above all PURE CLASS! if only we had him now. I wish I knew the truth why he left, but wish more that he was still a chief. He is without question a very very talented 10. The transition from steeno to Jo seemed Perfect! Like you, I don’t know what the Flip happened there!!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:09:14:15:58:53 by Undercroft90.

If you’re still looking for the reason why he left, I don’t think you need to look any further than our current Academy Coach. In my opinion, he is the reason for the sterility of our backs play in the past.

If you’re still looking for the reason why he left, I don’t think you need to look any further than our current Academy Coach. In my opinion, he is the reason for the sterility of our backs play in the past.

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
I went to he match znd it was the same old issues so much promise very little delivered.
After listening to Robs interview It leaves me fearful this season.. I don't now if any other club is going into the start of the season with so many 1st choice players injured as we have, and the replacements are of a very average standard.

With the very disappointing news Helpher will still be at the club I think it will be the same old excuses. With Newcastle improving we must be favourite to finsh bottom.

I hope I'm wrong.

Saints fan in peace . As we have you guys first up with your injury situation what would a likely first choice 23 look like against us?

Quote:

Saint dolph

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
I went to he match znd it was the same old issues so much promise very little delivered.
After listening to Robs interview It leaves me fearful this season.. I don't now if any other club is going into the start of the season with so many 1st choice players injured as we have, and the replacements are of a very average standard.

With the very disappointing news Helpher will still be at the club I think it will be the same old excuses. With Newcastle improving we must be favourite to finsh bottom.

I hope I'm wrong.

Saints fan in peace . As we have you guys first up with your injury situation what would a likely first choice 23 look like against us?

I suspect that the line up won’t look much better than the one at the beginning of this thread. I’m not sure if any of our broken first-choice back line will be mended by the time we come up to you, so whilst we might give you a decent game up front we may struggle with the running around stuff! Even so, I’m looking forward to my trip up to Franklin’s Gardens, it’s always a great day out and the kebab shop over the road is legendary!

In the meantime, of course, we’ve got to endure a trip to the Rec next weekend and just hope that no more of our players get broken…

Quote:

SixNineOne

Quote:

Saint dolph

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
I went to he match znd it was the same old issues so much promise very little delivered.
After listening to Robs interview It leaves me fearful this season.. I don't now if any other club is going into the start of the season with so many 1st choice players injured as we have, and the replacements are of a very average standard.

With the very disappointing news Helpher will still be at the club I think it will be the same old excuses. With Newcastle improving we must be favourite to finsh bottom.


I hope I'm wrong.

Saints fan in peace . As we have you guys first up with your injury situation what would a likely first choice 23 look like against us?

I suspect that the line up won’t look much better than the one at the beginning of this thread. I’m not sure if any of our broken first-choice back line will be mended by the time we come up to you, so whilst we might give you a decent game up front we may struggle with the running around stuff! Even so, I’m looking forward to my trip up to Franklin’s Gardens, it’s always a great day out and the kebab shop over the road is legendary!

In the meantime, of course, we’ve got to endure a trip to the Rec next weekend and just hope that no more of our players get broken…

Ahh ok well let's hope to a good game . I thought i read henry slade would be fit for our match. Has waboso injured himself again then as I thought he had recovered??

Quote:

Saint dolph
Ahh ok well let's hope to a good game . I thought i read henry slade would be fit for our match. Has waboso injured himself again then as I thought he had recovered??

There was an interview with RB where he said IFW and Slade should become available during the Prem Cup window. Hopefully that means both will be available by the time we visit the Gardens. Unless England decide they're not to play I guess.

First game with an under strength team out, one try short of 2 points in an away game and set piece doing ok. Seems ok to me so far.
Don't know why Mark Stevens and others keep going on about a lack of an international 10 - we've never had one and done well without one as I recall. Coen can't be rushed. Just a minority view I guess.

Quote:

Grandstand Viewer
First game with an under strength team out, one try short of 2 points in an away game and set piece doing ok. Seems ok to me so far.
Don't know why Mark Stevens and others keep going on about a lack of an international 10 - we've never had one and done well without one as I recall. Coen can't be rushed. Just a minority view I guess.

We've not had an international 10 before, but the 10s we've had have been better than Skinner has turned out to be. At nearly 28 and over 120 appearances he's not developed as I'm sure we all hoped.

Yes, it was a make do and mend back line on Friday night, but they were living on scraps. When we've Slade and Ikitau available, reportedly costing us about £800k for the season, they need someone good enough to create chances/get good clean ball to them.

Haydon-Wood should be given the chance at 10 if we're not going to play Coen.

Quote:

ExeterFan

Quote:

Grandstand Viewer
First game with an under strength team out, one try short of 2 points in an away game and set piece doing ok. Seems ok to me so far.
Don't know why Mark Stevens and others keep going on about a lack of an international 10 - we've never had one and done well without one as I recall. Coen can't be rushed. Just a minority view I guess.

We've not had an international 10 before, but the 10s we've had have been better than Skinner has turned out to be. At nearly 28 and over 120 appearances he's not developed as I'm sure we all hoped.

Yes, it was a make do and mend back line on Friday night, but they were living on scraps. When we've Slade and Ikitau available, reportedly costing us about £800k for the season, they need someone good enough to create chances/get good clean ball to them.

Haydon-Wood should be given the chance at 10 if we're not going to play Coen.

Sorry to sound a little pessimistic here and derail the Coen bandwagon, but he's played 3 games for the Chiefs and his tackling is simply not up to the standard required for Prem Rugby and would suggest he could do with time on loan getting used to senior rugby. He played behind a massive dominant pack for 20's when they won the WC but was poor this year behind a not so dominant pack. I hope I'm wrong and he comes through as we're desperate for a good 10 or we need to sign someone next year when contracts end. Skinner for all his faults I would suggest is probably Chiefs top tackler in most games and it appears this is how they want their 10'S to play as another back row forward.

I doubt whether basing opinions on U 20's form is a decision for the future. Give him some time for heavens sake. To keep criticising Harvey will not do his confidence any good and he is picked for his strengths as has been stated - tackling and kicking from hand, his passing is sound.
World class no 10's are high price and in some cases a bit of a luxury. What did Marcus S do last year. I for one am prepared to wait a whole season. Probably in the second half we will get some better idea where we are.

Quote:

Grandstand Viewer
I doubt whether basing opinions on U 20's form is a decision for the future. Give him some time for heavens sake. To keep criticising Harvey will not do his confidence any good and he is picked for his strengths as has been stated - tackling and kicking from hand, his passing is sound.
World class no 10's are high price and in some cases a bit of a luxury. What did Marcus S do last year. I for one am prepared to wait a whole season. Probably in the second half we will get some better idea where we are.

Thanks GV - well said. Last season was not hat we wanted, nor expected. This season should not be looked at now as a continuation of that either, although I do see the benefits of us being better than expected!
I remain hopeful that we'll get some good results this year ... Both on the field and in the boardroom. TR says we're near the cap. Let's see the balance sheet turn black and put us back on the solid foundation we were on BC (before COVID)

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