Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs

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Exeter Chiefs

15 Josh Hodge
14 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
13 Henry Slade
12 Ben Hammersley
11 Paul Brown-Bampoe
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stephen Varney
1 Will Goodrick-Clarke
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Josh Iosefa-Scott
4 Rusi Tuima
5 Lewis Pearson
6 Christ Tshiunza
7 Ethan Roots (c)
8 Ross Vintcent

Replacements:
16 Jack Yeandle
17 Kwenzo Blose
18 Bachuki Tchumbadze
19 Dafydd Jenkins
20 Greg Fisilau
21 Charlie Chapman
22 Nick Lilley
23 Kane James

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

15 George Hendy
14 Edoardo Todaro
13 Tom Litchfield
12 Fraser Dingwall (c)
11 James Ramm
10 Anthony Belleau
9 Archie McParland

1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Craig Wright
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Coles
5 Ed Prowse
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Tom Pearson
8 Callum Chick

Replacements:
16 Henry Walker
17 Danilo Fischetti
18 Elliot Millar Mills
19 JJ Van Der Mescht
20 Sam Graham
21 Jonny Weimann
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 Toby Thame

Match Officials

Referee: Joe James
Assistant Referees: Craig Maxwell-Keys and Jonathan Healy
TMO: Dan Jones

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Thursday

Sunny intervals and light winds from the north west
Temperature 15 degrees will feel like 16 degrees
Precipitation is not expected

TV Coverage

Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1230 — 1515
Channel 430 TNT Sports 1 HD 1240 — 1515

Some unfamiliar names in the Saints squad, so could be very interesting. Saints 24 - 28 Chiefs 🤞

That's a good looking Chief's side. Good to see some faces back from injury, as well as a number of newbies getting a run out. I'm optimistic, despite the undoubted strength of Saints.
Saints 18 Chiefs 24

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

Going to lean towards optimism here! Northampton 20 Chiefs 25

Saints missing their four Lions with a number of Prem debuts. Strong looking Chiefs 23 so hopefully a winning start to the season for us. Saints 24 Chiefs 34.

Going to the game, looking forward to it. Weather forecast is good so running rugby on the cards.

Northampton 20 - 34 Exeter. Here’s hoping 🏉

I think selection of 6 forwards on bench suggests we will playing a tight forward game trying to stifle the fabulous running game Saints play.
For me the most odd selection is Hammersley at 12 which is the position where you have a player who has to get across the gain line, make great offloads and can make a dominant tackle, has he ever played there before ? How Rigg or Wimbush are not selected is bewildering to say the least. With just the very inexperienced (has potential) Lilley as a specialist back player on the bench suggests we have little options to change things up.
Probably the best time to play Saints as they will be missing so many international quality first team starters, but think they should still win at a canter as they have pace to burn across their team. I expect our talented back three will be resorting to chasing high balls all afternoon- hope I’m wrong and we play attacking running rugby, but with such a lack of creativity at 110&12 I’m not convinced.
Saints 42 Chiefs 18

Northampton 23 Chiefs 17

10 and 12 such a big issue for us. I don't really understand why Coen didn't get used much in warm up games. This is one we should have a chance of winning but have to agree with Andy 15. Would be delighted to be proved wrong!

Hammersley seems to be the new Skinner - undroppable. Yendle in 23 - no Innard. Assume Coen injured as otherwise very short-sighted. Will be interested weather we see any different tactics from our play. Based a bit on last week Sants 35 Chiefs 15

Quote:

cornwallchief
Hammersley seems to be the new Skinner - undroppable. Yendle in 23 - no Innard. Assume Coen injured as otherwise very short-sighted. Will be interested weather we see any different tactics from our play. Based a bit on last week Sants 35 Chiefs 15

I'm guessing Gloucester don't want Innard playing for us anymore

This has the potential to be an interesting match, particularly with so many unknown faces in the Saints line-up. As others have observed, we’ve got a 12 who’s never played there before and who has a track record of dropping the ball, wayward kicking and missed tackles., so whether we ever get the ball to our super talented wings remains to be seen. I’m looking forward to my trip to Franklin’s Gardens, but I fear it’ll be the same old 3-try Chiefs
Saints 36; Chiefs 19

Don't get several of the selections. No 12 when we have 2 very good youngsters. Yenz shouldn't be near the match day squad, Skinner at 10. Not optimistic also based on the warm up games.
St's 32 Chiefs 15

The 10/12 selections are a problem. Slade and our back 3 could struggle for ball.
If Rigg and Wimbush aren't available, even as bench options, then I think we should've either backed Lilley to start at centre (not sure if he's a 12 or 13 by choice) or maybe put Coen at 13 so he can play, gain experience, and shift the rest around. Slade/PBB/Skinner/Coen/IFW/Hodge would maybe better balanced.

That said, I'm fairly optimistic we can do well with the players selected, and get a result to go into the Newcastle game on a positive note.

Saints 24 Chiefs 26

I was thinking it would be close but in Saints favour, however with our line up I’m going for a narrow away win
Saints 22 - 27 Chiefs

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts

Quote:

cornwallchief
Hammersley seems to be the new Skinner - undroppable. Yendle in 23 - no Innard. Assume Coen injured as otherwise very short-sighted. Will be interested weather we see any different tactics from our play. Based a bit on last week Sants 35 Chiefs 15

I'm guessing Gloucester don't want Innard playing for us anymore

Watching Sale/Glaws Innard appears to me to have bulked up

Saints 21 Cheifs 32

Saints 18 Chiefs 24

Like Andy and many others I continue to be baffled by the selection of Hammersly at 12! The poor young man is an inexperienced winger, chucking him in at 12 will only harm his development and shatter his confidence. With him at 12 and Skinner at Ten I'm not seeing Henry or our outstanding wingers seeing any quality ball! It also makes defending against us a breeze, no threat at all of crash ball from our 12! Also if I was Saints I'd be targeting our 10 12 channel with some big runners.

Starting front row looks strong, the replacement front 3, not so!

A shame really as we'll never have a better chance of a win at the Gardens. With saints missing loads of quality, and several players making their debut they are there for the taking.

A win here would boost confidence and set our season up nicely. Unfortunately, given last week's showing I can't see it!

Saints 32 Chiefs 17

As a Saints fan, I am a bit nervous. We have lack continuity with new faces in key positions with lots of players unavailable, and your side looks strong. Good luck for the game!

Saints 21 - Chiefs 28

This season has never been so full of unknowns, we have great wingers but centre not, pack looks good. Many improvement to come but getting the ball to those wings is an issue.
It will be tighter than many think.

Saints 26 Chiefs 20

Saints 27 Chiefs 20

I posted last week that we wouldn't see Hammersley in the centres again....🤣

Shows how much I know. I still don't get it I'm afraid.

But in the interests of consistency and ignorance, I shall predict, (unwisely), chiefs 27 saints 24.

Saints 31- 26 Chiefs

Away from home. Should hope to win based on the match day squads. We've made hard work of these situations. I want us to win and maybe it's a new season but Saints 29 Chiefs 24. 1 point for us would be a win.

not predicting the scores this year but the chiefs will win on sunday in my view

Saints 29 - 32 Chiefs

Our away win percentage can only improve, hoping this might be tomorrow. Not sure on Hammers, lots of endeavour, whete is Will Rigg?

Quote:

Chief10tank
Our away win percentage can only improve, hoping this might be tomorrow. Not sure on Hammers, lots of endeavour, whete is Will Rigg?

Good question, I know Rigg played in the Coventry game last weekend, seemed to have a decent game. Swapping Hammers for Rigg has crossed my mind, I guess the coaches see something I dont.

With all appendages crossed Saints 21- 32 Exe but I could be wrong!

Can’t reason why but Saints 25 Chiefs 27

Saints not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Amena Caqusau, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Tom James, Josh Kemeny, Curtis Langdon, Tom Lockett, Alex Mitchell, Chunya Munga, Henry Pollock, Charlie Ulcoq, Ollie Sleightholme, Fin Smith and Tom West.

Plus Scotland International Robbie Smith who played for Bedford last weekend but presumably isn’t deemed fit enough yet after his long term injury.

Thanks TigerSimon. That's a significant list of names, and indicates clearly how important it is that we secure a solid win.

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

Saints ‘Unknown’ Faces

14 Edoardo Todaro - Italian U20 Winger

10 Anthony Belleau - France International signed this season as backup to Fin. Can also play 12.

9 Archie McParland - England U20 SH

2 Craig Wright - Was an England U20 Hooker

5 Ed Prowse - Saints academy product. Who has converted from TH to lock.

Replacements:
16 Henry Walker - Signed from Ealing last season

19 JJ Van Der Mescht - New ‘Enforcer’ style 2nd row

21 Jonny Weimann - England U20 SH

23 Toby Thame - Very promising Centre who unfortunately missed most of last season through injury.

Would have liked to see Vintcent at 12, it is time for him to become a match winner.

if we can get 2 points from this game that will be above par

Saints 27 Exeter 26

If Skinner is poor then those he is keeping out the team like Jenkins must be very poor and be let go

As is the case at the start of any season, a random stab in the dark ......

Saints 21 Chiefs 24

Quote:

mommentum
If Skinner is poor then those he is keeping out the team like Jenkins must be very poor and be let go

Jenkins was at Pirates last season and is at Albion this. Got a little playing time yesterday but not going to set the Prem alight! For me it's worth giving Haydon-Wood a run at 10.

Roots out, Fisilau starts with Zambonin onto the bench.

Coen for me is a perfect example of one of the issues in England Rugby at the moment!

Opportunities for players once they graduate from England U20!
DR doesn’t really work as the players will often be a travelling reserve for the Prem Side!
Either the A league returns but as a U23 league or the PRC becomes a true development competition with restrictions on who can play in the Competition.

Quote:

tigersimon
Coen for me is a perfect example of one of the issues in England Rugby at the moment!
Opportunities for players once they graduate from England U20!
DR doesn’t really work as the players will often be a travelling reserve for the Prem Side!
Either the A league returns but as a U23 league or the PRC becomes a true development competition with restrictions on who can play in the Competition.

Its very frustrating to see young players with real potential not getting game time.

Coen, Wimbush, Ridl are three that I'd like to see getting first team slots.

Quote:

tigersimon
Coen for me is a perfect example of one of the issues in England Rugby at the moment!
Opportunities for players once they graduate from England U20!
DR doesn’t really work as the players will often be a travelling reserve for the Prem Side!
Either the A league returns but as a U23 league or the PRC becomes a true development competition with restrictions on who can play in the Competition.

Agreed. Saints threw in a fist full of youngsters and new faces, and I think we'll see more of a few of them in the first team. We're just not giving them the starts they need.

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

Did anybody get the result prediction correct?

Quote:

Lowerwatha
Did anybody get the result prediction correct?

No. In fact, not many of us scored points this week. While I've been running the predictions, I don't think anyone's ever predicted a draw.

Second half performance based on not giving away penalties/field position, being more accurate and never giving up. Very pleasing. Getting our mojo back.

Quote:

Grandstand Viewer
Second half performance based on not giving away penalties/field position, being more accurate and never giving up. Very pleasing. Getting our mojo back.

Think fitness played a part too - we were sitting in the East Stand and it was baking, probably even hotter on the pitch! Agree on the penalties 7 first half and only 2 in the second half. Line speed was much better second half pinning Saints in their half. Bench also played a part.

This season I added a row to the spreadsheet I use to record the score with the average predicted scores and I've just noticed that, as a group, we predicted a 25-all draw.

Spooky! Thanks Ouch.

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

The collective wisdom of individual ignorance 🤣