Teams UP:EPCR Dragons v Saints.19/10/18 ko 7.30pm
Time to quell the breath
By Happywifehappylife
October 18 2018
Is it "Do or Die time" & a loss will see us with pretty much nothing left to fight for in 2018 / 2019. Rodney Parade's a great place to watch rugger
Tom Wood returns to Northampton Saints’ starting line-up for the first time since March as Chris Boyd takes a much-changed starting XV to Newport for this Friday’s European Challenge Cup round two clash with Dragons.
The back row forward – who started his comeback from a long-term groin injury with a duo of Wanderers appearances – joins Teimana Harrison and Jamie Gibson in the back row as Saints make their second trip of the season to Rodney Parade following their pre-season victory there in August.
Elsewhere David Ribbans is reunited with Courtney Lawes in the second row after the England international missed out on Saints’ last two games. And Mikey Haywood comes in for club co-captain Dylan Hartley to make his first start of the season at hooker, with Ben Franks returning to the starting line-up to complete the front row alongside captain Alex Waller.
It’s a first start in Black, Green and Gold for 21-year-old Alex Mitchell as he joins Dan Biggar to form a new half back combination; while Director of Rugby Chris Boyd sticks with the same midfield partnership that started the opening round of the European competition against Clermont Auvergne, with Piers Francis and Andrew Kellaway maintaining their places in the centre.
But Boyd makes some adjustments to the back three; with Taqele Naiyaravoro recalled to the left wing alongside Tom Collins, who switches to the right, and Ahsee Tuala reinstated at fullback following Harry Mallinder’s early departure from the game last weekend.
James Fish – who started Saints' first two games of the season – is also recalled to the match day 23, joining Francois van Wyk and Ehren Painter in the front row replacements. Last weekend’s debutant Dom Barrow joins Lewis Ludlam, Cobus Reinach, James Grayson and Luther Burrell to complete the bench.
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Tom Collins
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller (captain)
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Ben Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Dom Barrow
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Cobus Reinach
22 James Grayson
23 Luther Burrell
Not available for selection:
Paul Hill (shoulder), Rory Hutchinson (knee), Toby Trinder (foot), Ken Pisi (shoulder), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee), Api Ratuniyarawa (ankle), Tom Emery (ankle),Harry Mallinder (knee) and James Haskell (ankle)
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EPCR Challenge Cup, Round Two
Friday 19th October, 2018
Rodney Parade
Kick-off: 7.30pm
15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Tom Collins
13 Andrew Kellaway
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller (captain)
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Ben Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 James Fish
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Dom Barrow
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Cobus Reinach
22 James Grayson
23 Luther Burrell
Not available for selection:
Paul Hill (shoulder), Rory Hutchinson (knee), Toby Trinder (foot), Ken Pisi (shoulder), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee), Api Ratuniyarawa (ankle), Tom Emery (ankle),Harry Mallinder (knee) and James Haskell (ankle)
"often wrong - never in doubt"
Does anyone know how serious Harry's knee injury is?
All good wishes to Woody on his return to the team.
Gibson always performs, Tei always gives everything as does Woody. Unless we start 2 injured players, i dont know what else you could hope for.
I should re-consider the existence of God
I appreciate that he came under JM
But I still think if we are not going to play him why not let him have freedom to apply to another club that will
I would like to have seen. Wood. T. Eadie lining up
At least we would have had a 7 that could challenge the breakdown
Quote:Deesaint
I scratch my head with Eadie
I appreciate that he came under JM
But I still think if we are not going to play him why not let him have freedom to apply to another club that will
I would like to have seen. Wood. T. Eadie lining up
At least we would have had a 7 that could challenge the breakdown
If we simply allowed Eadie to move we'd be even thinner on the ground at 8 than we already are, I suppose.
What is stopping T competing at the breakdown just because he wears the 8 jersey? To me that back row looks like one designed to hit rucks quickly and move the ball away asap and disrupt / slow down oppo ball . Not a big carrying unit so we need to play pace and change points of attack. This is where skill and game management are crucial.
Although when that combination played last year it was far from impressive
Let’s hope they have learnt from experience
Quote:ElySaintQuote:Deesaint
I scratch my head with Eadie
I appreciate that he came under JM
But I still think if we are not going to play him why not let him have freedom to apply to another club that will
I would like to have seen. Wood. T. Eadie lining up
At least we would have had a 7 that could challenge the breakdown
If we simply allowed Eadie to move we'd be even thinner on the ground at 8 than we already are, I suppose.
What is stopping T competing at the breakdown just because he wears the 8 jersey? To me that back row looks like one designed to hit rucks quickly and move the ball away asap and disrupt / slow down oppo ball . Not a big carrying unit so we need to play pace and change points of attack. This is where skill and game management are crucial.
Very good point.. it’s only on a defensive scrum where he would be hampered by being a little slower to breakdown given his position. Lineout and generally there is nothing stopping him being an extra 7
Quote:Neil-H
And why you probably need Mitchell at 9, if that is how we are aiming to play!... Let Cobus come in when game breaks up and spaces appear, which is where he is far more dangerous.
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