NEWS: Teams Up: Sale v Saints
A big test!
By Happywifehappylife
November 23 2018
Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made three changes to his starting XV for Northampton Saints’ trip to the AJ Bell Stadium this Saturday to face Sale Sharks, plus it's Luther's 150th appearance
The men in Black, Green and Gold head to Manchester with four wins in their previous five matches in all competitions, having soundly beaten Wasps on their return to Gallagher Premiership action last time out.
And Luther Burrell brings up a special milestone as he comes into the side to make his 150th appearance in the Black, Green and Gold jersey. Tighthead prop Paul Hill starts in the front row for the first time in the league this season, joining captain Alex Waller and hooker James Fish. Alex Moon continues in the engine room after another impressive display last weekend, but Fijian lock Api Ratuniyarawa comes in to round off the tight five. Meanwhile flankers Tom Wood and Lewis Ludlam – the latter of whom signed a new contract at Franklin’s Gardens this week – will play either side of No.8 Teimana Harrison to complete the pack.
Saints’ backline is largely unchanged with last weekend’s man-of-the-match Taqele Naiyaravoro keeping his place on the wing and George Furbank selected at fullback. After both scoring tries against Wasps, Andrew Kellaway and Fraser Dingwall line up again for Northampton. Burrell starts at inside centre in the only backs change, while James Grayson and Cobus Reinach will look to control proceedings from the half-back berths.
Amongst the replacements there are three more changes of personnel as Francois van Wyk returns to the matchday squad to cover the front row alongside Reece Marshall and Ben Franks, plus Dom Barrow and Mitch Eadie will look to make an impact off the bench.
SALE SHARKS v NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Round Eight
Saturday 24 November, 2018
AJ Bell Stadium
Kick-off: 1pm
For more details head of t'Offy
Teams Up: Sale v Saints
Posted by: Marching On (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 16:44
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Team's Up
Posted by: tedge (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:24
Ribbans rested - he'll be missed ?
15 George Furbank
14 Andrew Kellaway
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 James Grayson
9 Cobus Reinach
1 Alex Waller (c)
2 James Fish
3 Paul Hill
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Alex Moon
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 Reece Marshall
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Ben Franks
19 Dom Barrow
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Jamie Gibson
22 Alex Mitchell
23 Ollie Sleightholme
Not available for selection:
Ken Pisi (shoulder), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), James Haskell (ankle), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), James Craig (concussion), Tom Emery (shoulder), Ehren Painter (back), Mikey Haywood (knee) and Tom Collins (eye).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:11:46:54 by tedge.
15 George Furbank
14 Andrew Kellaway
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Luther Burrell
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 James Grayson
9 Cobus Reinach
1 Alex Waller (c)
2 James Fish
3 Paul Hill
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Alex Moon
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison
Replacements:
16 Reece Marshall
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Ben Franks
19 Dom Barrow
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Jamie Gibson
22 Alex Mitchell
23 Ollie Sleightholme
Not available for selection:
Ken Pisi (shoulder), Nafi Tuitavake (neck), Andy Symons (knee), Jamal Ford-Robinson (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), James Haskell (ankle), Heinrich Brüssow (concussion), James Craig (concussion), Tom Emery (shoulder), Ehren Painter (back), Mikey Haywood (knee) and Tom Collins (eye).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:11:46:54 by tedge.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: ramseysaint (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:30
Is Jamie Gibson our new centre?
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: saintsby2018 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:31
Yep happy with that go get em lads! make it a black saturday for sale 
2018 The fightback begins COYS!
2018 The fightback begins COYS!
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: shendy (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:31
Brussow still out, poor chap.
And 6:2 forwards/back on the bench! Who is the replacement fly half?
And 6:2 forwards/back on the bench! Who is the replacement fly half?
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Chris Hoddle (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:36
Bet furbank would do the fly half cover.
Brussow being out for so long I wonder if there waiting for 12 weeks so they can claim the insurance?
Brussow being out for so long I wonder if there waiting for 12 weeks so they can claim the insurance?
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Happywifehappylife (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:38
Quote:shendy
Who is the replacement fly half?
That was my first thought. My second was that last week Grayson had an off day with the place kicks, but we didn't need them. Tomorrow we might so who else in on the field that can kick? Furbank?
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Wilson Pickett (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 11:56
on paper it’s a big mismatch... hopefully we play some good stuff and keep developing our patterns, but zero expectations of a win
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: ElySaint (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 13:23
Got to be happy with that really. Given the injury list I think we're managing the rest / rotation well. Great news that Paul Hill returns.
Looks to me like we've got a mobile, energetic, pacey bench to come on and make an impact. Reasonably optimistic for this one.
Looks to me like we've got a mobile, energetic, pacey bench to come on and make an impact. Reasonably optimistic for this one.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Saint Stokey (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 13:46
Interesting that Garside has been dropped. I believe he's a TH. I also believe that Franks is primarily a LH so it would be nice to see Hill & Garside at TH and Franks & Waller at LH.
Didn't Ribbans have an illness/ flu last week so was touch and go for the Wasps game? Perhaps he needs some proper recovery. Looks like Api is making up the ballast. Hope that Barrow can come on and give his usual all-action abrasive performance.
Backs are what they are since we have very few players left. Its disappointing that Piers has been called up for next to no reason.
everything crossed for this. it will be tough but we're in good form and confidence must be at a 3 season high.
both sides have been stripped of a number of players through injury or international call ups, but it looks like Sale have been able to select a pretty strong starting line up. Their bench looks weaker than ours so if we can hang on, the last 20- 30 mins may be where we can turn things up.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:14:18:22 by Saint Stokey.
Didn't Ribbans have an illness/ flu last week so was touch and go for the Wasps game? Perhaps he needs some proper recovery. Looks like Api is making up the ballast. Hope that Barrow can come on and give his usual all-action abrasive performance.
Backs are what they are since we have very few players left. Its disappointing that Piers has been called up for next to no reason.
everything crossed for this. it will be tough but we're in good form and confidence must be at a 3 season high.
both sides have been stripped of a number of players through injury or international call ups, but it looks like Sale have been able to select a pretty strong starting line up. Their bench looks weaker than ours so if we can hang on, the last 20- 30 mins may be where we can turn things up.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:14:18:22 by Saint Stokey.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Dragonboy (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 14:49
Quote:I would hazard a guess that Dave Ribbans has been rested on squad rotation as I think he’s notched up a lot of minutes this year.ElySaint
Got to be happy with that really. Given the injury list I think we're managing the rest / rotation well. Great news that Paul Hill returns.
Looks to me like we've got a mobile, energetic, pacey bench to come on and make an impact. Reasonably optimistic for this one.
I agree about Piers but I’m sure there’s a case for having him around the squad in case Manu gets injured stirring his coffee at breakfast tomorrow. Wasn’t there a comment about him carrying a groin strain earlier this week?
Unusual for Eddie to recall a Saint though. He usually discards them and goes for anyone else but. Burrell Hill Brookes Harrison ................... Even to the extent that caps are given to youngsters from Exeter that I’m sure a lot of people have never heard of rather than recall T - a player showing massive form this season.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Chris Hoddle (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 15:16
Chris Boyd said that Dave Ribbans has not fully recovered from flu symptoms so didn't make the team.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: twsaint (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 15:41
I understand that both Ribband and Franks missed last Friday's training.
On Saturday Barrow warmed up with the match day 23. It appeared that Ribbans was touch and go until the last minute. He was subbed very early in the second half. Flu needs a good deal of recovery time, hence time off this week.
Hill's name was in last week's programme , so he was obviously in the side with a couple of days to go. After he withdrew , Franks had to start whatever condition he was in. He made it to half time.
Garside was done brilliantly when we'd had 3 THs out but do we really feel he is a Premiership starter? He's on the bench for Ampthill tomorrow.
Tomorrow we be very tough and we need at least parity in the forwards.At Gloucester our defence was put through the wringer. Woody made an incredible number of tackles and Lewis Ludlam had cramp , whilst Tei was subbed. We've now got the scope to make 6 substitutions up front with some serious muscle to come on. Diamond is a reluctant user of the bench.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:15:48:37 by twsaint.
On Saturday Barrow warmed up with the match day 23. It appeared that Ribbans was touch and go until the last minute. He was subbed very early in the second half. Flu needs a good deal of recovery time, hence time off this week.
Hill's name was in last week's programme , so he was obviously in the side with a couple of days to go. After he withdrew , Franks had to start whatever condition he was in. He made it to half time.
Garside was done brilliantly when we'd had 3 THs out but do we really feel he is a Premiership starter? He's on the bench for Ampthill tomorrow.
Tomorrow we be very tough and we need at least parity in the forwards.At Gloucester our defence was put through the wringer. Woody made an incredible number of tackles and Lewis Ludlam had cramp , whilst Tei was subbed. We've now got the scope to make 6 substitutions up front with some serious muscle to come on. Diamond is a reluctant user of the bench.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:23:15:48:37 by twsaint.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Saint For Life (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 15:55
Quote:Wilson Pickett
on paper it’s a big mismatch... hopefully we play some good stuff and keep developing our patterns, but zero expectations of a win
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
Agree 100% - but what’s the betting 75+ posts when we lose ?
Re: Teams Up: Sale v Saints
Posted by: higgy365 (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 18:01
Well, colour me surprised at that Saints For Life.
What might also surprise you is that on this I agree with WP. League points are a bonus here, more pertinent is how we play.
And I’ll put my hands up but not too long ago I wanted us to get in cover but now (barring a lengthening of the absentee list) I’m happy to rely on the youth
What might also surprise you is that on this I agree with WP. League points are a bonus here, more pertinent is how we play.
And I’ll put my hands up but not too long ago I wanted us to get in cover but now (barring a lengthening of the absentee list) I’m happy to rely on the youth
Re: Teams Up: Sale v Saints
Posted by: Chris Hoddle (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 18:30
In an early thread that was deleted, I made reference to Sale's game against Sarries.
Although they came close most of their points were from penalties. They failed to take control when Sarries were down to 14.
In the first few games our penalty count was very high, it seems to have been significantly reduced of late.
Our defence has been really very good over the last few games. if we can keep the defence up and not give the penalties away I cant see why we might not run the game very close and snatch a win.
but then again I am biased.
Although they came close most of their points were from penalties. They failed to take control when Sarries were down to 14.
In the first few games our penalty count was very high, it seems to have been significantly reduced of late.
Our defence has been really very good over the last few games. if we can keep the defence up and not give the penalties away I cant see why we might not run the game very close and snatch a win.
but then again I am biased.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Brackleysaint (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 20:26
Quote:Wilson Pickett
on paper it’s a big mismatch... hopefully we play some good stuff and keep developing our patterns, but zero expectations of a win
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
Very true, a bonus point would be a result.
Re: Teams Up: Sale v Saints
Posted by: Saintfanh (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 21:22
Really good team given the injury list. It was also great to see Luther's confidence when he came on last week. I think a key area will be how effectively he maintains the defensive line at 12. Francis does it so well that it's easy to forget the problems we've had over previous seasons there and how important it is to the defensive structure.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: Corkst (IP Logged)
Date: 23/11/2018 21:43
Quote:Saint For LifeQuote:Wilson Pickett
on paper it’s a big mismatch... hopefully we play some good stuff and keep developing our patterns, but zero expectations of a win
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
Agree 100% - but what’s the betting 75+ posts when we lose ?
There was 75+ posts when we won last week.
Re: Team's Up
Posted by: NGSB (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2018 07:10
Quote:Wilson Pickett
on paper it’s a big mismatch... hopefully we play some good stuff and keep developing our patterns, but zero expectations of a win
so please, let’s not have a meltdown if we lose
Just a reminder that Sale are actually bottom of the table at the moment so perhaps not quite such a 'big' mis-match.
Re: Teams Up: Sale v Saints
Posted by: rugbymel (IP Logged)
Date: 24/11/2018 08:20
To emphasise how close the table is, a victory would put us in the top six and a bonus point victory would guarantee fifth and possibly fourth, depending on Wasps’ result. COYS
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:24:08:22:14 by rugbymel.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2018:11:24:08:22:14 by rugbymel.
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