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wixfjord wrote:Gentlemen start your engines.
I'm incredibly nervous about this to be honest, and that wasn't helped by Saturday. Whatever you think about Heaslip and Kearney, both would've started and both have been here many times, so we're down two big leaders before the game kicks off.
This feels like a bit of a 'changing of the guard' moment, considering how many players we'll be introducing to knockout European rugby. The transition from Toulon in '15 is just enormous.
On paper, there's a clear path to us winning this game. Strangle them up front, own the lineout, get Henshaw running at Gopperth and Cips and don't kick loosely to that back three.
However, I'm worried about our defensive alignment. Byrne has been getting away with it for a few games, and will be targeted if he starts.
The team I'd personally start with would be:
Healy, Tracy, Furlong, Triggs, Toner, Ruddock, SOB, Conan, McGrath, Sexton, A. Byrne, Henshaw, Ringrose, Ferg, Isa
McGrath, Cronin, Bent, VDF, Leavy, JGP, Carbery, ROL
Some strange calls in there, and I don't expect this to start, but that'd be my call.
Healy deserves to start imo. In better form than McGrath and took Cardiff to pieces on Sat.
Tracy starts because Cronin has no gametime and I'm presuming Strauss is out with concussion. If not, Strauss to start for me with Cronin benching.
The backrow is the next big choice. Ruddock was excellent at the weekend, and I think we would benefit from his scrummaging and lineout. He's also more physically imposing than other options, and that will be needed against Haskell/Hughes/Launchbury. By my count, we'll have a potential 8/9 players starting who have never played a Euro knockout game before. I'd trade some of Ruddock's lack of speed to get another leader into that pack.
SOB lucky to start at 7 tbh, but he has to be there, and Conan the obvious choice at 8.
The other big call is on the wings. My dislike of Byrne defensively has been well flagged, so I'd definitely have Ferg in there, and the toss up is between Byrne and ROL. Byrne starts, just.
Bench wise I'd have the unorthodox choice of both VDF and Leavy. We know Leo reckons Ruddock can do a job in the second row, and both of these guys can add impact. Carbery over R Byrne for versatility, and ROL covering 13 and wing. I think Saturday showed that Carbery isn't ready to play 15 in a game like this from the start.
This is going to be a long week...
paddyor wrote: Ruddock could get the nod as a lineout option, but IIRC we used VdF frequently in one early season game as a lineout option and to good effect too. He seems light enough he'd be easy to lift but actually he's heavier and taller than Ruddock. Go figure. My impression has always been that Ruddock is a more physical player, whereas VdF is all about getting around the pitch.
curates_egg wrote:Those of you going with Tracy to start are ignoring Saturday's cameo I guess. Looked more show than pony and flapped badly at Cuthbert.
wixfjord wrote:curates_egg wrote:Those of you going with Tracy to start are ignoring Saturday's cameo I guess. Looked more show than pony and flapped badly at Cuthbert.
Not at all, but you seem to be ignoring Strauss' head injury and Cronin's lack of any match fitness!
As it stands, Tracy may be our only option to start.
cormac wrote:From the match report it sounds like Wasps were as ropey defensively as we were at the weekend. They have Launchbury, Hughes and Daly to come back into their squad. Sounds like le Roux is doubtful after picking up a concussion in the incident that led to the Worcester red card.
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:Two things really worry me about this game...our defence out wide and the balance of the back row. Wasps are arguably the side most suited to exposing Adam Byrne's positioning and SOB hasn't been covering the ground out wide to slow down ball there. Regardless of who else is picked with them I'd definitely have one of Leavy or VDF playing. I said previously that I'd bench SOB but I know that won't happen. Actually there's a third worry, Launchbury will be a nuisance even if we get on top up front. Haskell could be too (assuming he's fit, have a vague memory of hearing he's doubtful but might be wrong) but if we dominate up front then he's not as good as Launchbury at staying in the game.
IanD wrote:Just saw on the highlights that Willie Let Roux went off with a head injury. With a 6 day turnaround will he be available for Saturday.
ronk wrote:It might be hard to get a solid platform up front if they play Moore. Big game for him.
curates_egg wrote:wixfjord wrote:curates_egg wrote:Those of you going with Tracy to start are ignoring Saturday's cameo I guess. Looked more show than pony and flapped badly at Cuthbert.
Not at all, but you seem to be ignoring Strauss' head injury and Cronin's lack of any match fitness!
As it stands, Tracy may be our only option to start.
Strauss went off with the rest of the front row. I assumed it was a standard replacement?
brenno wrote:Yep didn't see Wasps game at the weekend
curates_egg wrote:wixfjord wrote:curates_egg wrote:Those of you going with Tracy to start are ignoring Saturday's cameo I guess. Looked more show than pony and flapped badly at Cuthbert.
Not at all, but you seem to be ignoring Strauss' head injury and Cronin's lack of any match fitness!
As it stands, Tracy may be our only option to start.
Strauss went off with the rest of the front row. I assumed it was a standard replacement?
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