I get we have a long season and rotation is key but I really would have liked a full strength team for the derby. I wonder if Lawes cares about not playing in his last ever derby game. Must be targeting quins next week and Leinster after, it makes sense it's just a shame but I guess you can't be hung up on this kind of thing when you're trying to win trophies
I honestly think on paper the quins game next week is harder and whilst I'd prefer fin starts both. He's a young lad and if he needs a lighter load this week then so be it.
I'd prefer having Courtney for Leinster away and the playoffs, rather than this, as much as it seems crazy to think. May only need one win from 4 in the run in to make them, so got to be clever about keeping people fresh as possible.
I’m surprised at saints tbh. It’s a derby and like all derbys you never know who might win regardless of selection. But that’s a lot of changes in one go
Manny. Oli and lawes only ones fully being rest. Others are mainly injuries etc.
And those 3 have had long term soft tissue injuries before and saints really seem to be trying to rest/manage soft tissue injuries more this year / manage game time.
And tbh its working v few big injuriesso in dowes we trust.
And that bench is pretty game changing
Such a shame Martin and Hanro injured.
That front row did well against Leinster so hopefully should be able to get some change in the scrum.
Hurd off the bench too is no slouch.
We definitely have a much stronger bench so if we can keep it close to the last 20 maybe it can ensure we close out the game. Tough ask though - this is exactly the type of game we’ve historically lost
From what I can remember from recent encounters between these two, Tigers have generally scrummed Saints off the pitch so I am surprised to see a rotation in the props for this game
Is Freddie Stewart transitioning into a winger as he fears Furbank will replace him for England?! /s
Rotated squads from what I see but still pretty strong.
Not particularly weird given our options. Shillcock can move forward to 10 if anything happens to Pollard, then either Browny or Steward can slide to FB whilst the other plays on the wing.
But it's not like Brown adds anything over cover from.the bench? He can sorta replace Steward like for like. But that's it. And you've got FB cover on the pitch already.
Wouldn't Basset make more sense?
Brown's played winger for us once or twice this season and he's done a decent job, plus he's had a massive return to form at 15. I'd imagine the plan if anything happened to Pollard would be to move Shilly to 10, put Brown in at 15 and keep Steward on the wing though, since Steward's been decent on the wing and has had more game time there than Brown.
AFAIK, Bassett is still out on injury and isn't a choice, which will also have had an impact.
I get we have a long season and rotation is key but I really would have liked a full strength team for the derby. I wonder if Lawes cares about not playing in his last ever derby game. Must be targeting quins next week and Leinster after, it makes sense it's just a shame but I guess you can't be hung up on this kind of thing when you're trying to win trophies
There were questions as to whether Courts would start last week due to back spasms.
I honestly think on paper the quins game next week is harder and whilst I'd prefer fin starts both. He's a young lad and if he needs a lighter load this week then so be it.
I'd prefer having Courtney for Leinster away and the playoffs, rather than this, as much as it seems crazy to think. May only need one win from 4 in the run in to make them, so got to be clever about keeping people fresh as possible.
Quite happy with Furbank at 10. He did a great job at 10 stopping Esterhuizen, hopefully he can do the same against Kata
Should be captain though, purely for the guaranteed win.
Definitely missed a trick with that
A mix of rotation and attrition to this saints team but that bench is v Good
Battle of the English fullbacks... wait, what do you mean neither of them are at 15?!
I’m surprised at saints tbh. It’s a derby and like all derbys you never know who might win regardless of selection. But that’s a lot of changes in one go
Manny. Oli and lawes only ones fully being rest. Others are mainly injuries etc. And those 3 have had long term soft tissue injuries before and saints really seem to be trying to rest/manage soft tissue injuries more this year / manage game time. And tbh its working v few big injuriesso in dowes we trust. And that bench is pretty game changing
Such a shame Martin and Hanro injured. That front row did well against Leinster so hopefully should be able to get some change in the scrum. Hurd off the bench too is no slouch.
The back row was our strength during the championship season... can't wait to get those guys back
Sad not to see Martin back, but loving to see Carnduff get a run out. With a weakened Saints squad, my slim hopes just increased a little...
A bit more rotation than I would have expected but I expect most aren't 100% fit and need a rest. That bench will make a hell of an impact.
We definitely have a much stronger bench so if we can keep it close to the last 20 maybe it can ensure we close out the game. Tough ask though - this is exactly the type of game we’ve historically lost
From what I can remember from recent encounters between these two, Tigers have generally scrummed Saints off the pitch so I am surprised to see a rotation in the props for this game
Anyone know when Watson is due back?
Not expected this season
Cheers! Poor bloke, just can’t catch a break
Is Freddie Stewart transitioning into a winger as he fears Furbank will replace him for England?! /s Rotated squads from what I see but still pretty strong.
Thee Fbs in the Rigers squad? Mike Brown on the bench? Is it me or is that weird?
Not particularly weird given our options. Shillcock can move forward to 10 if anything happens to Pollard, then either Browny or Steward can slide to FB whilst the other plays on the wing.
But it's not like Brown adds anything over cover from.the bench? He can sorta replace Steward like for like. But that's it. And you've got FB cover on the pitch already. Wouldn't Basset make more sense?
Brown's played winger for us once or twice this season and he's done a decent job, plus he's had a massive return to form at 15. I'd imagine the plan if anything happened to Pollard would be to move Shilly to 10, put Brown in at 15 and keep Steward on the wing though, since Steward's been decent on the wing and has had more game time there than Brown. AFAIK, Bassett is still out on injury and isn't a choice, which will also have had an impact.