SCOTLAND: Ivanhalfback (nae, not really)
2019 was a sub-optimal year for the national team, comprising a pretty crappy Six Nations, followed by an abject failure to get out of the group at the World Cup (which had been a fear of this correspondent for a while). This on the back of a promising couple of years of third place in the 6N and some notable scalpings of Australia, and so nearly the ABs. So, a distinct downturn in fortunes.
Coaching Team
Toonie is still in place having been given the benefit of the doubt after Japan, albeit with a slightly re-vamped supporting team, including Steve Tandy to shore up a distinctly porous defence. Forwards coach Danny Wilson will stay in place till the summer until he takes over at Glasgow. He came with a decent rep but forward play has gone backwards since the Norn Gibbons thieved McFarland.
What ‘they’ are saying
Lunatic Fringe: Toonie oot! Catastrophe! Dodson! Money! Vern woulda won the world cup! Wurr Doommmed!! *froth* *froth*
Average Fan: Townsend really needs to turn things around, another bad 6N and his coat will be on a distinctly shoogly peg.
There has been a fair bit of angst about letting Big Vern go too early, but that ship has well and truly sailed. The fact remains that, after a couple of promising years, there was a complete failure on the biggest stage with a supposedly strong squad. The team looked predictable in attack with a leaky defence, and the much-vaunted fitness looked distinctly absent. Much of this has to land at the coaching team’s door; the question is, can they learn and turn it around? They seemed worryingly short of ideas and explanations last year.
Squad
LH Prop: Bhatti, Dell, Sutherland
Well, they are all fit & play pro rugby. Dell has been the first choice, and is probably the front runner. Not the strongest in the scrum but handy in the loose, although he has not been seeing significant game time for L’Irish. Bhatti has shown flashes of quality in recent years, but is not a regular club starter. Sutherland looked very good a few years ago before suffering bad injury, but could be the best of the lot if he gets his previous form back.
Hookers: Brown, McInally, Turner
Probably in that order. Handy enough options; McInally could do with rediscovering some form, though. Turner has some question marks over his tight work and darts.
Tichtheid: Berghan, Fagerson, Nel
Z-Fags probably the front runner here; has been on fine form for Glasgow in the loose. His scrummaging may not be his strongest point, and hopefully he’ll keep his discipline and not get distracted by some zand-bags. Nel can scrum still, but seems to be fading a bit in the loose. Berghan probably in third place as a kind of inverse-Nel.
Second row: Craig, Cummings, Gilchrist, Gray, Toolis
Still no real idea about Craig. The other options are serviceable internationals without being stellar, although Cummings still has development to do. Tackling Machine Gray & Cummings to start for me, with Gilchrist on the bench, or Toolis if we want to improve the lineout. The injured larger Gray and Skinner could feature at some point.
Back Row: Bradbury, Crosbie, DuPreez, Gordon, Haining, Ritchie, Watson
With injuries / form this is probably the best and most in-form possible line up. Notable absentees include the legend Barclay who has retired from internationals, Wilson (a first for a Townsend squad) and the injured Thomson & Fagerson the younger. First choices likely to be Bradbury, Ritchie and Watson. Other spots are more up for grabs. CDP has staged a revival after a horrific throat injury, although his last international appearance did not go well. Haining has appeared from nearly nowhere to have some storming performances for Edinburgh; one of these could fulfil the hard-running 8 role we need. Crosbie has also been in fine form of late, but is likely to play a more minor role behind the others. Gordon along for the experience.
Scrum half: Horne, Price, Pyrgos
Not many other choices. Maybe it’s time for Horne to show his stuff as a starter, but other choices way behind the first two until some youngsters come through. Nae depth.
Outside Half: Hastings, Russell
Dancin’ Finn first, then Hastings. Any injuries and it’ll be Weir or Horne getting the call. Nae depth (again).
Centres: Harris, Hutchinson, Johnson, Jones, Scott
Well, this is a conundrum and no mistake. We had nearly no un-injured centres last year now we’ve got too many. Typical. The fit & firing Bennett, Taylor and Horne all miss out which would have almost unthinkable not too long back. At IC Hutchinson has been on fine form for the Saints, Johnson has a lot of goodwill in the bank for his form in the last couple of years and Scott has staged a big comeback season at Edinburgh, cutting some fantastic lines and looking fit and fast. I’d probably go in the order Scott, Hutch, Johnson. Harsh, but someone on form is going to miss out. As for OC, Jones has finally returned to form for Glasgow and I’d have him start. Harris is a more solid option, but I’m not completely sold although he seems to be going OK at Glaws. He could have the bench spot nailed down, though.
Wings: Graham, Maitland, McGuigan, Steyn, Tagive
Graham & Maitland nailed on IMO with the others trailing. Graham offers something none of the others do, and Treacle Toes is a classy and competent player. McGuigan next off the rank in case of injury.
Hogg, Kinghorn
Well Hogg is el capitano, so he’ll be starting. Kinghorn could be bench fodder depending on how the subs shape up, or even start on the wing if we have back 3 injuries.
Fixtures & Predictions. Optimism Status: Low
Ireland away first up. Scotland’s record at the start of tournaments, especially away is, well, pish. It seems every time we rock up with some confidence and seem bemused when the opposition turn up and it all goes to pot. Unfortunately, I expect this game to be no different.
Next up is England at Murrayfield. We got the Calcutta Cup in this fixture two years ago, and retained it in that crazy game at Twickenham last year. Doubt England will be taking this one for granted, and despite Scotland recovering from a classic first game meltdown we’ll probably lose.
Italy Away. Haven’t lost to Italy for a while. Don’t think we will this time but you never know.
France! At Murrayfield! We tend to win against France at home these days. Might even do it this time, depending if the French Kidz get it together or not. Wales. Away. Well, we don’t tend to win there, do we.
Preview courtesy of Chimpie
FRANCE: A Sleeping Giant or a Fully-awake Midget?
Between 2000 and 2010, France won the Six Nations five times (four Grand Slams), finished second twice, third thrice and fifth just once.
Between 2011 and 2019, France finished second once (and that was in 2011), third once, fourth five times, fifth once and sixth once.
Even Bernard Laporte could see a pattern there. Ten years of rot and decadence and it could get worse, as fewer kids embraced the game, deterred by the lack of heroes and the increasing risks.
In the meantime, the French clubs were doing rather well in the big European Cup as they provided six winners and twelve runners-up (England 8 and 4, Ireland 6 and 4). In the Top 14, the stadia are packed even for the worst dirge served by – here insert your least favourite club, be it Castres, Lyon or Brive.
So basically, the players are there, albeit still propped by too many excellent foreigners, the public is there, so what’s wrong? A bit like the England centres conundrum or a conversation about the weather: everybody knows, but it functions as a social lubricant.
To make a very long story a bit shorter, the FFR has forced the hand of the clubs: they must have an ever-increasing number of French qualified players in their squad, or else they face points deductions and financial penalties (but not quite Saracenesque). It is starting to pay dividends, hence the huge number of uncapped players in the squad. The FFR then appointed a new set of coaches (Galthié, Labit, Edwards etc) who for once seem to have the basic understanding of the game and with a contract that runs until the next RWC. The clubs have now released 42 players (it used to be only 32) for the national squad and for a longer period. So what’s not to like?
The 14 players not kept in the squad by Galthié will go and play with their clubs since as usual the Top 14 will carry on during the 6N.
It goes like this:
| 6N dates for France | Top 14 main feature |
|---|---|
| Jan 25: Toulouse/Bordeaux | |
| Feb 1: England (home) | |
| Feb 8: Italy (home) | |
| Feb 15: Racing / Toulouse, Bordeaux / Lyon | |
| Feb 22: Wales (away) | Feb 22: Clermont/Bordeaux, Lyon/Racing, Toulouse/Montpellier |
| Feb 29: Racing/La Rochelle | |
| March 8: Scotland (away) | |
| March 14: Ireland (home) |
So expect injuries and more moaning from the clubs. Plus, it is difficult for Galthié to select two hookers from the same club, should they be the best in the country. For instance, one of Mauvaka and Marchand (or Dupont and Bézy) will not play for France during the 6N, whereas they probably would in a RWC.
Here is the first list of the 42. I left it in French, for your own good.
Premières lignes : Dorian Aldegheri (Stade Toulousain, 26 ans, 4 sélections), Cyril Baille (Stade Toulousain, 26 ans, 17 sélections), Demba Bamba (Lyon, 21 ans, 7 sélections), Camille Chat (Racing 92, 24 ans, 26 sélections), Anthony Etrillard (Toulon, 26 ans, 0 sélection), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon, 20 ans, 0 sélection), Mohamed Haouas (Montpellier, 25 ans, 0 sélection), Julien Marchand (Stade Toulousain, 24 ans, 2 sélections), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bègles, 27 ans, 33 sélections)
Deuxièmes lignes : Cyril Cazeaux (Bordeaux-Bègles, 24 ans, 0 sélection), Killian Geraci (Lyon, 20 ans, 0 sélection), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92, 30 ans, 37 sélections), Boris Palu (Racing 92, 23 ans, 0 sélection), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon, 29 ans, 14 sélections), Paul Willemse (Montpellier, 27 ans, 3 sélections)
Troisièmes lignes : Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle, 22 ans, 11 sélections), Dylan Cretin (Lyon, 22 ans, 0 sélection), François Cros (Stade Toulousain, 25 ans, 2 sélections), Alexandre Fischer (Clermont, 21 ans, 0 sélection), Sekou Macalou (Stade Français, 24 ans, 1 sélection), Charles Ollivon (cap, Toulon, 26 ans, 11 sélections), Selevasio Tolofua (Stade Toulousain, 22 ans, 0 sélection), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Bègles, 21 ans, 0 sélection)
Demis de mêlée : Antoine Dupont (Stade Toulousain, 23 ans, 20 sélections), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles, 26 ans, 0 sélection), Baptiste Serin (Toulon, 25 ans, 33 sélections)
Demis d’ouverture : Louis Carbonel (Toulon, 20 ans, 0 sélection), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles, 21 ans, 1 sélection), Romain Ntamack (Stade Toulousain, 20 ans, 12 sélections)
Centres : Gaël Fickou (Stade Français, 25 ans, 51 sélections), Julien Hériteau (Toulon, 25 ans, 0 sélection), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92, 27 ans, 21 sélections), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier, 20 ans, 0 sélection)
Ailiers : Gervais Cordin (Toulon, 21 ans, 0 sélection), Lester Etien (Stade Français, 24 ans, 0 sélection), Gabriel Ngandebe (Montpellier, 22 ans, 0 sélection), Damian Penaud (Clermont, 23 ans, 16 sélections), Vincent Rattez (La Rochelle, 27 ans, 3 sélections), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92, 26 ans, 16 sélections)
Arrières : Anthony Bouthier (Montpellier, 27 ans, 0 sélection), Kylan Hamdaoui (Stade Français, 25 ans, 0 sélection), Thomas Ramos (Stade Toulousain, 24 ans, 9 sélections)
Peato Mauvaka (Stade Toulousain, 23 ans, 1 sélection) replaces Etrillard, injured.
19 uncapped players, but most of them won’t play. Interesting to note that – probably looking for established familiarity – Galthié has selected pairs of SH/FH: Dupont / Ntamack from Toulouse, Serin / Carbonnel from Toulon, Lucu /Jalibert from Bordeaux. I wonder if he’ll associate them.
Some striking omissions: Slimani, Lauret, Iturria, Raka, Bézy, Iribaren, Vahaa, Médard, Huget. Some of these may join the squad later in case of injuries.
Who will start vs England? Probably these guys:
Poirot, Chat, Bamba
Le Roux, Taofifenua
Ollivon, Alldritt, Cros
Dupont, Ntamack
Fikou, Vakatawa
Penaud, Ramos, Thomas
Bench: Aldegheri, Baille, Marchand, Willemse, Macalou, Serin, Jalibert, Hamdaoui.
What to expect?
Galthié is quite pragmatic, but he will prioritise style and substance over results, as he knows he’ll have a bit of a honeymoon period with the public. He’s chosen fast and mobile forwards instead of the big lumps that Laporte and his cronies favoured — incidentally, this is why I think he’ll pick Willemse and Taofifenua to bring in some weight to his scrum, but in the long term I’m pretty sure he’ll go for Palu, Geraci,Cazeaux and the likes. France will try to play a fast running game. The emphasis put on the high tackles favour off loads and it suits the national rugby psyche.
Strengths: more time with the players, better players, better coaches, no baggage. Half the team was already there at the RWC. The backs are a real threat.
Weaknesses: The reserves are green, green, green. Ollivon is a great captain but how about other leaders? Pack’s a bit lightweight. Ramos is a good kicker, but not in the same class as Farrell or Sexton. Finally, the Feb/March weather won’t help running rugby.
In terms of results, I expect France to finish around third.
England will have too much for France, even in Paris. Then Italy should be a formality. Wales, without Vahaa, is intriguing and could go either way but I’d bet on a win for France. As in the WC, their backs have the edge. Scotland and France tend to play the same type of rugby but I think France will have too much power for Scotland (also it’s towards the end of the 6N, so injuries have a bigger impact on smaller squads). Ireland in Paris? Ireland are easy to read but hard to stop. If there is still someone standing, possibly a draw.
May I remind you all that Heidelberg, the temporary capital of rugby, will host a blog meet on March the 14th. In a place called the Dubliner Pub.
Coincidence? Methinks not.
Preview courtesy of Flair99
Further Reading
TomPirracas on hallucinations about Super Rugby.
On the telly this week
Friday 17th January
| Dragons 47 – 5 Enisei-STM | 20:00 | S4C / epcrugby.com |
| Worcester 27 – 33 Castres | 20:00 | epcrugby.com |
Saturday 18th January
| Lyon 24 – 36 Northampton | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Treviso 0 – 18 Leinster | 13:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Cardiff 62 – 3 Calvisano | 13:00 | epcrugby.com |
| Pau 24 – 17 Leicester | 13:00 | epcrugby.com / BT Sport ESPN |
| Zebre v Bristol | 14:00 | epcrugby.com |
| Brive v Stade Français | 15:00 | epcrugby.com |
| Edinburgh v Agen | 15:00 | epcrugby.com |
| Wasps v Bordeaux | 15:00 | epcrugby.com |
| Ulster v Bath | 15:15 | BT Sport 2 |
| Harlequins v Clermont | 15:15 | Channel 4 / BT Sport 3 |
| Sale v Glasgow | 17:30 | BT Sport 3 |
| Exeter v La Rochelle | 17:30 | BT Sport 2 |
| London Irish v Scarlets | 20:00 | S4C / epcrugby.com |
| Toulon v Bayonne | 20:00 | epcrugby.com |
Sunday 19th January
| Spain v Scotland (women) | 11:00 | BBC Alba |
| Munster v Ospreys | 13:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| Saracens v Racing | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Toulouse v Gloucester | 15:15 | BT Sport 2 |
| Montpellier v Connacht | 15:15 | BT Sport 3 |
Ovally Balls 
I took my nephews to a vegan fast food place a few months ago. I didn’t tell them it was plant-based, just asked them if they wanted burgers, which of course they did. They didn’t believe me when I told them afterwards and I don’t think they believe me still. The cheeseburgers – whatever they’re made from – have that kind of synthetic, plasticky taste and there are enough gherkins to mask anything else.
It got two thumbs up from both and neither of them clocked the name of the place which would have been a giveaway.
LikeLike
Craigs, the argument after the Haskell Intervention is about the way the two sides (and I suspect there are more than 2) in this behave towards each other. The argument stops being about the meat industry and more about the how we talk.
I had a quick google for this organisation that approached him for (or likely with) a comment , the one which organised the poll, and couldn’t find anything about them. I’d guess they’re a big agribusiness astroturfing organisation.
LikeLike
This pretty much goes for any subject these days, unfortunately.
LikeLike
Indeed. The ‘Is CMW the new cricket coach?’ question quickly became about whether or not I had an Essex accent when there were definitely other considerations that needed to be dealt with first.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s fine tomp. I understand that there is a wider point being made. But there is still the diversity of opinion which my one or two line post was making reference to.
If I’ve motte and baileyed this then I apologise. It wasn’t supposed to be a big deal when I posted it.
LikeLike
I agree with the talking point completely BTW.
LikeLike
Not having this.
Ireland nailed on. Piece of piss. Best players, non-World Cup year, big question mark over the coaching set up: Grand Slam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Grand Slam winners:
Healy, Herring, Furlong
Henderson, Ryan
Stander, Doris, JvdF
Cooney
Sexton
Stockdale, McCloskey, Ringrose, Conway
Larmour
R: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Porter, Dillane, O’Donoghue, Murray, Ross Byrne, Addison
LikeLike
Looks weak
LikeLike
They’ll stuff us by 30
LikeLike
I wasn’t in the Dog & Duck on that particular day. It tickles me to think we were quite likely to have been in that place at the same at some point over the years.
LikeLike
Gonna stuff everyone by 30.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But he sold them a no look pass dummy and sailed through the front doors.
LikeLiked by 7 people
There’s no way McCloskey starts but the stuffing will happen anyway.
LikeLike
I haven’t seen The game Changers, Craigs. Reading about it, it doesn’t look like something I would choose to watch because it doesn’t sound that interesting or rewarding.
I get my F&R from watching things like Babe and Okja.
I thought you put your points fairly and reasonably btw. I struggle to be more forgiving with the Hask because he gets up my toot in general.
LikeLike
I see CMW is keeping a straight bat.
LikeLike
It does sound like Finn needed to be turfed out for this. Shame (I mean this genuinely).
LikeLike
Indeed, sounds like he jumped the rails somewhat. Curious as to why as it doesn’t seem in character. Hope it all gets resolved outside the glare of publicity.
LikeLike
Flying visit after first lurk in months:
The vegan vs meat eaters argument is ridiculous and has really kicked off on social media since ‘Veganuary’.
It descends into shameless whataboutery, especially from the ‘meat’ side.
I have seen a number of posts pointing out the high carbon footprint of imported vegetables. No one seems to point out that almost all of those Kenyan manges-touts will be served alongside meat.
I saw an idiotic post claiming that a return flight to Tenerife produced equivalent C02 to 70+ years of eating local British beef every day. It’s actually 77 days (based on 250g local grass reared beef a day).
This ‘dishonest meme’ debate is now feeding into the Culture Wars. The ‘real people’ of Nigel and Classic Dom eat meat, and the metropolitan liberal elite ‘soy boys’ are vegan. No good will come of this. Even the fat lying turd in Downing Street has been asked what he thinks about it all. (Loves cheese too much, apparently).
The free range grass fed meat = guilt free meat is also daft. It still has a high carbon footprint. Worse still, if the demand for such meat increases significantly we would need to start clearing what’s left of our natural habitat to make way for farm land. Intensively reared ‘factory’ meat might be shit for the animals inside, but it’s far better for the animals outside as it takes less of their natural habitat away.
The Game Changers is clearly over the top. The battle ropes scene is obvious BS. The main takeaway though is that it IS possible to perform at a high level in demanding sports on a plant based diet. However, unless we could somehow take two identical twins – and subject them to the same training and competition from birth (making sure they are equally motivated and disciplined) only having one on a plant based diet and the other not – it is almost impossible to accurately ascertain if a plant based diet leads to better performance. Most athletes who become vegan reached the top of their sport as a non-vegan. It might be the case that a switch mid-career is beneficial, who knows?
Disclaimer: I am a vegan since last October.
LikeLike
@Enzo – no space for the Startled Puffin?
LikeLike
Interesting piece on professionalism creeping into schools rugby. Not exclusive to Ireland as it’s happening most everywhere.
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/owen-doyle-creeping-professionalism-of-schools-rugby-a-threat-to-the-game-1.4146863?mode=amp
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Devoted football fans experience such intense levels of physical stress while watching their team they could be putting themselves at risk of a heart attack, research suggests.’
Try being a Scottish rugby fan. I’m amazed any are still alive.
LikeLike
@Refit – he’d do a job.
LikeLike
Small world – the lad in green (Gonzaga) in the accompanying photo boarded with us summer before last while on an intensive Irish language revision course. My youngest spotted him (“that’s Jack!”) when we were watching the competition quarter finals. So, as it was free to air – we took a strong interest in the Leinster Senior Cup last year.
A lot of the points are well made – but they could have been made any time in the last 20 years – Senior Cup has always been ‘serious’ stuff .
LikeLiked by 2 people
No no no. In full view of the public glare, please. Sportscene, Motorhead t shirt etc.
LikeLike
From the outside looking in, schools rugby seems like serious stuff in Leinster. Way beyond anything here in terms of general interest. The Welsh Schools & Colleges league definitely doesn’t have that kind of profile.
LikeLike
If FR has a drink problem, then he needs help, sympathy and time
LikeLike
Just read up on Finn. He does seem to have stuffed himself up his own hole tbh.
LikeLike
No Slade he needs to be the next Cipriani. Banished!!!
LikeLike
It’s not helping with the squad that’s real problem. Lad needs to learn some respect.
LikeLike
A writer Paul Howard has made his name writing – initially a newspaper column – and more latterly a series of books based around a character called Ross O’Carroll Kelly (initials spell ROCK as a nod to Blackrock school).
O’Carroll Kelly’s claim to fame is captaining his school to a Senior Cup win – it’s really a snapshot of Ireland through the Celtic Tiger, 2010 bust and recovery – seen through the eyes of a Leinster “rugger bugger”. The fact that the books are best sellers here shows how well he’s captured that middle class entitled but also how well the entire country recognises the stereotype, and the fact that the huge profile of schools rugby makes a ‘minor’ character universally recognised.
I’d guess 50% are laughing at Ross and 50% laughing along with him. Books are best sellers here – but its difficult to know if anyone over the water would recognise any of it.
LikeLike
No team sheets this week so let’s look at that nice Louis Rees Zammit instead
LikeLike
‘Details remain hazy but it appears that the 27-year-old playmaker, who had played for Racing 92 versus Saracens earlier that day, refused to stop drinking despite being urged to do so by Scotland squad players and staff, and there may have been words exchanged with Townsend.
Russell did not stay in the hotel that night and instead returned home to his parents’ house near Stirling at 10pm. He did not attend training on Monday morning but a meeting was arranged with Townsend that evening, and he also met up with new captain Stuart Hogg. Russell was apparently told by Townsend that the situation was resolvable, although it was made clear that there would have to be consequences which would include being excluded from camp for the time being and being left out of the team’s Six Nations opener against Ireland in Dublin a week on Saturday.
Townsend told Russell that he would phone on Tuesday morning to tell him when he could come back into camp, but there was no call until Tuesday evening, and at that point still no clarification on when he could rejoin the group. On Wednesday morning, Russell was told by Townsend that he was free to return to Paris to start preparing for Racing 92’s match against Castres on Saturday if that was his preference, and he flew out of Scotland at 6am on Thursday morning. Townsend has also contacted Racing 92 directly about the situation.’
Sounds a bit of a storm inna teacup really. Got pished after losing to sarries, wouldn’t stop, had a sulk & went off to rejoin club. Hopefully he’ll be back next week & get ready for England
I want to know who’s going to come into the squad as a back up FH.
LikeLike
Enzo – is that you volunteering to write next week’s Ireland preview?
LikeLike
England going well in the cricket. Absolutely doomed in the 6N.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can but hope
LikeLike
Starting tomorrow for Glaws, Yos.
Jason Woodward; 14. Tom Marshall, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Louis Rees-Zammit; 10. Owen Williams, 9. Joe Simpson 1. Val Rapava-Ruskin, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Alex Craig, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Lewis Ludlow (capt), 8. Ben Morgan
LikeLike
Expro’s posted here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bah. Jinxed the cricketers. Won’t help the rugby players.
LikeLike
Hello Expro!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“your”
Exeter team to face Sale:
15 Phil Dollman, 14 Tom O’Flaherty, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sam Hill, 11 Olly Woodburn
10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Stuart Townsend
1 Ben Moon, 2 Elvis Taione, 3 Enrique Pieretto, 4 Dave Dennis (capt),, 5 Jonny Hill, 6 Dave Ewers, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 8 Sam Simmonds
16 Jordon Poole, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Marcus Street, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Jack Maunder,22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson
Quite a few missing/injured/rested and Joe Simmonds suspended for 3 weeks after La Rochelle tackle (he’s such a brute!).
Sale offer a very physical challenge and will be out for revenge
LikeLike
Been avoiding the meat/ no meat debate mainly as I’m a sag-like massive hypocrite.
I understand on some level that eating meat involves killing animals and farming practices are can be poor, and that demand can drive many ills in the world. However meat is delicious to eat and I’m lazy.
Some day I may come to some form of consistent settlement with myself on this, but not today.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Skinner back, whoop!
LikeLike
Trying to take a moral high ground rarely ends well.
LikeLike
Who is the startled puffin?
LikeLike
Think it’s Yosoy’s favourite player, Dave Kearney
LikeLiked by 2 people
I read an article in t’Graun about how it’s ok to eat meat and how everyone turning vegan would not be a Good Thing. So I’m fine about the whole thing.
LikeLike
Some day I may come to some form of consistent settlement with myself on this, but not today.
That’ll be when you buy your swanky new hunting rifle to complement your shotgun you use for small game and wildfowl ;-)
LikeLike
I thought it was the most guilt-free meat course,
LikeLike
Most?
LikeLike