Exeter vs Quins - Sunday 3pm

[Puja]

[FKAS]

Odd that Chiefs persevere with the worst of the three centres they've used this season to partner Slade. Losing the second row Dunne is a blow as he's been good for them so far. They've stayed with the simply huge backrow as well.

I was mildly surprised to see Walker given the Quins captaincy, really has become part of the furniture quickly there hasn't he. No Dombrandt is a big blow for them and White really isn't close to a like for like replacement.

The defensive alignment that was exploited so well by Sarries last weekend will be under some scrutiny. Quins backs tended to get sucked in and defend too narrow and Chiefs do like the blind side winger wrap play to overload the outside channel. Going to need Anyanwu to be stronger in the 12 channel and allow Northmore to try and cut those moves out.

[Oakboy]

Odd that Chiefs persevere with the worst of the three centres they've used this season to partner Slade. Losing the second row Dunne is a blow as he's been good for them so far. They've stayed with the simply huge backrow as well.

Presumably, Devoto is still unfit. They desperately need a decent SH. In my ignorance, I did not particularly rate Nick White when he was there. His return now (or a SH of that calibre) would transform the team, IMO.

[Puja]

Odd that Chiefs persevere with the worst of the three centres they've used this season to partner Slade. Losing the second row Dunne is a blow as he's been good for them so far. They've stayed with the simply huge backrow as well.

Presumably, Devoto is still unfit. They desperately need a decent SH. In my ignorance, I did not particularly rate Nick White when he was there. His return now (or a SH of that calibre) would transform the team, IMO.

They're picking Whitten over the big rough diamond Polynesian signing Kata though, who we all thought would be the perfect foil to Slade.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Kata must be injured. Thought he's looked pretty good so far. Whitten is so damn ordinary but is a coaches favourite.

Think Exe hold the aces up front and have some impact to call off the bench that will prove decisive.

[Scrumhead]

Odd that Chiefs persevere with the worst of the three centres they've used this season to partner Slade. Losing the second row Dunne is a blow as he's been good for them so far. They've stayed with the simply huge backrow as well.

I was mildly surprised to see Walker given the Quins captaincy, really has become part of the furniture quickly there hasn't he. No Dombrandt is a big blow for them and White really isn't close to a like for like replacement.

The defensive alignment that was exploited so well by Sarries last weekend will be under some scrutiny. Quins backs tended to get sucked in and defend too narrow and Chiefs do like the blind side winger wrap play to overload the outside channel. Going to need Anyanwu to be stronger in the 12 channel and allow Northmore to try and cut those moves out.

Pretty fair. I’m not surprised Walker is captain at all. He’s quickly made himself a leader in the squad and Marler (who is probably the most likely alternative) doesn’t enjoy being captain.

White is our 4th choice 8 behind Dombrandt, Lawday and James Chisholm (although he’s very seldom available these days).

I agree on the rest though. Our best hope is to win the breakdown battle. Chiefs can be vulnerable to good jackals so I’m hoping Evans and Kenningham can slow them down a bit.

[Mellsblue]

Walker was Eng u20 captain and captain of Leeds at 19/20. He obviously has strong leadership qualities.

[FKAS]

Good points Mells and Scrumhead.

I was just thinking last season with the Hair Bear saying that they thought Walker would come in as a squad player and he went on to be a stand out first choice. From that internal expectation to be captaining the side in season 2 ahead of some homegrown internationals is a big sign of how well he's respected.

[Stom]

Good points Mells and Scrumhead.

I was just thinking last season with the Hair Bear saying that they thought Walker would come in as a squad player and he went on to be a stand out first choice. From that internal expectation to be captaining the side in season 2 ahead of some homegrown internationals is a big sign of how well he's respected.

Quins have always promoted strong captaincy potential players to the role sooner rather than later. The idea is that the leadership group around them will provide support, and the more players who are exposed to the captaincy, the stronger that group. I'd say it's a very good system.

[FKAS]

Good points Mells and Scrumhead.

I was just thinking last season with the Hair Bear saying that they thought Walker would come in as a squad player and he went on to be a stand out first choice. From that internal expectation to be captaining the side in season 2 ahead of some homegrown internationals is a big sign of how well he's respected.

Quins have always promoted strong captaincy potential players to the role sooner rather than later. The idea is that the leadership group around them will provide support, and the more players who are exposed to the captaincy, the stronger that group. I'd say it's a very good system.

Yeah Quins have a very strong internal sense of self. Makes sense they'd have a leadership group operating like that.

[twitchy]

I keep getting logged out of rr for some reason. Quite annoying.

Anyway, it's beautiful weather down here so hopefully perfect for some decent rugby. Sunny but not hot.

[twitchy]

I did not expect this. 24-0 to exe after 23 mins.

[twitchy]

Quins pull one back.

[FKAS]

Missed the first half and saw intermittent bits of the second. Saw the final 10 mins. What a game, 85 points and it seesawing all over the place. Might need to watch this back in it's entirety.

[twitchy]

Ridiculous game.

[Puja]

I'd be fuming as a Quins fan. That pass looked very definitely forward, both live and on replay and the TMO agreed, only to be overruled by Tempest. Before that, I'd say Shickerling's try was clear crawling and before it was even scored there was a clear turnover that was missed.

Still, impressive finish by the racists. They appear to have got their hard nosed edge and determination not to be beaten back this season.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Poor discipline from Exeter who got penalised by a fussy ref and did not sort themselves out. I thought the uncontested scrums gave Quins an advantage. The final try just evened things out a bit. Every time I watch Exeter I get more concerned about their lack of a decent SH.

Entertaining afternoon.

[Epaminondas Pules]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

[Puja]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

And he's not yet injured??? Bizarre.

Puja

[Oakboy]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

Both 7s were half-decent.

[Timbo]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

Aye, that was what I was logging on to say. His breakdown work turned that game in its head. In front of Eddie, I wonder if he’s got half a chance of being in the training squad tomorrow.

[Banquo]

Odd that Chiefs persevere with the worst of the three centres they've used this season to partner Slade. Losing the second row Dunne is a blow as he's been good for them so far. They've stayed with the simply huge backrow as well.

Presumably, Devoto is still unfit. They desperately need a decent SH. In my ignorance, I did not particularly rate Nick White when he was there. His return now (or a SH of that calibre) would transform the team, IMO.

They're picking Whitten over the big rough diamond Polynesian signing Kata though, who we all thought would be the perfect foil to Slade.

Puja

Whitten is quite old quite slow, but does the 'jobs' expected of a good centre very well.

[Puja]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

Aye, that was what I was logging on to say. His breakdown work turned that game in its head. In front of Eddie, I wonder if he’s got half a chance of being in the training squad tomorrow.

Ooh, is that tomorrow? Interesting. Wasn't Evans in one of Eddie's very first squads? Admittedly that was Eddie picking young and unproven to try and solve our 7 problem in 2026, but clearly likes him in theory.

Puja

[Banquo]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

he's class. Suffered from being unfashionably small and skilful

[FKAS]

That was great fun! But jeez how good was Will Evans!! Outstanding! Next level 7 play!

he's class. Suffered from being unfashionably small and skilful

And injured. He's had a few rather painful injuries. I was still annoyed when Tigers under utilised him when he came back from injury and then didn't do more to keep him. He's flourished at Quins but again only when actually fit. The combination of him and Kenningham will be an entertaining one to watch this season.