Quins Vs Falcons

[FKAS]

Starting XV:

1. Fin Baxter (52)
2. Nathan Jibulu (14)
3. Titi Lamositele (1)
4. Joe Launchbury (21)
5. Stephan Lewies (71 – Captain)
6. Jack Kenningham (50)
7. Will Evans (91)
8. Chandler Cunningham-South (17)
9. Will Porter (23)
10. Marcus Smith (161)
11. Cassius Cleaves (8)
12. Lennox Anyanwu (23)
13. Luke Northmore (69)
14. Nick David (50)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (1)

Impact Players:

16. Jack Walker (64)
17. Wyn Jones (Debut)
18. Simon Kerrod (104)
19. Irne Herbst (48)
20. Dino Lamb (94)
21. Danny Care (377)
22. Jarrod Evans (18)
23. Oscar Beard (56)

Not available for selection (injury/international): Alex Dombrandt, Cadan Murley, Tyrone Green, Joe Marler, James Chisholm, George Head, Rodrigo Isgro

Newcastle Falcons team to face Harlequins (Saturday, 3pm, Twickenham Stoop)

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Connor Doherty, 12 Sammy Arnold, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Sam Stuart; 1 Adam Brocklebank, 2 Jamie Blamire, 3 Richard Palframan, 4 John Hawkins, 5 Kiran McDonald, 6 Philip van der Walt, 7 Tom Gordon, 8 Callum Chick (captain).

Replacements: 16 Ollie Fletcher, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Murray McCallum, 19 Freddie Lockwood, 20 Adam Scott, 21 Joe Davis, 22 Ben Redshaw, 23 Ethan Grayson.

Not available for selection: Eduardo Bello, Tim Cardall, Sebastian de Chaves, Alex Hearle, Cameron Neild, Pedro Rubiolo, Kieran Wilkinson.

[Puja]

Jibulu and Cleaves getting a runout, which is good. Surprised they've picked MSmith - with the appearance limits this season, you'd've thought this'd be a good one to give him a break for.

Puja

[Stom]

Jibulu and Cleaves getting a runout, which is good. Surprised they've picked MSmith - with the appearance limits this season, you'd've thought this'd be a good one to give him a break for.

Puja

We need points on the board and Evans is crap

[Epaminondas Pules]

Why Dimes is not starting Redshaw is beyond me! Hope Davis gets some good game time.

[FKAS]

Why Dimes is not starting Redshaw is beyond me! Hope Davis gets some good game time.

Seemed to be used as an impact sub last weekend. Got a few touches.

[Mellsblue]

Ou est Joseph Jnr?
The Quins backrow is aubergine emoji.

[FKAS]

Ou est Joseph Jnr?

Seemingly out of favour.

[Mellsblue]

Ou est Joseph Jnr?

Seemingly out of favour.

Or it could be a virus. I hear that there’s plenty going around at this time of year.

[FKAS]

Ou est Joseph Jnr?

Seemingly out of favour.

Or it could be a virus. I hear that there’s plenty going around at this time of year.

Very true. Didn't he miss last week's game as well though?

[Danno]

Jibulu and Cleaves getting a runout, which is good. Surprised they've picked MSmith - with the appearance limits this season, you'd've thought this'd be a good one to give him a break for.

Puja

We need points on the board and Evans is crap

*like*
A couple of tweaks last week and we'd have 4 points instead of 1. Halfpenny remains a baffling signing, however.

[Scrumhead]

Seemingly out of favour.

Or it could be a virus. I hear that there’s plenty going around at this time of year.

Very true. Didn't he miss last week's game as well though?

Yeah. It is a little odd that Joseph is not listed as ‘unavailable for selection’. I know that’s primarily for injuries but if he’s sick he’s unavailable. If he’s simply not selected it’s a bit more concerning.

Fitting Northmore, Beard and Joseph in the same 23 could be the issue but I’m surprised he’s the one to miss out.

Northmore is a very good 13 but I think Joseph may be better now with the potential to be a fair bit better with more game time.

The only justification I can see for having Beard over Joseph is if we want a bigger option to bring on for one of our lightweight wingers. Joseph is a better player than Beard overall, but Beard might just about be a more natural winger.

[FKAS]

Northmore brings some additional physicality to the midfield and with no Big Andre that might help a bit. He's not exactly slow and immobile either so a good option to have. Beard also a touch more physical and equally at home on the wing. Could just be unfortunate for Joseph that the team needs the skillsets of the others more than his currently.

[FKAS]

Well Quins looking at sixes and sevens so far, Falcons are all over them. Falcons 7-0 up early on and it could easily have been 14 had not Porter's tackle hit the arm and forced Arnold's pass forward.

[Mikey Brown]

I've only managed to find the Newcastle commentary so far, but sounds like Smith has picked up where he left off last week with 4 chips over the top so far, none of them coming to anything.

[FKAS]

I've only managed to find the Newcastle commentary so far, but sounds like Smith has picked up where he left off last week with 4 chips over the top so far, none of them coming to anything.

He's been fantastic off the tee but meh everywhere else so far. Particularly notable how he and Anyanwu are nowhere near on the same wavelength, perhaps effecting Smith's confidence. Northmore going off injured hasn't helped.

Quins finding some real momentum now though. Lineout in particular has been excellent.

[Mikey Brown]

On a side note these Geordie commentators are fucking great.

[FKAS]

The young Falcons 9 is quality. Has sped the game up no end and his delivery is quick and accurate. Only 18 as well.

[Epaminondas Pules]

The young Falcons 9 is quality. Has sped the game up no end and his delivery is quick and accurate. Only 18 as well.

Got a lot to like about him. Lee Dickson has coached him through schools rugby.

[Puja]

Cleaves looking very handy indeed on his step up to adult rugby.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

I think that was Jibulu’s first Premiership start. 100% lineout and a nice try isn’t a bad way to introduce yourself.

As per the predictions thread, he’s my tip for breakthrough player of the season. Nice out from Danny Wilson: “ I think we were 100 per cent at the lineout and they got off the floor and competed,” Wilson added. “That’s his bread and butter but outside of that he’s a beast. Mark my words, he’s one for the future. He’s got a lot of developing to do but he’s extremely powerful. If we get this right, like Fin Baxter, and expose him to the right amount of rugby at the right time, then he can do a lot in the game.”

Cleaves pulling up is such a shame. If it’s not too serious, he’ll be part of a seriously dangerous set of outside backs.

[FKAS]

Was that really his first Prem start? He seems to have been waiting in the wings for a while. He's got masses of potential being as big and as mobile as he is with solid core skills. England are generating some good hookers currently, Jamie George should be feeling the pressure.

[Puja]

Was that really his first Prem start? He seems to have been waiting in the wings for a while. He's got masses of potential being as big and as mobile as he is with solid core skills. England are generating some good hookers currently, Jamie George should be feeling the pressure.

8 games off the bench last season in Prem and CC, but it is indeed his first start.

I wouldn't be averse to Jibulu, AOF, and Fasogbon being the 2, 3, 18 for the England A match. None of them are ready for prime-time yet, but I'd like them to be given a go at the higher level (and also locked in just in case the Scots find a granny who went to Aberdeen once).

Puja

[Scrumhead]

The 14 appearances listed in the OP are mostly off the bench in the Premiership with a couple of starts in the cup. I think this was only his third or fourth senior start in any competition.

I wouldn’t want to hype him up too much too soon but he has the potential to be very good indeed. Very solid in the set piece, carries well and tackles hard. What’s not to like?

[Scrumhead]

Was that really his first Prem start? He seems to have been waiting in the wings for a while. He's got masses of potential being as big and as mobile as he is with solid core skills. England are generating some good hookers currently, Jamie George should be feeling the pressure.

8 games off the bench last season in Prem and CC, but it is indeed his first start.

I wouldn't be averse to Jibulu, AOF, and Fasogbon being the 2, 3, 18 for the England A match. None of them are ready for prime-time yet, but I'd like them to be given a go at the higher level (and also locked in just in case the Scots find a granny who went to Aberdeen once).

Puja

I think we’re OK unless Nigeria decide they want to take rugby seriously.

[TheNomad]

Real shame about Cleaves - any idea how serious it is? He looks like a lovely, balanced runner with serious pace and the ability to ride tackles

England have some genuinely interesting wing prospects for the first time in a while