RugbyRebels

Northampton: Furbank; Collins, Hutchinson, Symons, Naiyaravoro; Grayson, Taylor; Franks, Haywood, Painter, Ribbans, Moon, Wood, Gibson, Harrison (capt).

Replacements: Van Vuuren, Waller, Hill, Ratuniyarawa, Coles, Tupai, Dingwall, Sleightholme.

Harlequins: Morris; Ismaiel, Marchant, Tapuai, Ibitoye; Smith, Landajo; Lambert, Elia, Kerrod, Lewies, Symons, Chisholm, Robshaw (capt), Dombrandt.

Replacements: Baldwin, Auterac, Collier, Lamb, Bothma, Mulchrone, Herron, Campagnaro.

Interesting to see Dombrandt wearing the 8 shirt when Chisholm's available. Hopefully they've been working on his back-of-the-scrum skills over the summer to make him a full-time 8, as I think it's likely to prove his best position long-term.

Puja

This could be a good game. I’m expecting a try fest.

Puja wrote:Interesting to see Dombrandt wearing the 8 shirt when Chisholm's available. Hopefully they've been working on his back-of-the-scrum skills over the summer to make him a full-time 8, as I think it's likely to prove his best position long-term.

...and I think Chisholm's most natural position is 6. I've always thought there was a good player in there if he can keep fit and get game time

Never a fan of Gibson and Wood together on the flanks, despite Wood playing very well so far this season. Just too similar in my opinion. JJ Tonks has done a good job for us at 7 the last few weeks. So good to finally have Haywood back in the side.

Puja wrote:Interesting to see Dombrandt wearing the 8 shirt when Chisholm's available. Hopefully they've been working on his back-of-the-scrum skills over the summer to make him a full-time 8, as I think it's likely to prove his best position long-term.

Puja

I would hope so because it’s been strange at times watching Clifford- fantastic at the base- pack down at 6 alongside him.

Just twigged that the Symons bros are both starting. Wonder if Boyd selected him at 12 purposely for that family clash?

Several players worth keeping an eye on tonight.
I like the cut of Taylor's jib at SH, Dombrandt at 8, Marchant and Ibitoye in the Quins 3 quarters and Painter in the front row. I think Ribbans is a player England should be keeping tabs on.
Looks a very good game in prospect.

I’m not sure what the weather’s like in Northampton, but if it’s not too wet it could be a cracker.

Marchant vs. Hutchison is a duel worth watching and the back row battle could be a good one too. Chis and Dombrandt normally dovetail pretty well.

I’m interested to see Travis Ismael up against Naiyarovoro. We signed him as a bigger, more powerful winger so it would be nice to see him lay a marker down on his first start of the season.

Naiyaravoro is looking good so far this season. I think having a full preseason at the club has done him the world of good - much more involved in the game now all over the field. Him and Collins complement each other very nicely, and with Furbank back our back 3 is looking like a good unit now.

Scrumhead wrote:I’m not sure what the weather’s like in Northampton, but if it’s not too wet it could be a cracker.

Looks a bit drizzly, hopefully both teams still give it a good runaround

Adam_P wrote:Naiyaravoro is looking good so far this season. I think having a full preseason at the club has done him the world of good - much more involved in the game now all over the field. Him and Collins complement each other very nicely, and with Furbank back our back 3 is looking like a good unit now.

I’ll be curious to see where Mallinder fits in when he’s back. He’s been injured for what feels like forever but he’s still one to keep an eye out for. He’s the type of player that has all of the tools to be a top player with better luck on the injury front and good coaching.

Scrumhead wrote:

Adam_P wrote:Naiyaravoro is looking good so far this season. I think having a full preseason at the club has done him the world of good - much more involved in the game now all over the field. Him and Collins complement each other very nicely, and with Furbank back our back 3 is looking like a good unit now.

I’ll be curious to see where Mallinder fits in when he’s back. He’s been injured for what feels like forever but he’s still one to keep an eye out for. He’s the type of player that has all of the tools to be a top player with better luck on the injury front and good coaching.

Not to mention a quite wonderful barnet.

I think Mallinder favours 15, but with his size and skillset it seems madness to me for him to play anywhere other than 12... if he fronts up in defence

Scrumhead wrote:I’m interested to see Travis Ismael up against Naiyarovoro. We signed him as a bigger, more powerful winger so it would be nice to see him lay a marker down on his first start of the season.

It may seem unfair and petty, but I hold a grudge against Ismael for featuring in what *I* thought was one of my better jokes on this board, which precisely nobody found funny.

Puja

Ismael is big, but not big enough

Wood has definitely upped his carrying this season, looks to be a bit bigger. Was smashing people in the Saracens game the other week

Adam_P wrote:I think Mallinder favours 15, but with his size and skillset it seems madness to me for him to play anywhere other than 12... if he fronts up in defence

We've been waiting for that (from an EPS perspective) for about three seasons now

Saints are absolutely dominating Quins at the moment ...

Smith trying to tackle Naiyarovoro just seems unfair.

twitchy wrote:Smith trying to tackle Naiyarovoro just seems unfair.

His face on the floor afterwards was brilliant

Well that was crap.

Ugo shouldn't be allowed to commentate on Quins, cant be neutral. Going off on one claiming that Haywoods try was 1.5m short and berating the touch judge, when it was clearly grounded on the line.

Adam_P wrote:Ugo shouldn't be allowed to commentate on Quins, cant be neutral. Going off on one claiming that Haywoods try was 1.5m short and berating the touch judge, when it was clearly grounded on the line.

He admitted he was wrong on twitter but he really struggling to be neutral today isn’t he!

He’s just pissed off that the Japanese gravy Shinkansen kicked him off just as the World Cup became juicy.