Ospreys Vs Tigers - Sunday

[FKAS]

STARTING XV
15 Anthony Watson [6]
14 Harry Potter [49]
13 Guy Porter [49]
12 Dan Kelly [44]
11 Hosea Saumaki [17]
10 Charlie Atkinson [4]
9 Jack van Poortvliet (vc) [54]
1 James Whitcombe [29]
2 Charlie Clare [61]
3 Joe Heyes [108]
4 Harry Wells [164]
5 Ollie Chessum [36]
6 George Martin [47]
7 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [68]
8 Olly Cracknell [8]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Gabriel Oghre *
17 Nephi Leatigaga [72]
18 Will Hurd [14]
19 Eli Snyman [26]
20 Sean Jansen [9]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [41]
22 Jimmy Gopperth [6]
23 Matt Scott [53]

Steve rotates for Europe as he did last year (particularly away from home). Disappointed no Ilione and that Liebenburg is playing again as he looked cream crackered last weekend.

[Mellsblue]

Harry Wells’s appearance total always raises a smile. I remember watching him play for Bedford and commenting on here that he’d never be anything more than squad filler at Prem level...

[FKAS]

15. Max Nagy
14. Alex Cuthbert
13. George North
12. Joe Hawkins
11. Keelan Giles
10. Jack Walsh
9. Rhys Webb

1. Nicky Smith
2. Scott Baldwin
3. Tom Francis
4. Adam Beard
5. Alun Wyn Jones
6. Jac Morgan
7. Justin Tipuric (c)
8. Morgan Morris

Replacements:
16. Sam Parry
17. Gareth Thomas
18. Tom Botha
19. Huw Sutton
20. Rhys Davies
21. Reuben Morgan Williams
22. Owen Williams
23. Michael Collins

[FKAS]

Harry Wells’s appearance total always raises a smile. I remember watching him play for Bedford and commenting on here that he’d never be anything more than squad filler at Prem level...

I was surprised he managed to get an England cap but he is a steady player that does his job well. Very much looked like a basic squad man early doors but game time on the flank at Bedford probably helped him out in the long run. Made him a more mobile lock. Wells will be in behind Heyes at scrum time with Chessum given more license to roam and lead the lineout.

[Timbo]

Hope Tigers don’t regret resting so many. Playing Ospreys and Clermont you’d expect their first team to progress with a good seeding.

[FKAS]

Hope Tigers don’t regret resting so many. Playing Ospreys and Clermont you’d expect their first team to progress with a good seeding.

Yeah, the Ospreys look strong, might be a bit of an ask. Borthwick did similar last season though and it worked, some squeaky periods particularly against Connacht though. It really worked well for us last season because it generated a feeling amongst the squad where they'd approach every game with confidence. Even the second and third choice players would back themselves.

This season has had a bit of a ropey start though. Not sure we'll have the same confidence though there's some young guys in there wanting to prove a point, some experienced ones as well. We will find out on Sunday whether Borthwick's tactics are spot on or not. We could use some belief and momentum, if some of the younger or squad players want to step up that wouldn't hurt either particularly Atkinson seizing his opportunity would be beneficial.

[twitchy]

Ospreys kit sort of looks like a cycling top.

[FKAS]

This is ridiculous Smith hasn't stayed up or pushed straight at any scrum yet. Liebenburg needs to be in the refs ear.

[Mr Mwenda]

Watson is a surprising success at full back.

[FKAS]

Watson is a surprising success at full back.

Learning from Steward.

[FKAS]

Charlie Clare needs to come off. Shonky lineout work today.

[FKAS]

Though having said that it was amusing how he took the officials to task over the Ospreys closing the gap before the next lineout.

[Mr Mwenda]

Watson is a surprising success at full back.

Learning from Steward.

That try makes one wonder why it's never been tried before.

[FKAS]

Watson is a surprising success at full back.

Learning from Steward.

That try makes one wonder why it's never been tried before.

Could be a late positional change in his career.

It's been a slow start for him at Tigers but he's starting to really show his class. That try was vintage Watson.

[FKAS]

Held on for the victory and Atkinson picks up man of the match. Liked his commitment and he controlled the game fairly well. Some of his attacking play is still a work in progress but given there was a late reshuffle to a backline he's still learning that's fine.

I very much enjoyed the Ospreys and in particular AWJ's insistence at running at George Martin. The kad hits like a train, it's probably a close run thing as to whether he made more metres ball in hand or by post impact leg drive carrying ball carriers way back behind the gain line. Half dozen corkers on AWJ it seemed plus one to the ribs of North that left him down needing treatment (hopefully nothing serious).

Tough game hampered by the officials but I'll take a win away from home with a rotated team.

[Spiffy]

Learning from Steward.

That try makes one wonder why it's never been tried before.

Could be a late positional change in his career.

It's been a slow start for him at Tigers but he's starting to really show his class. That try was vintage Watson.

Borthwick has a very good, experienced back three for England in Steward/Daly/Watson, if he wants to pick them. A dominating FB and two wings with both speed and footballing ability who can also step in and play it through the midfield. Would not be too surprised to see that trio in the 6N.

[Mikey Brown]

Just watched the highlights of this. Fantastic try but Watson, but I had not realised Wigglesworth was still going. I thought he was coaching full time from this season.

I know it's only talk at the moment but how bizarre would it be if a current premiership player was also an England coach? Is there some sort of conflict there? Can he pick himself for England?

[twitchy]

You just know faz jnr will be the first player manager.

[Puja]

Just watched the highlights of this. Fantastic try but Watson, but I had not realised Wigglesworth was still going. I thought he was coaching full time from this season.

I know it's only talk at the moment but how bizarre would it be if a current premiership player was also an England coach? Is there some sort of conflict there? Can he pick himself for England?

You would imagine it would precipitate his retirement.

Puja

[FKAS]

Might mean than young Edwards gets some first team minutes were Wiggy to finally retire though anyone watching our attacking play is hardly likely to want to hire him as an attack coach. Skills coach maybe.