London Irish Vs Sale Sharks

[FKAS]

London Irish: 15 Ben Loader, 14 Lucio Cinti, 13 Benhard van Rensburg, 12 Rory Jennings, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Hugh O’Sullivan, 1 Facundo Gigena, 2 Agustin Creevy, 3 Oliver Hoskins, 4 Api Ratuniyarawa, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Matt Rogerson (c), 7 Tom Pearson, 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o.

Replacements: 16 Mike Willemse, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Lovejoy Chawatama, 19 Josh Caulfield, 20 Josh Basham, 21 Chandler Cunningham-South, 22 Joe Powell, 23 James Stokes.

Sale Sharks starting XV: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Rob du Preez, 12. Ryan Mills, 10. George Ford, 9. Raffi Quirke; 1. Bevan Rodd, 2. Ewan Ashman, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Cobus Wiese, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Jono Ross ©, 7. Sam Dugdale, 8. Jean-Luc du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. Nick Schonert, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Dan du Preez, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Luke James, 23. Arron Reed.

[FKAS]

Quirke and Ford start!!!

[16th man]

Quirke and Ford start!!!

Quirke, Ford, Mills is quite an exciting 3/4s and midfield

[FKAS]

Quirke and Ford start!!!

Quirke, Ford, Mills is quite an exciting 3/4s and midfield

You look at that Sale midfield and think it could really do with a direct carrier in there though.

[Spartan Shark]

I think Sam James and Gus Warr can consider themselves unlucky to be dropped after last week but will see how it all gels together. Sale pack looks very big and with Schonet, McIntyre and Dan Du Preez on the bench there is likely to be no drop in physicality when the changes are made

Sale discipline will be key tomorrow, keep it (like last week) and they will be competitive...lose it and Irish could notch up another win and put pressure on Saints and Tigers for the third/fourth spot.

Sale have conceded fewest tries in the Prem this season and Irish are scoring for fun so should be interesting

[Margin_Walker]

Not overly optimistic from a LI point of view. It's a strong looking Sale 23 and despite us doing well lately, they are the one team that have completely shut our attack down this year in the away fixture.

We also struggle when White is away, as there's a bit of a step down in quality outside of him at the moment. Especially without Englefield available, who would be my preferred second choice for the style we tend to play.

Fa’aso’o could do with a good game from 8. He's been fairly disappointing so far as a signing I had fairly high hopes for given his prior reputation and form in France.

[Mikey Brown]

Heard a lot about this Mills guy over the years but never actually seen him play, that I remember, and he seemed to have a lot of injuries. Seems like he’s getting a proper run now. Is he an England prospect?

[Spartan Shark]

Heard a lot about this Mills guy over the years but never actually seen him play, that I remember, and he seemed to have a lot of injuries. Seems like he’s getting a proper run now. Is he an England prospect?

Think that ship might have sailed for him as he is 30....whilst not out of the question not sure he will be in the long term planning for England.

Sale only have Mills on contract to the end of the season and not sure what will happen after that. In Axe's press conference earlier in the week, Mills was mentioned as someone who the club might be looking to keep but I a lot depends on whether Manu stays and the impact this might have on the available salary cap.

[Puja]

Sale only have Mills on contract to the end of the season and not sure what will happen after that. In Axe's press conference earlier in the week, Mills was mentioned as someone who the club might be looking to keep but I a lot depends on whether Manu stays and the impact this might have on the available salary cap.

Frankly, if I were Sale, I'd be waving Manu off for a retirement in France. He's such poor value for money with his injury record and the limited time that he's on top form and it's not like you're short of centres, especially with Maasi-White coming through.

Puja

[Spartan Shark]

Frankly, if I were Sale, I'd be waving Manu off for a retirement in France. He's such poor value for money with his injury record and the limited time that he's on top form and it's not like you're short of centres, especially with Maasi-White coming through.

Puja
[/quote]

From what I've heard/read, Manu wants to stay at Sale as he is enjoying it there and his family are settled. I think there is a deal on the table that he is considering although as you might expect has had offers from France and Japan. He seems to be enjoying his rugby again and has been playing (when not banned) more than previously as the Sale staff manage his workload better.

Agree about Ma'asi-White - he has looked sharp for the U20's and looking forward to watching him tonight to see if he can still perform at 12 as well as at 13. I'm not sure he is ready to go straight in yet but should certainly be in and around the squad next season...maybe a season with Caldy in the Championship might be beneficial. Sale have choices at centre for next season with Doherty coming back from injury, Bedlow joining next term, the James brothers and either Manu and/or Mills. Having said that there are suggestions one of the James brothers might be off so will see.

[Puja]

Is Sam Hill still at Sale?

Puja

[Spartan Shark]

Is Sam Hill still at Sale?

Puja

For now.....his contract expires end of this season and not sure it will be extended. Not sure it has worked out for him since his move. He's had a number of injuries and not really shown much consistent form.

[Margin_Walker]

Well it wasn't test rugby, but the game today was a nice antidote to yesterday.

LI were really on it, despite an ominous come back from Sale in the second half. Some huge moments in there, including a huge game changing tackle on Weise by Jennings forcing the former into touch in goal when it seemed impossible not to score. Also the academy LH Haffar, showing Ford a clean pair of heels to score his first prem try.

Cinti, Pearson and the centres the pick for LI. Quirke/Ford wasn't really working for Sale. It's an interesting situation for them as R Du Preez has been going great for them, but I guess if you're spending that kind of money on Ford, he's going to play there.

[Mikey Brown]

Just watched the highlights of this and really enjoyed it. Worth a watch even just for Pearson's involvements or Jennings' tackle. The physics of that really make no sense to me. Like Hernandez on Tuilagi or Mackenzie on Nadolo.

[Margin_Walker]

Yeah, Weise even drops the shoulder and braces for contact, but just gets done. Sale were really coming back into it at that point, so it was a crucial intervention.

[Puja]

Just watched the highlights of this and really enjoyed it. Worth a watch even just for Pearson's involvements or Jennings' tackle. The physics of that really make no sense to me. Like Hernandez on Tuilagi or Mackenzie on Nadolo.

Where'd you see the highlights? Can't see them on the Prem Rugby youtube channel.

Puja

[Peej]

Pearson could find himself called up for Dublin, he's been consistently excellent regardless of Irish's undulating form

[FKAS]

Pearson could find himself called up for Dublin, he's been consistently excellent regardless of Irish's undulating form

He'd be a great fit in a Borthwick pack. I assumed Borthwick ran out of selections before he could bring him in. Have we got an injury that would facilitate his call up?

[Peej]

Eddie had picked him, Bothers didn't IIRC

[Mikey Brown]

Just watched the highlights of this and really enjoyed it. Worth a watch even just for Pearson's involvements or Jennings' tackle. The physics of that really make no sense to me. Like Hernandez on Tuilagi or Mackenzie on Nadolo.

Where'd you see the highlights? Can't see them on the Prem Rugby youtube channel.

Puja

BT sport page so I have no idea if it’s up anywhere else. They normally appear pretty promptly don’t they? I’m sure the Jennings tackle will be appearing in many forms.

[Margin_Walker]

Just watched the highlights of this and really enjoyed it. Worth a watch even just for Pearson's involvements or Jennings' tackle. The physics of that really make no sense to me. Like Hernandez on Tuilagi or Mackenzie on Nadolo.

Where'd you see the highlights? Can't see them on the Prem Rugby youtube channel.

Puja

BT sport page so I have no idea if it’s up anywhere else. They normally appear pretty promptly don’t they? I’m sure the Jennings tackle will be appearing in many forms.

I had no idea highlights were posted there. They all seem to be twice the length of those posted on the PRL site and Youtube.

Every day's a school day

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/cl ... ale-sharks

[Peej]

Thanks for the share!

What was Weisse thinking? He's over the line, why isnt he even trying to get the ball down?

[Margin_Walker]

Probably unfamiliar territory for him to be fair, but it was a shocker. Just had to hit the deck before that for the score.

[p/d]

Where'd you see the highlights? Can't see them on the Prem Rugby youtube channel.

Puja

BT sport page so I have no idea if it’s up anywhere else. They normally appear pretty promptly don’t they? I’m sure the Jennings tackle will be appearing in many forms.

I had no idea highlights were posted there. They all seem to be twice the length of those posted on the PRL site and Youtube.

Every day's a school day

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/cl ... ale-sharks

Cheers for the link. Great watch. Pearson really looks a smart player, in a physically entertaining side.

[FKAS]

Eddie had picked him, Bothers didn't IIRC

All depends on whether he was in the original EPS or whether Eddie used an injury to someone to call him up. Borthwick had restrictions on who he could name in the team and still does. If England had a backrow injury he could call up Pearson otherwise Pearson can't be brought in until the summer though he might be glad not to be associated with the result at the weekend.