Northampton V Sale Friday 7.45

[fivepointer]

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (c), 14 George Hendy, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Tom James; 1 Emmanuel Iyogun, 2 Robbie Smith, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Gavin Thornbury, 5 Chunya Munga, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Tom Pearson, 8 Henry Pollock

Replacements: 16 Curtis Langdon, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Josh Kemeny, 21 Archie McParland, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 James Ramm

Sale Sharks: 15. Joe Carpenter, 14. Tom Roebuck, 13. Waisea Nayacalevu, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. Rob du Preez, 9. Gus Warr; 1. Si McIntyre, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 4. Ernst van Rhyn, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Tom Curry, 7. Ben Curry ©, 8. Dan du Preez.

Replacements: 16. Ethan Caine, 17. Tumy Onasanya, 18. James Harper, 19. Ben Bamber, 20. Sam Dugdale, 21. Nye Thomas, 22. Tom Curtis, 23. Luke James.

[Puja]

Lots of exciting things in that Saints lineup. Hendy's back! Freeman at 13! Pollock getting his first Prem start!

Only concern is AOF now starting 4/5 games for Sale and coming off the bench for the fifth - hope there are plans to give him more rotation and more rest so we don't banjax him early.

Puja

[Oakboy]

Pollock getting his first Prem start!
Puja

At 8! The debate murmurs on.

[Banquo]

Pollock getting his first Prem start!
Puja

At 8! The debate murmurs on.

What debate?

He's playing there because there is no other 8, so logical to put Pearson at 7 and him at 8. Kemeney/Scott Young is more interesting for Saints fans.

[Banquo]

Lots of exciting things in that Saints lineup. Hendy's back! Freeman at 13! Pollock getting his first Prem start!

Only concern is AOF now starting 4/5 games for Sale and coming off the bench for the fifth - hope there are plans to give him more rotation and more rest so we don't banjax him early.

Puja

Cramming all their best available backs into start....they've struggled this year so far, but that's cos the pack is getting little joy.

[Adam_P]

Very glad to have both Hendy and James back, that's a tasty backline. Also good to see Haffar feature for the first time this season, hopefully gets a good crack.

Kemeny/Scott-Young is presumably just a rotation thing rather than pecking order.

Here's hoping Thornbury can provide some much needed grunt to the pack. Don't particularly fancy our chances against a Sale pack who are presumably planning to do similar to what Tigers did to us last weekend.

[Beasties]

Lots of exciting things in that Saints lineup. Hendy's back! Freeman at 13! Pollock getting his first Prem start!

Only concern is AOF now starting 4/5 games for Sale and coming off the bench for the fifth - hope there are plans to give him more rotation and more rest so we don't banjax him early.

Puja

Thought AOF was to be a LH this season?

[Puja]

Lots of exciting things in that Saints lineup. Hendy's back! Freeman at 13! Pollock getting his first Prem start!

Only concern is AOF now starting 4/5 games for Sale and coming off the bench for the fifth - hope there are plans to give him more rotation and more rest so we don't banjax him early.

Puja

Thought AOF was to be a LH this season?

AOF is a loosehead as far as England U20s are concerned (mostly because there is also Fasogbon, Sela, and Halliwell at tight in his cadre), but Sale have always said they view him as a tighthead. I was irked about that disconnect in terms of his development and the risk of fucking him about moving him from one side to another, but it looks like he's kicked on so fast that his U20s game time is unlikely to be a significant part of his minutes this season, so it's unlikely to be a big issue.

Puja

[Banquo]

Very glad to have both Hendy and James back, that's a tasty backline. Also good to see Haffar feature for the first time this season, hopefully gets a good crack.

Kemeny/Scott-Young is presumably just a rotation thing rather than pecking order.

Here's hoping Thornbury can provide some much needed grunt to the pack. Don't particularly fancy our chances against a Sale pack who are presumably planning to do similar to what Tigers did to us last weekend.

Front 5 doesn’t look good enough tbh

[Epaminondas Pules]

Lots of exciting things in that Saints lineup. Hendy's back! Freeman at 13! Pollock getting his first Prem start!

Only concern is AOF now starting 4/5 games for Sale and coming off the bench for the fifth - hope there are plans to give him more rotation and more rest so we don't banjax him early.

Puja

Thought AOF was to be a LH this season?

AOF is a loosehead as far as England U20s are concerned (mostly because there is also Fasogbon, Sela, and Halliwell at tight in his cadre), but Sale have always said they view him as a tighthead. I was irked about that disconnect in terms of his development and the risk of fucking him about moving him from one side to another, but it looks like he's kicked on so fast that his U20s game time is unlikely to be a significant part of his minutes this season, so it's unlikely to be a big issue.

Puja

He probably won't play U20's as he's too old now

But you're right. That's a disconnect that we're supposed to be moving away from, and it does feel a little like bloody mindedness on both parts. And he's totally kicked on. Definitely first choice now, which is staggering for his age, but like the others coming through, his core technique is so bloody good. He'll get his head shoved up his arse at times, but which young tighthead doesn't. Just got to manage his load now, which Sale should do.

[Puja]

Thought AOF was to be a LH this season?

AOF is a loosehead as far as England U20s are concerned (mostly because there is also Fasogbon, Sela, and Halliwell at tight in his cadre), but Sale have always said they view him as a tighthead. I was irked about that disconnect in terms of his development and the risk of fucking him about moving him from one side to another, but it looks like he's kicked on so fast that his U20s game time is unlikely to be a significant part of his minutes this season, so it's unlikely to be a big issue.

Puja

He probably won't play U20's as he's too old now

But you're right. That's a disconnect that we're supposed to be moving away from, and it does feel a little like bloody mindedness on both parts. And he's totally kicked on. Definitely first choice now, which is staggering for his age, but like the others coming through, his core technique is so bloody good. He'll get his head shoved up his arse at times, but which young tighthead doesn't. Just got to manage his load now, which Sale should do.

That'll probably help! I had thought he had another year? I can never remember where the cut-offs are for when your birthday needs to be to qualify.

Puja

[FKAS]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

[Epaminondas Pules]

AOF is a loosehead as far as England U20s are concerned (mostly because there is also Fasogbon, Sela, and Halliwell at tight in his cadre), but Sale have always said they view him as a tighthead. I was irked about that disconnect in terms of his development and the risk of fucking him about moving him from one side to another, but it looks like he's kicked on so fast that his U20s game time is unlikely to be a significant part of his minutes this season, so it's unlikely to be a big issue.

Puja

He probably won't play U20's as he's too old now

But you're right. That's a disconnect that we're supposed to be moving away from, and it does feel a little like bloody mindedness on both parts. And he's totally kicked on. Definitely first choice now, which is staggering for his age, but like the others coming through, his core technique is so bloody good. He'll get his head shoved up his arse at times, but which young tighthead doesn't. Just got to manage his load now, which Sale should do.

That'll probably help! I had thought he had another year? I can never remember where the cut-offs are for when your birthday needs to be to qualify.

Puja

He's an 04 birthday, so this was his final year. It is based on calendar year, rather than school year. So a school leaver with a Sept - Dec birthday basically gets one year at U20s, and a Jan - Aug gets two. Unless they play up whilst still at school, like Bracken, Hall and Friday did this year. Hall and Bracken will only get this coming season at U20's, whilst Friday qualifies for this season and next due to year of birth.

U16 & U18 is based on school year, so Sept to Aug, and then U20's is calendar year.

[Epaminondas Pules]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

I'd say yes. I think Schonert has a challenge to displace him, though he will be helped I'm sure by Sale managing his workload.

[Puja]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

[FKAS]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

The tighthead stocks do look really good for the future the pipeline is in full flow. There's a few promising looseheads kicking about so I'm not too worried about England messing them about in the future. For starters Finn Baxter looks like he's going to be a staple of the England front row for at least the next decade.

[Mellsblue]

There was an interview with Fasogbon in The Times earlier in the week and he said AOF sees himself as a tight head…

[Mikey Brown]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

Lol.

[Banquo]

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

Lol.

Quite

[Puja]

EP is AOF really first choice now or is it just that Schonert is injured? No bad thing to be learning from Schonert he's a good club level tighthead. Certainly the Schonert injury has given Harper and AOF plenty of game time so far this season and Schonert's return should then allow some rotation through rest of the season.

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

Kinda my point. Burst through as a 19 year old to become a first team Premiership player, played 20 top flight club games in his first season, 50 more plus 29 England caps in the next three seasons, and then was perennially injured from the start of 2012-2013 onwards. He retired at age 27, having added just four international caps (2 for BIL, 2 for England) since the 2012 Autumn Internationals. 108 top flight matches across club and country before he was 24, just 34 top flight matches from 24 onwards, solely due to injury.

Like I said, I am really hopeful that both AOF and Fasogbon are very, very carefully managed, so we don't get a repeat performance.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Got to look after young props. Great to see them play but you really have to manage their workload.

I see AOF as a LH. I think he's a bit small for a TH. Will get away with it at Prem level but against monster international packs I think he'd struggle.

[Banquo]

I'll be honest, I had entirely forgotten Schonert's existence! Brain like a sieve.

With the way AOF's playing so far this season, I would agree with EP that he's probably first choice for Sale even if Schonert was fit tomorrow, although hopefully he'll get a reduction in his gametime soon. I would like to have AOF and Fasogbon playing for England for the next 12-13 years, rather than creating another two Corbisieros.

Puja

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

Kinda my point. Burst through as a 19 year old to become a first team Premiership player, played 20 top flight club games in his first season, 50 more plus 29 England caps in the next three seasons, and then was perennially injured from the start of 2012-2013 onwards. He retired at age 27, having added just four international caps (2 for BIL, 2 for England) since the 2012 Autumn Internationals. 108 top flight matches across club and country before he was 24, just 34 top flight matches from 24 onwards, solely due to injury.

Like I said, I am really hopeful that both AOF and Fasogbon are very, very carefully managed, so we don't get a repeat performance.

Puja

yus. Also have to factor that he played both sides.

[Which Tyler]

TBH, I was assuming FKAS was aware,and just playing along.
Surely he's been around here long enough to see the oft-eepeated topics

[Puja]

I dunno Corbs was more than a bit handy when fit.

Kinda my point. Burst through as a 19 year old to become a first team Premiership player, played 20 top flight club games in his first season, 50 more plus 29 England caps in the next three seasons, and then was perennially injured from the start of 2012-2013 onwards. He retired at age 27, having added just four international caps (2 for BIL, 2 for England) since the 2012 Autumn Internationals. 108 top flight matches across club and country before he was 24, just 34 top flight matches from 24 onwards, solely due to injury.

Like I said, I am really hopeful that both AOF and Fasogbon are very, very carefully managed, so we don't get a repeat performance.

Puja

yus. Also have to factor that he played both sides.

I don't see what his sex life has to do with it.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

I don't see what his sex life has to do with it.

Very good