WRW FRIDAY: ST GEORGE'S DAY HERE, DERBY DAY VERY NEARLY
Oh how we've missed these weekends..
Happy St George’s Day everyone…
TEAMS UP
Interesting to see Borthwick go strong this week (but then it is Northampton) with a European Semi Final six days later. I make it only 6 or 7 from the side which beat Newcastle in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Final in this XV but none of that may matter anyway.
It’s a powerful 23 once again, with Liebenberg restored to playing duties and while Van Wyk returns from suspension, the injury return of Brink (1st appearance since Exeter) and especially Nemani Nadolo is bound to get the blood pumping among Tigers support. Nadolo has been missing for nearly three months and now that I’m on a diet, he owes me for all those shots from the barbecue…
Zack Henry is another to get a run off the bench and unless injury has forced the coaches’ hand, Harry Potter is rather unlucky not to be in the 23.
Saints are not short of confidence and have a tasty bench themselves with Adendorff among those to come on. But I like the matchup of the front fives and we are due an East Midlands Derby to gladden the spirits.
Let’s. Get. It. On.
PS
FAREWELL JAKE
Sadly inevitable with five senior hookers at the club. Felt for some time that Kerr - lighter than the other four - was likely to leave. I notice Edinburgh have just released a hooker themselves, so hopefully this talented man gets another chance elsewhere.
Depending on what competitions exist next season, expect more departures to come in due course.
RFU CHAMPIONSHIP
Arguably the game of the weekend is in the Championship when 100% record Ealing go to Saracens (Sunday, 3pm). Though Ealing beat Sarries home and away in pre-season, this would be a different category of upset as the North Londoners…..aren’t mucking around.
If you’re recovering from the shock that Leicester’s one-time Director of Rugby and all-round ledge could be playing at 12, look out for two former Tigers on the Ealing bench - Michael Van Vuuren and much more recently, Guy Thompson.
A win for Ealing in true Phil Collins style (against all odds) would leave Sarries in a pickle Branston’s could scarcely imagine, should Doncaster get a maximum from their trip to leafy Richmond on Sunday.
ENGLAND v FRANCE
Decent preview of tomorrow’s Six Nations Final at Twickenham, here….as you can see, live on BBC2. Shame to see Loughborough’s Sarah Hunter miss out on selection.
Worth a dual watch with the derby, I’d say..
QUICK HITS
Check out the full version of this World Rugby piece with Leicester Forest RFC’s Emily Scarratt.
We simply do not do enough to celebrate the World Player of the Year.
Nowhere near enough.
Definitely not Lingard..
WHO’S THAT KNOCKING ON THE DOOR?
What. About. The. Finish??
What. About. The. Finish Pt.2??
A hat-trick from Olowofela (I can’t find the other), as the Force head into their first Super Rugby semi final. Great finishing….
RUNNING FROM DEEP
Would you keep the new April window for the Women's Six Nations?
Fiona Coghlan: "As much as I love the tradition around the Six Nations, the move to the April window appears to be all positive. The weather has been better. The level of media coverage has been very good on all platforms. The accessibility to all the games has been great."
Scrum Queens writers: "Yes. The club season does not have to have a huge hole in the middle of it, games are played in decent weather and there has definitely been more media interest because there is so little other Test rugby happening at the same time."
Danielle Waterman: "Having a separate window to the men's Six Nations is a real positive. Although I don't think it has been good to have the first two rounds clash with the Heineken Champions Cup knockout weekends.
No great fan of the Lions, but come on….this really should have been sorted out by now, as reported by Sky Sports:
Gatland has said individuals could miss out on selection if they are not available for the trip to the Channel Islands.
The camp clashes with the Premiership play-offs, while the Japan game is on the same day as the final.
Clubs remain reluctant to release their players, with some feeling the compensation fee being offered by the Lions is too low.
Enjoy your weekend, folks…see you Monday.
Chris