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Townsend faces a nervous Saturday as Hogg and co start for Exeter
It will be a nervous Saturday for Scotland boss Gregor Townsend as skipper Stuart Hogg and second row duo Jonny Gray and Sam Skinner will all start for Exeter in the Gallager Premiership match at London Irish. In contrast, all the other international players at the Chiefs who are involved in the upcoming Guinness Six Nations have the eve-of-tournament weekend off.
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Unlike the Scottish trio, who had to return from training at Oriam to link up with Exeter in midweek, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Hill, Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade have all spent the entire week with England in Brighton and were unavailable to Rob Baxter for selection. Christ Tshiunza, meanwhile, is in isolation after reporting into the Wales camp with Covid.
With the countdown now on towards the February 5 Calcutta Cup clash between Scotland and England at the start of the Six Nations, Scottish boss Townsend will have his fingers crossed that his three Exeter players – Hogg, Gray and Skinner – will emerge unscathed from the Premiership match at Brentford.
Host club London Irish have only named uncapped Kyle Rowe on their bench after he missed Scotland training while there is no place for Ben White, another uncapped player called up by Townsend in the squad he picked for the Six Nations.
“For the first time in a while we will probably go there as underdogs, but we need to relish that status,” said Exeter boss Baxter about his team’s trip to Irish. “It’s a refreshing position to be in, so let’s go and make the most of it.”
Elsewhere on the Scotland front in the Premiership, Ewan Ashman starts for Sale, Andy Christie and Sean Maitland are on the Saracens bench, Rory Sutherland is back to start for Worcester following his suspension while Duhan van der Merwe is also included on the left wing after illness prevented him from training with Scotland. Rory Hutchinson starts for Northampton as does Cameron Redpath for Bath, who are without Josh Bayliss who has had a concussion issue.
EXETER (vs London Irish, Saturday)
15. Stuart Hogg; 14. Olly Woodburn, 13. Ian Whitten, 12. Harvey Skinner, 11. Tom O’Flaherty; 10. Joe Simmonds (capt), 9. Jack Maunder; 1. James Kenny, 2. Jack Innard, 3. Patrick Schickerling, 4. Jonny Gray, 5. Sam Skinner, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Jannes Kirsten, 8. Don Armand. Reps: 16. Jack Yeandle, 17. Billy Keast, 18. Josh Iosefa-Scott, 19. Dafydd Jenkins, 20. Santiago Grondona, 21. Sam Maunder, 22. Sean O’Brien, 23. Josh Hodge.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
10 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
10 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
10 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to comments