Teams named for Premiership semi-finals
Willi Heinz will skipper Gloucester for their Gallagher Premiership semi-final against Saracens. Only Charlie Sharples retains his place in the starting line-up from last week’s game away at Sale Sharks.
It is the Cherry and Whites first appearance in the Premiership semi-finals since the 2010-11 season when they faced Saracens, their opponents again on Saturday.
The teams have already met twice this season, with both teams winning their respective home fixture. It will also be the third time that they have met at the semi-final stage – one win apiece.
Gloucester Rugby:
15. Jason Woodward; 14. Charlie Sharples, 13. Billy Twelvetrees, 12. Mark Atkinson, 11. Tom Marshall; 10. Danny Cipriani, 9. Willi Heinz (capt); 1. Josh Hohneck, 2. Franco Marais, 3. Fraser Balmain; 4. Ed Slater, 5. Franco Mostert; 6. Ruan Ackermann, 7. Jaco Kriel, 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry, 17. Val Rapava Ruskin, 18. Ruan Dreyer, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Lewis Ludlow, 21. Jake Polledri, 22. Ben Vellacott, 23. Henry Purdy
Saracens are looking to make the Gallagher Premiership final for a fifth time in six seasons.
Mark McCall has made two changes to the XV that started the Heineken Champions Cup final win over Leinster a fortnight ago – both enforced.
Props Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch replaced Mako Vunipola (hamstring) and Titi Lamositele (ankle) after 29 minutes at St James’ Park and produced monstrous displays to help Sarries regain the European title.
This weekend’s match is set to be a big day for centre Nick Tompkins. He will make his 100th Saracens appearance when he enters the field of play – a remarkable achievement for the 24-year-old.
Congratulations to @NickTompkins1 who is set to make his 100th Saracens appearance this weekend! ???? pic.twitter.com/4HdprwMZYD
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 24, 2019
Mike Rhodes has recovered from his back complaint to take the number 20 shirt and Academy loosehead Ralph Adams-Hale will look to make an impact on his 10th first team outing.
Saracens:
15. Alex Goode, 14. Liam Williams, 13. Alex Lozowski, 12. Brad Barritt (c) 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Vincent Koch, 4. Will Skelton, 5. George Kruis, 6. Maro Itoje, 7. Jackson Wray, 8. Billy Vunipola
Replacements:
16. Joe Gray, 17. Ralph Adams-Hale, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Mike Rhodes, 21. Richard Wigglesworth, 22. Nick Tompkins, 23. David Strettle
Exeter face Northampton just a week on from the two locking horns at Sandy Park – the Chiefs won that encounter 40-21.
Not surprisingly, Director of Rugby Rob Baxter sticks with a virtually identical team to that which beat the Saints. The sole change in the starting line-up sees Tom O’Flaherty get the nod over Olly Woodburn on the wing, while on the bench Alec Hepburn is recalled at the expense of Billy Keast.
“We’ve made a point of not talking about finals or what’s happened in the past. We’ve made a point of talking about Northampton and this weekend, nothing else”, Baxter said.
Despite last weekend’s victory, Baxter says his side can ill afford any kind of complacency within the ranks.
“If you have any kind of complacency, it’s going to hurt you,” added Baxter. “What I’ve seen this week, though, is a group of our players on our part who not only look focused and ready, but who are genuinely excited about playing and delivering a performance in a Premiership semi-final.”
Exeter Chiefs:
15. Jack Nowell, 14. Alex Cuthbert, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Devoto, 11. Tom O’Flaherty, 10. Joe Simmonds, 9. Nic White; 1. Ben Moon, 2. Jack Yeandle (capt), 3. Harry Williams, 4. Dave Dennis, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Dave Ewers, 7. Don Armand, 8. Matt Kvesic
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Alec Hepburn, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Sam Skinner, 20. Sam Simmonds, 21. Jack Maunder, 22. Gareth Steenson, 23. Sam Hill.
? – TEAM NEWS: Here is your @ExeterChiefs side to face @SaintsRugby in tomorrow's @premrugby semi-final at @SandyParkExeter (4:30pm) ??https://t.co/mNY9gfEVzo#EXEvNOR
Match Sponsors: @Gamma_Business pic.twitter.com/lfK2R1h5ff
— Exeter Chiefs (@ExeterChiefs) May 24, 2019
Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made four changes to his Northampton Saints side which are hoping to seal their first return to the Premiership Final since 2014’s historic triumph.
All of Saints’ changes come in the pack with Teimana Harrison set to skipper the side in the No.8 jersey.
Lewis Ludlam remains at flanker, but Courtney Lawes has been shifted into the back row alongside him with Api Ratuniyarawa returning to the engine room to join Alex Moon.
Meanwhile Francois van Wyk, James Fish, and Ehren Painter all come into the front row to start, with Painter playing his first league match since February.
Northampton stick with the same back line that started last weekend’s clash at Sandy Park, with Ahsee Tuala continuing at fullback and Tom Collins and Taqele Naiyaravoro named on the wings.
Wales international Dan Biggar wears the No.10 jersey while Cobus Reinach starts at scrum-half, having scooped the Northampton Saints Supporters’ Player and Players’ Player of the Season awards at last night’s End of Season dinner at Franklin’s Gardens.
Rory Hutchinson and Piers Francis complete the line-up in the centres, with Saints opting for a six-two split on the bench as David Ribbans, Tom Wood, and Jamie Gibson are all named amongst the replacements.
Northampton Saints:
15. Ahsee Tuala, 14. Tom Collins, 13. Rory Hutchinson, 12. Piers Francis, 11. Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Cobus Reinach; 1. Francois van Wyk, 2. James Fish, 3. Ehren Painter, 4. Alex Moon, 5. Api Ratuniyarawa, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Lewis Ludlam, 8. Teimana Harrison (c)
Replacements:
16. Darren Dawidiuk, 17. Alex Waller, 18. Paul Hill, 19. David Ribbans, 20. Jamie Gibson, 21. Tom Wood, 22. Alex Mitchell, 23. Luther Burrell
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Comments on RugbyPass
Mind games have begun. Ireland learned their lesson after saying they could beat England with 13 players or whatever. Still, if they win at Loftus, that would be impressive - final frontier etc.
58 Go to comments$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to comments