posted Jul 4, 2008

Fixtures look uneven, Bristol appear to have Tigers twice and Wasps twice in their last 6 games, I hope they aren't needing points to avoid relegation at that point.

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posted Jul 4, 2008

Your right ExeterWasp - assuming you're a Wasp fan Glaws have you twice in the last month of the regular season. However, at least from a Glaw's perspective we are playing Leicester outside of the international period - it's always been a bit disapointing in the last 3 or 4 years to have every Glaws v Leicester fixture in the league campaign played during the international period.

Still its an unbelievably tough start for Glaws with Leicester at home followed by Bath away - i'm still confident although having powerful back-rowers like Qera and Delve available would have been better. Still i'm hoping for the sun as its likely Glaws will start with Narroway, Hazell and Forrester.

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posted Jul 4, 2008

no Strokosch RTS?

6.Croft/Newby
7.Moody/Woods
8.Crane/Corry

fear ouir back row...

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posted Jul 4, 2008

'fear ouir back row...' Is that some obscure form of Gallic kornboy?

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posted Jul 4, 2008

Kornboy, I agree that I would have Strokosch but although I'm glad Dean Ryan gives youngsters a chance at Glaws, too often he picks an unbalanced back-row, i.e. leaving out Delve, Qera and Strokosch for the Munster game - and i'e a bad feeling he'll do the same in the opening match next season.

Still 'fear OUR back-row' (if all were fit)

6. Strokosch/Buxton
7. Qera/Hazell
8. Delve/Narroway/Forrester

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posted Jul 4, 2008

I'll be a little worried if Forrester starts with Qera and Strokosch. Crane has the beating of Delve and Narroway but I wouldn't want him up against a rejuvinated Forrester. If Moody is fit then him vs Qera and Croft vs Strokosch could result in an excellent back row battle. Though I think Tigers may have the edge at the line out the scrum will be pretty level and the loose is anybodys. Be interesting to see if Tigers midfield has been taught how to defend before the new season as well.

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posted Jul 5, 2008

i wouldnt say crane has the better over narroway, especially after his incredible england performance down in NZ. It's close thoug. Im not sure who will be picked for England as they are the only two options at Number 8. Do u reckon croft will start ahead ofg corry. That was somthing that really anoyed me last season. seeing someone like croft on the bench.

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posted Jul 5, 2008

I think Corry hung on to his position last year because we were in desperate need of some experience in the back row but with Moody fit and Deacon back to lead from the second row I envisage Corry being used from the bench as cover for 4,5,6 and 8. Hopefully going to see Croft, Moody and Crane starting for Tigers, plent of pace, power and agression between the three of them.

"i wouldnt say crane has the better over narroway"

I just think if they were both to play to their best Crane's physicality would see him come out on top. He has the ability to smash through players and make the hard yards that are the essential part of disrupting the opposition defence so Ellis can snipe or unleash the backs (not that unleashing the backs really meant much last year).

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posted Jul 5, 2008

"i wouldnt say crane has the better over narroway, especially after his incredible england performance down in NZ."

my opinion is mixed - he tried really hard to make the yards and his work rate was great but he seriously lacked phyiscality to make the yards he was trying to - i know its pointless to say "if", but id hazard a guess that Crane could have made those yards...either way its very close and gives us "horses for courses" options.

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posted Jul 5, 2008

And id also guess Croft will start ahead of Corry - Corry was captain last year but i'd be surprised to see him there this season, Corry's name will probably have 18 on the back for most of next season.

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