Comments on: Aviva Premiership 2015/2016 Preview: Part 1

By: Pablito

Pablito — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:42:19 +0000

Slightly disagree for this weekend. Sure it feels like a damp squib without England, but at least we have some intriguing matches.

South Africa are perhaps the SH team the Welsh have the most chance of beating,

Scotland have nothing to lose against the Aussies and I think they have one very good performance in them

France are being typically Gallic in rebelling against PSA and will hopefully throw caution to the wind. The ABs are probably a bit nervous about playing them

Are Ireland going to be as good without O’Connell, O’Mahoney and O’Brien? The Argies are putting together some very good performances at the moment and have the ability to beat Ireland.

All should be good matches to watch and even if I don’t have the personal interest that I would if England were involved, I shall be cheering for the underdogs in each match and probably get quite excited if an upset looks to be on the cards.

I’d love to see a Wales, France, Aus, Arg semi-final line-up

By: Jacob

Jacob — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 08:15:57 +0000

I don’t think Eastmond has the the game management skills to play at 9, probably not the kicking game either. Wing or even 13 may make more sense? I just think he is a very good club 12, but has limitations that mean he isn’t going to be a test quality 12; that has nothing to do with his size.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:24:45 +0000

But he doesn’t have the aerial solidarity to be an international back three either. Has he ever played at 9? He’d certainly keep fringe defense very honest. I know he used to be a SH in league, but having only watched a handful of league games I have no idea what a 9 does in the 13 man code, or even if they wear #9…

By: Staggy

Staggy — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 19:45:53 +0000

I know what you mean – sort of like watching the southern hemisphere rugby championship. You know there’s going to be some good rugby but it’s difficult to get any emotional attachment to it.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:32:44 +0000

Thank god for the premiership, I can watch some rugby without feeling as if I’m being stabbed in the heart.

Sorry but really finding it hard to engage with the wc atm.

By: Benjit

Benjit — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:31:07 +0000

And potentially Itoje if they don’t play him in the back row.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:03:51 +0000

Also consider players on the fringe like Kitchener and Slater and he’d really have to go some to make England’s radar

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 12:26:15 +0000

Potentially he can – whether he is good enough to make that much difference I don’t know. He captained the Chiefs at times so he is obviously a leader.

Lock is a position of strenght for England though (despite SL playing the two that were most out of form), with Kruis, Launchbury and Lawes certainly in the mix moving forward, plus Itoje.

When you throw in Attwood and I’m hoping still Parling too; then he’ll have to do something pretty special!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:10:14 +0000

I remember Matt Symons when he was with Sarries academy. Back then he was not a player that stood out for any reason, so fair play to him for getting where he has and good luck to him. As you pointed out it’s a shame he’s joined such a poor team, but who knows maybe he can help take Irish further up the table?

By: Jacob

Jacob — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 10:14:37 +0000

Kyle Eastmond is someone that I think is such a strange player. I don’t think he is a 12, certainly not at test level. He has great feet, but I don’t think he has the distribution, and definitely not the kicking game to truly play a Giteau role in an England back line.

Really interested to see how Matt Symons go, extremely good player down in NZ; could find himself in England contention quite quickly if he finds form. Unfortunately, he has joined quite a poor side.

By: Graf

Graf — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 09:33:49 +0000

Interesting – so I assume from these rankings that you think Wasps will be in the top 4, keeping Exeter out. I reckon this is a season early for Wasps to get there, but we shall see. Exeter certainly deserve it.