GP Semi Final Lineups

[stimmers]

Didn't realise Casto was out for Tigers.Massive Blow.
Can't believe Ollie Smith keeps being overlooked. He's playing in Shane Williams' testimonial instead. Such a waste of a potential World Class 13.
Mears and Stevens fit for Bath.
Sackey fit for Wasps.
Allen fit for Glouc
I see Glouc have gone with Titterrell at 2. A better thrower but not strong in the scrum. Bit of a gamble.
I don't see Tigers front row or 2nd row being good enough this year. Heading to Glouc tmrw for a night out with the yocals !!!

Ref = Dave Pearson

Gloucester:
1. Nick Wood
2. Andy Titterrell
3. Carlos Nieto
4. Marco Bortolami (c)
5. Alex Brown
6. Alasdair Strokosch
7. Akapusi Qera
8. Gareth Delve

9. Rory Lawson
10.Ryan Lamb
11.Lesley Vainikolo
12.Anthony Allen
13.Mike Tindall
14.James Simpson-Daniel
15.Iain Balshaw

Reps: Olivier Azam, Jack Forster, Will James, Luke Narraway, Gareth Cooper, Willie Walker, Mark Foster.



Leicester:
1. Boris Stankovich
2. Mefin Davies
3. Julian White
4. Marco Wentzel
5. Ben Kay
6. Martin Corry (c)
7. Ben Herring
8. Jordan Crane

9. Harry Ellis
10.Andy Goode
11.Alesana Tuilagi
12.Aaron Mauger
13.Danny Hipkiss
14.Tom Varndell
15.Geordan Murphy

Reps: George Chuter, Marcos Ayerza, Richard Blaze, Tom Croft, Christophe Laussucq, Sam Vesty, Ayoola Erinle.

Ref = Chris White

Wasps:
1. Tim Payne
2. Raphael Ibanez
3. Pat Barnard
4. Simon Shaw
5. Tom Palmer
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Lawrence Dallaglio (c)

9. Eoin Reddan
10.Danny Cipriani
11.Tom Voyce
12.Riki Flutey
13.Fraser Waters
14.Paul Sackey
15.Josh Lewsey

Reps (TBC):
Richard Birkett
Tom French
John Hart
Joe Ward
Joe Worsley
Mark McMillan
Jeremy Staunton
Mark Van Gisbergen
Dominic Waldouck



Bath:
1. David Barnes
2. Lee Mears
3. Matt Stevens
4. Steve Borthwick (c)
5. Danny Grewcock
6. Jonny Faamatuainu
7. Michael Lipman
8. Daniel Browne

9. Michael Claassens
10.Butch James
11.Matt Banahan
12.Olly Barkley
13.Alex Crockett
14.Andy Higgins
15.Joe Maddock

Reps: Pieter Dixon, Duncan Bell, Peter Short, Chris Goodman, Mike Baxter, Shaun Berne, Nick Abendanon

Edited by stimmers on Friday 16th May 20:59

[stimmers]

As i wrote the above i got a text telling me to expect an annoucement that Ollie Smith is to sign for Montpellier.

[BigMansZetec]

stimmers said:

As i wrote the above i got a text telling me to expect an annoucement that Ollie Smith is to sign for Montpellier.

That ends the rumours that he might be off to Irish, which would have been far better for his England prospects. Althought even there might have struggled to get a start.

I have always liked Ollie Smith, really thought he could be a star of the future.

[stimmers]

BigMansZetec said:

stimmers said:

As i wrote the above i got a text telling me to expect an annoucement that Ollie Smith is to sign for Montpellier.

That ends the rumours that he might be off to Irish, which would have been far better for his England prospects. Althought even there might have struggled to get a start.

I have always liked Ollie Smith, really thought he could be a star of the future.

I played with Ollie in the Acadmey. Such a top bloke and one of the most gifted all round players i've ever seen. He the perfect build for a 13,quick, his running lines are top notch, solid in defence, decent passer and reads the game very well. The death of his father was the thing that brought Ollie's career to a halt. He's never really got over it and lost form and his head.

I think Ollie needs to get away from English rugby, the GP and start somewhere totally fresh. I think France is the best move for him personally and wish him the very best. I think he just needs to play week in week out in his position and not worry about Eng at all.

I was in Dublin to see Smith destroy O'Driscoll in a HC Semi Final. Brian after said he had never played against a better 13.

[stimmers]

GET IN !!!!

Cracking day. Two good games. I thought Wasps and Tigers were the more proffesional and streetwise teams and thats what counted in the end. Both teams put so much pressure on the opposition in pressure knock out rugby that they force them to panic and make mistakes. Perfect example was Mauger's Try for Tigers.

Glouc SHOULD have one the game, i think losing Tindall was a massive blow, but they blew it again. Despite a poor season, Tigers have a lot of quality in the team. There are not that many better runners in open play than G. Murphy. Cracking stuff from him and well done to Goode for picking up 2nd 40. Tigers leaked penalties first half, but 2nd half it was Glouc who started giving them away.
Not at their best, but beaten Glouc away twice this season, which says a lot.

Wasps too i didn't think were that great. Haskell and Flutey i thought were good. Wasps just made the big plays and yet again Bath cannot convert their field position and possession into points against the top teams. They play a far too risky game to win a GP IMO.

So its Tigers vs Wasps again in anothr major final at Twickers. Role reversal a bit. Last time it was the HC final and Jonno and Backs last game for Tigers. Tigers were also massive favs for the game. Wasps ruined the party. This time its Florence's last game and Wasps are the fav's. God i hope we ruin his party. We owe him. Glad i bought 6 tickets for the final at £9 each all those years ago. What a baragin !!

Bad news about Cipriani. Looks like a badly dislocated ankle, not a broken leg. But thats bad news as he was nailed in for the 10 shirt on Eng's tour to NZ. Takes away a little from the final. Would prefer to see him on the pitch. Think Voyce is out too.

[BigMansZetec]

One sporting phrase springs to mind: 'form is temporary, class is permanent'. The two most consistent teams of the past few years showed how much experience counts in a semi-final. Was the same in the Heineken this year I guess.

Both finalists did it the hard way, sneaking in when they had been written off, especially Leicester. I saw many happy Tigers at the M42 services this evening.

Should be a cracking final, and yes Stimmers, I think Tigers certainly would love to spoil Dallaglios day, I hope so anyway.

Would have gone to the final, but my Tigers supporting mate has a cricket match.

[stimmers]

Tigers vs Wasps

Tigers to edge the front row. Hope Castro will be back)
2ndRow - Wasps
Lineout - i think Tigers can hurt Wasps here
Back row - Gotta say Wasps. Tigers will have to adopt the same plan as Eng did vs Aus in the world cup

HalfBacks - Redden at this stage to edge Ellis. If Goode turns up, he can kick Tigers into good position and get the better of Staunton. (doubt they will pick MVG or Flutey at 10)
Centres - Flutey and Waters have been the best 12 and 13 combo in the Prem this season. I'll give them the edge vs Mauger and Hipkiss, simply because they seem to form a better partnership.
Wingers - Varndell and Tuialgi vs Sackey and Doherty (???). Sackey is the probably the pick of the bunch, bt i'd got for Tigers combo of one out and out speedster and one very powerful runner.
15 - I'll go for J. Murphy or G. Murphy over Lewsey this season.

Bench - Tigers might have an edge here with the Wasps injury situation. Especially with a guy like Croft coming off the bench.

Verdict - Wasps 2nd row and back row to win them a very tight game. We have seen some battles so for but i think this forwards battle could out do the lot.