[Olyy]

Good to see Raffi and Dan back,
Interesting to see Ernst in the row and JL at 6,
Langdon Jr gets another start

[Elgar]

Might it mean that Curtis hasn't passed the dress rehearsals with flying colours if RDP is playing 10? I imagined that, ideally, Al would want RDP to make one of the centre berths his own this season with Ford coming back in?

Wonder if the 6-2 bench split will be a thing for us this year as the majority of our midfielders can cover 10. (and we'd probably want either Ford or RDP if starting at 10 to play for 80)

[Bronzbronx]

Thought Luke James might have come in at 15

[PappjeShark]

Thought Luke James might have come in at 15

One of the more curious developments of the past 12 months, I’ve yet to read anything which can shed any light on why he’s largely disappearing off the scene. One outing vs Bedford than back in the stands with a burger for Tigers.

[SSR]

I thought TOF was pretty weak in the two outings I saw ( Leicester and Falcons ). His tackling
was woeful. I also would much prefer to see Luke as our next in-line fullback.
Is Veanu injured ?

[RinTin]

Fair to say this is the best possible team we can put out given injuries and international absences. A good dress rehearsal for the opening weekend of the prem, get some combinations working then rest some vs Ampthill next week.

I feel a little sorry for Caldy...

Any news on Ellis??

[Halifaxshark]

Taking nothing away from the team above, which is really strong and looks well. I don’t think this looks great for Tom Curtis, who I expect may even come on at 15 or 12 and not 10. A couple of strong performances at 10 and he may of kept the shirt until George Ford came back.

I know there’s still a game against Ampthill, but we’ve seen nothing of Joe Jones, Tom Ellis Or Maasi-White. Any news on any of those?

I also expected to see a little more of Ethan Caine, Veainu, Conner Doherty, Alex Wills and Luke James this prem cup.

Nice to see Raffi back, if Gus goes well this weekend, it would be nice to see Raffi start against Ampthill and the best man for the job gets the nod against Northampton to start the season.

[Olyy]

I don't think you can look too much into it tbh - TC's had three full 80s at 10, that's a decent whack of gametime in preseason - Rob's not played 10 since March, even if he's not our first choice he should still get a run there as he'll likely play there at some point before Ford returns even just covering from centre

I reckon Curtis will come on at 10 with RdP moving to the centres

[Bronzbronx]

Taking nothing away from the team above, which is really strong and looks well. I don’t think this looks great for Tom Curtis, who I expect may even come on at 15 or 12 and not 10. A couple of strong performances at 10 and he may of kept the shirt until George Ford came back.

I know there’s still a game against Ampthill, but we’ve seen nothing of Joe Jones, Tom Ellis Or Maasi-White. Any news on any of those?

I also expected to see a little more of Ethan Caine, Veainu, Conner Doherty, Alex Wills and Luke James this prem cup.

Nice to see Raffi back, if Gus goes well this weekend, it would be nice to see Raffi start against Ampthill and the best man for the job gets the nod against Northampton to start the season.

Maasi White and Veainu are injured

[poyntonshark]

I don't think you can look too much into it tbh - TC's had three full 80s at 10, that's a decent whack of gametime in preseason - Rob's not played 10 since March, even if he's not our first choice he should still get a run there as he'll likely play there at some point before Ford returns even just covering from centre

I reckon Curtis will come on at 10 with RdP moving to the centres

I'm hoping this is nearer the mark, otherwise I don't see much option for Curtis but to leave. If he's not second choice 10 behind Ford, then he barely plays any rugby this season. Getting some gametime into Rob makes sense irrespective of position, keeping his eye in at 10 also makes sense. Curtis and Raffi coming on at HT/60min moving Rob to 13 starts to look like a back line that we want to play when the important stuff starts.

[The Back Row]

Of course I accept that any coach will have his way of playing and his type of player, but Luke James goes in the same pot as Ross Harrison for me. A prior coach had them excelling, and they are not even squad players for Sanderson.

Feel sorry for both, as I think Diamond would potentially have taken them if he had remained in charge at Wuss.

Of course we look at the squad and club, but but feel sorry for both a they don't get the chance for a run in the team to prove their worth.

[DavenportSharky]

Of course I accept that any coach will have his way of playing and his type of player, but Luke James goes in the same pot as Ross Harrison for me. A prior coach had them excelling, and they are not even squad players for Sanderson.

Feel sorry for both, as I think Diamond would potentially have taken them if he had remained in charge at Wuss.

Of course we look at the squad and club, but but feel sorry for both a they don't get the chance for a run in the team to prove their worth.

I think you are right that there are similarities but what is extraordinary about Luke is that he was playing so well at 15 and then was injured giving Carpenter a chance which he took with both hands. Why then turn his back on Luke? Why sign an injury prone past his best international full back or try to shoe horn Tom O’F into a position that he isn’t a natural for when you have a proven second full back waiting for his chance? Of course we have no idea what goes on within the club and there may be all sorts going on, but a happy Luke means a happy Sam I’m sure. Where is H’sD when you need him:-)?

[DavenportSharky]

I don't think you can look too much into it tbh - TC's had three full 80s at 10, that's a decent whack of gametime in preseason - Rob's not played 10 since March, even if he's not our first choice he should still get a run there as he'll likely play there at some point before Ford returns even just covering from centre

I reckon Curtis will come on at 10 with RdP moving to the centres

I'm hoping this is nearer the mark, otherwise I don't see much option for Curtis but to leave. If he's not second choice 10 behind Ford, then he barely plays any rugby this season. Getting some gametime into Rob makes sense irrespective of position, keeping his eye in at 10 also makes sense. Curtis and Raffi coming on at HT/60min moving Rob to 13 starts to look like a back line that we want to play when the important stuff starts.

Do we have any idea as to how long after England crawl back across the Channel before Ford et al.are available to play for Sale Sharks? It’s possible that Curtis could be number 2 fly half for almost half the season?

[Olyy]

Can't find an official/firm guideline but I just googled a bunch of the 2019 final squad and they all seemed to start turning out for their clubs 3-4 weeks after the final

[DavenportSharky]

Cheers Olyy.

[Olyy]

Gus goal kicking?

[Olyy]

I reckon Curtis will come on at 10 with RdP moving to the centres

[Olyy]

Tigers have absolutely demolished Newcastle

[PappjeShark]

Of course I accept that any coach will have his way of playing and his type of player, but Luke James goes in the same pot as Ross Harrison for me. A prior coach had them excelling, and they are not even squad players for Sanderson.

Feel sorry for both, as I think Diamond would potentially have taken them if he had remained in charge at Wuss.

Of course we look at the squad and club, but but feel sorry for both a they don't get the chance for a run in the team to prove their worth.

I think you are right that there are similarities but what is extraordinary about Luke is that he was playing so well at 15 and then was injured giving Carpenter a chance which he took with both hands. Why then turn his back on Luke? Why sign an injury prone past his best international full back or try to shoe horn Tom O’F into a position that he isn’t a natural for when you have a proven second full back waiting for his chance? Of course we have no idea what goes on within the club and there may be all sorts going on, but a happy Luke means a happy Sam I’m sure. Where is H’sD when you need him:-)?

Even more strangely, when Carpenter got injured, Luke came back in IIRC and had another couple of very good games. And then vanished.

I’d challenge TBR’s comparison though. Harrison was our only decent loose head for a few seasons from memory, whereas now we have Si Mac, who now fit is excellent, and Rodd, now an England international. Ross has fallen to #3 on form, which can’t be said for Luke.

[Beardedshark]

What was the final score? Anyone there to give a report?

[Lord Elpus]

Caldy 7 - 24 Sale Sharks

[RinTin]

Looking at The Rugby Paper rankings it was only Sam Bedlow from the starters who scored less than 7. If anyone saw the game is that fair? Did he not really hit stride?

[Olyy]

Wow,
Piutau catches the ball and then lands into a high shot from Etzebeth - penalty only

This sport is crazy

[ageinghoody]

Wow,
Piutau catches the ball and then lands into a high shot from Etzebeth - penalty only

This sport is crazy

The Beeb describe it as Piutau landing on Etzebeth's face!

[ageinghoody]

Wow,
Piutau catches the ball and then lands into a high shot from Etzebeth - penalty only

This sport is crazy

The Beeb describe it as Piutau landing on Etzebeth's face!

They've edited that now.

And aren't we on the wrong thread?

[Olyy]

Woops,
I guess my eyesight is as good as the TMO's!