As we enter the third week of the 2008/09 Guinness Premiership, spare a thought for the three winless teams in the competition. Bristol, Saracens… and… defending champions London Wasps.
Rugby 365 reports that it is not often that any reigning champions have started so badly in defence of their title – although, amazingly, Wasps also lost both of their opening matches in the 2004/05 season – the last time any defending champions have achieved that ‘feat’.
The historians out there will be quick to point out that Wasps got nowhere that season, as Sale Sharks won their first Guinness Premiership title, but Wasps know all about fighting back from a poor start; having triumphed last season after languishing in tenth place on the log at one stage in 2007/08.
“It’s true to form mate,” giant Wasps lock Simon Shaw told rugby365.com this week, “usually, we tend to start badly, so it’s not a worry for us at this stage.”
Bristol, however, will be a worried bunch, and they will host the unbeaten Sale Sharks at the Memorial Stadium in the weekend’s first match on Friday night.
Sale have etched out two hard-fought victories thus far; beating Newcastle Falcons 14-9 at Kingston Park, before edging out Saracens 18-15 at Edgeley Park last Friday evening.
“Last week we won the game against a very disciplined Saracens team and I am looking for the same type of performance,” said Sale Sharks boss Philippe Saint-André. “We have defended well so far this season and it is important we continue to be mean at the back.”
Looking at Saturday’s action, rugby aficionados across England – and beyond – will be treated to four matches, all of which kick-off at 3pm local time.
Aside from Wasps trying to open their account in 2008/09, away to Northampton Saints; London Irish will entertain Bath in Reading; Gloucester will play host to Harlequins and Leicester Tigers travel to Sixways for a meeting with the all-conquering Worcester Warriors.
Bath will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at the hands of West Country neighbours Gloucester last weekend, after looking decidedly second rate for most of the game.
One man wanting to forget that match as soon as possible is Bath’s Springbok star Butch James, whose goalkicking was woeful, before having a kick charged down which eventually led to a Gloucester try.
“Everyone has been quite positive this week,” said Bath No.9 Michael Claassens, James’s countryman and fellow Bok. “We didn’t play well enough as a team against Gloucester, but we know what went wrong. Hopefully, we can go out this week and prove ourselves again.
“The positives that we can take out of the last game are that we almost won against one of the best teams in the league. I also think that Butch will bounce back and could be Man of the Match.”
Whilst Bath look to bounce back from last week’s disappointment, the week could not have turned out any differently for their opponents at The Rec, Gloucester. The ‘Cherry and Whites’ had started their 2008/09 campaign with a disastrous home loss to their new bogey team, Leicester, but they wasted no time in getting their season back on track.
However, Gloucester can take nothing for granted when they host the log-leading Londoners, Harlequins, at the ‘Shed’, with opposition coaches, the Deans, Ryan (Gloucester) and Richards (Quins), both fearsome former England No.8s.
Gloucester will be confident after their win over Bath, whilst Quins will also be on a high after making it two from two with a convincing away win over Bristol. The only worry for Quins at this stage is the fact that key playmaker and big-name signing Nick Evans picked up a knee injury, with Aussie Chris Malone stepping into the breach.
A player to watch on the Quins team will be Malone’s halfback partner Danny Care (pictured above). The little No.9 might have blotted his England copybook off the field in New Zealand, but his performances this season will not keep him out of Martin Johnson’s plans for too long…
One team with serious injury worries at a very early stage of the season is Heyneke Meyer’s Tigers side. The Leicestermen have made a great start to the season, but lock Richard Blaze (knee), scrumhalf Harry Ellis (knee), centre Dan Hipkiss (shoulder) and utility back Sam Vesty (ribs) will all miss Saturday’s Sixway sojourn.
Club skipper Martin Corry is set to make a return from a groin injury, but their injury list remains worrying; with big names Martin Castrogiovanni (groin), Louis Deacon (back), Lewis Moody (hip and Achilles) and Derick Hougaard (shoulder) not having featured yet this season. Powerhouse winger Alesana Tuilagi is also currently injured – counting nine first choice players sidelined, a big amount for any club.
Sunday’s sole Premiership match is shaping up as a grudge encounter of note as Saracens play host to Jonny Wilkinson and co. at Vicarage Road – a team that beat the Men in Black (for the uneducated, that’s Saracens – yes, we know the Falcons also play in black, and pink, sometimes) twice last season.
We, at rugby365.com, have made no secret of the fact that Newcastle Falcons could be headed for the drop this season, but they surprised friend and foe last week when Sir Jonny kicked them home against the Saints.
IF Jonny fires this season, and stays fit, the Falcons coudl just rubbish our pre-season prediction, but this week’s away trip could give us a fair indication as to how good – or bad – this Newcastle team is.
“Every game on the road is hard, but we’ve sat down in the off-season and really talked about our strategy away from home, both in terms of the tactics we use in the game and the stuff behind the scenes in terms of travel and all the rest of it,” explained Newcastle scrumhalf James Grindal on newcastle-falcons.co.uk.
“We’re not going to try anything too flash, we’re keeping it simple and we really want to have a different mentality away from home.
“We will play a good territorial game to put pressure on the home team, particularly Sarries when they’re 0 from 2. Let’s put the ball in their court, see what they can throw at us and hit them like we did in the second half against Northampton last weekend.”
Weekend fixtures, teams and predictions:
Friday, September 19
Bristol Rugby v Sale Sharks, 19.45 local time (20.45 SA time)
Memorial Stadium
Referee: David Rose
The teams:
Bristol Rugby: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Ed Barnes, 11 David Lemi, 10 Adrian Jarvis, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Joe El Abd (captain), 6 Alfie To’oala, 5 Nathan Budgett, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Jason Hobson, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Alex Clarke.
Replacements: 16 David Blaney, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Roy Winters, 19 Redford Pennycook, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21 Vunga Lilo, 22 Greg Barden.
Sale Sharks: 15 Mathew Tait, 14 Mark Cueto, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 Rory Lamont, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Luke Abraham, 6 Kristian Ormsby, 5 Dean Schofield, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Eifion Roberts, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Andrew Sheridan,
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Stuart Turner, 18 Sean Cox, 19 Jason White, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Chris Bell, 22 Oriol Ripol.
rugby365.com prediction: Sale are a powerful team, with plenty of depth – just look at that bench of theirs! – and they will make it three from three this weekend; leaving Bristol winless after three weeks.
Saturday, September 20
Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Kingsholm
Referee: Rob Debney
The teams:
Gloucester Rugby: TBC.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 David Strettle, 13 Gonzalo Tiesi, 12 Jordan Turner-Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (captain), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 Ollie Kohn, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Tani Fuga, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Gary Botha, 17 Mark Lambert, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Andy Gomarsall, 21 Tom Williams, 22 Waisea Luveniyali.
rugby365.com prediction: On a dry patch at Kingsholm, this should be the game of the weekend. The ‘Cherry and Whites’ to triumph in an open affair.
Saturday, September 20
London Irish v Bath Rugby, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Madejski Stadium
Referee: Dave Pearson
The teams:
London Irish: TBC.
Bath Rugby: TBC.
rugby365.com prediction: Bath were horrid last week and it just seems really unlikely that Butch James will play that badly again. That said, London Irish are a seriously good side – as they showed against Leicester last week. We are tipping the Exiles to edge this one.
Saturday, September 20
Northampton Saints v London Wasps, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Franklin’s Gardens
Referee: Chris White
The teams:
Northampton Saints: TBC.
London Wasps: TBC.
rugby365.com prediction: Wow, this is NOT an easy one to call. Expect a ferocious battle, with the defending champions coming away with four valuable points away from home – only just…
Saturday, September 20
Worcester Warriors v Leicester Tigers, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Sixways
Referee: Andrew Small
The teams:
Worcester Warriors: TBC.
Leicester Tigers: TBC.
rugby365.com prediction: Worcester caused probably the biggest shock for some time with their win at Adams Park last week, while Leicester scraped home against London Irish. Tigers have a few injury worries and Heyneke Meyer’s luck has to run out some time… We’ll give this one to Worcester.
Sunday, September 21
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Vicarage Road
Referee: Dean Richards
The teams:
Saracens: TBC.
Newcastle Falcons: TBC.
rugby365.com prediction: Saracens to win – of that there is no doubt.
Tweet
I wonder if anyone has ever been back to back MVP on a Sharksworld SB comp. 😉
go SHANDSHARK!!!!!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : Who is this SHANDSHARK character?
“Every game on the road is hard”
I would love to have someone explain this phenomena to me.
I think it is a load of hogwash, a loser mentality that have been instilled into rugby players for eons.
How I would love a SA coach to step up and put a permanent stop to this whining about how difficult an away game is. One can only wish.
@just blackshark (Comment 2) : A no good I tell you…
@just blackshark (Comment 2) : Some very old grumpy dude, i hear he smells of camels .
@Silver Fox (Comment 3) : It’s not just rugby mate…all sports.
I do think that some supporters can intimidate the visiting players into making mistakes…just look at how the Tahs unsettled Bismarck during lineouts…
But yes…it has a lot to do with MENTALITY…
Wasps owe me some SB points. Watched ‘highlights’ last night. They had the ball and all they needed to do was kick the darn thing off the field. And some dof forward (I think) flick some fancy back handed pass forward 👿 which the oppo pounced on, ran it miles up field, Wasps penalised, boom game lost. 👿
Apparently last week was Gloucester’s first ever win Bath. 😯
And London Irish have never won at Welford road, but if that convict had not hooked/shanked at least two kicks it could well have been different.
And horrelpoot Butch also costed me some SB points. But he’s a Saffa so all’s forgiven. 😀
Old, but still funny. I hope.
The only thing the South African Receiver of Revenue has not taxed yet is the penis.
This is due to the fact that 40% of the time it is hanging around unemployed, 30% of the time it is hard up, 20% of the time it is pissed off and 10% of the time it is in a hole. On top of that it has two dependents and they are both nuts.
Effective from January 1st 2009, a Penis will be taxed according to SIZE.
10 – 12″ LUXURY TAX = R700.00
8 – 10″ POLE TAX = R550.00
5 – 8″ PRIVILEDGE TAX = R400.00
4 – 5″ NUISANCE TAX = R150.00
Males exceeding 12″ must file under capital gains.
Anyone under 4″ is eligible for a refund. (PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR AN EXTENSION)
We are still awaiting clarification on a number of questions raised on this new tax, including:
Are there penalties for early withdrawals?
What if one’s Penis is self employed?
Do multiple partners count as a corporation?
Sky are not showing one Premiership match this weekend. 😯
At least we get to see WP v Kwasse tonight. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 11) : are it on? Awesome!
@robdylan (Comment 12) : It are! It are! 😀 Forgot to set sky plus, but thank sky for sky remote record. I love modern technology. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 13) : I work from home 😉
@robdylan (Comment 14) : I wish… 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : Sandshark will go nowhere without scores, or does he need an excuse? 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 16) :
oohhhh F000000000000000000K thanks for the remindrer 😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
And here’s me telling kette don’t forget your SB picks 😛
Log in my eye…………….
okay picks are made.
Last minute change of heart saw me pick Bath to win over Warriors. let’s hope second guessing myself pays off.
Bristol Rugby 0 – 0 Sale Sharks
22 Mins
Bristol Rugby 0 – 3 Sale Sharks
29 Mins
Go Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!
We have all picked the Sharks so it is a margin issue for us.
robdylan Sale Sharks 7
Walt Sale Sharks 7
Bergbok Sale Sharks 8
blackshark Sale Sharks 8
CSbok Sale Sharks 11
Villie Sale Sharks 12
superviv Sale Sharks 12
Sandshark Sale Sharks 13
Whindy Sale Sharks 15
PJLD Sale Sharks 15
McLovin Sale Sharks 15
Silver Fox Sale Sharks 17
Debs Sale Sharks 17
Milissa Sale Sharks 21
Bristol Rugby 3 – 3 Sale Sharks
YEAH BABY!!!!!
48 Sale Penalty by Luke McAlister
3 – 6 Sharks
Bristol Rugby 3 – 3 Sale Sharks
56 Mins
The time as per Live Rugbu Union, usually about ten minutes out.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 25) : Okay you’ve got a more up to date access than I have. Please help out then.
Bristol Rugby 3 – 3 Sale Sharks
59 Mins
See what I mean??
@Silver Fox (Comment 27) : 😀
http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/news/
click on the Matchday Live link next to the picture at the top. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 29) : Slimkind 😉
@Silver Fox (Comment 30) :
grumpy kind. 👿
Ek het vandag ‘n splinter onder my duim nael gekry. 🙁
Eine Bliksem.
Hoe gaan die gesegde? Beer met ‘n seer tand.
55 Sale Penalty by Luke McAlister
3 – 9 Sharks
Now all I need is a converted try and my pick is spot on
@KSA Shark © (Comment 31) : 😯 😳 Sorry to hear.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 32) : I need two tries. A slow start for my weekend’s rugby.
@Silver Fox (Comment 33) : Hopefully the real Sharks will do better 😉
I like the way they list the two teams on this Sporting Live site. 🙂
@Silver Fox (Comment 35) : 🙂
should be game over round about now
@KSA Shark © (Comment 34) : Hehehehe, yes this imitation Sale Sharks better get out of a converted try range. 😈
74 min Ed Barnes Penalty
6 – 9 Sharks
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : They only give the time when there’s a score?
@Silver Fox (Comment 40) :
yeah, frustrating
If I knew Chabal played for Sale, I would have given them a loss. 😮
Hey that should be it. Thanks kSA!!! GOOO SHARKS!!!!!
@Silver Fox (Comment 42) :
hehehe
Seems I am going to drop a spot on the Log here coz Blackshark got a margin point and i didn’t 👿
@KSA Shark © (Comment 45) :
Sh1t it is going to be 3 spots.
Bergbok, Rob and BS all going past me. 😳
Confirmed Full Time
Bristol 6 – 9 Sale
Quins 10 – 0 Glos
Wasps 8 – 7 Saints
Bath v Irish 0-0
Leic v Worcester 0-0
All 15:00 (UK time) kick offs.
Bath 7 – 0 Irish
Wasps 11-7 Saints
@McLovin (Comment 53) : Butch scoring.
Tigers 3-0 Worc
@McLovin (Comment 53) : Might be 5-0.
Saints back in the lead 14-11.
So is Worcester 5-3
Gloucester also going over for a try, trail 5-10.
@McLovin (Comment 59) : 7-3
Seems it was 5-0. Now 11 – 0 to Bath. Butch scoring all the points so far.
Quins lead 13-5
Saints & Wasps 14 all.
14-0 to Bath
@McLovin (Comment 65) : 14-5 now
@McLovin (Comment 66) : 17-5
Butch must be injured. Not taking kicks anymore.
@McLovin (Comment 67) :
Seems second guessing myself was worth it.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 69) : Seems it was.
Latest (15:00 kick offs)
Quins 13-5 Glos
Bath 17-5 Irish
Saints 14-14 Wasps
Worc 7-3 Leic
Quins 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 72) : From the few highlights I’ve seen of their season thus far, I have to say they look pretty good.
@McLovin (Comment 73) : And to win away at Glos takes some doing.
Saints 17-17 Wasps
Quins 13-8 Glos
Worc 14-3 Leic 😯
Quins 13-11 Glos
@McLovin (Comment 78) :
c’mon Gloucester!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quins 13-21 Glos
Quins 18-21 Glos
Quins 20-21 Glos
Saints 17-20 Wasps
Worc 14-6 Leic
Worc 14-12 Leic
@McLovin (Comment 80) :
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saints 22-20 Wasps
@McLovin (Comment 82) :
NO!!!!!!!!!
Saints 24-20 Wasps
@McLovin (Comment 89) :
I’ve got wasps down for that match 👿
Bath 17-11 Irish
@KSA Shark © (Comment 90) : So do I. 😥
I also picked Leicester. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 93) :
No i got Warriors 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 94) : Bad news.
Worc 17-19 Leic
@McLovin (Comment 95) :
👿
Is that full time?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 96) : Not yet.
Full Time
Glos 24 – 20 Quins 😎
Bath 20-16 Irish
Full Time scores
Gloucester 21 🙂
Harlequins 20
Northampton 24
Wasps 20 🙁
Blerrie wasps let me down AGAIN. 👿
Full Time scores (To be confirmed)
Glos 24 – 20 Quins
Irish 16 – 20 Bath
Saints 24 – 20 Wasps
Worcester 17 – 19 Leicester
@McLovin (Comment 102) : Confirmed.
Just realised I picked Irish. 👿 How did that happen? 🙄 I need to pay more attention when making picks. 😳
Our leader Superviv is not having a good round at all. I think his top spot may be gone, but unfortunately NOT to me 😳
fukk wasps!
Full Time
Sarries 44 – 14 Newcastle
sweet. That should confirm my top spot this week, with a GSP to boot 😉
We DO have a new leader. 😉
I will post the SB wrap tomorrow.
@robdylan (Comment 108) : Gee Rob, a break as the one you made on Guinness Premiership is to be dreamed of. Well done.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 109) : Hey KSA, I know you will do a new write-up, just could not resist congratulating the man himself. 🙂