Under pressure reigning Champions London Wasps travel to Leicester on Friday still in search of their first win of the season while fellow struggling pair Newcastle and Bristol clash at Kingston Park.
Rugby 365 reports that the Tigers take on the Wasps in their first encounter since last years final at Twickenham and have experience vastly different starts to the new campaign.
Wasps, the defending Guinness Premiership Champions, are one of only two teams who have failed to win a game in the opening three rounds and must now win at the home of the early league leaders to get their season back on track.
This match up though is about more than just the league. These two giants have recent history and could not be any more different – a fact England lock Ben Kay is not afraid to point out.
Speaking to the Leicester Mercury Kay said: “I am sure they hate us as much as we hate them,
“They are a London club and perhaps where some of their guys prefer a night out; there may be a few more family guys at this club.”
Kay though dismissed any idea that his in-form team could have things all their own way when the countries top two teams in last season campaign clash this weekend.
“Having lost three games will make this one like a Cup final to them and we all know how dangerous they are in a Cup final.”
The Londoners will be without star flanker James Haskell as he serves his one-week ban. Haskell’s absence is one of four changes to the Wasps team which also sees Mark “Sharky” Robinson get his first start for his new club.
Leicester boss, Heyneke Meyer has opted for just three forward changes to his all-conquering Tigers side and says he is still looking for an improvement from his new charges.
“We have won three games from the start of the season and, while we have to be happy with that, we know there is more to come from the team and the aim is to keep improving in every game,” said Meyer.
Wasps director of Rugby Ian McGeechan must surely not be a happy man after his sides opening three weeks in the new season and, one would hope, will have them fired up and ready for battle in Friday’s must win.
Elsewhere on Friday, Gloucester take on the undefeated Sale Sharks while bottom of the log Bristol travel to hapless Newcastle keen to score their first win of the season.
Steve Bates has made three changes to his team that went down 44-14 to Saracens last weekend – All Black prop forward Joe McDonnell, hooker Matt Thompson and winger Tim Visser all get their chance in the starting lineup.
Bristol’s head man Richard Hill has shown his hand somewhat and has opted for experience to try and help his team off the bottom of the Guinness Prem log. After another loss at home last week against the Sharks Hill and his men are in need of a moral boost this weekend.
“We’ll need as much experience as we can up at Newcastle, this is what we’re relying on with the likes of Matt Salter, Roy Winters and Mark Regan coming back in to the squad.
“To have them around in the dressing room makes a huge difference for us and Newcastle on a Friday night is very tough prospect – it’s not an easy place to go and win – so we need our old heads in there.”
Both Gloucester coach Dean Ryan and Sales Shark Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre have rung the changes ahead of their clash at Edgeley Park as both teams gear up for a manic eight days.
With three big match-ups in such a short space of time the two squads are being stretched but neither team boss expects any drop in their performance.
Ryan has made a massive nine changes to his team that was successful against Harlequins last week but says he is happy with the side he will put out against the Sharks.
“Our victory last weekend was very important and now we must try and build on it. I am excited about this line-up. If we can get in the right areas of the field I am confident we can be a threat against most sides.”
His French counterpart has made a comparatively small amount of changes, opting for just six new faces from the start. He too though is comfortable with the quality of the depth he believes his squad will have.
“I have rotated the squad a little for this game as it’s the first of three games in eight days. These three games are all important to us, as a club, and will show how good our squad is, as most of them will get some game time. said Director of Rugby Philippe Saint Andre.
Weekend fixtures, teams and predictions:
Friday, September 26
Leicester v Wasps, 20.05 local time (19.05 SA time)
Welford Road
Referee: Wayne Barnes
Leicester Tigers: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Julien Dupuy, 1 Marcos Ayerza, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Martin Corry (c), 5 Marco Wentzel, 6 Tom Croft, 7 Ben Woods, 8 Jordan Crane.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Julian White, 18 Ben Kay, 19 Ben Herring, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Tom Youngs, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
London Wasps: 15 Tom Voyce, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Josh Lewsey, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Mark Robinson, 1 Tim Payne, 2 Rob Webber, 3 Phil Vickery (c), 4 Richard Birkett, 5 Tom Palmer, 6 Joe Worsley, 7 Tom Rees, 8 John Hart.
Replacements: 16 Damien Varley, 17 Pat Barnard, 18 Dan Leo, 19 Serge Betsen, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Dave Walder, 22 Rob Hoadley.
rugby365.com prediction: It would be a brave man to bet against the strong Tigers side at home after three good wins and up against a team who are battling for form. Rugby365 though are that brave man, defending Champs to step up and take it by three.
Friday, September 26
Newcastle v Bristol, 20.00 local time (19.00 SA time)
Kingston Park
Referee: Chris White
Newcastle: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Tim Visser, 13 Jamie Noon, 12 Tom May, 11 John Rudd, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 James Grindal, 8 Phil Dowson (c), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Adam Balding, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 Carl Hayman, 2 Matt Thompson, 1 Joe McDonnell.
Replacements: 16 Andy Long, 17 Micky Ward, 18 Tim Swinson, 19 Russell Winter, 20 Hall Charlton, 21 Spencer Davey, 22 Rory Clegg.
Bristol: 15 Vunga Lilo, 14 Tom Arscott, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Luke Arscott, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Graeme Beveridge, 8 Dan Ward-Smith, 7 Joe El Abd (c), 6 Matt Salter, 5 Nathan Budgett, 4 Roy Winters, 3 Jason Hobson, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Alex Clarke.
Replacements: 16 Mark Regan, 17 Peter Bracken, 18 Robert Sidoli, 19 Andrew Blowers, 20 Haydn Thomas, 21 Chris Ashwin, 22 Greg Barden
rugby365.com prediction: Newcastle need to dominate up front if they are going to have a chance but even that may not be enough. Don’t expect it to be pretty and don’t expect it to be a classic. Do though expect Bristol to win by eight at least.
Friday, September 26
Sale v Gloucester, 19.45 local time (19.45 SA time)
Edgeley Park
Referee: Andrew Small
Sale Sharks: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Mathew Tait, 13 Luke McAlister, 12 Lee Thomas, 11 David Doherty, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Kristian Ormsby, 5 Sean Cox, 4 Brent Cockbain, 3 Stuart Turner, 2 Sebastien Bruno, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Eifion Roberts, 18 Dean Schofield, 19 Jason White, 20 Dwayne Peel, 21 Chris Bell, 22 Mark Cueto.
Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 James Simpson-Daniel, 13 Matthew Watkins, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Lesley Vainikolo, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Luke Narraway, 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Peter Buxton (capt), 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami, 3 Dave Young, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Andy Titterrell, 17 Nick Wood, 18 Alasdair Strokosch, 19 Apo Satala, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Mike Tindall, 22 Willie Walker.
rugby365.com prediction: This is actually a tough one to call for us. Both sides have won their last two but something has got to give. Sale have the best defence in the league so far and in a tight game you go with those who can hold out. Sale to win by five.
SATURDAY FIXTURES
BATH v WORCESTER – Quotes and Teams to follow
14.15 local time (13.15 SA time)
The Recreation Ground
Referee: Rob Debney
After a narrow home defeat to the Tigers last weekend the Warrior head to Bath looking for their second win of the season. The home side produced a strong performance to overcome London Irish at the Madjeski last weekend and will be looking for another good performance to build on their positive start to the new season.
HARLEQUINS v LONDON IRISH – Quotes and Teams to follow
15.00 local time (14.00 SA time)
The Stoop
Referee: Dean Richards
Two sides coming off four point defeats from last weekend go head to head in what is expected to be another tight match-up.
SARACENS v NORTHAMPTON – Quotes and Teams to follow
14.45 local time (13.45 SA time)
Vicarage Road
Referee: Martin Fox
Saracens earned their first set of full points for the season with a 44-14 win over Newcastle last weekend and will be hoping to make it two in a row as they host Northampton. The Saints are enjoying a good start to the season after returning from the second tier but will want to build on their fantastic win over last years Champions at Vicarage Road just a few days ago.
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My Picks have been made. There is a cool variation of picks.
My picks have been made as well, and I SHOULD not be the loooong drop of the weekend again( I hope ). 😳 🙂
Rob, KSA, I have a suggestion for you guys. 😆 Serious.
Why don’t you use the space here at the left hand side to “pull” down a comment that one refers to?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : Like this, Oubaas’s comment at 1 should now appear at the left hand side. It will keep everyony in the picture instantly and do away with most of the up and down scrolling. 💡 💡
Nah, it is free advice… 😀
@Silver Fox (Comment 3) :
It would all depend if there is a plug-in for something like that available. But it is a good idea. May get a little messy if a reply to a comment is a one line reply but the original comment is 30 lines long. Once you get multiple replies it will be quite confusing and a looooooooooooooooong thread
HEY!!!!!! I see that Ice has made her SB picks this week 😯 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : I have a couple of loose plugs lying around somewhere…
Hehehe, no I see your point, but with some refining, who knows?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : Ice is in one of her ” I’m with you timeframes ” 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 6) :
😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) :
It was a lekker “thumb-sucking” exercise!
@Silver Fox (Comment 6) :
DONT start… 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 8) :
I can give you a hint.
The 365 predictions have been pretty good to date. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 9) :
Thanks…maybe I should try the experts…although i enjoy to see what “eeny meeny miny mo’s” can do too… 😳
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 10) : Ha ha ha …I hope the GP will start making sense to me after round 3.
@just blackshark (Comment 11) :
JBS…thats another hurdle on my road to SB champion status..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : I’m like a dog with a bone, just nannot let go. No letgo, it is not a shot at you. 😈
How about limiting the lefthand side to the same length as your comment? If it was longer, you can just put a lot of ……… to tell the oke that if he does not see what was said, he can then scroll back? The same with multiple replies.
Ignore me, I am like this when I think I have a good idea. 😎
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 12) : Hehehehe Ice, if I had THAT many hurdles…. 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 3) :
IS THIS to make things easier for me??? HOW thoughtfull… 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 14) :
Wie laaste lag, lag die lekkerste… 👿
Elke hond kry sy dag.. 😈 😎
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 15) : Ha ha ha …he’s really trying…
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 15) : Come to think of it…..Yeah, it would be great for you.
@Silver Fox (Comment 18) : @Silver Fox (Comment 18) : With an enemy like you…I’ce doesn’t need friends… 😛
@just blackshark (Comment 19) :
Rather the devil you know… 😉
@Silver Fox (Comment 18) :
Woof-Woof!!
@just blackshark (Comment 19) : No, we really like one another. Watch me make her laugh now.
@Silver Fox (Comment 21) :
@Silver Fox (Comment 21) :
You are The “Barbara Woodhouse” of the blog…
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 23) : My dear Ice, that could be a compliment, but please, fox not dog!! 😈 😈
@Silver Fox (Comment 24) :
The Sliver Fox traing the foxy ladies??
@Silver Fox (Comment 24) :
is there a major difference?? 🙄
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 25) : They’d be so lucky 😎
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 26) : Yes. A dog is cute and cudley. A fox clever. Now if you insist on the doggie part… 😆
@Silver Fox (Comment 27) :
Ghough!!! 😯 😯
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 28) : What was that for? If I am not cute and cudley, I have to be clever. 🙂
@Silver Fox (Comment 27) : @I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 28) : Relaxed mood in SHARKSWORLD today huh? I bet the guys at LIONSWORLD have a lot to be stressed about.
@Silver Fox (Comment 29) :
Eks ook nie SO stupid nie.. 🙄 …you forget…I am in the “I am with you timeframe” today… 😛
@just blackshark (Comment 30) :
HAHAHA!
Nasty! Ka-Ching! 😎
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 31) : Jy is glad nie stupid nie. Moenie in my comment meer lees as wat bedoel is nie. Ek sien met n tweede kyk dit was dalk suggestief, nie so bedoel, jy ken my. 🙂
@Silver Fox (Comment 33) :
Dont get all Se-ri-as!! 😈
Do I…know you??? 😯
Watched a ‘behind the scenes at Saracens’ last night, starring Eddie van der Jones. Very interesting. And very proffesional. Mr van der Jones is at work by 5 in the morning every day. 😯
I picked Newcastle to win even though at the start of the season I decided not to pick them ever. 😕
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 34) : You’d die to know me. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 35) : Eddie is only impressing himself. 😉
I don’t like Wasps or Leicester or the Bulls but I kinda like Heyneke. MIght become a closet Leicester fan. 😳 Even picked them to beat Wasps tonight. 🙄
@Silver Fox (Comment 37) : I would also come to work at 5 in the morning if first thing I had to do in the morning was watch rugby. 😎
@Silver Fox (Comment 37) :
Not much i would die for…. 😈
So….Confirmed then…I dont actually know you..
I don’t know anybody on this blog. 😀
@McLovin (Comment 41) :
I have met Me2, Vanessa, Debs, Rob, Sharks-Lover, Waz, Klempie and I think thats about it…I think…I should NOT think, I think..
Sale ahead 3-0 against Gloucester.
19:45 kick off
Worcester 3 – 0 Falcons
20:00 kick off
I’m off. Going to park on the couch and watch Leicester v Wasps. 😎
@McLovin (Comment 45) :
Enjoy.
Not on any of my channels 😥
American Chopper and Hotrod it is for me. 😎
@KSA Shark © (Comment 46) :
KSA its showing on Showsports 2.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 47) :
You’re a Star!!!!!!!! I thought it was on Showsport 4. 😎
6 – 6 15min
Leicester v Wasps picks
Milissa Leicester Tigers 13
Whindy Leicester Tigers 10
Villie Leicester Tigers 10
superviv Leicester Tigers 9
McLovin Leicester Tigers 8
CSbok Leicester Tigers 8
IceBabe Leicester Tigers 7
robdylan Leicester Tigers 7
Silver Fox Leicester Tigers 5
Bergbok Leicester Tigers 5
PJLD Leicester Tigers 3
————————-
Sandshark London Wasps 3
Debs London Wasps 3
blackshark London Wasps 4
Walt London Wasps 4
Falcons 10 – 3 Bristol (not Worcester as I mentioned earlier 😳 )
Sale & Glos 6 all.
Sharks v Gloucester
Nice even split here
Milissa Sale Sharks 21
Silver Fox Sale Sharks 9
robdylan Sale Sharks 7
PJLD Sale Sharks 7
Sandshark Sale Sharks 5
McLovin Sale Sharks 4
Villie Sale Sharks 2
————————-
Debs Gloucester Rugby 4
Whindy Gloucester Rugby 5
superviv Gloucester Rugby 9
Bergbok Gloucester Rugby 9
IceBabe Gloucester Rugby 10
blackshark Gloucester Rugby 10
Walt Gloucester Rugby 11
CSbok Gloucester Rugby 13
Newcastle v Bristol
Silver Fox Newcastle Falcons 14
Villie Newcastle Falcons 13
superviv Newcastle Falcons 11
McLovin Newcastle Falcons 9
Whindy Newcastle Falcons 9
Debs Newcastle Falcons 9
Milissa Newcastle Falcons 7
robdylan Newcastle Falcons 7
blackshark Newcastle Falcons 7
Bergbok Newcastle Falcons 5
—————————–
Sandshark Bristol Rugby 9
PJLD Bristol Rugby 9
CSbok Bristol Rugby 10
Walt Bristol Rugby 11
IceBabe Bristol Rugby 14
FFS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have these commentators got the ELVs on the brain or something? 👿
Every second sentence is ELVs this and ELVs that. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 51) :
Flippen hell. That is a Fulltime score!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sharks 6 – 6 Gloucester.
and so is this
Newcastle 10 – 3 Bristol
@KSA Shark © (Comment 55) :
0 from 2 for me. 🙁
Leicester 13 – 6 Wasps
half Time
I am heaading for 0 from 3 here 😥
@KSA Shark © (Comment 55) : Not quite yet. 😆
Sale 13 -9 Glos
@McLovin (Comment 58) :
SportingLife gives them as Full Time scores ❓ ❓
Half Time
Newcastle 10 – 3 Bristol
@McLovin (Comment 59) : 😳
thank goodness
@KSA Shark © (Comment 60) : They must be confused. 😀
@McLovin (Comment 63) :
Thank goodness for that.
Have a look at guinnesspremiership dot com. All the scores, live. You can even catch some audio if you really want to.
On Luv sport at the moment. Percy will be releasing a biography in November
@McLovin (Comment 65) :
thanks
Sale 16 -9 Glos
I have work in the morning so bed time for me.
Let’s hope my selections do well. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 69) : Rest easy old chap.
😯 THAT wasn’t over!!!!!!!
Leic 16-9 Wasps
@KSA Shark © (Comment 71) : Must be the ELV’s fault. 😉
Newcastle 15 – 3 Bristol
Leic 16-12 Wasps
It’s actually a crap game.
Newcastle 17 – 3 Bristol
Sale 23 -9 Glos
Leic 16-15 Wasps
Some handbags at 10 paces.
Leic 16-18 Wasps
Uncontested scrums. 👿
Full Time
Sale 23 -9 Glos
Leic 19-18 Wasps
@McLovin (Comment 83) : Sale have not conceded a single try in 4 matches so far.
Full Time
Newcastle 17 – 3 Bristol
Leic 19-21 Wasps
Leicester doing their best to lose. 👿
TMO for Wasps.
Seems like a try. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 90) : Maybe not.
try given. 😯
Leic 19-28 Wasps
Leic 19-28 Wasps 77min
Full Time
Leic 19-28 Wasps
Last night’s results.
It certainly looks as if being called toilet plunger or Longdrop of the week has spurred SilverFox onto new heights. 😉
Sale Sharks 23 – 9 Gloucester Rugby
Silver Fox Sale Sharks 9 ( get’s 2,5 points)
Newcastle Falcons 17 – 3 Bristol Rugby
Silver Fox Newcastle Falcons 14 (get’s 2,5 points)
Leicester Tigers 19 – 28 London Wasps
blackshark London Wasps 4
Walt London Wasps 4 (get 2,0 points each)
And there is ALREADY nobody left with a chance of a GSP. 🙁
@McLovin (Comment 95) : 17.66%
of all players in SuperBru correctly predicted a win by the London Wasps
Bit of an upset it seems. I have yet to cerrectly call a Wasps match. 👿
@McLovin (Comment 98) :
I think this is the first week i got them right as well. They are trying to emulate the Bulls defence of the S14 trophy it seems.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 99) : The match was a bit of a let down. It was a really poor performance by both teams. Plenty of mistakes. In seasons gone by a match between these two produced rugby of the highest quality.
@McLovin (Comment 100) :
Wasn’t it also a repeat of last years Final? That alone should have made it a great match.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 101) : It was.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 96) : Silver Fox abhor name calling.
@Silver Fox (Comment 103) :
Seems Ice and CSB are fighting to see who will be called names this week. 😉
Both of them are on 0 from 3 so far for this round. 😳
ATTENTION: The next round of GP matches are on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. DON’T get caught napping with your picks.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : Thanks Sandsnifter, I would have been caught. 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 105) : And then our okes complain of too much rugby!! 🙄
My calculations we’ve already secured a home semi.
@klempie (Comment 108) : By my *
@klempie (Comment 108) :
if you mean the Sharks then I am afraid we can still miss out on a home semi.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 110) : So now we’re going to lose to the Griquas at home KSA? My, my. NOW who is the negative one?? 😯
@klempie (Comment 111) :