Preview: GP, Round 22
Fri, 09 May 2008 14:48
New England boss Martin Johnson looks for international talent
It's Round 22 of the 2007/08 Guinness Premiership - and what an emotional and action-packed final round of fixtures it promises to be!
All matches are set to kick-off at exactly the same time on Saturday - 3pm local, 4pm South African time - making for a fascinating finale as four teams battle it out for the final two places in the last four. (Not to mention those final places in Europe!)
League leaders Gloucester entertain Bath in a top of the table clash at Kingsholm, whilst London Wasps, Sale Sharks, Harlequins and defending champions Leicester Tigers are the four teams hoping to fill those final two play-off places.
The winner of the west country (Gloucester-Bath) derby will end in first place, but Gloucester need just one point to secure a home semifinal. Bath, on the other hand, need at least two losing bonus points, or a draw, to be sure of a home play-off spot.
"These games are one-offs," said Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan this week. "I think it will be pretty special between two clubs who are capable of playing some rugby and that is a great testament to the Guinness Premiership as a whole."
When quizzed about the pressure of 'one versus two' on the last weekend of league action, Ryan added: "The biggest pressure comes from within the group because we want to successful. Our victory over Wasps does not mean we have solved everything, but it was significant in our development and we must try and back that up.
"We made a statement against Wasps, but it's not like we have crossed that hurdle and won't make a mistake again.
"We want to finish top because that would mean a huge amount to us over a nine-month season and then we can move into the play-offs. This is a huge game for us and we will be ready for what should be a fantastic occasion.
"If both teams turn up and play then it could be a great game," he said.
Amazingly, should Bath lose without those two points, and should two of Wasps, Sale or Leicester win well enough, Bath could find themselves in fourth position - and the prospect of an away semifinal.
So, you see, there is plenty to play for - even at the top of the log.
Whilst the Gloucester-Bath match is the undoubted game of the weekend, and perhaps even a precursor to the Guinness Premiership Grand Final at Twickenham on May 31, games in Leeds, Manchester and Leicester will be the ones to keep an eye on...
At Headingley, Lawrence Dallaglio and his Wasps team will need just one point to secure a play-off spot, but a bonus point victory against the basement-dwelling Leeds outfit could see them grab a home semifinal - something that seemed unlikely before embarking on an eight-game winning streak between January 26 and May 4.
Of course, should Wasps win with a bonus point - a likely result one would think - then they would need Bath to leave Kingsholm empty-handed in order to secure that home semifinal.
Folks in Manchester will be glancing nervously at the other scores this weekend, but the fact remains is that the 2005/06 champions simply need to beat London Irish to qualify for the play-offs. A home semifinal is not out of the equation, but they would need Bath to lose heavily in Gloucester, whilst also beating the 'Exiles' by a considerable margin. They could smash London Irish, but Bath won't lose by many to Gloucester.
Defending champions Leicester Tigers seem likely to miss out on a play-off spot, even if they beat Dean Richards' Quins side at Welford Road.
Tigers - who need to beat Quins to seal a Heineken Cup place next year - will be hoping London Irish somehow manage to beat Sale, whilst also denying their hosts a bonus point, to squeeze into the last four.
Leicester have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, securing just 12 league points from their last six games in the Guinness Premiership, and assistant coach Richard Cockerill was rather frank in his assessment of Tigers' 2007/08 season.
Cockerill, speaking on Sky's Rugby Club, admitted: "If we got into the top four by some miracle we are not a good enough team to go and win the Premiership, and that's a fact."
The former England hooker was also asked about the future of the club's head coach, Argentinian Marcelo Loffreda, who joined the European heavyweights after guiding his country to an unprecedented third-place finish at the 2007 World Cup.
"Marcelo is working very hard, but this culture is very different to what he has come from," said Cockerill.
"He has come from a very successful international set-up and is finding it slightly different.
"Do you work through the problems or cut and run after seven or eight months? They are not my decisions to make. But they are tough ones."
Saracens, unlike Leicester and despite their superb run in the Heineken Cup, have nothing left to play for in their final league match of the season against Bristol.
Well, almost nothing, with the 'Men in Black' set to say farewell to former England hardman Richard Hill on Saturday.
Hill is not one for big speeches or adept at grabbing the headlines, but he said the following on his club's official website this week: "I'm sure it will be an emotional day for all concerned and there may be some tears, but when I walk off the pitch and take off my Saracens jersey for the last time, I will be a proud man, having represented this great club and its fantastic supporters."
The likeable 2003 World Cup winner will lace his boots for the final time - "50 pairs of boots later", according to him - and joining him in retirement will be back row colleague Paul Gustard, with prop Kevin Yates and lock Iain Fullarton farewelling the club after 95 and 72 appearances, respectively.
Another match that will not have an affect on the top half of the standings is the Worcester-Newcastle fixture at Sixways, a game the home side should win against a punch-drunk Falcons side that will be playing its third match in just seven days.
High winds in February saw their Round 14 clash against London Wasps rescheduled to this past Wednesday - but it was certainly a case of a bridge too far for for the men from the Tyne, who are sweating over the fitness of the Tait brothers, Mathew and Alex, the former, of course, hoping to make his final appearance in a Falcons shirt before moving to Sale next year.
"What we are looking for from this game is just going down there and having a real go at Worcester, trying to develop our playing style with a view to next season," said Steve Bates, Newcastle's acting Director of Rugby.
"The inclusion of Lee Dickson, Ben Woods and, if fit, Mathew Tait, gives those guys the opportunity to have a send-off in Newcastle colours, which is the least they deserve after the contribution they have all made to this club."
Weekend fixtures, teams and predictions:
Saturday, May 10
Gloucester Rugby v Bath Rugby, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Kingsholm
Referee: Dave Pearson
The teams:
Gloucester: 15 Iain Balshaw, 14 Lesley Vainikolo, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Ryan Lamb, 9 Rory Lawson, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alex Brown, 4 Marco Bortolami (captain), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Andy Titterrell, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Azam, 17 Alasdair Dickinson, 18 Will James, 19 Luke Narraway, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Willie Walker, 22 Mark Foster.
Bath: 15 Joe Maddock, 14 Andrew Higgins, 13 Tom Cheesmen, 12 Olly Barkley, 11 Matt Banahan, 10 Butch James, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Daniel Browne, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jonny Faamatuainu, 5 Danny Grewcock, 4 Steve
Borthwick (captain), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Lee Mears, 1 David Flatman.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Duncan Bell, 18 Peter Short, 19 Chris Goodman, 20 Nick Walshe, 21 Shaun Berne, 22 Alex Crockett.
rugby365.com prediction: Who would even try and bet on this match? Bath were simply outstanding against Saracens last week, but that was at the Rec. Gloucester, meanwhile, won away at Wasps - a great win at the best of times. We'll go with the home side this week - 'Cherry and Whites' to win, only just, and secure top spot again.
Saturday, May 10
Leeds Carnegie v London Wasps, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Headingley Carnegie
Referee: Andrew Small
The teams:
Leeds: 15 Leigh Hinton, 14 Scott Armstrong, 13 Rob Vickerman, 12 John Holtby, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Alberto di Bernardo, 9 Joe Bedford, 8 Adam Balding, 7 Hendre Fourie,
6 Jon Dunbar, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Stuart Hooper (captain), 3 Tommy McGee, 2 Vili Ma'asi, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Adam Hopcroft, 17 Rob Rawlinson, 18 Pablo Bouza, 19 Mark Lock, 20 Darren Edwards, 21 Adam Greendale, 22 Jonny Hepworth,
Wasps: 15 Mark van Gisbergen, 14 Paul Sackey, 13 Dominic Waldouck, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Tom Voyce, 10 Jeremy Staunton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Lawrence Dallaglio (captain), 7 James Haskell, 6 Joe Worsley, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Michael Holford, 2 Raphael Ibanez, 1 Tom French.
Replacements: 16 Joe Ward, 17 Tim Payne, 18 Richard Birkett, 19 Rob Webber, 20 Mark McMillan, 21 Josh Lewsey, 22 Danny Cipriani.
rugby365.com prediction: Leeds have been manful this season, but it has not been enough - hopefully we will see them back in the Premiership come 2009/10. Wasps to win and win well!
Saturday, May 10
Leicester
Tigers v Harlequins, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Welford Road
Referee: Wayne Barnes
The teams:
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Aaron Mauger, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Harry Ellis, 8 Jordan Crane, 7 Ben Herring, 6 Martin Corry (captain), 5 Ben Kay, 4 Marco Wentzel, 3 Julian White, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Richard Blaze, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Christophe Laussucq, 21 Sam Vesty, 22 Ayoola Erinle.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 David Strettle, 12 Tosh Masson, 11 Simon Keogh, 10 Chris Malone, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Will Skinner (captain), 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Robson, 4 James Percival, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Chris Brooker, 1 Ceri Jones.
Replacements: 16 Aston Croall, 17 John Brooks, 18 Jim Evans, 19 Tom Guest, 20 Steven So'oialo, 21
Adrian Jarvis, 22 De Wet Barry.
rugby365.com prediction: How Dean Richards would love to swan into his beloved Welford Road and inflict some serious pain on his own club?! Quins have been superb this season, but it's just a season too soon for them to make the play-offs. Tigers to edge them out and stay alive for a semifinal spot.
Saturday, May 10
Sale Sharks v London Irish, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Edgeley Park
Referee: Chris White
The teams:
Sale: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Selorm Kuadey, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Andy Vilk, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Richard Wigglesworth, 8 Sebastien Chabal, 7 Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, 6 Jason White (captain), 5 Brent Cockbain, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Stuart Turner, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 Sebastien Bruno, 17 Andrew Sheridan, 18 Eifion Roberts, 19 Dean
Schofield, 20 Michael Hills, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Mark Cueto
London Irish: 15 Peter Hewat, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Shane Geraghty, 11 Sailosi Tagicakibau, 10 Eoghan Hickey, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Phil Murphy, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Declan Danaher, 5 Bob Casey (captain), 4 James Hudson, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Tonga Lea'aetoa.
Replacements: 16 Clarke Dermody, 17 Stuart Mackie, 18 Dan Murphy, 19 Gary Johnson, 20 Richard Thorpe, 21 Warren Fury, 22 Tomas de Vedia.
rugby365.com prediction: Sale did well to claim a victory at the Stoop last week and they will find a determined 'Exiles' side in Manchester this weekend. Determination, however, won't be enough and the home side will win and claim that semifinal spot ahead of Leicester.
Saturday, May 10
Saracens v Bristol Rugby, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Stadium MK
Referee: Tim
Wigglesworth
The teams:
Saracens: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Kevin Sorrell, 12 Adam Powell, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Neil de Kock (captain), 8 Ben Skirving, 7 Richard Hill, 6 Paul Gustard, 5 Kris Chesney, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Cobus Visagie, 2 Matt Cairns, 1 Nick Lloyd.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Cencus Johnston, 18 Iain Fullarton, 19 Don Barrell, 20 Alan Dickens, 21 Gordon Ross, 22 Rodd Penney.
Bristol: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Anthony Elliott, 13 Neil Brew, 12 Luke Eves, 11 David Lemi, 10 Ed Barnes, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Dan Ward-Smith (captain), 7 Redford Pennycook, 6 Iain Grieve, 5 Nathan Budgett, 4 Mariano Sambucetti, 3 Peter Bracken, 2 Scott Linklater, 1 Ray Hogan.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Prosser, 17 Darren Crompton, 18 Sean Hohneck, 19 Alfie To'oala, 20 Graeme Beveridge, 21 Greg Barden, 22 Rob Higgitt.
rugby365.com prediction: If anybody deserves to walk away from this game a winner it's Sarries' Richard Hill. The England legend will retire from first-class rugby after this match and expect that battered body of his to take even more punishment as he looks to inspire the 'Men in Black' to one final victory.
Saturday, May 10
Worcester Warriors v Newcastle Falcons, 15.00 local time (16.00 SA time)
Sixways
Referee: Dean Richards
The teams:
Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Dale Rasmussen, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (captain), 6 Netani Talei, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Chris Horsman, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tony Windo.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Taumoepeau, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Drew Hickey, 20 Joe Carlisle, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Chris Pennell.
Newcastle: 15
Alex Tait, 14 Ollie Phillips, 13 Mathew Tait, 12 Tim Visser, 11 John Rudd, 10 Steve Jones, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Ross Beattie (captain), 7 Ed Williamson, 6 Ben Woods, 5 Mark Sorenson, 4 Andy Perry, 3 David Wilson, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Jon Golding.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Joe McDonnell, 18 Tim Swinson, 19 Peter Browne, 20 Brent Wilson, 21 James Grindal, 22 Rob Miller.
rugby365.com prediction: With Northampton back in the Premiership next season, Newcastle are being tipped as the men in trouble in terms of relegation. It's been a disappointing season for the men on the Tyne and they will want to end on a high in Sixways. Can they? No, the home side - Worcester - to triumph.
