European Opponent Watch

[simonokeeffe]

Castres are currently bottom of the T14, the bad news is theyre away to Quinns before us so will likely send reserves to the Stoop and field stronger team at home to us
after us theyre away to Brive and home to Toulon and Racing before another Euro break so still dont think theyll pick strongest available team or squad for us

Wasps and Quinns both on at present
Quinns usual tale of two teams with/without Evans, tighthead getting minced too, hookers throwing is poor. Interestingly Exeter not competing at breakdown at all and is very effective

Exeter win with bonus point v Quinns
Wasps bonus point win at home to strugglers Newcastle

[molloyjh]

I'm actually heading to Biarritz on Friday week and planning to pop up to Bordeaux for their game against Castres. It's an away game for Castres obviously, but it will still be interesting to have a look at them prior to the kick-off of the pool stages.

Wasps form at the moment is pretty good by the sounds of it but I haven't got BT so haven't seen them at all. And while Quins are looking poor right now it's over 2 months before we face them so who knows what they'll be like then.

At this stage though it does look like Wasps are the team we should be watching out for in the pool.

[simonokeeffe]

I'm actually heading to Biarritz on Friday week and planning to pop up to Bordeaux for their game against Castres. It's an away game for Castres obviously, but it will still be interesting to have a look at them prior to the kick-off of the pool stages.

Wasps form at the moment is pretty good by the sounds of it but I haven't got BT so haven't seen them at all. And while Quins are looking poor right now it's over 2 months before we face them so who knows what they'll be like then.

At this stage though it does look like Wasps are the team we should be watching out for in the pool.

if we turn up we should still be strong enough for Wasps in both legs

had a quick look at teams from last time we played, theyve Haskell back and a stronger front row but backline nearly all the same players and rest of team like for like

[domhnallj]

Anyone have the story on Quins? Based on their position in their league they might have other things on their mind.

[simonokeeffe]

Anyone have the story on Quins? Based on their position in their league they might have other things on their mind.

Theyve just been steadily outspent in general by other teams, looks like theyve been figured out at breakdown too (dont compete at all and fill defensive line which also mitigates Danny Care) and they miss Nick Evans like mad when hes not there. Think though their confidence/self belief has been jilted out of proportion to their actual demise

[HUDSOC]

Wasps have a bit of a crisis at No. 10 -

From yesterday (London) Evening Standard:

Dai Young has revealed his frustration over Wasps’ failure to find a world-class fly-half to replace the injured Rudraiah Jackson.
The Scotland No10 is out for up to nine months with knee damage and although Wasps won in his absence yesterday, beating Newcastle 35-18, it is essential that fly-half Andy Goode - who kicked 13 points - stays fit.
The 34-year-old Goode was replaced after 55 minutes with full-back Rob Miller taking over in the key role and the only other options are A team outside-half Alex Lozowski and the on-loan Glyn Hughes.
Director of rugby Young said: “There are not many teams out there who are prepared to give us their No10s — charity doesn’t stretch that far! Alex is a very good young prospect and we have to look after Andy because we cannot expect him to play in every game. We have scoured the earth and there are very few top-notch international outside-halves bobbing about who are available to come to Wasps. We will try and work our way through it.”
-

[fourthirtythree]

Wasps have a bit of a crisis at No. 10 -


-

So do we!

[HUDSOC]

Anyone have the story on Quins? Based on their position in their league they might have other things on their mind.

Theyve just been steadily outspent in general by other teams, looks like theyve been figured out at breakdown too (dont compete at all and fill defensive line which also mitigates Danny Care) and they miss Nick Evans like mad when hes not there. Think though their confidence/self belief has been jilted out of proportion to their actual demise

I think Ollie Kohn (2nd row forced to retire end of last season due injury) has been a bigger loss than everyone might have imagined.

[HUDSOC]

Wasps have a bit of a crisis at No. 10 -


-

So do we!

Good point !

[Leoslovechild]

Wasps have a bit of a crisis at No. 10 -


-

So do we!

Good point !

Seriously....Gopperth or Madigan or even Steve Crosbie as agianst Andy 'Fat Bot' Goode....no contest

[outcast eddie]

Wasps have a bit of a crisis at No. 10 -

From yesterday (London) Evening Standard:

Dai Young has revealed his frustration over Wasps’ failure to find a world-class fly-half to replace the injured Rudraiah Jackson.
The Scotland No10 is out for up to nine months with knee damage and although Wasps won in his absence yesterday, beating Newcastle 35-18, it is essential that fly-half Andy Goode - who kicked 13 points - stays fit.
The 34-year-old Goode was replaced after 55 minutes with full-back Rob Miller taking over in the key role and the only other options are A team outside-half Alex Lozowski and the on-loan Glyn Hughes.
Director of rugby Young said: “There are not many teams out there who are prepared to give us their No10s — charity doesn’t stretch that far! Alex is a very good young prospect and we have to look after Andy because we cannot expect him to play in every game. We have scoured the earth and there are very few top-notch international outside-halves bobbing about who are available to come to Wasps. We will try and work our way through it.”
-

I watched Wasps the other week and was struck by how the years seem to have caught up with Goode. He's carrying some extra pounds and moves around the pitch like a front row forward.

[Kinger83]

Article discussing Castres struggles in the Top 14 so far this season.

http://www.rugbyworld.com/countries/fra ... g-castres/

[domhnallj]

He was always a little on the chubby side, even when he was playing internationals - haven't seen him in a while mind so he may have blimped up.

[Leoslovechild]

He was always a little on the chubby side, even when he was playing internationals - haven't seen him in a while mind so he may have blimped up.

I've seen him over the last two years and I believe you are being very kind to Andy

[molloyjh]

I watched Wasps the other week and was struck by how the years seem to have caught up with Goode. He's carrying some extra pounds and moves around the pitch like a front row forward.

He's always been that way tbh.

[paddyor]

Having anyone in the coaching set up who thinks Jackson is world class is a bigger problem than Jackson being injured.

[simonokeeffe]

If Wasps wanted a world class 10 why did they sign Ruaidhri Jackson in the first place?
Andy Goode hasnt been fit since 2003
Would suggest we target Goode but it would be like running into a crashmat with bad hair

Quinns used to have 2 very big units in the second row and now they dont, although must say Marler's scrummaging has improved an awful lot. Their game plan used to be based on only committing one at most 2 players to any offensive rucks which gave them a lot of numbers to attack with/run lines/exploit breaks but this has been worked out

[HUDSOC]

Having anyone in the coaching set up who thinks Jackson is world class is a bigger problem than Jackson being injured.

Was not that sure about him previously (before he moved South) but have to say when he came on during Wasps v. Northampton game a few weeks back (Wasps won 20-16) was surprised by the level of his performance/impact especially with ball in hand.His kicking not too shabby either,from memory he slotted over a couple of crucial place kicks from tricky positions.Shame for him that this game was to be his un-doing (the bad injury that has put him out for 9 month came late on).

[simonokeeffe]

Having anyone in the coaching set up who thinks Jackson is world class is a bigger problem than Jackson being injured.

Was not that sure about him previously (before he moved South) but have to say when he came on during Wasps v. Northampton game a few weeks back (Wasps won 20-16) was surprised by the level of his performance/impact especially with ball in hand.His kicking not too shabby either,from memory he slotted over a couple of crucial place kicks from tricky positions.Shame for him that this game was to be his un-doing (the bad injury that has put him out for 9 month came late on).

Neil Francis said he was the real deal at international level, tempted to leave it there
His goalkicking for Glasgow was 60% last season at best and why Pyrgos, Bennet, Hogg all kicked ahead of him

[ichabodscrane]

I'm actually heading to Biarritz on Friday week and planning to pop up to Bordeaux for their game against Castres. It's an away game for Castres obviously, but it will still be interesting to have a look at them prior to the kick-off of the pool stages.

Wasps form at the moment is pretty good by the sounds of it but I haven't got BT so haven't seen them at all. And while Quins are looking poor right now it's over 2 months before we face them so who knows what they'll be like then.

At this stage though it does look like Wasps are the team we should be watching out for in the pool.

if we turn up we should still be strong enough for Wasps in both legs

had a quick look at teams from last time we played, theyve Haskell back and a stronger front row but backline nearly all the same players and rest of team like for like

Wasps are playing some lovely rugby at the moment. They recruited very well by bringing in Goode for experience and Ruairhidh Jackson is looking like a totally different player. I think he just needed a change of scenery.

Haskell is having a great season so far, constantly on top of the tackle stats in the AP. I think he's really settled back with Wasps after his adventures and he was handed the captaincy. They have some impressive players in the second row in Launchbury & Bradley Davies. Their scrum shouldn't give us too much of a problem. Their back row are ravenous, but their skill levels shouldn't be up to our standard. What impresses me most is the speed that they play at, varndell & Wade seem to have picked up from where they left off last year.

The wings would be the only place of concern for me, McFadden & Fanning would both get skinned by those two. Hopefully Luke will make it back for some of the group games and Kirchner should be back too.