London Irish
London Irish v Harlequins Preview
By Samuel Browne
September 4 2014
The waiting is over. For months now we have been wandering blindly in the darkness, desperately seeking succour at the teat of entertainment. Inside we have felt a deep, mournful sorrow spinning through the void of emptiness that is our soul. However, the dark cloud has begun to lift. The faint, gentle flavour of hope has teasingly tickled our lips, tempting us like a new-born babe reaching for their first feed. As the long, hot summer has faded it has grown and grown, filling our world and delivering sign after sign that the ultimate moment of halcyon wonder is upon us…it’s the annual slugfest in the Great British Bake Off! Oh, and in other news the new Premiership season starts on Saturday.
Irish go into this season with a quiet sense of anticipation building amongst the fanbase. Our recruitment drive has been strong, particularly in the pack, with players brought in to own a first team place rather than provide ‘competition for places’. We have the best front row resources the club has seen for many years with Paice, Ellis, Aulika, Cross, Court and Parr all genuine first teamers. Our second row has been filled with gnarly brutes with Cox and Leo being experienced and ferocious. The back row resources at our disposal should be sufficient for all but the most severe of injury crises with five full internationals, a man who should have been an international and a young tyro. At half back, Scott Steele looks to have the attributes to challenge Tomás for the starting jersey whilst Noakes and Geraghty will provide different options for different conditions. In the centres, I’d like to see Guy really push on this season. He has all the potential in the world but had last season ruined by injury. I can see him being as important as any of our recruits in the backs. The back three remains strong with Short being another player with huge potential yet to be recognised. I wouldn’t be surprised if the much-discussed ‘Marquee player’, if we do end up bringing one in, turned out to be a back three player.
There is no other team in the English Premiership that Irish fans love to hate as much as Quins. Whether it’s proclaiming their internationals as ‘overrated’, pointing out how awful their ground is or predicting bad tidings for them, we love to poke fun. For what it’s worth, they are my prediction for relegation this season, as they have been for the past 20 or so years (I got it right once). The sad thing is, they do have some genuinely fantastic players. At Premiership level, their stars shine brightly. Their engine room is driven by one of the most effective and enduring players in my memory, Nick Easter. Robshaw, although not international class in my opinion, is a magnificent Premiership player and his leadership and work-rate are second to none. He is ably assisted in the back row by the rising star of Wallace who is a tornado of activity around the pitch. They have two of the sharpest attacking players in the game in Evans and Brown and have now added to this with the arrival of Yarde. I do feel that they really lack class in the centre. If we can exert a lot of pressure there, we have the potential to stifle some of their attacking flair. The risk is that Evans is more than capable of covering up the inadequacies of Quins’ centres with his own creative brilliance. If we can at least gain parity in the breakdown (big day of work Trev and Blair) then we can stop Danny Care getting the quick ball that he thrives on and potentially prevent them from carving us open. That is a big ‘if’ however as Robshaw and Wallace are excellent at the breakdown. It will be important for Skivs to get in the ear of the referee as one of Robshaw’s less attractive habits is his constant, embarrassing whining at the man with the whistle. It does him no credit, but I’m sure it can be effective. However, Quins’ big weakness is, as always, their front row, where I can see us giving them a tough time (provided our expected front row perform up to scratch and the scrum is well-refereed). This season, one of these front-rowers, Joe Marler, has been made club captain. Not since Douglas Haig has there been a man less suited to leading a body of men. He showed some flashes of brilliance in 2013, but has now settled back in to being a low quality loosehead prop. Despite this, Quins are a genuinely top-class team and we will need to be at 100% to have any hope of bringing home some points. I do think they will get relegated, but they’ll be very difficult to beat on Saturday.
It should be a good game; both teams can be ferociously exciting to watch. There are a wide range of international quality backs on display and some electric pace amongst those aspiring to the highest level. As such, my prediction is a 9-3 win for Irish.
(I will now step back and await the flashing sirens of the Harlequins Thought Police as they respond to the emergency call after my being ‘a little nasty’ about Joe Marler and saying they’ll get relegated…again)
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They won't go down but quins baiting is a lot of fun on days out like this so I fully expect in a loud voice on the train to say so as well as predicting an Irish win but at least 25 points
Not sure Marler is that poor a prop but I do think making him captain might help us out on Saturday as he comes to terms with that role. Blair and Guest will make the breakdown much more competitive and give them less time
Just imagine if he was captain on Saturday we would probably end up playing against just three blokes, all seriously wounded and shell shocked for the last quarter. Unfortunately though history tells us we would still lose.......
.......But then Quins would get relegated anyway
Well, we'll find out soon enough whether your observations are justified. Thanks for the preview, though.
If we can slow the ball down and HOLD THE LINE then we have a great chance at stopping the "glory boys" or "stars" if you will. I think they will try and draw us in to play the wide ball as always, but we just need to force them to play our pack more and we can cause some damage.
If we could also not focus on collecting as many yellow cards as possible that would be great, as funny as it is to see Skivs make a hairy queen quiver.
Quote:...one of Robshaw’s less attractive habits is his constant, embarrassing whining at the man with the whistle. It does him no credit...
The QRU (Quins Rebuttal Unit) will be going into overdrive!
Oh, and to echo hH, Haig was not a poor leader. His strategy was the only one possible, he encourage technological advances such as tank and air warfare, built up the artillery, and brought engineers into a combined arms battle. All this caused massive changes to doctrine and tactics and completely transformed the Victorian/Edwardian Army...
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:04:13:26:30 by Foggy-Balla.
Quote:Foggy-BallaQuote:...one of Robshaw’s less attractive habits is his constant, embarrassing whining at the man with the whistle. It does him no credit...
The QRU (Quins Rebuttal Unit) will be going into overdrive!
Oh, and to echo hH, Haig was not a poor leader. His strategy was the only one possible, he encourage technological advances such as tank and air warfare, built up the artillery, and brought engineers into a combined arms battle. All this caused massive changes to doctrine and tactics and completely transformed the Victorian/Edwardian Army...
Not to be a pedant, but one of Haig's biggest failings was his initial reluctance to use tanks and artillery, preferring to use men to block bullets (Churchill wrote some excellent essays on the subject). He was then persuaded as to their effectiveness after many, many losses. He was also 'Gove-esque' in the surrounding himself with yes men where the great thinkers/strategists etc choose those who challenge. He is one of these characters who has attracted modern historians in their efforts to make a name for themselves by flying in the face of overwhelming opinion. There is minimal contemporary support for Haig.
This debate is pretty good stuff. Should throw the Quins sniffer dogs off their tracks.
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Back to Robshaw and Marler - I think both are international class players and have made very strong cases to be in the England side. Quins will lose because we will be much improved and they will be cocky and arrogant as ever.
Just to clarify, I don't go around randomly snapping shots of sleeping babies.
Quote:SamB_LI
Just realised that I made a slight boo boo. The picture at the top is my son, Frederick, born on Sunday. I was going to make some funny joke involving him but realised that, like most of my jokes, it wasn't funny. Then I forgot to change the picture.
Just to clarify, I don't go around randomly snapping shots of sleeping babies.
I did wonder what the reason was for the baby photo - congratulations anyway Sam!
For the WW1 comments I just spent two days in Poperinge (where the Toc H or Talbot House is). I managed to visit Hill 60 and Hill 62, Polygon Wood, and various other sites along the Ypres salient. Also, of course, the ceremony at the Menin Gate. I highly recommend it if you get the chance.
QUIN KONG
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:09:05:01:36:55 by Quin Kong.
Quote:waltham
Hmmm.... could even be a draw...
Sounds like Fawlty Towers. "Ve did not lose ze war, ve came second..."
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
First of all, I thought "What picture at the top of what? What is he talking about?
Then, secondly, it hit me like a bolt out of the blue (or green) as I realised SamB_LI is none other than Samuel Browne, who has a picture of his Frederick at the top.
Thirdly, I thought, well done young man! Congratulations to you and your other half and best wishes to Frederick.
And fourthly, and finally, let's mash them hairyqueens to pulp and show the rest of the prem that we are no longer going to roll over and be picked off willy nilly.
Quote:Monte
Well we wouldn't even dare jest about relegation for The Not Nots so we will take it as a compliment. I am not sure the fashion brigade would think that your green shirt suits Tom Guest. I think he may find he preferred himself in the quartered shirt! May the best team win with NO injuries.
It isn't
As a Quins fan, I view Irish as an easy 10 pointer. It must be awful wondering every season if you will ever get into the top half and then realising you don't have a chance.
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
COME ON YOU IRISH!!!!!
Nunquam Dormio
Nunquam Dormio
If I was a LI supporter then the subject of grounds, is something I would be inclined to avoid.
Quins own The Stoop, a purpose built rugby ground. LI on the other hand are squatting in a half empty football stadium in Berkshire.
As I said, its a bit odd how you chose to mention our ground but keep trying.
Quins by 15...
Nunquam Dormio
Enjoy the season, it's a long one, we'll see you at The Stoop in few months time.
COYI
Quote:Ozzy3213
You won the game Quins fans, little bit classless to then come trolling, but hey ho, each to their own.
Enjoy the season, it's a long one, we'll see you at The Stoop in few months time.
COYI
I'm not sure that this is the thread to criticise Quins for lack of class. Your board was looking to wind Quins up.
[www.theguardian.com]
"such was London Irish’s ineptitude that it is unlikely they would have managed to cross the line in an unopposed training session"
Nunquam Dormio
This is rugbynetwork. It suggests a linked series of boards based on common interest, don't you think? If LI fans don't want to be part of the network, perhaps you should all take the Shedweb route...
The game wasn't great but happy to get a win
Enjoyed the banter with the LI supporters before and after the game
And good too see so many back at the Stoop for beers after the game, so see you in Reading in a few months
If I see you at the Stoop, lend me Ł10 and I'll buy you a drink
Nunquam Dormio
Your front row got mullered. Marler showed he's not fit to be captain, your centres were pants and Robshaw warbled at the ref all game!
Evans may have missed a lot of kicks, but he was creating all the space early doors. Easter was magnificent and goodness knows why O'Shea took Wallace off. He was my MOTM by miles. He read Garner like a dodgy old Mills and Boon and pushed the boundaries perfectly. I know you all have a love in with Robshaw, but two of your back rowers looked like top class internationals yesterday...Robshaw wasn't one of them. Your locks were excellent also, blimey Robson tackles hard and the young guy alongside him looks like a find.
What I didn't account for was our misfiring attack. I think that was largely a result of the huge pressure you were exerting at the breakdown. Not a great game, but we didn't deserve to win so a fair result.
Then again, I think you're wrong. You see, I underplayed that statement.
Quote:Hellequin
Yay Quins won. WW1 is kind of my specialist subject with my dissertation being on the strategy and tactics of the battle of the Somme. In terms of Haig he indeed embraced new technology (tanks) but ultimately was stuck in the 19th Century in terms of seeing the cavalry as the most important role in creating a breakthrough. He also failed to learn the hard learnt importance of well planned preperation including the creeping barrage and bite and hold operations.
Quote:British Cavalry Training Manual 1907
It must be accepted as a principle that the rifle, effective as it is, cannot replace the effect produced by the speed of the horse, the magnetism of the charge, and the terror of cold steel
Faugh-a-Ballagh!
"Our prayer is 'God save Ireland' and pour blessings on her name!"
Vestigia Nulla Retrorsum
Quote:SteveS
the money you spend
Eh?
[en.wikipedia.org]
Harlequins[edit]
Players In[edit]
England Jack Clifford promoted from Academy[65]
England George Merrick promoted from Academy
England Sam Stuart promoted from Academy
England Sam Twomey promoted from Academy
England Charlie Walker promoted from Academy
England Marland Yarde from England London Irish[66]
Fiji Asaeli Tikoirotuma from New Zealand Chiefs[67]
Players Out[edit]
England Tom Guest to England London Irish[68]
England Sam Smith to England Worcester Warriors[69]
Samoa Maurie Fa'asavalu to France Oyonnax[70]
England Nick Kennedy retired[71]
New Zealand Tim Molenaar to England London Welsh[72]
New Zealand Nic Mayhew to New Zealand North Harbour
England Paul Sackey retired[73]
Players In[edit]
Ireland Tom Court from Ireland Ulster[95]
England Tom Guest from England Harlequins[96]
Ireland Eoin Griffin from Ireland Connacht[97]
England Luke Narraway from France USA Perpignan[98]
England James Short from England Saracens[99]
Scotland Geoff Cross from Scotland Edinburgh Rugby[100]
England Sean Cox from Scotland Edinburgh Rugby[101]
Samoa Daniel Leo from France USA Perpignan[102]
Scotland Scott Steele from England Leicester Tigers
Ireland Conor Gilsenan from Ireland Leinster[103]
New Zealand Chris Noakes from New Zealand Blues[104]
Players Out[edit]
England Marland Yarde to England Harlequins[66]
Australia James O'Connor to France Toulon[105]
England Declan Danaher retired[106]
Wales Ian Gough to Wales Newport Gwent Dragons[107]
Ireland Ian Humphreys to Ireland Ulster[108]
South Africa CJ van der Linde to South Africa Eastern Province Kings[109]
Samoa Setaimata Sa to England Hull F.C.[110]
New Zealand Bryn Evans to France Biarritz Olympique[111]
Tonga Chris Hala'ufia to Wales Scarlets[112]
Samoa Sailosi Tagicakibau to England Wasps[113]
England Charlie Davey to England Cornish Pirates[114]
England Jon Fisher to England Northampton Saints[115]
Nunquam Dormio
