Preview: Leeds Tykes v London Irish @ Twickenham
By apb
September 2 2005
So here it is, September, and the start of the regular season. The Tykes head down south to Twickenham to play their bizarrely titled home game in the "London" double header. Regular readers will be well aware of my original opposition to this fixture being played in London.
I still have reservations about the location, but there is no doubt that the profile of the Tykes has sky-rocketed since the Powergen Cup win, and the incredible signing of Justin Marshall and Gordon Bulloch for this season, and to open up at Twickenham in front of a higher-than-normal crowd - sadly minus me - will be worth watching.
The team named for Saturday's clash looks a very strong one. New boy and recent TykesRugby.co.uk interviewee James Isaacson gets the call at loosehead in place of the injured Mike Shelley, with Gavin Kerr at tighthead as normal. With undefeated Lions captain Bulloch in the middle, the two England locks and a frightening looking back row, the pack looks stronger than ever and ready to provide a good platform.
The backs will be led as usual by Goggsy at fly, this time with the legendary Mr. Marshall providing quick ball and several new options that we as a team did not possess before (no offence meant, Dicko!).
In the centres, always a difficult area of the field, we have two more of the new recruits, with Italian-South African Roland de Marigny's left boot complementing Ross's right at inside centre (or perhaps we should call him second five-eighth), and Chris Jones outside him. Jones has been given a bit of a cautious welcome by some of the Tykes fans after reading not-so-glowing reports about him from the Sale supporters. However rumour has it that he's been a real live wire in training, and is confidently expected to do great things.
As if that wasn't enough, we have Biggsy and Snyman on the wings. Two all round excellent players with pace, a step and excellent defence. (Keep your eye on Biggsy and learn from him, Shane Williams, this is how a small guy can cut it in the big league!!)
On the bench, Mike Cusack steps up as front row cover, and we also welcome Danny Care to premiership action, likely to be there as cover for both Marshall and Ross should the unthinkable happen. And of course, there's David Doherty if we find we need even more pace out wide! With Leeds stalwart Rob Rawlinson, together with Nathan Thomas, Chris Murphy and the welcome return of Tim Stimpson, the bench is as atrong as the team, and selection for this game must have given Phil Davies the kind of problem he wants to have.
Looking at this team, we can't lose.
Looking at the Irish team, and going from last year's form that would still be the conclusion; Tykes to win at a trot.
But with London Irish, we cannot really use the form book as a guide. An influx of quality players and a new coaching set-up means that of all this year's Premiership teams, London Irish are the most unknown of quantities. The speculation on the fansite suggests that the Irish fans are confident that their men are stronger, fitter and better organised than they have ever been, and are confident they will beat us on Saturday. That being said, the Irish as a nation are a generally optimistic lot, where as your average Yorkie is something of a dour pessimist.
Using my (adopted) Yorkshire pessimism, I predict a very narrow Tykes win...
Leeds Tykes:
15. Iain Balshaw
14. Andre Snyman
13. Chris Jones
12. Roland De Marigny
11. Tom Biggs
10. Gordon Ross
9. Justin Marshall
1. James Isaacson
2. Gordon Bulloch
3. Gavin Kerr
4. Stuart Hooper (c)
5. Tom Palmer
6. Scott Morgan
7. Richard Parks
8. Jon Dunbar
16. Michael Cusack
17. Rob Rawlinson
18. Chris Murphy
19. Nathan Thomas
20. Danny Care
21. Tim Stimpson
22. David Doherty
London Irish:
15. Delon Armitage
14. Scott Staniforth
13. Rodd Penney
12. Mike Catt (c)
11. Justin Bishop
10. Barry Everitt
9. Ben Willis
1. Neal Hatley
2. Robbie Russell
3. Rob Hardwick
4. Bob Casey
5. Kieran Roche
6. Olivier Magne
7. Kieron Dawson
8. Phil Murphy