Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Olly Woodburn

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Will Haydon-Wood

9 Will Becconsall

1 Scott Sio (c)

2 Dan Frost

3 Ehren Painter

4 Franco Molina

5 Richard Capstick

6 Ross Vintcent

7 Jacques Vermeulen

8 Greg Fisilau


Replacements:

16 Jack Yeandle

17 Will Goodrick-Clarke

18 Marcus Street

19 Rusi Tuima

20 Ethan Roots

21 Stu Townsend

22 Harvey Skinner

23 Ben Hammersley

Harlequins

1. Jordan Els

2. Jack Walker

3. Titi Lamositele

4. Irne Herbst

5. Stephan Lewies

6. Jack Kenningham

7. Will Evans

8. James Chisholm

9. Will Porter

10. Jarrod Evans

11. Cadan Murley (C)

12. Lennox Anyanwu

13. Oscar Beard

14. Rodrigo Isgro

15. Tyrone Green

Impact Players:

16. Nathan Jibulu

17. Wyn Jones

18. Simon Kerrod

19. Joe Launchbury

20. Tom Lawday

21. Danny Care

22. Jamie Benson

23. Nick David

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Leal

Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce and Jamie Leahy

TMO: Tom Foley

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Sunny intervals and light winds from the north northwest
Temperature 13 degrees
Precipitation is not expected

TV Coverage

Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1445-1715
Channel 430 TNT Sports 1 HD 1445-1715

Going to stick with the boys. Chiefs 28 - 21 Quins

When predicting the score in a match against Quins you’ve got to allow for two things. First, Danny Care will score a sucker-punch try. Second, in the 80th minute, just when you think you’ve won the match, Quins will be awarded a totally outrageous penalty, kick to the corner and score from the lineout.
Notwithstanding this prognosis, I’m going with Chiefs 26; Quins 24

Slade back. Rigg at inside centre. WHW marshaling at fly-half. Becconsall back fit from rubber band purgatory.

Truly the spiciest team sheet of the season. 🔥

I think the lads know that losing to Newcastle was our lowest ebb, and now the only way is up.

I predict a much coveted win for our boys in black: Chiefs 29 - 24 Quins.

#COYC

Strong squad, like the look of Rigg alongside Slade. Bench should make an impact!

Chief's 34 Quins 19

A much changed team for us, looks strong, going for a win.

Chiefs 33 Quins 23

Good looking side, Slade needs game time, hopefully his experience will make up for lack of match fitness. Rigg in his best position imho, great to see our two nines in action once more.
Harlequins do have an awful lot of strange decisions going for them usually, lets hope we get the lucky breaks this game.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:10:25:12:40:44 by clalan.

We were turned over on Friday, matchday is Sunday. We could really cause a stir and deal Quins a shock - we've had 8 days to prepare and Quins are without some key players.
Also, I've anticipated this central pairing from the start of the season - really hope they don't disappoint.
Chiefs 23 : Quins 18

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Exe 27 - 24 Quins but have often been wrong!

Haven't got a ticket for this one yet to to early evening commitments later in the day. That teamsheet gives me some optimism thought. Chiefs 25 Quins 21?

I remain positive.

Chiefs 31 Quins 22

The absence of Christ and Hawkins is odd unless injured as the former plays for his country but we select a makeshift second row with little experience of playing in that specialist role. Josh o Scott who I thought was our most improved prop last season scoring numerous tries is out in the cold - not sure why?

Yes Slade back is a big plus but will our forwards win enough clean and quick ball that is the big question, they have a big and very mobile pack brilliant at the breakdown and electric backs.

I can see Quins scoring lots of tries so we will need to at least match them to get anything out of the game.

Heart says chiefs head not so sure - Exeter 34 Quins 33.

Chiefs 21 Quins 20

Going to say it again, Has to this one!
Chiefs 27 - 22 Quins. COYC

Might take time for the team to gel, given the low game time minutes for some. In spite of losing a chunk of their squad for Autumn internationals, that Quins team shows their depth of talent.
As we're at home for this one, we live in hope. Back to low penalty count (keep them away from 5m lineouts) and no yellows please.

Chiefs 32 Quins 26.

Hmmmm, Quins have an electric back 5, a decent pack, and 3 ( at least) jackals better than anyone we can put on the field, together with a total pain in the **** scrummie, and normally huge dollops of good fortune.
This is going to be a long Sunday at the office. I don’t see us having enough up front to take this, so although my heart says Chiefs I’m going for the dreaded Quins by 12.

We have a centre pairing who between them have played 13 minutes and 19 minutes off the bench all season and never played together before, plus 2 scrum halves who haven't played any Prem rugby between them all season ! Not sure Stu has played a single game anywhere.
I am a bit concerned that Becconsall may prove weak defencively and Quins will target him with their big runners.
This is one of my concerns with our current crop of 9's, they offer very little in defence.
Quins, despite losing a few internationals, still look a very strong team, not many changes to the team that beat Sarries two weeks ago.
I think this could be tougher than some think, as Andy15.1 says, if we get bullied up front, then our backs wont see much ball.

Even without the Internationals Quins are still putting out a decent side.

The halfbacks will be the deciding position this week and Quins have the edge.

Chiefs 19 Quins 27



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2024:10:25:15:04:24 by Chief Fire Water.

Good to see things being shaken up a bit.
The Rigg/Slade partnership is one a lot have been wanting to see, lets hope we see some good signs from the 50-60 minutes it'll probably get before Slade is taken off. It's probably the most well balanced back line we've put out all season. Hoping we'll see 80 mins from Molina, and Tuima will come on to help counter the threat Launchbury will offer from the bench. Above all, our discipline needs to be much better, or we'll beat ourselves.

Quins bring a strong side, even with the internationals missing, and will pose a lot of problems.
Going with a high scoring game again, and us to take TBP and LBP.

Chiefs 30 Quins 36

Got to protect our breakdown from Evans, game management and field position crucial, too much broken field play and they have the backs to exploit it. Still mildly optimistic Chiefs 31 - 21 Quins🤞

Like most above I'm encouraged by the 9/ 10/ 12/ 13 selection. This looks like the most capable team we've put out especially with the back row. As long as we don't just kick the leather off the ball I'm going Chiefs 34 Quinns 24.

Being positive for this one so:
Exeter 34 - 27 Harlequins

Chiefs 35 Quins 25

This is a hard one to predict but i like the line up , not sure on a couple of impact players but apart from care and David theirs are not terrible exciting, isgro and green will be a danger for sure murly is also top dog. So I am predicting a chiefs turn around 28-24 and hope the weather is in our favour.

Chiefs 21 Quins 31

Get ready to sing because we are going to win

Not very confident. We have some penalty and card magnets back. We still have no jackallers and they have a few. My heart wants us to win but lack of game time for Slade and Becconsall a potential issue as well. Will need a change of tactics and a huge improvement in performance especially in energy and general play around the breakdown and lineout. Not sure I have ever predicted a home defeat before but Chiefs 20 Quins 32..

We really need a win here, to pick up the mood around the club. Sadly, I don't think we will get one. A change at 9,10, 12 and 13, with the incoming players having such little game time, seems a little rash to me. Also, find the selection of Capstick in the second row an odd one.
Chiefs 21 Quins 34
If Henry and Jacques can bring some much needed leadership we might do better. Frost owes us a good performance.

Really hope I'm wrong and we can go into the international break with some positivity.

Although I find Capstick at lock a strange selection I do like the look of our side.
I am guessing that a few were not selected last week in view of the pitch at Newcastle so have been kept back fresh for this week.
Quins are a good side but they are severely weakened from their first choice 15.
I hope we can get on top at scrum time and we have good quick ball to play with across the back line as that is an exciting looking back selection, especially in the centres.
Fingers crossed that the mood changes within the club after this afternoon 🤞

I'm going to say that that this is the weekend we finally make it all come together.!!!

Chiefs 33 - 28 Quins

Quins haven't won away yet this season and hopefully, if we can maintain some level of discipline and keep 15 men on the pitch, this will be the match we break our duck.

Chiefs 21 Quins 19

Chiefs 18 Quins 31

Record win for Quins at Sandypark! 🤷🙄

Baxter has to go

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
Baxter has to go

Really? And just who do you think would take up the vacancy? Hepher perhaps?! Heavens help us!

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quote:

DumnoniiNomad

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
Baxter has to go

Really? And just who do you think would take up the vacancy? Hepher perhaps?! Heavens help us!

Ricky Pellow

Lee Blackett

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
Lee Blackett

Good shout

Quote:

Chief Boldeagle

Quote:

Chief Fire Water
Lee Blackett

Good shout

Assuming we are able to get him (or another target) out of their existing contract.

Worthy as an addition any of those names would be, how long do you think they'd last under Mr Rowe? With Baxter, there is enough history and respect to keep the ship on an even keel, plus IMHO he's not the issue.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Let's face it a significant off field change will eventually be due anyway. Rob, Tony, the current management team. The band can't stay together forever.
I don't think getting anyone in at any cost just for a change is sensible.
Say we change now; will any coach do? Are we looking for a dead cat bounce?
Even with thought through succession planning successful teams don't always transition well. Man Utd, Ineos, Ferrari to name some.
Panicking and sacking everyone just to be seen to do something will probably in the end turn out worse.

Pellow, Thomas and Hunter all have what it takes to turn around our fortunes, without the ball and chain that Baxter / Hepher have them locked in, you would see positive attacking rugby, as you have seen in the cup matches.

Quote:

Broken arrow
Pellow, Thomas and Hunter all have what it takes to turn around our fortunes, without the ball and chain that Baxter / Hepher have them locked in, you would see positive attacking rugby, as you have seen in the cup matches.

Genuine question BA, Rob Hunter keeps his head below the parapet, do you think that he's more part of the solution than part of the problem?

Before Ross MacMillan came in, our set piece was dire.

Quote:

Broken arrow
Pellow, Thomas and Hunter all have what it takes to turn around our fortunes, without the ball and chain that Baxter / Hepher have them locked in, you would see positive attacking rugby, as you have seen in the cup matches.

Always respect your opinions and ‘inside’ snippets BA. But surely, RP, HT, RH, are also ‘institutionalised ’. What about a breath of fresh air with a someone like Lee Blackett?

Quote:

Rowancroft73

Quote:

Broken arrow
Pellow, Thomas and Hunter all have what it takes to turn around our fortunes, without the ball and chain that Baxter / Hepher have them locked in, you would see positive attacking rugby, as you have seen in the cup matches.

Always respect your opinions and ‘inside’ snippets BA. But surely, RP, HT, RH, are also ‘institutionalised ’. What about a breath of fresh air with a someone like Lee Blackett?

I can't speak for BA, but surely, if those 3 were "institutionalised" then their Prem Cup teams would play to exactly the same playbook as the first team does? The fact they have presided over sides playing a more open and expansive game suggests maybe not.

Genuine questions,1. do Exeter have the money to buy someone like Blackett out of his contract?
2. Is the defence any better now than it was under Salvi? (Grass isn’t always greener!)

I do think the Baxter/Hepher relationship needs sorting, Baxter back on the training pitch last week sounds like a lack of trust and surely undermines Hepher?

Hunter was a very good and successful coach of the England U20's, pretty sure he won several 6 nations titles.
I am also pretty sure his role at Chiefs has been a bit of a multi purpose one, but he was always well respected by the players.
At the end of the day, it is Baxter and Hepher who determine the style of play and the other coaches have to train players in a manner to meet that style of play.
Take away the shackles put on our coaches by Rob and Ali and IMO, they could flourish as coaches.

I should have included MacMillan in my list of Coaches who could take control.

Yes, I think Blackett would be a good move, but I doubt we have the money to do that, and I would give the others a shout first.

Any spare dosh would be better spent on a bit of experience in key positions. It remains my opinion that many of the youngsters have had enough time now to step up, but, haven't, and never will.

Perhaps we need to go back to how we became a successful Premiership side by bringing in some experienced players like we did with Waldron, Parling and Salvi to supplement the obvious young talent we have.

I’m not sure the likes of Parling, Waldrom etc are available nowadays- those highly experienced players who are past their international sell by date are now heading to France to top up their pensions. Doubt we could match Top 14 salaries even at the lower end of the scale ( Pro D2 also pay well!)

I think we have enough talent in the players to do better than just survive. It needs putting on the pitch in a way they can flourish in. It has to be 1 or both of the top coaches. I thought TR would be ruthless given not only the results but also the maner of defeats.
I do think there was some improvement this week, but not enough to save this coaching set up

That's a really good point about signing top quality experienced players. It helped bolster Exeter and other clubs in the past but nowadays the draw of France and Japan is taking them.

I hope this is right - I'm having trouble raising much enthusiasm for this at the moment

Quote:

ouch!_that_hurts
I hope this is right - I'm having trouble raising much enthusiasm for this at the moment

I appreciate you, mate!

Me too! Well done Ouch! Thanks.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Don't worry, the lack of enthusiasm is due to the performances on the pitch not the prediction league

Quote:

Lowerwatha
Perhaps we need to go back to how we became a successful Premiership side by bringing in some experienced players like we did with Waldron, Parling and Salvi to supplement the obvious young talent we have.

The main point is that they came from a top team that knew how to win. Today that would mean getting some top players from Sarries, is that going to happen, could we sign Billy or Owen Farrell.

Sio is a good player, he is like Greg Holmes. but Greg Holmes was 3 or 4th chose, not a starter