Sale Away, Sale Away, Sale Away
Well, lads, here we go again. After the defeat to a powerful pack in Wuss, the team must dust themselves down, get up to Stockport and face another gruelling test in the shape of Sale.Sale have made a reasonable start to this campaign, winning the opening game of the Guinness premiership with an exciting win over Squeaky's Falcons, but lost out to a Mayhem penalty try, awarded to Glaws in the 89th minute on Saturday. Cueto touched down for a record equalling 6 consecutive premiership games, 8 games in all competitions and now shares this record with Hanley of, err … Sale.
Irish too have made a decent start to the premiership having taken 6 points from a possible 10, after yet another defeat at the Madstad, this time against Wuss. With the Reading form always likely to cause even the least religious to partake in a bit of prayer, it is on the road that the Exiles have gained favour, not least last season in this corresponding fixture. Barry, whose boot was firmly up his ring on Sunday, kicked a last second penalty to take the spoils that night.
So what does Phillippe Saint-Andre have up North for Brian Smith to worry about? Well, a front row containing the powerful Ork on speed in the shape of Sheridan and the mobile Titterell, but also a back row boasting White and Chebal. Chebal in particular is a hunker-hunker burning love who causes problems to all that cross his path. Nicknamed the Seabass, this guy has more metal than British steel, and is more mental than Fred West. Not a man to be toying with on a Friday in Stockport!
Their forwards do win good ball, providing a good platform for their backs, and what a set they have. Any back 3 containing Billy Whizz and Cueto will be hard to contain, not to mention the injured Hanley fecker. At half back they have England's 10 in waiting in the shape of Hodgson, who is starting to form a new partnership with Courrent after the departure of Bryan Redpath, who has moved to Glaws in a coaching role.
The Irish have a new game plan which involves high-risk rugby, played at pace, always determined to cross the try line. 6 tries in the opening 2 games is a far better return than last season, but this has to be curtailed at vital stages of matches. Decision making at crucial times needs to be made in a less cavalier approach, as this cost us on Sunday against a team not containing the speed the Sale will offer on counter attack ball. Not to put a damp squib into all this attacking rugby, but Brian Smith needs to emphasise that there will always be times in games where a big fecking boot for touch can win matches.
So, can the boys in Green compete on Friday? In short, yes. The second row are winning ball at lineout time, with Big Bob standing out. The back row are winning ball, breaking the gainline and annoying the be-Jesus out of their opposite numbers. Barry, less his precious boot, is starting to play some excellent stuff at 10. He has “chunked up” a lot over the summer, giving him a Tofty like frame. This may explain the kicking on Sunday, as his Robocop upper body seemed to prevent him kicking as he has in previous seasons, even managing to kick his own arse on one of them! Catt and Penney are forming a good partnership in the centres and the back 3 are also looking the part in offence.
Friday night can be taken, however, huge efforts in both offence and especially in defence need to be sorted. If the pack are up for it and get good ball for the backs, we can repeat the result from last season. Kick or make unforced errors near the Sale lads, and a kick up the arse will be issued, with the home team bagging the points.
-- Master Scribe