Benneton at home - 17th October

[doedin]

Anyone else apprehensive about this game. I watched the Benneton v Lions game and they looked very strong - powerful pack and ran some fantastic back lines in attack. The Cannone brothers were immense in the pack. Menoncello was a strong and clever runner in midfield and Mendy was a real stand out in attack. In fact the whole team played really well and deserved the win.

I can see us fielding a pack that can at least match theirs but I struggle to see us match them in the backs and in particular I can see them making inroads into our midfield with Menoncello and Fekitoa at centre. Not sure how we will play the game however I would be very reluctant to aimlessly kick to their back three and let them run it back, if we do kick it has to be short and contestable box kicks. I would also like to see us try and play it tight and try and run over their pack, I just dont have the confidence that out half backs and centres have the capability to get the ball out wide to our strike runners!

It all depends on selection for both teams obviously but I suspect this will be a tight game which could go either way? We however cannot afford to lose this game and go 0-3 this early in the season, hopefully Schoo does the team talk?

[dolf_lundgren]

Cammy Scott starting and Thompson back in the bench is very encouraging.

I’m still a bit confused about Richardson starting at 7 with Douglas and Watson available. Great for Harrison to be getting game time though.

[The Chiel]

I’m still a bit confused about Richardson starting at 7 with Douglas and Watson available.

Absolutely agree with this, particularly ahead of Douglas. Douglas must get game time if he's to develop to the highest level, as we all hope he will. But in fairness Richardson had an excellent game last week.

I believe Menoncello has been rested, which could be good news in terms of chances of winning, albeit disappointing for the overall game quality. Terrific player - heading for Toulon next season I understand.

[Pitfitter1105]

Can we do ‘contestable kicks?’ Usually big boomers scooped up by their backs or into touch, we need to have possession to score but fail to keep it, however we’ll be there, living in hope.

[doedin]

Interesting Benneton team selection and pleased to see they have rested many of their top performers from last week. However they may have decided that this team is good enough to beat us? So pleased to see Menoncello has been rested, a top class player.

It will be interesting to see how Shiel and Scott go at half back. Hopefully they add more pace and attack options into the team, they should get some good attacking ball to play off.

[Castlecannon]

Plenty time for Douglas to come through . Young players need game time but also careful management of the physical side as they grow . He is a hot talent with a lot invested in him . I suspect GT is looking for Richardson to show up in the Autumn series and wants him sharp . Sean Everitt will be factoring this into selection . As for the match I would be surprised if we lose this one . Regardless of form we have a stronger squad who will be motivated and fired up . The challenge will be to cut the penalty count . Half backs will not be short of ball . No excuses !

[The Feral Goat]

Good result, set piece and defence went well. Cammy Scott went well for most part.

Despite the tries we still look like the handbrake is on in attack, timing not quite right.

The pen we took the midfield scrum backs setup start to run but all had to check as ball not moved. Bradbury still.got over a phase or two later but just not slick, VDM similar at least once coming from deep at pace but having to check as ball not coming out.

Don't want to be too negative when we have nilled Benetton but got to be better drilled.

[dolf_lundgren]

It certainly wasn’t perfect but it was a good win. For the first time this year we looked like we had a plan and were following it.

Cammy Scott was a big upgrade on the Ben Healy we have seen the past few months or even a year. How a goalkicking was excellent too.

Shiel had possibly the best game I’ve seen him have for a long time. I’ve questioned his decision making but he took the right option most of the time. He has all the tools juts needs to have that game management consistently at that level, Vellacott brought pace when he came on too.

The forwards were the pack we think we should see every week. A worry that Paul Hill didn’t look good at the end. Back row were very good.

We have said it many times before after a win, we need to play with that intent every week, time will tell.

I know Everitt is very poker faced, but he looked TonySpreadbury off throughout the game. Maybe it’s because they don’t perform like this every week, or is there something else?

[doedin]

Good result against a poor Benetton team, perhaps we made them look poor? Although there were errors I thought that Shiel and Scott played well and got the team moving, however they had an easy ride for the most part. Ball still struggles through hands at times though but when we do get our back 3 into the game going forward they are electric. Bradbury was a deserved MOTM, he carried and tackled all night long, I am pleased for him that he is back to his storming best. Defence was good and well organised and we go penalty count down to a reasonable level. This needs to continue!

[The Chiel]

Always good to have a comfortable, stylish win, with a number of changes. The relatively untried Shiel / Scott hinge worked well, and I'm pretty sure another 10 minutes for Shiel would have got him the MoM ahead of the excellent Bradbury. Richardson ( who I still think shouldn't be starting over Douglas ! ), again played really well, as did McConnell. An honourable mention for Lang as well - he seems to have become one of the team leaders.
Not sure how DVDM got his injury, but I doubt it was challenging for a high ball. TBF the Edinburgh box kicks were often just a bit long, but was it under Cockerill there was a policy of letting the defender catch it and then try to turn it over ? Are we re-visiting that ? Fingers crossed for Darcy, although whatever the problem was he seemed to run it off pretty effectively !

Of course it has to be said Benetton weren't great, particularly with a couple of their top players rested, so the jury overall has to stay out. But hopefully the win also boosts confidence.

[Castlecannon]

Very good performance agains a pretty lacklustre version of Benetton who were resting some of their big National players tbf. It was similar to last week agains Munster without the penalty and card count . Backing off the 50/50 high ball to avoid penalties and control contact possibly helped . Half backs a huge improvement and back row outstanding.

[The Chiel]

Cammy Scott ineligible for next week due to the failed HIA.