clanman wrote: I remember last year it was Edinburgh and Glasgow we played the week before and just after the Autumn Internationals. We thought that they would be putting out weakend teams and they didn't and we lost both that set us back for the rest of the season. This year it's 2 welsh teams Ospreys and Scarlets, it's crucial we come away with at least 5 points from these 2 crucial games. No point looking beyond November.

So I can see where Lam is coming from with his conservative approach for next week

But why now and not last week when we would still have won in all likelihood?

I remember last year it was Edinburgh and Glasgow we played the week before and just after the Autumn Internationals. We thought that they would be putting out weakend teams and they didn't and we lost both that set us back for the rest of the season. This year it's 2 welsh teams Ospreys and Scarlets, it's crucial we come away with at least 5 points from these 2 crucial games. No point looking beyond November.

So I can see where Lam is coming from with his conservative approach for next week

That's a really interesting piece that IMF posted, the unbeaten home record is the stand out point for me, admittedly it had passed me by. I think if Lam was picking with the intention of maintaining that record for as long as possible then he's fully justified. Last season we won more away games than home I think and that really shouldn't be the case. Simple but excellent point in the article that if we hope to qualify for the senior competition home form will be the priority.

On the other hand the comment about Ospreys is iffy. I think we need a strong team out to prevent a shellacking - I doubt we're targeting the game for a shock away victory although I would love if it happened. But the two respective teams form makes them a more difficult test than Glasgow were.

connachta wrote: Don't know if someone notices but contrary to us, Exeter won 't play till the 14th of November; They're well able to put their strongest team. But they won't I hope : the Exeter fans agree with me : "I think the next 3 games will be about readying our strength in depth and getting them match fit. Everyone knows we are coming into the phase of the season where we drop off the pace, having a squad ready to go is going to be more important. I seem to remember Jack N saying early season that the AP was the upmost priority. I think it was on reflection a really good result from a bunch of guys that on the whole have not had much game time and really does show our strength in depth now."

"I know we have to spread big game experience and cannot start with same 15 each time"

"the goal has to be ensure qualification for the Champions Cup next season - the only way to do that is through the league so that is where our focus must be - this means utilising opportunities to rest and rotate players when they arise."

The IMF wrote:
www.punditarena.com/rugby/mcassidy/conna...five-talking-points/

"Lam indicated that there will be changes for this match as he sees the Ospreys’ league game as more important. He did, however, state that they (the management team) “have a lot of faith in their squad” and they can go over to the Chiefs and secure a positive result."

I like we have an eye on Ospreys at this stage if the above article is accurate and be interesting to see how far those changes extend given the Eagles are playing on the same day.

2 weakened but correct teams expected, then.....
But now, can someone explain to me why we have picked the best team against Larochelle "A" and not against Exeter, whereas they lost their 1st match? Target Ospreys is right, but players could have been rested the week before.. I don't see any reasonable logic behind that, except pleasing the Sportground fans, which is important per se...

I'm torn between the option of going full-out for the Exeter game or treating it as preservation of players.
But ultimately I want us to succeed in the PRO12 over and above doing well in the Challenge Cup
Maybe we can do both.

Also let's see what the rumours are from the Exeter Camp.

salmson wrote: Had a look at the Exeter team from the weekend. Their XV had only 5 players who started either of their previous two Premiership games. Hope we go best possible team on Saturday.

www.punditarena.com/rugby/mcassidy/conna...five-talking-points/

"Lam indicated that there will be changes for this match as he sees the Ospreys’ league game as more important. He did, however, state that they (the management team) “have a lot of faith in their squad” and they can go over to the Chiefs and secure a positive result."

I like we have an eye on Ospreys at this stage if the above article is accurate and be interesting to see how far those changes extend given the Eagles are playing on the same day.

Don't know if someone notices but contrary to us, Exeter won 't play till the 14th of November; They're well able to put their strongest team. But they won't I hope : the Exeter fans agree with me : "I think the next 3 games will be about readying our strength in depth and getting them match fit. Everyone knows we are coming into the phase of the season where we drop off the pace, having a squad ready to go is going to be more important. I seem to remember Jack N saying early season that the AP was the upmost priority. I think it was on reflection a really good result from a bunch of guys that on the whole have not had much game time and really does show our strength in depth now."

"I know we have to spread big game experience and cannot start with same 15 each time"

"the goal has to be ensure qualification for the Champions Cup next season - the only way to do that is through the league so that is where our focus must be - this means utilising opportunities to rest and rotate players when they arise."

Anyone know if any TV channel has it, not on sky

As far as I'm concerned Pat has been rotating the team as much as possible. We're 'lucky' that we don't lose many players to the international windows, and even if we do they probably wont play too much, so there is some rest time available for the majority of the squad during the regular season. I hope we put our strongest team out in this fixture and believe we will, we're well capable of winning this. Anyone else feel a bit of a shock to the system being back in this competition? Its really disappointing to see the weakened squads across many fixtures over the opening weekend. We're one of the few teams who have traditionally taken this cup seriously and hope we continue to do so, with our squad still to be strengthened when the 3 lads come in, I think we can have a serious crack at it this year.

Had a look at the Exeter team from the weekend. Their XV had only 5 players who started either of their previous two Premiership games. Hope we go best possible team on Saturday.

For the moment you're right. Confidence, Eagles, ok ok. In a 2-months time we'll talk again about tiredness and injuries. Our squad depth is thin I know that, but the argument "we can't rest players just to fill the Eagles 22", no way!
We had both kinda extreme position on that subject, but you can't say everybody agree with you. I was supported by the majority to rest Muldoon and it was 50/50 about Faloon and Leader. And I tell you something : if we don't rotate props, we will have big problems too. We've 2 very good choices for both sides, but after them it's the desert. Bealham has to step up quickly, and for that, he needs gametime. "Evolving process" as you said is not waiting for emergency situations.
My opinion, it's not an agression at all .

connachta wrote: To throw our best team against La rochelle was unnecessary

You do know the Eagles were playing today? What are they gonna do for players???? We don't have enough players to be chopping and changing like you suggest. I don't like repeating myself but putting out the team we did and running in tries will build confidence. We got to work and focus on the structures Pat so vehemently encourages and coaches. Coaching this team with all our young layers is an evolving process. You simply don't get it

I'm not so much worried starting Browne as resting Muldoon as we've a serious shortage of fit quality backrowers at 6 & 7. Browne needs to be brought up to fitness as soon as possible so we can do some rotation.

But Exeter is not really the right place to test a player fitness whereas we've Keaney available.. Same for Ospreys, two match on the bench, and starter against Zebre is wiser... And I'm not worry for him, we're not overfilled at lock, he will have gametime at some point

A lot depends on the nature of the injury so. Also Browne did feature for the Eagles already and I assume at the weekend (didn't get to the game or get to listen to it). The next logical step is 50 minutes from the start as long as he passes all medical tests.

they did it with Heenan too... :dry: :S