ThisYearWillBeDifferent wrote: Crosbie off, Cooney out to 10, Marmion in to 9.

[strike]Gotta feel for Crosbie[/strike]

Edit, : wait didn't read this in context and thought these were changes to starting lineup

Ronaldson ignored again.
I'm really pissed off

Crosbie off, Cooney out to 10, Marmion in to 9.

Oh FFS I forgot about the silly hypothesis of Cooney as 10. But Marmion should come in too, so Ronaldson WILL play 10!!

I don't get it either about Blade. Maybe Pat still thinks Cooney is a better option on the bench. Then despite the fact he's leaving, he wants to give him gametime to prepare the play-off(s)..

Or Cooney goes to 10.

In fact I did wonder why Blade was dropped, he hasn't had huge game time. Maybe this is why.

I've just noticed the most amazing element in that team :
Crosbie hasn't played enough to last 80 min, Carty is not on the bench, so we FINALLY will see Ronaldson playing outhalf

Something tells me that this squad is setup for KK's homework which is a great move. I don't think I was ever looking forward to a Zebre match as much as this one.

That team is a bit of a shock but not totally unsurprising. I've had the feeling that the team weren't going to try to kill themselves chasing after the improbable chance of automatic qualification and this seems to confirm that. Here's a chance to give the extended squad and those returning from injury a run out. Should certainly have enough to win the game and a strong bench to call on if there is any doubt about it. Should be an entertaining game provided everyone's hands are working.

Crosbie/Aki/Farrell, that's maybe where the future lies.
Let's give Stevenson a good farewell for all his career, with all our locks now available, I'd expect this to be his likely final game

Everyone calm down or this thread will drive the rest of us to drink[/quote]

As long as your're buying. Just give us a time and a place.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: When Sligsup sobers up he might like to explain which Kitchener he'e referring to. Is it Graham Kitchener the Leicester lock or is he just confused and actually meant to refer to Zane Kirchner the Leinster & former Springbok fullback.

Everyone calm down or this thread will drive the rest of us to drink

When Sligsup sobers up he might like to explain which Kitchener he'e referring to. Is it Graham Kitchener the Leicester lock or is he just confused and actually meant to refer to Zane Kirchner the Leinster & former Springbok fullback.

Master son is contracted until 2018. I like poolman as anytime he plays he seems to score seems to have that innate ability to pick the right lines and be in the right place at the right time.I think he probably didn't get a fair crack under Pat but under a new coach can bring plenty to the team.

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: This is a team that excites and scares the S**t out of you in equal measure.

I'm going with "excites". We've played games with just 2 jumpers & no lineout callers, tomorrow we have 2 lineout callers and 4 recognised jumpers. That alone should be enough to paste Zebre, though I note I was confident about gutting Dragons too...

RoadRunnerR1 wrote: This is a team that excites and scares the S**t out of you in equal measure. An awful lot of changes at once given that 5 points is an absolute must in this game. But it's that time of year when decisions need to be made re contract re-signings and there's probably no better game to try things out. Really looking forward to the Aki/Farrell partnership in midfield. Tom has got to be or close to the number one guy that need to be signed up as soon as possible. And probably Masterson and Poolman also. Would also like to see Crosbie and Robertson McCoy do well also as we need quality options at both 10 & at 3 (Given the probability that Finlay will be away on international duty more and more in future). But at this stage I'd settle for a mediocre performance and the full 5 points.

Well, I was half thinking of not going to this game but now I'm back on board. Well done Pat Lam.

This is a team that excites and scares the S**t out of you in equal measure. An awful lot of changes at once given that 5 points is an absolute must in this game. But it's that time of year when decisions need to be made re contract re-signings and there's probably no better game to try things out. Really looking forward to the Aki/Farrell partnership in midfield. Tom has got to be or close to the number one guy that need to be signed up as soon as possible. And probably Masterson and Poolman also. Would also like to see Crosbie and Robertson McCoy do well also as we need quality options at both 10 & at 3 (Given the probability that Finlay will be away on international duty more and more in future). But at this stage I'd settle for a mediocre performance and the full 5 points.