Aviva rd 4

Friday, 21 September 2012
Sale v London Welsh, 14:.00

Saturday, 22 September 2012
Gloucester v Wasps, 09:15
Leicester v Harlequins, 11:30
London Irish v Bath, 09:00
Northampton v Worcester, 09:00

Sunday, 23 September 2012
Exeter v Saracens, 08:15

All Houston Tx time

Preview: Sale v London Welsh

Sale Sharks back row Andy Powell has been named in director of rugby Bryan Redpath's starting XV for Friday's clash with London Welsh in Salford.

Powell is joined in the back row by Mark Easter as the only changes to the side which lost 37-11 to Harlequins last week.
Redpath is excited by Powell's return to action.
"Andy Powell is back 'in the mix' and gives us a huge, ball-carrying emphasis.
"We haven't gone for wholesale changes because we believe that these players need to rectify some of the issues from the Quins game.
"It's been disappointing to lose three games but we need to make sure that we don't over analyse or panic.
"We were in the game last weekend but didn't take some chances that could have led to pressure, if not a scoring opportunity. London Welsh present a massive challenge, one to which we're looking forward."
Meanwhile, London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones has made just one enforced change with Michael Hills replacing the injured Mike Denbee at openside for what will be his first competitive appearance of the season.
Captain Jonathan Mills has recovered from the facial injury he sustained last Sunday to again lead the side.
On the bench, Dan Williamson replaces Alfie To'oala, who picked up a knock in training, while scrum half cover is provided by Nick Runciman, who replaces Jonah Holmes.
Welsh will line up with two former Sharks in their starting XV, in hooker Neil Briggs and Hills.
Briggs joined Sale in 2005 from Rotherham Titans and spent six seasons at the club before leaving to join Bourgoin in 2011. Hills came through the Sale Academy before establishing himself in the first-team squad. He joined Welsh from Sale in 2009 and will make his 73rd appearance for the Exiles on Friday.
Form: Sale Sharks have slipped to four straight defeats in Aviva Premiership Rugby, but haven't lost five in succession in the tournament since 2007. London Welsh obtained a maiden Premiership victory at home to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday thanks to a Seb Jewell conversion of Ed Jackson's try with just two minutes left for a 25-24 win. The two sides have not met in a competitive match since Sale gained a 16-9 win at Old Deer Park in the old Division Two in January 1989, whilst the Exiles' only previous visit to Sale in a major game was in the quarter-final of the 1975/76 John Player Cup at Heywood Road where again Sale were victorious 16-14.
The teams:
Sale Sharks: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Tom Brady, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Mark Cueto, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dwayne Peel, 8 Andy Powell 7 David Seymour (c), 6 Mark Easter, 5 Kearnan Myall, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Vadim Cobilas, 2 Joe Ward, 1 Eifion Lewis-Roberts.
Replacements: 16 Tommy Taylor, 17 Ross Harrison, 18 Tony Buckley, 19 Fraser McKenzie, 20 Richie Vernon, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Nick Macleod, 23 Corne Uys.
London Welsh: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Phil Mackenzie, 13 Sonny Parker, 12 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 11 Nick Scott, 10 Gordon Ross, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ed Jackson, 7 Michael Hills, 6 Daniel Browne, 5 Matt Corker,4 Jonathan Mills (c), 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Neil Briggs, 1 Frank Montanella.
Replacements: 16 Dan George, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Kirill Kulemin, Ed Williamson, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Ryan Davis, 23 Seb Jewell.
Date: Friday, September 21
Venue: Salford City Stadium, Salford
Kick-off: 20.00 BST (19.00 GMT)
Pete says.
Its hard to believe Sharks have been horrible to date given the talent there.
But I'm not a huge fan of coach Bryan Redpath. When coach t Glouceter you could hear hio on sideleines demanding his players be robots and not read the game, but run moves off practically everything.
But its hard to believe London welsh could be in same league as these quality players.
having said that Welsh beat exeter last week at home. I've no doubt Exeter coach rob Baxter read his team the riot act after that debacle.
Welsh should not be in this division. Full stop.
Sale by 21

Sale got murdered. I blame coach...hes crap. Game not on TV so didn't see.
Welsh won easy 29-19

Preview: Northampton v Worcester

James Wilson will make his Northampton Saints debut in Saturday's Aviva Premiership clash with Worcester.

The versatile New Zealander gets his chance in the number fifteen jersey as Ben Foden is facing up to 12 weeks out injured.
Wilson, who arrived at Franklin's Gardens from Bourgoin, is joined in the Saints XV by the fit-again Courtney Lawes.
The England lock returns to action to make his first start since February.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder says his Saints team will have to "step things up" if they are to continue their winning ways.
The Saints host the Warriors on the back of three successive Aviva Premiership wins. But with Worcester having shown their competitiveness in their own matches, Mallinder knows more is needed from the men in black, green and gold.
"We've won our first three games, which is good, but there has been plenty to work on ahead of Saturday's game," he said.
"We've gone ahead in games and then let the other team back in, which is something we've got to stop doing, especially in such a tight competition like the Aviva Premiership.
"Worcester have played some good rugby in their first three games, and have been very competitive. Richard Hill has brought some good players in and it's going to be a difficult game for us.
"We've got to look at our own performance and to step things up if we're going to continue our good start."
Meanwhile, giant number eight Semisi Taulava has been recalled to the Worcester's starting line-up for the Warriors trip across the Midlands.
Taulava, a summer recruit from Rotherham Titans, has impressed since making the step up to the English elite and is the only change by head coach Richard Hill to the side that drew the derby with Gloucester last weekend.
Form: Northampton Saints maintained their 100% winning start to the new Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign with their 18-14 victory at Bath on Friday. The Saints lost just twice at Franklin's Gardens in the Premiership last season - to London Irish in September and Leicester in April. Worcester Warriors halted their run of six successive defeats with their 16-all draw at home to Gloucester, but the Warriors have still only won once on the road in the competition since April 2009: 6-0 at Wasps on New Year's Day 2012. The two Aviva Premiership Rugby fixtures between the sides last season were both won by the home side on the day, whilst the Warriors have not been victorious at Franklin's Gardens since 1 January 2007.
The teams:
Northampton: 15 James Wilson, 14 Ken Pisi, 13 George Pisi, 12 Luther Burrell, 11 Vasily Artemyev, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Rhys Oakley, 7 Phil Dowson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Christian Day, 4 Samu Manoa, 3 Paul Doran Jones, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.
Replacements: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Alex Waller, 18 Brian Mujati, 19 Mark Sorenson, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Ryan Lamb, 23 Dom Waldouck.
Worcester: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Nikki Walker, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Joe Carlisle, 11 David Lemi, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Shaun Perry, 8 Semisi Taulava, 7 Sam Betty, 6 Chris Jones, 5 Dean Schofield (c), 4 James Percival, 3 John Andress, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Matt Mullan.
Replacements: 16 Ollie Hayes, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 James Currie, 19 Craig Gillies, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Josh Drauniniu.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Franklin's Gardens
Pete says it can only be Saints by 18

Final score 37-31. I'm surprised it was this close.

Preview: London Irish v Bath

Springbok flank Francois Louw returns to the Bath starting line-up for Saturday's Premiership clash with London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.

Louw, who has been on international duty with South Africa in the Rugby Championship, comes into the back row, with Carl Fearns shifting to the blindside and Simon Taylor to number eight. Ben Skirving is named on the bench.
There are also changes in the front row. Nathan Catt starts at loosehead and Anthony Perenise comes in on the other side of the scrum for David Wilson who picked up a knock in training. Lee Mears at hooker and Stuart Hooper and Dominic Day in the engine room complete the pack.
The backs are unchanged from last week.
There is also a notable return to the bench for Stephen Donald, who will make his first appearance of the season if called upon.
Whilst London Irish have yet to win this season, Head Coach Gary Gold is under no misconceptions of the threat they pose for Bath.
"We know that Irish are a very good side, who will obviously be looking to get off the mark, which actually makes them more of a potent threat for us, " said gold.
"They have an unpredictability we will have to react to, and it will require us to be on top of our game in all areas to do that."
Meanwhile, former Ulster pivot Ian Humphreys will play his first match for London Irish.
Humphreys, who will form a half back combination with Tomás O'Leary, is one of four changes made by Brian Smith.
Halani Aulika will start his first match for the Exiles, lining up alongside Scott Lawson and Max Lahiff in the front row.
Matt Garvey joins Bryn Evans in the second row and Jamie Gibson has recovered from injury to be named in the back row. Steven Shingler moves from fly half to inside centre.
"Bath have made a good start to the season and have an excellent coaching and playing staff," said London irish boss Brian Smith.
"Things are not currently where we want them to be but the season is a marathon so we have time to make up the lost ground. We've done some very good things over the past few weeks and we need to build on these positives."
Form: London Irish have suffered three successive defeats and conceded 40 points or more on each occasion. No team in Premiership history has ever conceded 40 in four successive matches. The Exiles only win in their last five games at Madejski Stadium came against Gloucester in May. Bath's perfect 100 percent winning start to the season was spoiled at home to Northampton on Friday. Madejski Stadium was one of just three away grounds at which Bath were successful in Aviva Premiership Rugby last season. London Irish have won just one of their last ten clashes with Bath: 16-0 at The Rec on 28 November 2009.
The teams:
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo 13 Jonathan Joseph , 12 Steven Shingler, 11 Marland Yarde 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Tomás O'Leary, 8 Ofisa Treviranus 7 Jamie Gibson, 6 Declan Danaher (c), 5 Matt Garvey, 4 Bryn Evans , 3 Halani Aulika , 2 Scott Lawson , 1 Max Lahiff.
Replacements:16 David Paice , 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa , 18 Alan Cotter, 19 George Skivington, 20 Jon Fisher, 21 Anthony Watson, 22 Shane Geraghty , 23 Jack Moates
Bath: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Kyle Eastmond, 13 Dan Hipkiss, 12 Ben Williams, 11 Tom Biggs, 10 Olly Barkley, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Simon Taylor, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Carl Fearns, 5 Dominic Day, 4 Stuart Hooper (c), 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Lee Mears, 1 Nathan Catt.
Replacements: 16 Ross Batty, 17 Paul James, 18 Kane Palma-Newport, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Ben Skirving, 21 Mark McMillan, 22 Stephen Donald, 23 Jack Cuthbert.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Pete would really like to go for Irish. Good coaches...one of them Shaun Edwards.
It has to be Bath by 8
Irish managed a win 29-22. Didn't see the game, but it was probably more like Bath being too one dimensional as usual.

Preview: Gloucester v Wasps

London Wasps director of rugby Dai Young has made three changes to his starting XV for Saturday's clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Tommy Bell gets his first start at full-back in place of skipper Hugo Southwell who misses out with a hand injury. James Haskell replaces Joe Launchbury, who is also out with injury, while Zak Taulafo starts after this try-scoring impact from the bench last weekend.
Marco Wentzel captains the side this weekend as Wasps go in search of a first win on the road this season following a bonus point victory over London Irish at Adams Park last weekend.
Despite scoring four tries in their win over London Irish last week Young wants and improved showing from his side.
"We are looking for a consistent 80 minute performance, which we haven't put together yet in any of our three games," he said.
"We have a chance of going down there and winning if we do that well, and if we don't they are a physical side with backs who can really punish you."
Meanwhile, Gloucester boss Nigel Davies hands first starts to Rob Cook and Sione Kalamafoni.
Both made their bows as replacements in the Premiership this season, but are called into the starting line up as Davies makes seven changes, three positional, to the side that started at Worcester last weekend.
Cook comes in at full-back as Jonny May moves to the right wing with Charlie Sharples and Shane Monahan both sidelined.
Freddie Burns returns at fly half and, to accommodate him, Billy Twelvetrees moves across to inside centre.
Darren Dawidiuk gets the nod at hooker and Tom Savage moves into the second row from the blind side flank with Tongan international Kalamafoni taking over the number six shirt.
As Gloucester return to Kingsholm for the first time since the opening day of the season, Davies feels that his side have developed over the past couple of weeks.
"We've learned a lot about ourselves, we've been able to progress and have had three competitive fixtures now," he said.
"That's where you really test yourselves.
"We've learned a lot. I believe we've got a clear understanding of where our game needs to be and what it's about and, if we can get anywhere near it, then we're going to play a good brand of rugby come Saturday."
Wasps had a good win last weekend and will come to Kingsholm with a spring in their step but Davies knows that every week brings a new challenge for his team.
"We know the size of the challenge and there are never any easy games in the Aviva Premiership, that's for sure.
"Wasps play a particular way and it's really challenging every week to come in and look at the respective styles of play of the teams that we're coming up against.
"But our focus is absolutely on ourselves and getting our own game right but with a slight variation depending on who we're playing.
"It's heads on this Saturday making sure we put in the performance and get the result."
Form: Gloucester's solo victory in their last nine encounters was 40-31 at London Irish in round two. Gloucester have now slipped to four successive home defeats but haven't lost five in a row at Kingsholm since 1995. London Wasps ended an unwanted sequence of five consecutive defeats in Aviva Premiership Rugby with their 43-14 victory over London Irish at Adams Park on Saturday. Wasps most recent win away from home in the Premiership came at Worcester last October. Each side won its respective home game in last season's Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign, whilst Wasps only success at Kingsholm since 2006 was 35-6 on 24 October 2009.
The teams:
Gloucester: 15 Rob Cook, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 James Simpson-Daniel, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Dan Robson, 8 Ben Morgan. 7 Andy Hazell, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Jim Hamilton (c), 4 Tom Savage, 3 Rupert Harden, 2 Darren Dawidiuk, 1 Nick Wood.
Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Dan Murphy, 18 Shaun Knight, 19 Will James, 20 Akapusi Qera, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Mike Tindall, 23 Martyn Thomas.
London Wasps: 15 Tommy Bell, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Joe Simpson, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 James Haskell, 5 Marco Wentzel (c), 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Zak Taulafo, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Simon McIntyre, 18 Fabio Staibano, 19 James Cannon, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Charlie Davies, 22 Nick Robinson, 23 Jack Wallace.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Kick-off: 15:15 BST
Venue: Kingsholm
Pete says.
I'd love to see Wasps win. Man for man I believe they have a better team than Gloucester.
but dai Young is their coach and that hampers them by 5 pts every game.
Gloucester by 3
Gloucester won 29-22 My pick close enough for government work

Preview: Leicester v Harlequins

Jordan Crane will captain Leicester Tigers at Welford Road for Saturday's match against defending Aviva Premiership champions Harlequins.

The Tigers number eight has been part of the matchday squad in all three games so far this season, but runs out at the head of the team in the absence of Geordan Murphy, who suffered a knee injury in the draw against Saracens at Wembley last weekend.
Scott Hamilton reverts to full-back in place of Murphy, with Niall Morris coming into the backline. Matt Smith is also included.
Boris Stankovich and Martin Castrogiovanni are in the front row alongside hooker Tom Youngs.
Adam Thompstone, a summer signing from London Irish, could make his Tigers debut after being included among the replacements.
Meanwhile, there is just one change in the Harlequins backline where Matt Hopper starts at outside centre, replacing George Lowe who took a knock during training this week.
In the forwards, Olly Kohn returns to partner George Robson in the second-row while Maurie Fa'asavalu joins Nick Easter and captain, Chris Robshaw in the back-row.
Form: Leicester Tigers are unbeaten in the regular season of Aviva Premiership rugby since they visited Exeter on February 11 and lost 11-19. The Tigers have not lost in any competition at Welford Road since Harlequins were the visitors on 8 October, 2010. Harlequins, the defending Aviva Premiership champions, have made the perfect start to their defence in picking up maximum points from the first three rounds, something no side has achieved before. Quins are unbeaten away from home in the tournament since they visited Gloucester on February 25. This is a repeat of last season's Premiership final at Twickenham, whilst the previous three meetings in the league phase of the competition were won by the away side on the day. Quins' 27-18 victory at Welford Road in October was their first in the Premiership at the famous old venue.
The teams:
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Niall Morris, 13 Matt Smith, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Sam Harrison, 8 Jordan Crane (c), 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Graham Kitchener, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Boris Stankovich.
Replacements: 16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Rob Andrew, 20 Thomas Waldrom, 21 Patrick Phibbs, 22 George Ford, 23 Adam Thompstone.
Harlequins: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Tom Williams, 13 Matt Hopper, 12 Jordan Turner Hall, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Danny Care, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Maurie Fa'asavalu, 5 George Robson, 4 Olly Kohn, 3 James Johnston, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Rob Buchanan, 17 Darryl Marfo, 18 Will Collier, 19 Charlie Matthews, 20 Tom Guest, 21 Karl Dickson, 22 Rory Clegg, 23 Ross Chisholm.
Date: Saturday, September 22
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Venue: Welford Road
If anyone can beat leic at home itios Quins.
I favor them just slightly by 2 
Quinns played really well and as a team. Impressive and won easily 22-9

Preview: Exeter v Saracens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter will be without England flanker Tom Johnson for their clash with Saracens.

Johnson and Craig Mitchell's absence mean Carl Rimmer and James Phillips come into the pack.
Haydn Thomas is given his first outing of the term at scrum-half and the back line is rejigged with Ian Whitten and Phil Dollman trading places.
On the back of losing to London Welsh, it will be another tough examination for Baxter and his squad, but one the group are keen to take on.
"Yes it was frustrating not to win those games, but that's what it is," said Baxter.
"Every game of Premiership rugby is tough and at the end of the day we came away with something from both those fixtures. Our major aim was to be competitive in every game and we were certainly competitive up in Oxford.
"We would have liked to have won - of course we would have - and did we feel we played as well as could have? Of course we don't. But there is still a reality that in the closing stages we were six points up, but then made a couple of mistakes and the game got away from us. We've done that to other teams ourselves in the Premiership and sometimes you have to take it on the chin and say today we weren't good enough. As I said afterwards, it's not the end of the world, but we know we have to be better next time."
Meanwhile, scrum-half Neil de Kock will make his 150th appearance for Saracens in the round three clash while Kelly Brown will captain the side.
Jamie George also gets his first start of the season at hooker as does Duncan Taylor who is named at outside centre. Alistair Hargreaves is also given his first start in the Premiership with Steve Borthwick switching to the bench.
After getting 20 minutes of action for Saracens Storm on Monday, Matt Stevens is also in line for his first outing of the season.

Form: Exeter Chiefs' solitary victory in their last five Aviva Premiership Rugby encounters was 43-6 at home to Sale in round one. The Chiefs have won three of their last four games at Sandy Park in the competition. Saracens preserved their unbeaten start to the new season with the 9-all draw with Leicester at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Sarries have won their last four away games in the regular season of Aviva Premiership Rugby. Exeter's only victory over Saracens so far came in their first ever clash in the Premiership at Vicarage Road on 30 October 2010.
The teams:
Exeter: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Phil Dollman, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 James Phillips, 5 James Hanks, 4 Tom Hayes (capt), 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Simon Alcott, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ben White, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Jack Nowell.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 James Short, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Jackson Wray, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Kelly Brown (capt), 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Alistair Hargreaves, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Jamie George, 1 Mako Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Schalk Brits, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Matt Stevens, 19 Steve Borthwick, 20 Ernst Joubert, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Charlie Hodgson, 23 Joel Tomkins.
Date: Sunday, September 23
Kick-off: 14:15 BST
Venue: Sandy Park
Referee: David Rose

There is much rotation of sarries team.
I cannot believe Exeter got beat by welsh last week and I'm going to stick with them one more time
Exeter by 3

Exeter played good standard rugby. Their pack was able to hold up to Sarries big boys. They scored the only try of the game and won 14-12. My pick of +3 not too shabby