Northampton Away 18/01/26

15 Jac Davies; 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Blair Murray; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes; 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Max Douglas, 5 Jake Ball, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (capt), 8 Fletcher Anderson.

Reps: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harri O’Connor, 19 Jarrod Taylor, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Macs Page, 23 Tomi Lewis.

There are several  pointers to come out of the above, abd I am not sure whether  uts Nigel Davies  influence.

The half back situation was previously not satisfactory.  Playing Cawdor for every second ( almost) of every game wasn't doing him or the team any favours. Irrespective  of age you cannot be as sharp mentally for all  that time. I love Gareth to bits, but Archie needs a chance. Secondly,  playing Hawkins  at 12 is a no,brained. That's where he has played all his rugby, and hopefully  he can develop a good working  relationship with  Sam Costelow. 

Third , having no second row cover is a real issue against a side of Northampton 's quality .

Sam Lousi appears to be injured these days as much as he plays. He seems a shadow of the player hexwas two years ago, when he was player of the season.  If we survive, it won't  be long before bwe may be thanking him for his services, as we need someone younger whomcan be relied on to play most  games.

Let's be honest, however,  whatever  the selection cwe are going to get a hampering  there.

I watched the Champions cup,final LIVE last season,  and only then  could you appreciate  the intensity  and skill level we cannot match.

Pride in the Jersey, hopefully means we give a good  account of ourselves 

Totally agree with that RBP - forgot to mention Jac. If we were told that Louisi needed a rest & Rogers had a kock that is pretty much what most of us would have selected. May have gone with Jac Price instead of Dan Davis but hardly glaring. We can't say that for the past months in reality. So a decent start for Nigel. 

  Jac Price injured Gareth .