Stade Français v Northampton

[FKAS]

Zack Henry starts for SF with Joe Marchant on the bench.
SF's Top14 form has been poor so I'm expecting a convincing win for Northampton.

Stade français : 15. Jonas ; 14. Dakuwaqa, 13. Ezeala, 12. Delbouis, 11. Etien ; 10. Henry, 9. Foursans ; 7. Briatte, 8. Tanga, 6. Halaifonua ; 5. Van der Mescht, 4. Gabrillagues (cap.) ; 3. Gomez Kodela, 2. Nicotera, 1. M. Alo-Emile.

16. Garcia, 17. Koffi, 18. Ndiaye, 19. Macalou, 20. Pesenti, 21. Weber, 22. Carbonel, 23. Marchant.

15. Ramm ; 14. Freeman, 13. Litchfield, 12. Hutchinson, 11. Seabrook ; 10. F. Smith, 9. Mitchell ; 7. Scott-Young, 8. Pollock, 6. Kemeny (cap.) ; 5. Lockett, 4. Prowse ; 3. Davison, 2. Walker, 1. Haffar.

16. Langdon, 17. West, 18. Green, 19. Hunter-Hill, 20. Brown, 21. Pearson, 22. McParland, 23. Savala.

[Adam_P]

Both locks knocking heads against Bath sees former prop Prowse lining up in the second row. Could be interesting. Good to see Haffar get a rare start.

[Mellsblue]

Both locks knocking heads against Bath sees former property Prowse lining up in the second row. Could be interesting.

First season at lock isn’t it? I think he’s had two games there for Bedford.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Haffar starting is great to see!

[Adam_P]

Both locks knocking heads against Bath sees former property Prowse lining up in the second row. Could be interesting.

First season at lock isn’t it? I think he’s had two games there for Bedford.

Yeah - he's been around a while now and hasn't troubled the first team at all in the front row, so will be interesting to see how the shift back goes for him. He's a big lad.

[Mellsblue]

Both locks knocking heads against Bath sees former property Prowse lining up in the second row. Could be interesting.

First season at lock isn’t it? I think he’s had two games there for Bedford.

Yeah - he's been around a while now and hasn't troubled the first team at all in the front row, so will be interesting to see how the shift back goes for him. He's a big lad.

Yeah he spent a lot of time playing prop at Bedford in 20 - 22. Most of it going backwards…

[Adam_P]

Interesting that he's made it into this match day squad over George Smith, who we've seen nothing of in a Saints shirt

[Mellsblue]

Interesting that he's made it into this match day squad over George Smith, who we've seen nothing of in a Saints shirt

I think he may be injured. He’s pretty much been an ever present all season but hasn’t played since the 15th Dec missing a couple of games.

[Banquo]

Fin Smith ill. Hutchinson to 10!

[FKAS]

Fin Smith ill. Hutchinson to 10!

Odd they are playing the centre at 10 and the 10 at centre with another 10 now sat on the bench.

[Captainhaircut]

So no smith, Dingwall, sleightholme or Hendy. Shame as all had a chance to put in a big performance before squad is named.

Tough for Saints to win without them too…

[FKAS]

So no smith, Dingwall, sleightholme or Hendy. Shame as all had a chance to put in a big performance before squad is named.

Tough for Saints to win without them too…

Not so far it seems.

[Captainhaircut]

So no smith, Dingwall, sleightholme or Hendy. Shame as all had a chance to put in a big performance before squad is named.

Tough for Saints to win without them too…

Not so far it seems.

You had to say something didn’t you.

[FKAS]

So no smith, Dingwall, sleightholme or Hendy. Shame as all had a chance to put in a big performance before squad is named.

Tough for Saints to win without them too…

Not so far it seems.

You had to say something didn’t you.

Saints only have themselves to blame. Some silly penalties and then Kemeny doing some Lawrence inspired thuggery but forgets to wrap the arm and now Saints are in real trouble.

[Adam_P]

I foolishly thought this started at 1830 UK time and therefore missed all of the good stuff by the sounds of it. Line out has been absolutely awful since I've been watching, though no surprise when starting a tighthead prop in the row I suppose. The dummy throws twice in a row from both hookers was a joke.

[FKAS]

Saints progress despite the defeat though. An element of job done there.

[jngf]

Both locks knocking heads against Bath sees former property Prowse lining up in the second row. Could be interesting.

First season at lock isn’t it? I think he’s had two games there for Bedford.

Yeah - he's been around a while now and hasn't troubled the first team at all in the front row, so will be interesting to see how the shift back goes for him. He's a big lad.

Quite interesting to see how a prop / lock hybrid might work - Scotland have tried this with Alan Watt at test level I recall.

[BaldiePete]

First season at lock isn’t it? I think he’s had two games there for Bedford.

Yeah - he's been around a while now and hasn't troubled the first team at all in the front row, so will be interesting to see how the shift back goes for him. He's a big lad.

Quite interesting to see how a prop / lock hybrid might work - Scotland have tried this with Alan Watt at test level I recall.

That didn’t work out. Watt was a 6’5” second row who was encouraged to try at prop but IIRC he wasn’t great and only got four caps in 3 years from 1991 to 1994. That’s too tall for a prop.

[jngf]

Yeah - he's been around a while now and hasn't troubled the first team at all in the front row, so will be interesting to see how the shift back goes for him. He's a big lad.

Quite interesting to see how a prop / lock hybrid might work - Scotland have tried this with Alan Watt at test level I recall.

That didn’t work out. Watt was a 6’5” second row who was encouraged to try at prop but IIRC he wasn’t great and only got four caps in 3 years from 1991 to 1994. That’s too tall for a prop.

The boks used to have this guy: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flippie_van_der_Merwe

[jngf]

and French forward Gerrard Cholley played lock before moving to prop:

[FKAS]

Carl Hayman was 6ft4 an absolute giant of a man.

Logo Mulipola must have been up there as well, lovely bloke but an absolute giant just looked like he was on a different scale to everyone else.

[Puja]

Can't believe Sheridan's not come up yet. Where's Beefeater when you need him?

Puja

[jngf]

Can't believe Sheridan's not come up yet. Where's Beefeater when you need him?

Puja

I think Sheridan would have been great tight head lock cover, just make sure you have 2 or 3 other players who can jump in the lineout