Post by Jamie Crawford on Oct 16, 2018 16:02:21 GMT
London Irish preview sponsored by Porsche Centre Sheffield (www.porschesheffield.co.uk)
Round 8, Castle Park Sat 20th Oct, 2018 - 14:30
Pre-season - among other signings, ex-Harlequins 2nd Row Sam Twomey has joined London Irish, who he supported as a youngster.
London Irish announced the signing of @manusamoa Back Row TJ Loane ahead of the 2018/19 @champrugby season.
The Irish are second in the Championship, two points below table-toppers Ealing Trailfinders but they have a game in hand which is due to be played on 03/11/18 against Jersey Reds at Stade Santander International. They are the only team in the Championship to remain undefeated. The Knights are tenth but one win away from Hartpury College and two wins away from bottom-placed Carnegie.
Even with a game in hand, the Irish have scored the most points in the Championship, considerably had the fewest points scored against them, scored the most tries, conceded the fewest tries (12 to the Knights’ 26) and field 25% of the top 16 try-scorers.
These ‘Irish’ try-scorers are Senior Academy Fly Half Tom Parton (5), Hooker Dave Poreki (3), Prop Ollie Hoskins (3, hat-trick), Full Back Luke McClean (2).
I mention considerably conceded the fewest points because they have played a game less but still Irish have averaged conceding 14.3/game; the Knights have conceded 28.4 ave./game.
There can be no doubt that they are proceeding admirably in their quest for the bounce-back up to the Premiership, however I believe this is this is the second time that Irish have had to do this after playing just one season in the Premiership – the yo-yo effect plus a half, down – up – down - ?
Comparatively London Irish have scored 37 tries to the Knights’ 21.
Of these tries scored, 19 have been scored by all of the Backs and 17 by Forwards (12 or over 70% of the Forward's tries by the Front Row).
Of the twelve tries that the Irish have conceded; three have been to Wingers, three to Centre and three to the Back Row.
Irish Back Row TJ Loane is the only player recorded as receiving a red card in the Championship so far this season.
As you’d expect from an ex-Premiership club Stephen Myler has a kicking strike rate of 84%, so please watch your discipline Knights. Myler is the Championship’s fourth highest points’ scorer even after playing a game less.
Other records that the Irish hold in the Championship this season are:
Largest home win — 67 points (v Carnegie)
Largest away win — 47 points (v London Scottish)
Most points scored — 54 points (v Carnegie) (according to Wikipedia; "72 – 5 London Irish at home to Leeds Carnegie on 13 October 2018")
Most tries in a match — 12 (v Carnegie)
Most conversions in a match — 7 (v London Scottish)
Individually Myler hold the record for most conversions in a match — 6 (twice; v Nottingham and v London Scottish).
The Irish average match day attendance is roughly the same as the Knights’ total attendance over seven games, so come to Castle Park to support the Knights.
Other fixtures occurring this weekend that could impact our league position are:
Friday
London Scottish (9th, 1 point above) travel up to Yorkshire to play Carnegie (12th)
Saturday
Hartpury College (11th, 3 points below) welcome Jersey Reds (6th)
Coventry (7th, 4 points above) travel to the Capital to play Ealing Trailfinders (1st)
Richmond (8th, 3 points above) welcome Nottingham (5th)
Undoubtedly London Irish are the favourites to win but all of the pressure is on them. Last time we played each other at Castle Park, the Irish drove home winners 5-22 but that was in April 2017, so they’d had nearly a full season of playing together and a much greater number in the squad to cover any injuries. What better way to commence a winning streak than by producing a performance akin to the second half at Goldington Road against Bedford Blues. We ‘won’ the second half 12-28, after a 17-0 score at half time. To score 28 points in one half is very good but to score 28 points after losing a half 17-0 is amazing.
Plus the Knights will be buoyed by the arrival of ex- 2003 England World Cup winning defensive coach Phil Larder. Phil has arrived to help Kendo and Cookie so that Griff can concentrate on recovering.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
Round 8, Castle Park Sat 20th Oct, 2018 - 14:30
Pre-season - among other signings, ex-Harlequins 2nd Row Sam Twomey has joined London Irish, who he supported as a youngster.
London Irish announced the signing of @manusamoa Back Row TJ Loane ahead of the 2018/19 @champrugby season.
The Irish are second in the Championship, two points below table-toppers Ealing Trailfinders but they have a game in hand which is due to be played on 03/11/18 against Jersey Reds at Stade Santander International. They are the only team in the Championship to remain undefeated. The Knights are tenth but one win away from Hartpury College and two wins away from bottom-placed Carnegie.
Even with a game in hand, the Irish have scored the most points in the Championship, considerably had the fewest points scored against them, scored the most tries, conceded the fewest tries (12 to the Knights’ 26) and field 25% of the top 16 try-scorers.
These ‘Irish’ try-scorers are Senior Academy Fly Half Tom Parton (5), Hooker Dave Poreki (3), Prop Ollie Hoskins (3, hat-trick), Full Back Luke McClean (2).
I mention considerably conceded the fewest points because they have played a game less but still Irish have averaged conceding 14.3/game; the Knights have conceded 28.4 ave./game.
There can be no doubt that they are proceeding admirably in their quest for the bounce-back up to the Premiership, however I believe this is this is the second time that Irish have had to do this after playing just one season in the Premiership – the yo-yo effect plus a half, down – up – down - ?
Comparatively London Irish have scored 37 tries to the Knights’ 21.
Of these tries scored, 19 have been scored by all of the Backs and 17 by Forwards (12 or over 70% of the Forward's tries by the Front Row).
Of the twelve tries that the Irish have conceded; three have been to Wingers, three to Centre and three to the Back Row.
Irish Back Row TJ Loane is the only player recorded as receiving a red card in the Championship so far this season.
As you’d expect from an ex-Premiership club Stephen Myler has a kicking strike rate of 84%, so please watch your discipline Knights. Myler is the Championship’s fourth highest points’ scorer even after playing a game less.
Other records that the Irish hold in the Championship this season are:
Largest home win — 67 points (v Carnegie)
Largest away win — 47 points (v London Scottish)
Most points scored — 54 points (v Carnegie) (according to Wikipedia; "72 – 5 London Irish at home to Leeds Carnegie on 13 October 2018")
Most tries in a match — 12 (v Carnegie)
Most conversions in a match — 7 (v London Scottish)
Individually Myler hold the record for most conversions in a match — 6 (twice; v Nottingham and v London Scottish).
The Irish average match day attendance is roughly the same as the Knights’ total attendance over seven games, so come to Castle Park to support the Knights.
Other fixtures occurring this weekend that could impact our league position are:
Friday
London Scottish (9th, 1 point above) travel up to Yorkshire to play Carnegie (12th)
Saturday
Hartpury College (11th, 3 points below) welcome Jersey Reds (6th)
Coventry (7th, 4 points above) travel to the Capital to play Ealing Trailfinders (1st)
Richmond (8th, 3 points above) welcome Nottingham (5th)
Undoubtedly London Irish are the favourites to win but all of the pressure is on them. Last time we played each other at Castle Park, the Irish drove home winners 5-22 but that was in April 2017, so they’d had nearly a full season of playing together and a much greater number in the squad to cover any injuries. What better way to commence a winning streak than by producing a performance akin to the second half at Goldington Road against Bedford Blues. We ‘won’ the second half 12-28, after a 17-0 score at half time. To score 28 points in one half is very good but to score 28 points after losing a half 17-0 is amazing.
Plus the Knights will be buoyed by the arrival of ex- 2003 England World Cup winning defensive coach Phil Larder. Phil has arrived to help Kendo and Cookie so that Griff can concentrate on recovering.
COYK
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
