Saracens
TIGERS PREVIEW - PLEASE POST ALL MATCH RELATED COMMENTS HERE
By The Saracens
February 13 2023
We have a game of rugby on Sunday. I know it’s been a very long time so just a quick reminder: it’s that game where 15 guys throw an odd shaped ball around for 80 minutes while another 15 guys try and stop them. And we seem to be quite good at it!
After 2 lean weeks, Sarries travel up the M1 to play Leicester Tigers. Just a quick recap: Saracens are currently (somehow) top of the Premiership with 56 points, having won 12 of their 13 games. Leicester Tigers, winners last year after a dramatic drop goal in the final (against Sarries!) are 8th with 30 points, having won just 5 of their 13 games. Leicester kindly donated their boss, Steve Borthwick, and half their coaching team to struggling England leaving ex-Sarrie Richard Wigglesworth in charge of what was left (a hospital pass if ever there was one). UPDATE: Wiggy is off to England as well along with Aled Waters at the end of the season. Never thought I’d say this but I actually feel sorry for Tigers. Added to that Borthwick has filled his England squad with players from Tigers and Sarries! In fact Tigers are so desperate they’ve signed Mike Brown on short term cover. Although technically this is a “rest week” in the international series, I doubt if many (or any) of our England squad players will be available on Sunday.
So Tigers are likely to be missing:- Olllie Chesum, Dan Cole, Jack Van Poortvliet & Freddie Steward. Dan Kelly is injured but Borthers has kindly given them back Guy Porter along with Joe Heyes, Anthony Watson & Ben Youngs are surplus to requirements for the Italy game and presumably will be allowed to represent their club this weekend. Being a rest week, Cameron Henderson (Scotland) & Tommie Reffell (Wales) should be available. Tigers have recently lost Freddie Burns, Chris Ashton is injured along with Hosea Saumaki. Kini Murimurivalu has also been out but may be fit for Sunday. But Tigers can still call on South African Handre Pollard, veteran Saracens-torturer Jimmy Gopperth and former Sarrie Tom Whiteley in the backs and Eli Snyman, Julian Montoya, Hanro Liebenburg and Jasper Wiese in the forwards.
Sarries are of course badly affected by International call-ups and injuries. Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, and Marco Riccioni should all be available but it’s unlikely any of our England guys will be released (so that’s a small matter of Owen Farrell, Mako Vunipola, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Max Malins all missing). We are of course already without Elliot Daly & Theo McFarland – who knows about the likes of Tom Woolstencroft, Callum Hunter Hill, Dom Morris, Ethan Lewis or Ralph Adams-Hale (unless I’ve missed an update!) let alone the supremely unfortunate Duncan Taylor. Worryingly Andy Christie has also been released back to us with an “injury”.
For me the big debate centres around the 10 shirt. It seems the coaches don’t trust Manu. Against Brizz he was babysat by Goodey who played 10 ½ for most of the game which limited his usefulness at 15. If that is the case, play Goode (or why not Loz?) at 10 and move Maitland to 15 (or if Morris/Taylor are fit, they can slot in for Loz alongside Tompkins who must be itching to show Gatland he’s good enough). In the longer term we do need a succession policy at 10. Goodey won’t last forever, Faz is likely to be away with England at least for the short-term and if Manu isn’t up to it then we need to find someone who is!
The last time these 2 sides met in the Premiership, Sarries produced a sublime performance, totally outplaying and outclassing the reigning champions. I doubt, given the lack of resources, they will manage to do that again on Sunday. As Horace once said “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents”. We can but hope.
This preview has been written early as I’m off for a week or so in the sun and it’ll keep the site going until I get back. Good luck lads, I’ll raise a pina colada if I remember!
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Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 13/02/2023 12:40
TheSaracens.com
13/02/2023 12:40
13/02/2023 12:40
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:26:19:18:15 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:26:19:18:15 by Darraghgirl.
Thoughts on team for the weekend:
1. Hislop
2. Piffileti
3. Marco R
4. Tizzard
5. Kitchner
6. Christie / Ellis
7. Wray
8. Billy
9. Ivan VZ
10. Goode
11. Lewi
12. Tompkins
13. Loz
14. Segun
15. Maitland
16. Dan
17. Mawi
18. Bello
19. Ellis
20. ?
21. Davies
22. Manu
23. Francois H
1. Hislop
2. Piffileti
3. Marco R
4. Tizzard
5. Kitchner
6. Christie / Ellis
7. Wray
8. Billy
9. Ivan VZ
10. Goode
11. Lewi
12. Tompkins
13. Loz
14. Segun
15. Maitland
16. Dan
17. Mawi
18. Bello
19. Ellis
20. ?
21. Davies
22. Manu
23. Francois H
It is really difficult to see us winning this game given the players that are not available for various reasons. It certainly devalues the game between what were last season’s two finalists.
Having had my moan it is a great opportunity for those being asked to step up and see whether they have that something special to make it as a top professional
Having had my moan it is a great opportunity for those being asked to step up and see whether they have that something special to make it as a top professional
Referee: Tom Foley (121st Premiership game).
Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson and Jonathan Healy. TMO: David Rose.
Citing Officer: Andy Blyth.
Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson and Jonathan Healy. TMO: David Rose.
Citing Officer: Andy Blyth.
In my dotage, I hadn't realised that the Hougaard we gained from Wasps was the one who was such a great scrum half for Warriors a few seasons ago. After all, there must be almost as many with that surname as there are Du Preez. If he's still as good as he was, and that try suggests he is, we'll be seeing him on the pitch quite a bit.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Enjoy the sun DG.
I'll wait to see the teams before I decide how many sofas I'll be watching this game behind. Hopefully its a great game and a win but any points would be great.
Also worth pointing out Sarries Women are at home on Saturday v Quins Women. After a somewhat rocky start things look to be getting back on track but it has to be said that Glaws and Chiefs especially look formidable this season and it feels like the team need to evolve a bit to compete at the level that's being pushed as the gold standard this season. Hoping the rain holds of and there's a good showing.
Btw DG if you ever feel sorry for Tigers just remember they paid their fine for cheating with the money they banked from our financial punishment (awarded to them whilst they were cheating!) and still had some money left over so you know ... don't worry about it too much!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:16:15:30:56 by OldMarovian.
I'll wait to see the teams before I decide how many sofas I'll be watching this game behind. Hopefully its a great game and a win but any points would be great.
Also worth pointing out Sarries Women are at home on Saturday v Quins Women. After a somewhat rocky start things look to be getting back on track but it has to be said that Glaws and Chiefs especially look formidable this season and it feels like the team need to evolve a bit to compete at the level that's being pushed as the gold standard this season. Hoping the rain holds of and there's a good showing.
Btw DG if you ever feel sorry for Tigers just remember they paid their fine for cheating with the money they banked from our financial punishment (awarded to them whilst they were cheating!) and still had some money left over so you know ... don't worry about it too much!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:16:15:30:56 by OldMarovian.
Quote:OldMarovian
Btw DG if you ever feel sorry for Tigers just remember they paid their fine for cheating with the money they banked from our financial punishment (awarded to them whilst they were cheating!) and still had some money left over so you know ... don't worry about it too much!
You do know there's a health and safety warning in place about skating on thin ice.
At a bar called O'Malley's, DG?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:16:17:55:50 by TonyTaff.
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:16:17:55:50 by TonyTaff.
My guess at your starting XV
Mawi
Dan
Riccioni
Tizard
Kitchener
Ellis
Wray
Vunipola
Van Zyl
Vunipola
Maitland
Tomkins
Lozowski
Lewington
Goode
And for Tigers
Whitcombe
Montoya
Heyes
Wells
Henderson
Liebenberg
Reffell
Wiese
Youngs
Pollard
Potter
Porter
Scott
Watson
Atkinson
Mawi
Dan
Riccioni
Tizard
Kitchener
Ellis
Wray
Vunipola
Van Zyl
Vunipola
Maitland
Tomkins
Lozowski
Lewington
Goode
And for Tigers
Whitcombe
Montoya
Heyes
Wells
Henderson
Liebenberg
Reffell
Wiese
Youngs
Pollard
Potter
Porter
Scott
Watson
Atkinson
I think you are pretty close to our 15 Tigersimon .
Yours looks scarily strong ( ie fewer missing ) so I don’t approach Sunday with much optimism ….
Yours looks scarily strong ( ie fewer missing ) so I don’t approach Sunday with much optimism ….
I'd be happy enough with that Tigers side, though West might start at loosehead.
Saracens Men team to play Leicester Tigers:
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Kapeli Pifeleti
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Tom Ellis
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Andy Christie
7 Jackson Wray
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Alex Goode (c)
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Alex Lozowski
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Sean Maitland
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Robin Hislop
18 Christian Judge
19 Cameron Boon
20 Toby Knight
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Olly Hartley
23 Ben Harris
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:17:12:01:58 by Sarriebone.
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Kapeli Pifeleti
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Tom Ellis
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Andy Christie
7 Jackson Wray
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Alex Goode (c)
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Alex Lozowski
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Sean Maitland
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Robin Hislop
18 Christian Judge
19 Cameron Boon
20 Toby Knight
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Olly Hartley
23 Ben Harris
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:17:12:01:58 by Sarriebone.
Leicester XV
15 Mike Brown *
14 Chris Ashton [23]
13 Matt Scott [58]
12 Jimmy Gopperth [9]
11 Harry Potter [57]
10 Handré Pollard [5]
9 Ben Youngs (vc) [294]
1 Tom West [1]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [34]
3 Joe Heyes [114]
4 George Martin [49]
5 Cameron Henderson [27]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [75]
7 Olly Cracknell [15]
8 Jasper Wiese [51]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [69]
17 Francois van Wyk [26]
18 Will Hurd [19]
19 Eli Snyman [28]
20 Tommy Reffell [92]
21 Sam Edwards [9]
22 Charlie Atkinson [10]
23 Harry Simmons [30]
15 Mike Brown *
14 Chris Ashton [23]
13 Matt Scott [58]
12 Jimmy Gopperth [9]
11 Harry Potter [57]
10 Handré Pollard [5]
9 Ben Youngs (vc) [294]
1 Tom West [1]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [34]
3 Joe Heyes [114]
4 George Martin [49]
5 Cameron Henderson [27]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [75]
7 Olly Cracknell [15]
8 Jasper Wiese [51]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [69]
17 Francois van Wyk [26]
18 Will Hurd [19]
19 Eli Snyman [28]
20 Tommy Reffell [92]
21 Sam Edwards [9]
22 Charlie Atkinson [10]
23 Harry Simmons [30]
Interesting starting front row. I think more than most teams you need a strong set piece when visiting Tigers and I’ve got concerns over Mawi’s scrummaging and Pifeleti’s throwing as they somewhat inconsistent on that front. Also slightly strange that Davies is starting over Van Zyl again. Otherwise a good team under the circumstances. It’ll be a tough match with the Tigers but this is a lineup that should be able to compete, although I imagine their bench might give them the edge.
Quote:OldMarovian
Enjoy the sun DG.
I'll wait to see the teams before I decide how many sofas I'll be watching this game behind. Hopefully its a great game and a win but any points would be great.
Also worth pointing out Sarries Women are at home on Saturday v Quins Women. After a somewhat rocky start things look to be getting back on track but it has to be said that Glaws and Chiefs especially look formidable this season and it feels like the team need to evolve a bit to compete at the level that's being pushed as the gold standard this season. Hoping the rain holds of and there's a good showing.
Btw DG if you ever feel sorry for Tigers just remember they paid their fine for cheating with the money they banked from our financial punishment (awarded to them whilst they were cheating!) and still had some money left over so you know ... don't worry about it too much!
Slightly off topic, but the Women's match is available via the I-player & the BBC website, and I have a feeling that that means it'll be available via the Red Button.
Looks a fairly even affair on paper, hopefully a good close game, keenly fought
While I think we may hold them for a while, the difference in bench experience is massive. Having said that they have stood up to a few teams where on paper we were weakened this year and pulled through. Going to be tough and interesting and everyone will front up, but suspect this may be that bridge too far.
Wonderful to see Goode get his 350th appearance, a great player and a privilege to watch over the years. Your side looks very strong. Please remember that those members of our Backline in gold shorts cannot be tackled.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:17:20:32:00 by Alphonse the Dog.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:17:20:32:00 by Alphonse the Dog.
Noticed Francois Hougaard not in the squad despite his match winning effort last time out!
Tigers have reviewed their back line and decided on a new line up of Pike, Frazer, Godfrey, Jones, Walker and Mainwaring to improve their line speed 😂
Well we win hands down on experience in the backs, if we keep it close our bench should win it in the last quarter, first half could be interesting. I think our pack is dynamic enough to cause you problems if we keep it tight.
Set piece, Tiggers all day. If we can make them play loose we have a punchers chance. That's not a set piece front row, but by god they can play loose. On paper their back line looks better but I think we have the legs, years... It's an interesting match up which is all we can hope from this rather A league competition
With it being an away game and Davies at 9 it feels like one of those games that we might well play without the ball, inviting Tigers to play and try and capitalise on their mistakes. Given it should be a good day for a bit of running rugby it will be interesting to see how that plays out if its the case. Tigers having Pollard, Montoya and Weise all available is huge for them.
I like the look of the 23. Hoping for a great game from Goode to celebrate his incredible 350 caps. On field leadership will need to be more apparent than his last outing at 10.
As mlb says set piece will key. On paper it feels like maybe Tigers have the edge?
Really delighted to see Segun get another start and excited to see what Harris can do off the bench.
4 or 5 (if you cheekily count Harris) of the bench recent Academy players which is very encouraging.
I'd love to see a win for Goode. Fingers crossed.
I like the look of the 23. Hoping for a great game from Goode to celebrate his incredible 350 caps. On field leadership will need to be more apparent than his last outing at 10.
As mlb says set piece will key. On paper it feels like maybe Tigers have the edge?
Really delighted to see Segun get another start and excited to see what Harris can do off the bench.
4 or 5 (if you cheekily count Harris) of the bench recent Academy players which is very encouraging.
I'd love to see a win for Goode. Fingers crossed.
Well the pensioners have started ok, someone must have oiled their Zimmer frames lol.
Just when I thought it maybe wasn’t going to get much worse, it has. I think I’ll get out in the garden.
Hard work this. Not getting much from the ref.
In touch and obstruction for Brown's try.
We need to do better
In touch and obstruction for Brown's try.
We need to do better
I don’t know what BTSport are playing at, BT Ultimate has Prem Rugby listed but is showing repeated trailer ads. Glad I caught it live on BTSports 1 as recording had defaulted to BTUltimate ?? 🙄
argh, that was frustrating. Better than it could have been, but just not quite clinical enough. Good effort from a fairly young team, well second half anyway.
And no way was that a penalty at the end, Tizard only went off feet because of the Leicester player on the wrong side
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:19:16:53:54 by Sarriebone.
And no way was that a penalty at the end, Tizard only went off feet because of the Leicester player on the wrong side
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:19:16:53:54 by Sarriebone.
We certainly came out and played in the 2nd half and if the TMO had given Mike Brown putting his hand through the ruck as foul play (and given the field position a certain yellow card), as I thought it was and so did Alex Goode, we would probably have won. Still I am not unhappy with a losing bonus point and some of the younger players will have learned a lot from today. Wiese is a pretty impressive unit with both pace and power!
Not seen it as I don't have BT sport, a victim of financial re-jigging, but I will get to watch in a day or so hopefully, pleased we hung on and showed some spirit, both sides young 'uns will gain from the experience of mixing with the pensioners.
A great second half and I am sure they will be disapponted not to have come away with a win, which never looked possible in the first half. Great to see a young side get so close.
Really good second half performance. Christie stood out for me. Shame for Theo that he fumbled a couple of times but he’s such an exciting player. Shame we couldn’t just finish it off considering all the time we spent on their line but credit to the Tigers defence. Well refed I thought.
Well done to Tigers.
It's a bit like the final all over again in the sense that it was such a good game that I'm struggling to be to down about the result. Tbh a much more compelling game than the final was with both teams really going for it ball in hand at various stages and Tigers holding out so magnificently in the last twenty.
Tbh I'm encouraged by that performance even if the brutal reality is that's 4 points dropped that Sarries should have secured several times over. Less of a problem with it happening now if it means lessons learned and improvements so it doesn't happen at the end of the season.
The positives, of which there are many.
I thought Sarries had the nudge at both set pieces which is massive credit to the coaches and players. I guess Tizzard was calling? So credit to him and our hookers, Pifeleti especially as he's obviously been working hard on his darts. Also to Mawi who has equally previously had some work-ons and yet seemed to have Heyes measure. I thought the whole pack put in a massive shift and I suspect that there won't be that many Premiership teams more physical than Tigers.
The backs was more mixed. Pretty much all the back three had very good and less good moments but Segun continues to impress and having a proper kick chase makes such a difference. Lewington did well to pinch his try too and at a very important time when it was looking a bit like turning into a bloodbath.
Dan looked a human-dynamo. As we're now used to IVZ made a massive difference when he came on and whilst I feel Davies is asked to play a different way to him we just look so much better keeping the ball in hand.
After such a great game it feels shabby to call out individual players but there was quite a bit of white line fever today and some incredibly poor decision making with 3 different backs all of who could have put another player in for a try but who either took it on themselves or went to the side with no space/overlap.
Equally, tempting as it is to crash the line on pick and goes getting the communication for the one man latch gives you a much better chance. 3? tries held up is incredible work by Tigers but it's also an obvious failing to address.
The kicking game that fed Tigers early try surge was as predictable as the outcome. When we started to keep the ball in hand the game changed. That Tigers scored no points in the second half shows which game suited us better IMO.
Lots of handling mistakes today too but I'm of the view the more that Sarries get used to playing that style the better the understanding will be and the sharpers the passing and support game will become.
Overall thoroughly enjoyed that game.
The positive is with Saints beating Sale Sarries only dropped a single point and tbf I'd have taken 1 point before the game with both hands and run off to the hills!!
Tbh I really thought Sarries were going to nick it Well done Tigs 
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:19:19:34:15 by OldMarovian.
It's a bit like the final all over again in the sense that it was such a good game that I'm struggling to be to down about the result. Tbh a much more compelling game than the final was with both teams really going for it ball in hand at various stages and Tigers holding out so magnificently in the last twenty.
Tbh I'm encouraged by that performance even if the brutal reality is that's 4 points dropped that Sarries should have secured several times over. Less of a problem with it happening now if it means lessons learned and improvements so it doesn't happen at the end of the season.
The positives, of which there are many.
I thought Sarries had the nudge at both set pieces which is massive credit to the coaches and players. I guess Tizzard was calling? So credit to him and our hookers, Pifeleti especially as he's obviously been working hard on his darts. Also to Mawi who has equally previously had some work-ons and yet seemed to have Heyes measure. I thought the whole pack put in a massive shift and I suspect that there won't be that many Premiership teams more physical than Tigers.
The backs was more mixed. Pretty much all the back three had very good and less good moments but Segun continues to impress and having a proper kick chase makes such a difference. Lewington did well to pinch his try too and at a very important time when it was looking a bit like turning into a bloodbath.
Dan looked a human-dynamo. As we're now used to IVZ made a massive difference when he came on and whilst I feel Davies is asked to play a different way to him we just look so much better keeping the ball in hand.
After such a great game it feels shabby to call out individual players but there was quite a bit of white line fever today and some incredibly poor decision making with 3 different backs all of who could have put another player in for a try but who either took it on themselves or went to the side with no space/overlap.
Equally, tempting as it is to crash the line on pick and goes getting the communication for the one man latch gives you a much better chance. 3? tries held up is incredible work by Tigers but it's also an obvious failing to address.
The kicking game that fed Tigers early try surge was as predictable as the outcome. When we started to keep the ball in hand the game changed. That Tigers scored no points in the second half shows which game suited us better IMO.
Lots of handling mistakes today too but I'm of the view the more that Sarries get used to playing that style the better the understanding will be and the sharpers the passing and support game will become.
Overall thoroughly enjoyed that game.
The positive is with Saints beating Sale Sarries only dropped a single point and tbf I'd have taken 1 point before the game with both hands and run off to the hills!!
Tbh I really thought Sarries were going to nick it
Well done Tigs Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2023:02:19:19:34:15 by OldMarovian.
Second half was great watching for us but nail-biting for Tigers. From 30 mins, we really got a grip and it was only for a huge shift from Leicester that we didnt win.
The foot in touch and the Brown incident might have gone the other way but then we got the kind bounce against Gloucs. Home fans got a bit uppety about forward passes but I think that we spotted early that he had a liberal attitude to forward and it was six of one and half a dozen of the other in the first half.
The foot in touch and the Brown incident might have gone the other way but then we got the kind bounce against Gloucs. Home fans got a bit uppety about forward passes but I think that we spotted early that he had a liberal attitude to forward and it was six of one and half a dozen of the other in the first half.
Very odd decision by Tigers to kick the ball out at the end - could have either taken 3 points and denied us a losing bonus point point or kicked for the corner to try to get a try bonus point and again deny us anything …
Instead they did neither …
Instead they did neither …
Possibly we thought securing 4 points for the win was more important than potentially risking them to deny you a point or gain one for a very unlikely 4th try. Conceding one interception try was bad enough…
I think AtD has it spot on. Risk v Reward wasn't right. Shades of England V ABs.
Also well done T KNight when he came on. Instant impact and good after that too. Hope Wray is ok.
I think many of us would’ve taken a LBP beforehand, but can understand if the boys and us fans are somewhat disappointed. Considering how we started the game and our defence was poor for their tries, it was a game we could’ve won with many players away. Tigers didn’t score in the second half and we had chances to snatch the win. Great defence by Tigers.
A big shout out to some unsung heroes today. Tom Ellis did the unseen stuff and Toby Knight came on early with bog shoes to fill and did not disappoint - another 21 year old with great potential and this would’ve been great experience for him in the Tigers’ den. Theo is a great player and will learn from some unfortunate knock-ones, just one of those things. I think we missed some players with a cool head and we lacked composure when near the line, some of the experienced guys not just the youngsters.
Well done lads, proud to be a Saracen!
A big shout out to some unsung heroes today. Tom Ellis did the unseen stuff and Toby Knight came on early with bog shoes to fill and did not disappoint - another 21 year old with great potential and this would’ve been great experience for him in the Tigers’ den. Theo is a great player and will learn from some unfortunate knock-ones, just one of those things. I think we missed some players with a cool head and we lacked composure when near the line, some of the experienced guys not just the youngsters.
Well done lads, proud to be a Saracen!
I do wonder whether we’ll try and hang on to Ellis, we are going to be stretched until after the RWC at least. Jacko looked in real trouble and could be out for several weeks if it’s a shoulder dislocation.
Great energy from Theo Dan, and delighted by the way the set piece went particularly the lineout.
Great energy from Theo Dan, and delighted by the way the set piece went particularly the lineout.
Just rewatched and would like to see greater efficiency on the opponent’s’ goal line. Good defensive effort from Tigers but to have that much ball in the red zone and no points is disappointing.
Supporting Saracens for over 55 years.
Supporting Saracens for over 55 years.
Agree, to keep the ball and constantly pick and go was a really poor decision when spreading it would almost certainly have opened up gaps. Missed opportunities ...
Great game but worrying times with Tigers owners having to stump up 13 million quid to keep them from going under. If the biggest crowd support in the league (and loads of RFU compensation for nicking their coaches) can’t support a premier rugby team times are indeed worrying
Quote:saracen1950
Agree, to keep the ball and constantly pick and go was a really poor decision when spreading it would almost certainly have opened up gaps. Missed opportunities ...
There was some white-line fever by the forwards for sure but tbh our experienced backs not putting players outside them in for easy tries is pretty unforgivable.
Quote:We were shouting at the TV "Stop the pick and go! It isn't working! Spread it wide" but no. To my mind, it is a limited strategy and should be used more to suck defenders in leaving gaps out wide but what do I know? Obviously, it does work sometimes and perhaps on balance, it is deemed effective. Never been fond of it after watching us use it incessantly against Biarritz many years ago to no effect and obviously, it didn't work then as we lost - mind you, that was hardly unusual then.saracen1950
Agree, to keep the ball and constantly pick and go was a really poor decision when spreading it would almost certainly have opened up gaps. Missed opportunities ...
Must admit to being very pleasantly surprised by the measured comments on your board. Our defence won us the game but don’t know if we deserved the win but hey ho will take it. Might see you in the play offs.
To be honest after 20 minutes I was dreading the final outcome , so despite the second half comeback I think the better side won in the end ….
Quote:A2O
Must admit to being very pleasantly surprised by the measured comments on your board. Our defence won us the game but don’t know if we deserved the win but hey ho will take it. Might see you in the play offs.
It took me back to the finals we lost and won against Tigers all those years ago. Having messed up last season, we would welcome a rematch.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:A2O
Tigers will be massive underdogs if we meet you.
- that's what you said last year; well SB did anyway.
[www.theguardian.com]
Nice little article about the Leics veterans here - not sure that I agree with the last sentence and the sentiment about ' the dying of the light...' because it's people in their '30s we're talking about here.
#whippersnappers
Nice little article about the Leics veterans here - not sure that I agree with the last sentence and the sentiment about ' the dying of the light...' because it's people in their '30s we're talking about here.
#whippersnappers
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