Saracens
Saints A Preview: please post all match related comment here
By The Saracens
March 28 2024
How do we top that then? After one superb performance on Saturday against Quins, Sarries come up against Saints at The Gardens on Friday night on a 6 day turn round. Friday is Good Friday, but which team will it be good for?
There has been much discussion as to whether Quins were just dreadful or whether Sarries just didn’t let them play (or a bit of both). We may find out a bit more on Friday night but you can be sure of one thing, Saints aren’t likely to roll over in the way that Quins did. Saints were well beaten down at Ashton Gate on Saturday (although to be fair, they rested most of their England International backs). They will not want to suffer a second humiliation at the hands of Saracens.
One thing that Saturday’s performance showed us was just how much Sarries have missed the raft of injured forwards who have been missing for much of the season: and conversely, how well they can play once back up to full strength. I think it also shows how well we’ve done so far this season to stay in touch at the top despite being down to our 3rd and 4th choice front rows for much of the season. It also shows the enormous influence Owen has over the team: not just his skills and ability, that goes without saying, but his own sense of well-being. When Owen isn’t right the whole house starts wobbling. Thankfully, now his future is resolved and it’s all out in the open, he seems to be back to the player we know and love, and determined to make his last few appearances for the men in black really count. Hopefully Northampton will be on the receiving end!
Northampton have some injury issues of their own. Furbank is unlikely to be fit and the replacement fullback, George Hendy is undergoing the concussion protocol so should be unavailable as well. Mitchell has a wrist injury and Tom James and Calum Braley both missed the trip to Ashton Gate. Eliott Millar-Mills is also injured as is Tom Seabrook. Tarek Haffar and Tom Pearson could reappear along with Tommy Freeman & Fraser Dingwall. Northampton still have a wealth of talent not least Finn Smith, Hutchinson, Sleightholme, Courtney Lawes & Lewis Ludlam.
Sarries’ team selection will be interesting. The next 2 (hopefully 3) weeks are season-defining. Fridays game is huge: a win would go a long way to ensuring a play-off spot, then next Saturday it’s all or nothing away to Bordeaux. Mark McCall needs to manage all these players: they all seem to want to play in every game which is great but everyone needs a break, even Ben Earl! Isn’t it great to have choices:- Mako or Mawi, Jamie or Theo, Judge or Riccioni just for starters. There is a wealth of talent at lock: I presume if Maro’s “turned ankle” has recovered he’ll start but who with: Tizard, Isiekwe ? Then in the back row pick 3 from Gonzales, McFarland, Earl, Willis and Billy. The half backs is one area where supremacy is clear: Faz and Van Zyl are head and shoulders above the pack. Tompkins and Cinti looked a really positive partnership on Saturday so assuming Tompkins has it in him I’d stick there (otherwise Hartley won’t let anyone down). Maitland was really good on Saturday especially as he wasn’t expecting to start, and again we have good choices with Lewington, Parton and Segun all available. After Saturday Daly has made the 15 shirt his own with Goode to cover.
It should be a good one – games between these 2 sides rarely disappoint. Both sides need to win, but I suspect the victor will be the one who wants it most.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
StumbleuponSaints A Preview: please post all match related comment here
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 28/03/2024 10:13
TheSaracens.com
28/03/2024 10:13
28/03/2024 10:13
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:07:09:26:43 by Darraghgirl.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:07:09:26:43 by Darraghgirl.
Saracens Men team to play Northampton Saints:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Theo McFarland
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Andy Christie
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Sean Maitland
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Christian Judge
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Tom Willis
21 Ben Earl
22 Gareth Simpson
23 Alex Goode
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Theo McFarland
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Andy Christie
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Sean Maitland
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Christian Judge
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Tom Willis
21 Ben Earl
22 Gareth Simpson
23 Alex Goode
Stains:
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Courtney Lawes (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Ed Prowse
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Sam Graham
22 Archie McParland
23 Tom Litchfield
15 James Ramm
14 Tommy Freeman
13 Burger Odendaal
12 Fraser Dingwall
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Fin Smith
9 Tom James
1 Emmanuel Iyogun
2 Curtis Langdon
3 Trevor Davison
4 Alex Moon
5 Alex Coles
6 Courtney Lawes (c)
7 Tom Pearson
8 Juarno Augustus
Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Alex Waller
18 Ed Prowse
19 Temo Mayanavanua
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Sam Graham
22 Archie McParland
23 Tom Litchfield
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Joe James and Andrew Jackson
No.4: James Clarke
TMO: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Joe James and Andrew Jackson
No.4: James Clarke
TMO: Ian Tempest
A little bit of musical chairs from last week but that all looks good. Sad not to see Segun but just because I really enjoy watching him play no reflection on others chosen and indeed Maitland had a great game v Quins.
Saints unfortunate to be missing both Mitchell and Furbank but that pack is much better than last weeks. They got bullied a bit but with those locks, Pearson and Augustus I don't see that happening this time. I thought Freeman was incredible in the 6 Nations and F Smith great despite the team performance last week.
Honestly can't call it but that's an excellent Sarries team and I hope they can get the result.
Saints unfortunate to be missing both Mitchell and Furbank but that pack is much better than last weeks. They got bullied a bit but with those locks, Pearson and Augustus I don't see that happening this time. I thought Freeman was incredible in the 6 Nations and F Smith great despite the team performance last week.
Honestly can't call it but that's an excellent Sarries team and I hope they can get the result.
Especially those on whom may be captain on his watch (mild mannered Jackson Wray fell foul of him preferring to appoint Manu).
Four excellent lineout options and possibly some insider knowledge from Isiekwe, hopefully lots of pressure at piece time.
It is really great to see, just like last week, such a strong bench again. The likes of Earl, Dan and Willis on the bench must be a touch intimidating.
I am expecting a close game tomorrow evening but am feeling quietly confident that at full time we will prevail.
I am expecting a close game tomorrow evening but am feeling quietly confident that at full time we will prevail.
This is a key game in the run in and should be a corker with those teams! I'm on train at 7pm, so will be hoping the WiFi gods are feeling benevolent
Interesting comment on the Saints forum regarding our backs. It appears we have Mainwaring,Godfrey,Jones,Pike,Walker and Wilson starting. If we need to bring Frazer on ,We’re doomed. Doomed I tell ya.
Quote:Try given on field by Pearce though! A couple of opportunities not taken in last 10 minutes but a decent comeback otherwise!Banzai1314
Short of the line and held up -TRY!
Lewington’s yellow was rubbish, hit his shoulder, how does he deliberately control that?
Quote:maynas
Lewington’s yellow was rubbish, hit his shoulder, how does he deliberately control that?
I thought that too...
Worrying that we can only seem to play to a high level vs Quins. We’ve taken one shellacking from Bordeaux, if we defend that way again it’ll get messy.
Why couldn't we play like 20 minutes ago?
Think Tompkins needs a break, he looks knackered out there. He's our player with the most Prem minutes + international minutes.
Nothing really clicked tonight, and that's ignoring what Saints got away with, no arm tackles, high shots, a try that wasn't, the number of holding on pens that should have been given but weren't (1 in the whole match?)
So frustrating after last week's performance, but as I said it was a Friday night match and we're rarely any good at those.
Edit: Faz looked like a completely different player to last weekend
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:29:21:41:29 by Sarriebone.
Think Tompkins needs a break, he looks knackered out there. He's our player with the most Prem minutes + international minutes.
Nothing really clicked tonight, and that's ignoring what Saints got away with, no arm tackles, high shots, a try that wasn't, the number of holding on pens that should have been given but weren't (1 in the whole match?)
So frustrating after last week's performance, but as I said it was a Friday night match and we're rarely any good at those.
Edit: Faz looked like a completely different player to last weekend
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:29:21:41:29 by Sarriebone.
Well played Saints.
Probably the reality check we needed after the euphoria of last week. Then everything clicked and players made the right decisions today much less so.
Having backed him Riccioni had a pretty torrid time in the scrum. Also some really basic defensive errors for a couple of their trys and some very ordinary decision-making from key players.
Well done IVZ. Definitely held that up but given the question asked fair enough for it to be given.
At least they hung in there and got the TBP.
Massive step up needed for next week.
Probably the reality check we needed after the euphoria of last week. Then everything clicked and players made the right decisions today much less so.
Having backed him Riccioni had a pretty torrid time in the scrum. Also some really basic defensive errors for a couple of their trys and some very ordinary decision-making from key players.
Well done IVZ. Definitely held that up but given the question asked fair enough for it to be given.
At least they hung in there and got the TBP.
Massive step up needed for next week.
Good performance at the end but over the 80 not so, will need to step up massively next week
Some games just don't go your way. This was one of them - absolutely nothing stuck. Saints were very good at times so fair enough result, even if I thought that Luke Pearce was a bit hasty in awarding the second try & Lewington's yellow. Onwards.
The lack of holding on pens went both ways, Lawes was unlucky quite a few times. We can’t blame Pearce, we were outplayed today and never looked at the races.
I don’t understand why we didn’t put more pressure on their lineout with McFarland, Isiekwe, JMG and Christie all starting. I know it’s not as simple as having a load of jumpers on the field but, for example we kicked away first phase possession from a scrum in their 22, then didn’t pressure their defensive line out on the 5m line- very strange. Likewise we seem to have a very old school approach to away matches this season focusing on kicking and territory, even on turnover ball. There were a number of excellent counter rucks and steals in the first 20 mins which last week we would’ve flooded through and we were lethargic today and kicked away possession with an overlap. Very frustrating.
Not to take anything away from Saints, their defence was superb and they carved us apart ball jn hand, well derserved win,
I don’t understand why we didn’t put more pressure on their lineout with McFarland, Isiekwe, JMG and Christie all starting. I know it’s not as simple as having a load of jumpers on the field but, for example we kicked away first phase possession from a scrum in their 22, then didn’t pressure their defensive line out on the 5m line- very strange. Likewise we seem to have a very old school approach to away matches this season focusing on kicking and territory, even on turnover ball. There were a number of excellent counter rucks and steals in the first 20 mins which last week we would’ve flooded through and we were lethargic today and kicked away possession with an overlap. Very frustrating.
Not to take anything away from Saints, their defence was superb and they carved us apart ball jn hand, well derserved win,
The main things that stuck out.
Daily kicking away brilliant attacking ball in the first ten minutes. Seemed to set a theme for much less ambition in attack. Lots of one up runners.
Kicking game way too long for an effective chase fed their attack, have we really not learnt this lesson yet?
A couple of times we had great position in their 22 and forced the last offload and ended up losing the ball. Need a better balance of knowing when to bank the territory gains?
Some good performances even so and again Dan and Earl made a huge difference.
Hope JMG is OK. I think the head contact was probably just a rugby incident.
Saints played very well and got change from both Sarries set pieces. Sleightholme impossible to put down on that early run.
Daily kicking away brilliant attacking ball in the first ten minutes. Seemed to set a theme for much less ambition in attack. Lots of one up runners.
Kicking game way too long for an effective chase fed their attack, have we really not learnt this lesson yet?
A couple of times we had great position in their 22 and forced the last offload and ended up losing the ball. Need a better balance of knowing when to bank the territory gains?
Some good performances even so and again Dan and Earl made a huge difference.
Hope JMG is OK. I think the head contact was probably just a rugby incident.
Saints played very well and got change from both Sarries set pieces. Sleightholme impossible to put down on that early run.
Excellent point TK.
They had one in particular on their line. Why on earth are we not putting jumpers up to pressure that???
Also agree on the more negative mindset playing away. We kicked away some great attacking ball.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:29:22:06:58 by OldMarovian.
They had one in particular on their line. Why on earth are we not putting jumpers up to pressure that???
Also agree on the more negative mindset playing away. We kicked away some great attacking ball.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:29:22:06:58 by OldMarovian.
It’s frustrating because Saints have ahead a superb defence all season and shut us out last time at home, you’d have thought that we’d be desperate to exploit turn over ball but everything looked so lethargic. Ah well, sometimes you have one of those days. Gloucester at home next in the prem and a massive away match at Bath. Let’s hope we don’t pick up any big injury’s at Bordeaux next week.
Oh well, don't want to peak to early 
I quite liked Pearce speeding the game up and it will be interesting to see if that's applied across the weekend (it certainly wasn't in the Falcons/Tigers game from what I've seen)
Would be interested to now what Pearson did that had Pearce suggesting he would be sent off if he did it again?
I quite liked Pearce speeding the game up and it will be interesting to see if that's applied across the weekend (it certainly wasn't in the Falcons/Tigers game from what I've seen)
Would be interested to now what Pearson did that had Pearce suggesting he would be sent off if he did it again?
For the second week in a row it was again a very entertaining game but sadly this week the cutting edge was provided by the oppo. The Saints backs are a talented bunch but I was surprised by how easily our line was breached and invariably this led to 7 points.
The battle up front was fierce and pretty even, in fact I suspect we entered their 22 more times than they entered ours.
If we play the same game plan away to Bordeaux I can’t see us coming away with anything.
Not a disaster, as losing away to the top team can happen, but certainly plenty to work on for the coaches.
The battle up front was fierce and pretty even, in fact I suspect we entered their 22 more times than they entered ours.
If we play the same game plan away to Bordeaux I can’t see us coming away with anything.
Not a disaster, as losing away to the top team can happen, but certainly plenty to work on for the coaches.
Set piece the big work on. Saints competed hard, especially at the lineout, but we definitely need a plan (as to be fair do all teams) for when we are struggling with parity there. For me it maybe revolves around maximising our attacking chances. Three times we kicked ball away poorly with space, width and numbers available. Given we saw both last week and towards the end of this what we can do with that space it seems a shame not to use it.
Without picking out individuals two of their trys are just from really poor defensive play. The system was fine, the numbers were there it was just individuals errors. Last week we saw almost none this week quite a few.
In an odd way both that and a couple of good attacks that broke down due to miscommunication (one also resulting in 7 points for Saints) don't have me too despondent as they are things that are easier to fix than more systematic issues.
No lack of desire or effort IMO which is what would really concern me.
Without picking out individuals two of their trys are just from really poor defensive play. The system was fine, the numbers were there it was just individuals errors. Last week we saw almost none this week quite a few.
In an odd way both that and a couple of good attacks that broke down due to miscommunication (one also resulting in 7 points for Saints) don't have me too despondent as they are things that are easier to fix than more systematic issues.
No lack of desire or effort IMO which is what would really concern me.
Saints played well but we let ourselves down with a few mistakes and some stray passing. I agree Nick looks really tired and it probably didn't help that faz threw the ball in his face when he bursting through. I agree it's all fixable and I rather we peaked at the right time and get to a final. Who knows from there as its looking very competitive this year!!
Cinti looking really good In the centre and in broken play!!
Cinti looking really good In the centre and in broken play!!
Saints gave Daly absolutely no space and one second half break aside he was pretty poor after last weeks stellar performance.
Saints run some great lines for their tries, we were lateral and static until the last 10.
No idea why we didn’t challenge their lineout when they clearly weren’t mauling.
Set piece disappointing and tight head quality is looking an issue
Saints run some great lines for their tries, we were lateral and static until the last 10.
No idea why we didn’t challenge their lineout when they clearly weren’t mauling.
Set piece disappointing and tight head quality is looking an issue
Quote:OldMarovian
Oh well, don't want to peak to early
I quite liked Pearce speeding the game up and it will be interesting to see if that's applied across the weekend (it certainly wasn't in the Falcons/Tigers game from what I've seen)
Would be interested to now what Pearson did that had Pearce suggesting he would be sent off if he did it again?
Think it may have been holding players in at the ruck to try to buy a penalty?
On Reflink, Pearce mentioned about not celebrating in an opponents face. This was following us winning a Scrum penalty.
Referee in the Quins game clueless letting Bath get away with moider at the breakdown. So inconsistent given Pearces performance yesterday.
Quins flying out the gates but Bath are quality and I'm sure will build back into the game.
Quins flying out the gates but Bath are quality and I'm sure will build back into the game.
Terrible game management and dumb cards from Quins allowing Bath back in the game to nick second place of us.
Herbst serving only 7 minutes of his Yellow... will be interesting to see how the RFU try to BS their way out of this one!
Ampthill came back from 7-21 to win 29-21 against Ealing! Hell of a result and 4 tries for our lads (Elliott x 2, Jackson and Stonham).
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:31:09:26:15 by TommyKentish.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:31:09:26:15 by TommyKentish.
That's a great result as you say TK. Really must get down to Ampthill to catch a game at some point.
Cracking afternoon there on the way back from Northampton. Ealing scrum dominant in the first half, Ampthill hanging on but on the stroke of half time an interception attempt by Tobias Elliot was spilt. Ealing won another penalty from resulting scrum so instead of 14 all it was 7-21 and you feared for Ampthill in the second half.
But the Ealing replacement hooked departed soon after half time and uncontested scrums turned the match. Ampthill scored 3 tries, including one successful interception from Elliot. Game was sealed when the ref awarded a penalty against the Ealing no 8 for dissent.
Our lads all showed up well.
But the Ealing replacement hooked departed soon after half time and uncontested scrums turned the match. Ampthill scored 3 tries, including one successful interception from Elliot. Game was sealed when the ref awarded a penalty against the Ealing no 8 for dissent.
Our lads all showed up well.
Quote:Sarriebone
Herbst serving only 7 minutes of his Yellow... will be interesting to see how the RFU try to BS their way out of this one!
RFU have admitted the error:
[www.bbc.co.uk]
Meanwhile they have announced their new strip for referees:
Mark McCall is qouted on planet rugby that two or three player showed a lack of the necessary work rate as an explanation of our loss. I wonder who he means,? Jamie and Alex Lewington both made defensive mistakes for two tries and Eroni Mawi looked well off script when he came on but maybe he means others.
Maybe I need a rewatch but disagree about Mawi. I think he got penalised a couple of times which isn't ideal but no lack of workmate.
Tbh I still think our decision makers kicking away quality attacking ball was as damaging as our defensive lapses.
It felt obvious from McCall and Farrells words last week that defence is prioritised above all.
My feeling is without a set piece platform we need something above defending our way to wins which, tbf, we have seen at our best.
I do wonder how much the Quins game took out of the team too.
At least Sandersons Sale did us a favour today.
Exciting weekend of rugby but some odd referee calls.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:31:17:56:42 by OldMarovian.
Tbh I still think our decision makers kicking away quality attacking ball was as damaging as our defensive lapses.
It felt obvious from McCall and Farrells words last week that defence is prioritised above all.
My feeling is without a set piece platform we need something above defending our way to wins which, tbf, we have seen at our best.
I do wonder how much the Quins game took out of the team too.
At least Sandersons Sale did us a favour today.
Exciting weekend of rugby but some odd referee calls.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:03:31:17:56:42 by OldMarovian.
Not necessarily work rate with Mawi, but I seem to remember that he tried a miracle offload with virtually his first touch, that broke down a promising attack. He then gave away two quick penalties, one for offside deep in our half. These are all momentum killers. Not getting at Mawi specifically though as he is a quality player and presumably our starting loosehead next season. I am interested though in who Mark McCall had in mind with his comment.
Agree about the forced offload had forgotten that.
I'd also love to know as to me it didn't feel like effort was the issue but being switched on. Whether that was to role in defence or opportunities in attack. Would lovevto be a fly on the wall in the debrief.
I'd also love to know as to me it didn't feel like effort was the issue but being switched on. Whether that was to role in defence or opportunities in attack. Would lovevto be a fly on the wall in the debrief.
Possibly a comment that puts a rocket up everyone because they don’t want to be that guy. I personally couldn’t pinpoint one or two players, we felt lethargic across the board, with IVZ the exception from our starters.
Quote:OldMarovian
Maybe I need a rewatch but disagree about Mawi. I think he got penalised a couple of times which isn't ideal but no lack of workmate.
Tbh I still think our decision makers kicking away quality attacking ball was as damaging as our defensive lapses.
It felt obvious from McCall and Farrells words last week that defence is prioritised above all.
My feeling is without a set piece platform we need something above defending our way to wins which, tbf, we have seen at our best.
I do wonder how much the Quins game took out of the team too.
At least Sandersons Sale did us a favour today.
Exciting weekend of rugby but some odd referee calls.
Personally, I thought both Mako and Jamie were just not on it - little Theo needs to be starting. And ageee, let’s give Tommo a rest (although not blaming him for the butchered try, it should have gone out the back to Daz and we had a 2 on 1 overlap). I would like to see Olly at 12, get him running at the opposition. We made 3 unusual defensive errors which led to 3 tries and they were awarded one that was not a try. Considering all the above, a tbp was a good result and other results went our way. Still in our own hands for a top 2 finish. Bath and Bristol away are key matches, plus we must bank 2 five-pointers in our home matches (no disrespect to Glos or Sale).
Strangelove - on the flip side you were also gifted two chargedowns which will have put James and Ramn on the naughty step over the weekend.
If the weekend has taught us anything uts that no results should be taken for granted and no potential extra points go unchased.
A month ago I'd have felt comfortable with the idea the Bristol game was at least 4 points. Given their recent performances we should expect a very tough game.
Max brilliant on the weekend again. Incredible in defence and skillful and inventive in attack. Working well with McGinty too.
A month ago I'd have felt comfortable with the idea the Bristol game was at least 4 points. Given their recent performances we should expect a very tough game.
Max brilliant on the weekend again. Incredible in defence and skillful and inventive in attack. Working well with McGinty too.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
Saracens News 24/7
More Saracens headlines
- END OF SEASON POLL AT LAST
- PWR Semi Final and Final 2025-26 Report
- Saracens Women v Ealing Trailfinders PWR Final Report
- Saracens Women v Ealing Trailfinders PWR Final Preview
- MARK McCALL, AN APPRECIATION
- Saracens Women v Exeter Chiefs Women PWR Semi-Final Report
- Exeter Chiefs v Saracens Premiership Report
- EXETER v SARACENS: please post match related content here
- SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST
Saracens latest threads
- END OF SEASON POLL AT LAST
- End of Season Poll (finally) #1
- Writing articles for the Sarries page
- More Game Time
- PensionBee Now main shirt sponsor?
- 26/27 fixtures
- PWR Semi Final and Final 2025-26 Report
- Champions Cup group 26/27
- New photo for the Sarries message board
- Saracens Women v Ealing Trailfinders PWR Final Report