Saracens
UBB vSaracens Preview please post match related content here
By The Saracens
April 3 2024
The “must-win” game is an over-used phrase in sport, but this Saturday’s fixture against Bordeaux Begles really is a “must win”. Anything else and our European journey is over for another year. This game is a repeat of the pool match where UBB gave us a good hiding 55-15, back in January. Yes there were some excuses around injuries and Faz’s situation but it wasn’t a performance to be proud of so this weekend sees the chance to right some wrongs.
Rugby is a funny game. How can a team that looked so sublime and pretty nigh unbeatable against Quins, look so clueless and ineffective 6 days later against Saints? Yes the opposition was in a different class but so was Sarries’ performance. It was worrying to read Mark McCall say that some players didn’t put the effort in. That is so un-sarrieslike and so un-markmaccalllike that one really hopes it is not indicative of something very wrong in the camp.
Bordeaux on a spring Saturday should be an inspiration for our boys. They know that if they are to have a shot at another European title, they have to do it the hard way and win all the knock-out games away from home. Under normal circumstances this isn’t something that would unduly phase them although it has to be said, the Stade Chaban-Delmas is a pretty hostile place for a visiting team.
UBB, like Sarries, lost away from home last weekend (to our old friends Lyon). Like Sarries, they rested some of their first choice players, notably fly half Jalibert and winger Pernaud. Like Sarries they won at home the previous week just edging out Stade Toulousain. UBB are currently 6th in the top 14 having won 11 and lost 9 of their games this season. They have an interesting LWLWL pattern in their past 5 games. 8 of those 11 wins have been at home although they have suffered defeat at the Chabon-Delmas both to Pau in February, and Stade Francais at the end of January (although one would assume both of these fixtures were impacted by international call ups).
So UBB are not invincible – but it will take everything Sarries produced against Quins and more to come away with the spoils. Sadly, Andy Christie’s season is over after he fractured an arm last weekend (luckily the back row is an area of riches for Sarries). Faz, Gonzales and Daly also came off early, hopefully just as a precaution. Maro is said to be fit for the trip which has to be a huge boost. McCall’s selection will be interesting and may reveal a little more about his comments last Friday!
If both teams are on form it could be a brilliant game. The partisan home crowd will give UBB the edge but don’t write Sarries off!
The referee is Frank Murphy (oh lordy – unfortunately these anglo-gallic match-ups rule out most of the decent referees) so fingers crossed. The weather forecast looks great – a high of 26C and sunshine. The local wine’s not bad either! Enjoy yourselves all those of you travelling and let’s hope the boys can do it!
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Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 03/04/2024 20:25
TheSaracens.com
03/04/2024 20:25
03/04/2024 20:25
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:21:16:55:54 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:21:16:55:54 by Darraghgirl.
We had Frank Murphy in Lyon last season and he was fine. I was dreading Andrew Brace again who has become the new Alain Rolland when it comes to matches between French and English teams.
Some very big decisions for Mark to make.
Given that we haven’t seen Roti of Tom Parton these past two weeks I can’t see either being involved, but we desperately need some pace.
Similarly I’d love to see Hartley involved but can’t see it happening
Some very big decisions for Mark to make.
Given that we haven’t seen Roti of Tom Parton these past two weeks I can’t see either being involved, but we desperately need some pace.
Similarly I’d love to see Hartley involved but can’t see it happening
Far worse referees than Frank Murphy IMHO
As the Bard says could have been Brace!
Or Adamson or the Italian Piardi!
Personally I think Dan excels in the 2nd half as fatigue hopefully sets in for the opposition!
As the Bard says could have been Brace!
Or Adamson or the Italian Piardi!
Personally I think Dan excels in the 2nd half as fatigue hopefully sets in for the opposition!
Quins or Glasgow as a "reward" if the team win feels decent although it's hard to shake the feeling that fighting on two fronts will be too much.
After the last performance just fronting up would be the starting point. Anything else a bonus.
Rewatching the Saints game I found it hard to shake the feeling Farrell wasn't really with it. We really need him at his best as a player and leader if we're to get a result so hopefully we see both that and the type of complete team performance we know they can deliver.
Good luck to the team.
After the last performance just fronting up would be the starting point. Anything else a bonus.
Rewatching the Saints game I found it hard to shake the feeling Farrell wasn't really with it. We really need him at his best as a player and leader if we're to get a result so hopefully we see both that and the type of complete team performance we know they can deliver.
Good luck to the team.
Saracens Men team to play Bordeaux Begles:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George (c)
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Alex Goode
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Sean Maitland
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Juan Martin Gonzalez
20 Tom Willis
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Olly Hartley
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George (c)
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Alex Goode
11 Alex Lewington
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Sean Maitland
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Juan Martin Gonzalez
20 Tom Willis
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Olly Hartley
No Faz, gutted if that’s his last appearance for us in Europe. Smally said there was an issue with his hamstring, hopefully not too seriously for the run in. Goodey did a job for us Leinster away a few years back, let’s see what the old war horse has in him!
Jamie George as captain, probably shows which way Smally is looking next season. It’s a pretty strong bench, I’ll be interested to see if Manu gets time though.
Jamie George as captain, probably shows which way Smally is looking next season. It’s a pretty strong bench, I’ll be interested to see if Manu gets time though.
As in previous weeks that's a cracking bench. Great to have Maro back.
Isiekwe and Segun injured or not selected?
We'll need great discipline and everyone to find that extra level.
Hope Goode can find that form TK rather than that of his more recent performances at 10. Given the strength of the team would have loved McCall to back Manu but ofc understand backing experience.
Isiekwe and Segun injured or not selected?
We'll need great discipline and everyone to find that extra level.
Hope Goode can find that form TK rather than that of his more recent performances at 10. Given the strength of the team would have loved McCall to back Manu but ofc understand backing experience.
Not sure I can get behind the strategy of leaving our best front row, best back row player and most powerful player on the bench for 45-50 mins.
I know that often you want to finish strongly etc. But last time against this lot we were 50-0 down by 45 mins and it was all too late.
I know that often you want to finish strongly etc. But last time against this lot we were 50-0 down by 45 mins and it was all too late.
Not enough gas in our back three to handle UBB. Not convinced we'll fair any better than last time round but hope to be proven wrong. Bonne chance!
Quote:#wolfpack1
Not sure I can get behind the strategy of leaving our best front row, best back row player and most powerful player on the bench for 45-50 mins.
I know that often you want to finish strongly etc. But last time against this lot we were 50-0 down by 45 mins and it was all too late.
Couldn’t agree more, we seem to be giving one last hurrah to loyal servants who would not be starting for me. Hope I am proved wrong but we could be too far behind before the bench comes on. Enjoy the game those who are making their way to France.
In other news, we'll done to Menonchello for his player of the 6 Nations. I wouldn't say Earl was robbed but I suspect being able to award it legitimately to an Italian player tipped it in Menonchellos favour. Earl was incredible though. Hope he can be so tomorrow too.
Should we manage the unlikely tomorrow and pull off the win, am I right in thinking we'll be away to Quins as they won tonight ?
Nerves building. Can't imagine what the players and coaches feel like. COYS
Quote:OldMarovian
Rewatching the Saints game I found it hard to shake the feeling Farrell wasn't really with it.
Agreed, although with hindsight it sounds as though he picked up the hamstring injury which is keeping him out today.
I wonder exactly when it happened and how long he was playing through it.
Quote:Sarriebone
Right, here we go... good luck everyone
We’ve used our whole seasons luck so far in the first 30 mins
That’s the biggest 10-0 thrashing I think I’ve ever seen. Miraculous we aren’t out of it.
Workrate of our backrow and lack of BB execution keeping us in this. McFarland imperious. Maros card just so stupid.
Think we need to make changes at half time. We aren't going to defend our way to a win against this BB team and we need the carrying from threats from the bench.
Must fire some shots and if we keep giving them attacking chances they'll start to convert those chances.
I know it was an odd bounce but if Lewington could have held that ...
Think we need to make changes at half time. We aren't going to defend our way to a win against this BB team and we need the carrying from threats from the bench.
Must fire some shots and if we keep giving them attacking chances they'll start to convert those chances.
I know it was an odd bounce but if Lewington could have held that ...
Don’t think there is a way back for us but I shall watch it to the bitter end!
This is a training game for Bordeaux.
Where is the physicality.
Really poor. And as stated above, we’re now being on our better players when the game is gone.
Where is the physicality.
Really poor. And as stated above, we’re now being on our better players when the game is gone.
Quote:OldMarovian
Thats a tip tackle and penalty by Penaud surely?
Noooo can't go penalising St Damien
Come on everyone.
Let’s not pretend we have had anything other than a lot of luck today. The referee has been absolutely fine all game.
We have not been and this is going to get very very ugly I’m afraid.
Let’s not pretend we have had anything other than a lot of luck today. The referee has been absolutely fine all game.
We have not been and this is going to get very very ugly I’m afraid.
I think that at least was an accident.
BB are a quality team but anyone have the vaguest clue what out game plan has been? Bring on a dynamic bench and kick the ball away when 17 points down.
There's some players putting in massive shifts but too many errors and bad decisions. Goode simply isn't.
BB are a quality team but anyone have the vaguest clue what out game plan has been? Bring on a dynamic bench and kick the ball away when 17 points down.
There's some players putting in massive shifts but too many errors and bad decisions. Goode simply isn't.
I’m afraid that sums us up.
Mawi (can’t get a start) does well. Theo Dan (can’t get a start) does great.
Alex Goode gets fast ball in their 22… and tries a grubber which doesn’t work as it ever does… and Bordeaux go and score. Dreadful.
Mawi (can’t get a start) does well. Theo Dan (can’t get a start) does great.
Alex Goode gets fast ball in their 22… and tries a grubber which doesn’t work as it ever does… and Bordeaux go and score. Dreadful.
I love Goodey but he is simply not good enough today. In fact, the whole team are not really at the races. It is incredibly disappointing after the last time in Bordeaux that we simply haven't been able to learn anything to enable us to deal with them. There really is no excuse to be honest. What happened to the team that played Quins?
Don't think I've ever said this before but this performance is a massive failure by McCall and Co.
I don't care that our ERCC is over but we gave gone backwards since last season despite, arguably, the addition of great players.
Coaches need wake up, we aren't going to beat even top Prem opposition (as this season has shown many times) without empowering our attack.
Feel sorry for the players who gave their all and the travelling support who sounded great.
I don't care that our ERCC is over but we gave gone backwards since last season despite, arguably, the addition of great players.
Coaches need wake up, we aren't going to beat even top Prem opposition (as this season has shown many times) without empowering our attack.
Feel sorry for the players who gave their all and the travelling support who sounded great.
Quote:OldMarovian
Great attack gets us field position and Goode kicks it away ...
And again! Stop kicking it!!
Because ... erm?
Manu got very lucky there! Simpson has been good since he came on.
Manu got very lucky there! Simpson has been good since he came on.
Quote:OldMarovian
Don't think I've ever said this before but this performance is a massive failure by McCall and Co.
I don't care that our ERCC is over but we gave gone backwards since last season despite, arguably, the addition of great players.
Coaches need wake up, we aren't going to beat even top Prem opposition (as this season has shown many times) without empowering our attack.
I agree entirely.
There is a reason why a lot of our starting team aren’t being given new contracts next season. Yet they’re still being selected every week. Why?
We went to Bordeaux in December and had our pants pulled down. Yet we select the same side again today. Why?
There is no evidence whatsoever that Mawi is not a better option than Mako, Dan is not a better option than Jamie, that Willis is a better option than Billy etc .
For the rest of the premiership season we really have to be honest and our great players are not going to win anything. That’s the reality. Selection is far far too cosy.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:06:19:23:47 by #wolfpack1.
I'm sure there's an element of BB switching off but even so much better when we play and offload.
Changes needed for the Prem unless we're happy fizzling out there too.
Changes needed for the Prem unless we're happy fizzling out there too.
And to think my OH was planning a surprise for me on Wednesday, trying to get flights & tickets at the last minute. Glad he failed frankly. A poor performance and I just don't understand it. The upside is, though, we can now concentrate on upping our game in the Premiership so we can give Faz a proper send off (still can't believe I'm typing that).
I don't but Farrell is such a big part of the equation. We lost v Saints playing the same defend to win, kickboxing away rugby with him at 10 last week only making the score vaguely respectable when we kept the ball in hand in the last ten. Ring a bell??
I think the Vunipolae both had strong games but 50 is a stretch for both of them.
Make the pack changes at 40 not 50 and then change the attacking mindset and its hard not to think that would have gone better. Oh and stop kicking the flipping ball away in great attacking positions.
I think the Vunipolae both had strong games but 50 is a stretch for both of them.
Make the pack changes at 40 not 50 and then change the attacking mindset and its hard not to think that would have gone better. Oh and stop kicking the flipping ball away in great attacking positions.
The only encouragement is that we did see some useful contributions from future stars such as Dan, Willis and Mawi, so next year I think we will do really well in the Premiership. Did you hear though the commentator say that in addition to Jalibert and Garcia as fly halves BB will also have Joe Carberry next season. Simply can’t compete with that level of financial resource in Europe.
I can only see Quins getting absolutely mullered next weekend!
Two weeks to prepare for Gloucester and if Farrell isn’t fully recovered please let’s play Manu at 10 as Alex was standing still the whole time and kicked away far too much ball.
Oh, oh, oh for a really fast winger - is my cri de couer!
I can only see Quins getting absolutely mullered next weekend!
Two weeks to prepare for Gloucester and if Farrell isn’t fully recovered please let’s play Manu at 10 as Alex was standing still the whole time and kicked away far too much ball.
Oh, oh, oh for a really fast winger - is my cri de couer!
I think French teams will be really difficult to beat and they have a deep bench packed with power as well. I agree we need to Start Dan and Willis more and start to phase out the players who are leaving. Even if they come off the bench towards the end as they aren't doing much when they start.
We seemed to lose concentration in the second half, we have an exciting team coming through on the positive side. I would be very surprised if a Premiership team makes the final at the Tottenham Stadium.
The salary cap will kill English clubs in Europe for a long time.
We seemed to lose concentration in the second half, we have an exciting team coming through on the positive side. I would be very surprised if a Premiership team makes the final at the Tottenham Stadium.
The salary cap will kill English clubs in Europe for a long time.
Agree beating these top European teams is incredibly hard but that we weren't competitive for much of today is because of how we were set up to play. We had any number of players willing to leave it all out there.
Whilst I agree about next season CoS I don't want to wait till then! There's still the potential of silverware this season. Agree 100% about Manu. Even if he's off (he obviously is)
Whilst I agree about next season CoS I don't want to wait till then! There's still the potential of silverware this season. Agree 100% about Manu. Even if he's off (he obviously is)
Thank god that's over.
I thought the Vuni's gave a decent showing for the first 40. Big Theo seemed to be everywhere.
The replacements definitely changed the match. A few of the starters need a decent rest, but I suspect they won't get it beyond having next week off.
Oh, and finally: TOO MUCH FECKIN' KICKING! Every single grubber just handed possession to UBB. Keep it in hand a lo and behold we score...
I thought the Vuni's gave a decent showing for the first 40. Big Theo seemed to be everywhere.
The replacements definitely changed the match. A few of the starters need a decent rest, but I suspect they won't get it beyond having next week off.
Oh, and finally: TOO MUCH FECKIN' KICKING! Every single grubber just handed possession to UBB. Keep it in hand a lo and behold we score...
Wolfpack it feels like the strong bench is a definite tactic but I think if we're sticking with it then the front row, at least, needs to come on earlier.
Result as expected.too much speed and power in the Bordeaux team to compete especially with the missed tackles and errors which were also evident last week against Northampton too..The missed tackles especially the one on one basic tackles would be my major concern going forward even more so than the lack of attacking intent on show today.
Clearly there's been a seismic shift in the club rugby world. Allowing SA into European competition plus the migration of talent to France means that it's hard to look past a team from there, Leinster being the exception.
Should we lift the restriction on players moving abroad for their club rugby, I don't know but the trajectory is not a good one.
We are fortunate to have the Premiership to contend for so let's hope we have a strong end to the season.
My wife has told me that she's considering ending our marriage due to my utter obsession with rugby.
I'm begging her for one more try!
Should we lift the restriction on players moving abroad for their club rugby, I don't know but the trajectory is not a good one.
We are fortunate to have the Premiership to contend for so let's hope we have a strong end to the season.
My wife has told me that she's considering ending our marriage due to my utter obsession with rugby.
I'm begging her for one more try!
Happy Sarrie. Tbh I'd be more than happy with a super competitive Prem, which we currently have.
If we can't compete in Europe I'd not loose too much sleep over it.
I still think Prem teams will pull off the odd result against the best Euro/SA teams but we probably lack the depth now to back those one off victories up.
If we can't compete in Europe I'd not loose too much sleep over it.
I still think Prem teams will pull off the odd result against the best Euro/SA teams but we probably lack the depth now to back those one off victories up.
Others have commented here that the salary cap is preventing English teams from progressing, but the same is also true for other countries. There are rich and very rich in France and then the rest. Scotland, Wales, Italy and to be fair most of SA do not have the resources. What we are lacking is not money but the right tactics and motivation. Perhaps time for all the coaching staff to have a rethink and get back to what we had pre-Covid and the stitch up. Forget this season and go for broke with a new ideology next ( stop kicking away so much),which obviously doesn't build everything around Faz.
UBB are mostly French so don’t blame the salary cap. They look to have a golden generation of backs who would blow any team on the planet away.
We have probably never played a better team.
Good news was that McFarland was outstanding and Cinti is looking like an excellent 13.
We have probably never played a better team.
Good news was that McFarland was outstanding and Cinti is looking like an excellent 13.
Well…that was difficult to watch but shows we have gone backwards since last season while others have progressed. There is no point in picking experienced players for their experience if they are not on form and saying the young players in form don’t have the experience. Now is the time to play them, let’s lose going down fighting and seeing what little Theo, Olly, Eroni, Tom, Simpson can do in those big games. We aren’t going to have those legends next year ((Goodie aside), let’s put faith in some of them now. I want to see all these players start in two weeks v Glos.
As Craig Doyle just said on TNT, we got dicked again- at least that comment and the apology was funny.
Thanks to all those fans who travelled today, hope you enjoy some good food and wine at least.
As Craig Doyle just said on TNT, we got dicked again- at least that comment and the apology was funny.
Thanks to all those fans who travelled today, hope you enjoy some good food and wine at least.
Leicester may have just got comfortably beaten against a stacked Leinster side in the Aviva, but at least they put up a bit of a fight.
We’ve been so abject in Europe. It’s nothing to do with the salary cap and everything to do with selection and tactics. We were lucky to even be in the round of 16 after our performances in the group stages in my opinion.
The coaches need to have a long hard look at themselves for the choices they’ve made this season.
We’ve been so abject in Europe. It’s nothing to do with the salary cap and everything to do with selection and tactics. We were lucky to even be in the round of 16 after our performances in the group stages in my opinion.
The coaches need to have a long hard look at themselves for the choices they’ve made this season.
The downside of having a golden generation is that they all get old at the same time, having had their peak at pretty much the same time. And being a club with fabulous player retention we just haven’t had the regeneration we now need.
Think we need to be honest and realistic and accept that teams like Bordeaux are better than a lot of the teams we beat in Europe in the past.
Think we need to be honest and realistic and accept that teams like Bordeaux are better than a lot of the teams we beat in Europe in the past.
I never thought we were particularly outmuscled during the game. Our lineout was on top, and the scrum was a battle throughout. Bordeaux carried strong, but never overwhelmingly so. Their game management annd pace again tore us apart however. Alex was unfortunately not up to standard, but that’s been the story all season, which typifies the problem echoed in the comments above. It’s been a long standing problem with us. In years past it took quarter final defeats to move past an aging barritt-bosch centre combo, or persisting with an out of form wiggy.
Our pack has the potential to continue to dominate in future. Gonzalez, Earl, Willis, Christie, Itoje, Isiekwe, Tizard, Dan, McFarland, Brantingham and Carre next year too. Perhaps an enforcer short, but exceptional talent none the less. I’d gladly risk saying perhaps 4 world class players there, with 3 others who could reach that status in the coming years, compared to perhaps 8/9 in our pomp.
But in the back line, I just fail to see any development. A season like this has been a little while coming, with no succession planning at 10 past Faz and Goodey. No world class wingers, or stellar academy graduates. Our only consistent being the now departed Max. The last 9 we successfully developed was Spenno. The last 10, Faz. The last winger… goodness knows. World class backs these days? Maybe 1, who’s leaving.
I maintain hugely optimistic about the future, but only if young talent is backed and older heads aren’t blindly relied upon. I imagine the team will evolve hugely over the next year. Burke, Johnson, Hartley, Cinti, Spink, Hallet is a far younger core of backs that could grow into something special, if backed. But the back 3 is so empty of youth. Next year the rest of the backline all hit 29 or above: Daly, Tompkins, Lozowksi, Van Zyl, Segun, Lewington, Goode, Maitland. Not all past it, but they need to be pushed. Where is the fullback to take Goodey’s place? Or wingers with the promise of Strettle, Wyles, Ashton, Williams, even Malins?
It’s not all down to selection, of course, but we’re dearly lacking in some positions, which we’ve just failed to prepare for.
Our pack has the potential to continue to dominate in future. Gonzalez, Earl, Willis, Christie, Itoje, Isiekwe, Tizard, Dan, McFarland, Brantingham and Carre next year too. Perhaps an enforcer short, but exceptional talent none the less. I’d gladly risk saying perhaps 4 world class players there, with 3 others who could reach that status in the coming years, compared to perhaps 8/9 in our pomp.
But in the back line, I just fail to see any development. A season like this has been a little while coming, with no succession planning at 10 past Faz and Goodey. No world class wingers, or stellar academy graduates. Our only consistent being the now departed Max. The last 9 we successfully developed was Spenno. The last 10, Faz. The last winger… goodness knows. World class backs these days? Maybe 1, who’s leaving.
I maintain hugely optimistic about the future, but only if young talent is backed and older heads aren’t blindly relied upon. I imagine the team will evolve hugely over the next year. Burke, Johnson, Hartley, Cinti, Spink, Hallet is a far younger core of backs that could grow into something special, if backed. But the back 3 is so empty of youth. Next year the rest of the backline all hit 29 or above: Daly, Tompkins, Lozowksi, Van Zyl, Segun, Lewington, Goode, Maitland. Not all past it, but they need to be pushed. Where is the fullback to take Goodey’s place? Or wingers with the promise of Strettle, Wyles, Ashton, Williams, even Malins?
It’s not all down to selection, of course, but we’re dearly lacking in some positions, which we’ve just failed to prepare for.
Very mixed feelings about tge game, we lost but never looked like winning in Europe this year. I think k many Prem teams are flattering to deceive. English, Scottish, and Welsh teams are weaker than SA, Irish nd French teams. You can also tell that the current group is reaching the end of the road.
On the brightside I see a lot of youth showing they're ready. A pack from Mawi, Carre, Riccioni, Brantingham, Dan, Tizard, Itoje, CHH, Earl, JMG, Christie, and Willis is showing a lot of quality. IvZ is not old, Simpson, Burke, and Johnston, decent half backs, from Hartley, Cinti, Loz, Tompkins, Parton. There is a decent base and we'll have to see how far they want to go.
I see a future beyond the current players that are picked.
On the brightside I see a lot of youth showing they're ready. A pack from Mawi, Carre, Riccioni, Brantingham, Dan, Tizard, Itoje, CHH, Earl, JMG, Christie, and Willis is showing a lot of quality. IvZ is not old, Simpson, Burke, and Johnston, decent half backs, from Hartley, Cinti, Loz, Tompkins, Parton. There is a decent base and we'll have to see how far they want to go.
I see a future beyond the current players that are picked.
Rewatched as I'm a glutton for punishment.
McFarland was incredible. Arguably one of the best players for either side.
We might as well play backrowers at centre if our play is going to otherwise marginalise them.
Not hooking several players almost inexplicable given how damaging their performances were to our chances of being competitive.
I'm 100% resigned to seeing the same selections and game plan for the rest of the Prem. 5 months without a win "away" shows we're not learning our lesson and it is unarguable that we've gone backwards since last season.
Feels like we learnt nothing from the season we lost to Tigers where we played within ourselves.
McFarland was incredible. Arguably one of the best players for either side.
We might as well play backrowers at centre if our play is going to otherwise marginalise them.
Not hooking several players almost inexplicable given how damaging their performances were to our chances of being competitive.
I'm 100% resigned to seeing the same selections and game plan for the rest of the Prem. 5 months without a win "away" shows we're not learning our lesson and it is unarguable that we've gone backwards since last season.
Feels like we learnt nothing from the season we lost to Tigers where we played within ourselves.
Some good points here but I saw three fundamental problems. We were beaten to the breakdown, didn't break enough tackles and didn't make enough tackles. We can stop kicking away the ball in an instant but without better % on the three, we are still going backwards. I suspect that solving the three problems comes down to everyone in the team apart from the 2/3 mentioned giving an extra 1% on the effort front. We don't have the same intensity as last season. For 90% of the match we held them in defence but its the 10% that makes the difference. If the uncertainty about OF, Vuni's leaving has impacted the team moral, we need to get a couple if the younger leaders to step up and fill the gap OF will be leaving.
BTW- I won't criticise AG, he has given everything to our club over the years but he should be playing FB and is not FH cover any more.
PS I don't think there are many back three players in the world that would have avoided that step around that left ED cold on the wing, it was awesome.
BTW- I won't criticise AG, he has given everything to our club over the years but he should be playing FB and is not FH cover any more.
PS I don't think there are many back three players in the world that would have avoided that step around that left ED cold on the wing, it was awesome.
Good post siNBin.
Disagree slightly on Goode. This season already looks one too far and he still has a contract for next. Daly/Parton at FB feel like decent options instead.
Disagree slightly on Goode. This season already looks one too far and he still has a contract for next. Daly/Parton at FB feel like decent options instead.
Looking at the match timeline they scored 3 tries in 6 minutes in the second half. Totally finished the contest.
In perspective with the salary cap if players come through say the BB academy it doesn't count towards the 10 million Euro salary cap. They can afford to keep French players they blooded and then go onto the National team because any increase in their wages doesn't count towards the teams cap as far as I understand.
If we went onto develop a similar backline and they all went from academy contacts to big money contracts and play for England. How many of those players could we keep whilst maintaining a squad and the cap.
I agree that Mcfarland looked like a Titan and that they didn't really overpower us. It was our game management and kicking when we could have kept it in hand more. Also looks like we have quite a few players coming through the Academy to be excited about as well.
If we went onto develop a similar backline and they all went from academy contacts to big money contracts and play for England. How many of those players could we keep whilst maintaining a squad and the cap.
I agree that Mcfarland looked like a Titan and that they didn't really overpower us. It was our game management and kicking when we could have kept it in hand more. Also looks like we have quite a few players coming through the Academy to be excited about as well.
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