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Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:21:17:41:06 by Darraghgirl.

McCalls comments after the game which were variations on showed up well, did great to come back after going 14 down and could have won, proud of the performance make me feel we will see basically the same team as the last two weeks.
If progression and improvement is linear that may be enough but I think we need a few changes.

For me as blank sheet is simply not going to happen I'd make few changes but with big impact.
Obviously they would compromise other areas of the game but that is the balance.

Burke to FullBack. Adds to our attacking game and defensive game. Moves to 10 at 50 unless Farrell is having a Worldy.
I'm still trying to work this combination out but I want Willis on for 80 unless injured, Wilson into the 23 and Earl at 8 as much as possible. One option is start Itoje/Wilson with McFarland/Earl and Willis. The other is bolder and would be starting Willis at TightHead lock where he stepped in a few times and did well and still had an impact in the loose. Then have a backrow of McFarland, Onyeama-Christie and Earl with Wilson to come on from the bench.
Either Malins or Daly on the bench with Van-Zyl and one of Caluori or J Bracken. A friend at the game said Bracken had the better game on the weekend.

The compromises with Burke at FullBack are mainly kicking which is not an inconsiderable one. The other changes compromise our lineout to a degree.

I guess my question is will more of the same deliver a different result? It could.
Equally maybe small changes with potentially big impacts and to be honest they could be negative as easily as positive could do it.

What team would you like to see and what team do you think we might realistically see. What changes would you make to address specific issues we had v Bath.

If you think McCall is going to pick a side like that I have some magic beans to sell you.

For what it’s worth I’d love to see it, except with someone else (Spink??????) at 13. Loz is aging and leaving, no point playing him imo.

I like the squad you’ve picked, certainly I’d like to see J Bracken and Caluori involved. Sodeke is still in a moon boot from what I’ve seen on the socials. It would be nice to see a number of the youngsters but I think Hall, Knight, Eke and Brantingham are all still injured. Hate to say it but I don’t think any manner of tinkering solves the overarching issues.

JMG was on crutches at the weekend so doubt we’ll be seeing him again this season

Here's the three players we've added to our European squad

Saracens

Tobias Elliott (Wing/fullback), Jack Bracken (Wing/fullback), Kennedy Sylvester Junior (Lock/Back row)

Out of those, Tobias plays if he's fit I reckon.

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#wolfpack1
For what it’s worth I’d love to see it, except with someone else (Spink??????) at 13. Loz is aging and leaving, no point playing him imo.

Other than be injured Spink has done little other than in a PRC game. Is he staying beyond this season.

Lots of people have asked for someone who gets you over the gainline something Cinti did repeatedly against a good Saints defence when we seemed to opt not use our forwards to carry as much as usual, Carre aside.
The idiot on RugbyPass wrote some nonsense about him missing 7 tackles which is flat out wrong. Also that they were costly. Also wrong.
The one you could claim cost us was at the end when a line is run between him and Burke. Depends on who you think makes the mistake but even then his performance overall was far less costly than several other backs.

The big centre question for me is whether Hartley is fit and not being picked or injured.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:03:31:06:26:55 by PaulHerox.

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PaulHerox

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#wolfpack1
For what it’s worth I’d love to see it, except with someone else (Spink??????) at 13. Loz is aging and leaving, no point playing him imo.

Other than be injured Spink has done little other than in a PRC game. Is he staying beyond this season.

He’s done nothing other than in a PRC game. But he hasn’t exactly had a chance. I can remember only one brief cameo off the bench at Bath last season and other than that I’m not sure he’s had a go in anything other than a PRC game.

He may be injured of course - he usually is.
But if he isn’t, why not give him a bit of a chance? What we’re doing at the moment isn’t working.

Spink and Loz wont feature again imo ... Hartley not getting a regular run is criminal as he still has work to do but the upside vs NT is undoubted.

We need to stop picking off of prev endeavours and reward those who shine ... Michelow should get a start as JMG is out.

Wilson has been treat shoddily imo and should be on bench in front of ISiekwe as he at least has some fight in him

If IVZ starts I may climb down from my uncovered £100 seat and kidnap him.

Backline should be Bracken , Faz , Calouri , Daly , Hartley , Elliott and Burke at FB. Won't be but at least it has creativity in it.

My pennyworth - Bracken Burke Elliot Faz Hartley Segun Daly with IVZ NT & Caluori on the bench

Disagree that Faz should be included, disrupts any change in approach. Burke not Faz,Hartley not Faz

It will be the predictable McCall selection that has worked oh so well this year with probably Tobias.

May see calouri, may see bracken who knows.

Beside myself with excitement and anticipation…

Has anyone stopped for one minute to think Hartley might be injured? He hasn't been in any of the pre-game warm ups or on the teams social channels, so perhaps Mark's hand has been somewhat forced in the centres? Hall has literally only just come back from injury and so has Jack Bracken which will explain why they are getting up to match fitness.

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jimfitz12
Has anyone stopped for one minute to think Hartley might be injured? He hasn't been in any of the pre-game warm ups or on the teams social channels, so perhaps Mark's hand has been somewhat forced in the centres? Hall has literally only just come back from injury and so has Jack Bracken which will explain why they are getting up to match fitness.

I’d have more time for the injuries excuse if McCall had shown any attempt to change anything in the centres (or anywhere else for that matter) ever, even when players are fully fit. But alas, he doesn’t

I thought the club communication with fans was proposed to improve this year?
We haven’t had any player injury updates all year and the only insight we’re getting is from the Jim Hamilton videos

As always it's interesting how we all see things a bit differently.

Personally I am never really sure who is available or injured and who isn't with the younger players.
I agree with MarkCol7 that some communication on that might be useful but to be fair it's a common complaint on the rugby boards so maybe its just something that isn't normally done.

Equally I always appreciate the input of those who watch the Ampthill games and give us snippets about how those players are doing.

I don't expect huge changes either for this game or after whether we win or lose.
You can already see the shape of next seasons squad from the re-singings and if we lose I expect to see them backed further to get a head start on next season.
If I'm wrong I'll be delighted.

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jimfitz12
Has anyone stopped for one minute to think Hartley might be injured? He hasn't been in any of the pre-game warm ups or on the teams social channels, so perhaps Mark's hand has been somewhat forced in the centres? Hall has literally only just come back from injury and so has Jack Bracken which will explain why they are getting up to match fitness.

Regarding Hartley, I saw him walking through St Albans town centre this afternoon, no apparent injury

I would expect largely the same team as last Saturday as it is clearly the one McCall considers our gun side.

Potentially Jack Bracken or Noah could come on to the bench but I'd imagine that would be about it.

Please feel free to turnover Bath at the weekend - it can be done.

Love from The Gardens

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NGSB
Please feel free to turnover Bath at the weekend - it can be done.
Love from The Gardens

Looks like Castres sending a mixed team to you tomorrow night, mind you they did against us last year and caused a massive upset.

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NGSB
Please feel free to turnover Bath at the weekend - it can be done.
Love from The Gardens

Then we can concentrate on securing a home Prem SF and peak fitness for the final...

Saracens Men's team to play Bath Rugby:

1 Rhys Carre
2 Jamie George
3 Marcus Street
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Andy Onyeama-Christie
8 Tom Willis
9 Charlie Bracken
10 Fergus Burke
11 Tobias Elliott
12 Owen Farrell
13 Nick Tompkins
14 Noah Caluori
15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Harry Wilson
20 Nathan Michelow
21 Ivan Van Zyl
22 Alex Lozowski
23 Max Malins

If we consider that Hartley might be injured and Ben Earl failed HIA then that’s as good as we could expect. Fingers crossed!

Agree with sentiments to me are summarised as Sarries Coach/ Team/ Squad wise have heads stuck in sand to long now. Very interesting read on Rob Baxter turning it around at Exeter - all but a couple have seen it through in the squad and most the coaches released. based on resignings not seeing this likely to happen under Venter. BIg question is club and Owen Farrell. Love his loyalty and history contributed too but we took a while to adapt after his departure was looking promising as Burke settling in and leadership re bedding but is it all good since Farrell returned?

VICTORfez following sarries and bees since '76

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The Bard
If we consider that Hartley might be injured and Ben Earl failed HIA then that’s as good as we could expect. Fingers crossed!

Hartley has to be injured at this rate not to even make it on to the bench.

Bath Rugby v Saracens
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Geo)
ARs: Ben Connor (Wal) & Shota Tevadze (Geo)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)

Bath Rugby:
1 Beno Obano,
2 Tom Dunn,
3 Archie Griffin,
4 Quinn Roux,
5 Charlie Ewels,
6 Josh Bayliss,
7 Guy Pepper,
8 Alfie Barbeary,
9 Ben Spencer,
10 Finn Russell,
11 Henry Arundell,
12 Max Ojomoh,
13 Ollie Lawrence,
14 Joe Cokanasiga,
15 Santi Carreras

Replacements: 16 Kepueli Tuipulotu, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Bernard van der Linde, 22 Cameron Redpath, 23 Miles Reid

That Bath team and bench look pretty formidable, we are going to have our work cut out if we are going to get anywhere.
Best of luck

We are massive underdogs today with Bath 8/1 on to win the game and a very large handicap of -18. I will be very disappointed if we don’t beat that handicap and would be delighted to still be in the game with 10mins to go, even if our last 10 mins have been pretty poor for the last few months.
I really hope it is a good game for all those travelling. Surprise me please!

Good first quarter, which is progress from a decent first ten minutes two weeks ago. But still,.wait and see.

I’m not going to get too excited yet.

This is impressive though…



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:04:15:16:14 by Stonexjim.

Forwards playing very well. Second half we face the whirlwind off the bench.

Excellent first half making Bath look pretty ordinary. We deserve the 10 point lead but can we keep the intensity going for 80 minutes?!

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ComeOnSarries
Excellent first half making Bath look pretty ordinary. We deserve the 10 point lead but can we keep the intensity going for 80 minutes?!

nope!

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Nosher1979

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ComeOnSarries
Excellent first half making Bath look pretty ordinary. We deserve the 10 point lead but can we keep the intensity going for 80 minutes?!

nope!

Or maybe! it’s the hope, the hope and the love of the club that’s keeps giving.

The change in ref to a complete homer killed us. Should have been a yellow for playing the nine after Itoje's line break. Wilson was barely a penalty.

We didn't maintain the intensity. Also the refereeing changing masively at half time after Nika got his knock (just different points of emphasis). That being said, we really could've won that.

Absolute class from your team today- appreciate its cold comfort but shows the Saracens spirit still there giving us an absolute classic European tie. Good luck for the rest of the season

’’Paint the whole world with a rainbow”

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Toast and Marmite
Absolute class from your team today- appreciate its cold comfort but shows the Saracens spirit still there giving us an absolute classic European tie. Good luck for the rest of the season

Very classy post.

So much to like. So much better.

Still find myself pulling the few strands of hair I have left out at some of the substitutions.

Just one small error of white line fever leading to AOC knocking on and Bath go the whole length of the field to score making a 14 point difference. There were plenty of encouragements in that game but we are still a few pieces short of a top team’s 23.

We lost, yes, but we got stuffed by them 2 wks ago and there was a much better performance AND selection. So, coaches, pleased learn from that for rest of season. Charlie and Ferg have to start, keep our 2 young wings in there and please start Little Theo!

At least we can hold our heads up, I can’t ask for much more than that.

Also the *way* we were using ferg. Getting him running as second receiver into the wide channels and taking people on with a bit more space. Better. (which brings us to balance because you really want a second ball playing center for that, so you probably don't want one at 15 as well...)

Massively proud of that performance. Forwards were sensational in particular. Backline just a bit too clunky in attack to take advantage of the first half dominance. Bracken was excellent and I wish he’d played for longer. Interesting performance by Sir no.2 in the second half but we had enough opportunities to win that. It feels like we’re very close to turning this around, just need to get over the line in one match to get the confidence flowing. I do hope we see a change in the backline though to provide some more go forward, we get caught behind the gainline constantly and it’s putting way too much pressure on us.

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Sarriebone
The change in ref to a complete homer killed us. Should have been a yellow for playing the nine after Itoje's line break. Wilson was barely a penalty.

No ruck formed in that situation so that law doesn’t apply there. Was just a tackle situation.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:04:17:22:56 by gladiator923.

Let's hope Max draws some confidence from his try.

Can anyone shed light on the substitutions? Why do we replace our best players with inferior players regardless of the match and the match situation?

It does my head in.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:04:18:40:17 by #wolfpack1.

1st half outstanding intensity , JG line outs and AOC knock on cost us 14 pts.
Subs blow my mind as taking a kid off cos hes tied to be replaced by a pedestrian 9...analytics gone mad.

A lot to be proud of and a lot to work on.
For me that's a game we should have won in the first half. So will McCall be giving out gold performance stickers or making the changes we still need to get beyond plucky competitors.
Farrell simply isn't good enough to be in the XV right now and is causing us significant issues.
Itoje with a proper Captain's performance.

The starting pack were great. McFarland is going to be a massive loss and starting him regularly at 6 has had a major impact on the balance of our back row. Tizard very good game after his last couple of weeks. George was part of a scrum that was dominant in the first half but the 3 or 4 not-straights were a real issue. Wilson came on and looked good until a daft tackle. It might have been harsh but there was no need for it he had time to make a better tackle choice.

Ultimately we left a lot of chances out there and Bath, like Saints last week were clinical when they had chances in space although our defence was incredible for much of the play in our 22.
Burke showed what a difference he could make to our attack but needs much better options outside him. Our wings had good moments but showed their inexperience too.

For me we can win that game in the first half with the dominance we had and that defence if our attack is better. We were poor when a man up.

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PaulHerox
A lot to be proud of and a lot to work on.
For me that's a game we should have won in the first half. So will McCall be giving out gold performance stickers or making the changes we still need to get beyond plucky competitors.
Farrell simply isn't good enough to be in the XV right now and is causing us significant issues.
Itoje with a proper Captain's performance.

The starting pack were great. McFarland is going to be a massive loss and starting him regularly at 6 has had a major impact on the balance of our back row. Tizard very good game after his last couple of weeks. George was part of a scrum that was dominant in the first half but the 3 or 4 not-straights were a real issue. Wilson came on and looked good until a daft tackle. It might have been harsh but there was no need for it he had time to make a better tackle choice.

Ultimately we left a lot of chances out there and Bath, like Saints last week were clinical when they had chances in space although our defence was incredible for much of the play in our 22.
Burke showed what a difference he could make to our attack but needs much better options outside him. Our wings had good moments but showed their inexperience too.

For me we can win that game in the first half with the dominance we had and that defence if our attack is better. We were poor when a man up.

Agree with all of this except the comment on the wings. I thought they both were at least the match of their opposite men. Noah was unlucky not to hold Arundell up and, if anyone but him had been 1on1 at the end of the first half, I think Arundell scores

Sarrov agree they were both very good just think a little experience would probably have meant them making slightly different decisions in important situations; Elliot trying to regather rather than kicking ahead. Caluori using his size to step infield rather than try and score in the corner.
I'm glad we backed both and look forward to them continuing to improve and playing well in the mean time.
Agree Caluori did a great job on the line.

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JK12
1st half outstanding intensity , JG line outs and AOC knock on cost us 14 pts.
Subs blow my mind as taking a kid off cos hes tied to be replaced by a pedestrian 9...analytics gone mad.

To be fair to IVZ, he had two breaks, one led to try, one should’ve led to a try, so I don’t think he was particularly pedestrian, even his passing was quick. I still think Charlie should’ve been on longer and should start for rest of season. IVZs kicking wasn’t as good as Charlie’s, including one out on the full.

Jamie had a poor game with his arrows, although the one he got pulled up on that went 15m and was not contested didn’t seem right. Wilson’s tackle was daft, I certainly think he tried to wrap - but I am sure Reid led with the forearm going into the tackle, even if it hit Harry on the chest. Starting props great, Maro immense and our 2 young wings were making their tackles. Shoutout for Tiz on the hold up over the line.

I thought the not straights against Jamie incredibly harsh and Bath got away with considerably worse under contestable. Scrum against Dan to Bath after he’d broken off a maul seemed very wrong too, but we had to get it out of there.
Wingers both excellent, although one Calouri offload attempt under pressure very unwise but in some ways today was his most impressive performance.
I guess Storm Rodney flaring up in the second half didn’t help IVZs kicking but we had to get it downfield.
So much to be proud about but ultimately we shipped 31 in a half, the same average as the game two weeks ago.

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Sarriebone
The change in ref to a complete homer killed us. Should have been a yellow for playing the nine after Itoje's line break. Wilson was barely a penalty.

TMO kept looking for it to be a card didn’t he! how may angles, replays and speeds did he use to get to the yellow?

We lost that game so many ways despite a good performance that the referees performance is largely immaterial. Wilson could have been a penalty only but a yellow isn't unwarranted given the circumstances. Bath supporters feel the Obano card was very harsh but despite what the commentators say Obano slips his bind first as far as I can see.
What was interesting was you can see the difference a referee makes with their interpretation but of course you have to deal with that.

Agree re Van-Zyl Strangelove. He was a massive positive when he came on. Immediately took he space at the breakdown that Bracken seemed oblivious to most of the game except for his try when the wrap by Burke and Elliot held Cokasigna.
I thought Bracken had a very good game but so did Van-Zyl when he came on. His box-kicking and his failure to adapt to the wind was the major issue but his sniping, speed to the breakdown and pass were all good.

Interesting seeing the different impact of the teams young stars. Arundell pretty ordinary most of the game and poor in defence but when he gets a chance in space he's phenomenal.
Caluori super skill in the air operating at about 30% with lots of knock-ons. Frustrating as he twice but himself in exceptional positions to reclaim the ball then lost it under little pressure. Fantastic to see though and he's a great talent.
I feel like he needs a little time with Liam Williams and Dan needs some time with Brits!

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The Bard
Scrum against Dan to Bath after he’d broken off a maul seemed very wrong too, but we had to get it out of there.

That's the one I really didn't get The Bard.
Bath payer comes through the middle and basically tackles Dan out of the back of the maul. He then stays on the wrong side and another Bath player flops over Dan.
Does anyone know what penalty was actually for.

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Nosher1979

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Sarriebone
The change in ref to a complete homer killed us. Should have been a yellow for playing the nine after Itoje's line break. Wilson was barely a penalty.

TMO kept looking for it to be a card didn’t he! how may angles, replays and speeds did he use to get to the yellow?

Wilson's yellow also came off the back of a crooked line out throw. Usually wouldn't bother me but we got pinged for a couple that were marginal to say the least

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PaulHerox
Caluori super skill in the air operating at about 30% with lots of knock-ons. Frustrating as he twice but himself in exceptional positions to reclaim the ball then lost it under little pressure. Fantastic to see though and he's a great talent.
I feel like he needs a little time with Liam Williams and Dan needs some time with Brits!

So nearly got one from kick off. It just shows what a difficult skill it is to pull off but also that the wind was playing havoc with the ball in the air, can’t blame him too much for the knock ons.

6 knock-ons.
It's undoubtedly a tough skill and as you say the weather was tricky and he will improve and it will become a real weapon.

Spencer's try should never have stood. Massive swing in the game too. 58:00

Great interplay between Van-Zyl and Elliot with Burke running support.
Cokasigna blocks/tackles Burke, clear penalty. If he doesn't Burke is on Van-Zyls shoulder to likely run it under the posts. Maybe Ojomoh gets to Burke but regardless it's a penalty so no 7 points for Bath up the other end and 3 for Sarries.
10 point swing with 20 minutes to go. Frustrating.

More I look at it the more I think that's a yellow card. Incredibly cynical. That it's his run out from his 22 makes the Bath try adds insult to injury.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:04:05:12:38:47 by PaulHerox.

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Sarrov

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Nosher1979

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Sarriebone
The change in ref to a complete homer killed us. Should have been a yellow for playing the nine after Itoje's line break. Wilson was barely a penalty.

TMO kept looking for it to be a card didn’t he! how may angles, replays and speeds did he use to get to the yellow?

Wilson's yellow also came off the back of a crooked line out throw. Usually wouldn't bother me but we got pinged for a couple that were marginal to say the least

I’ve just watched the highlights and it is a dreadful lack of consistency, the guy is clearly taking over his outside shoulder with Maro competing.