Northampton Saints
Saints v Exeter 12th November - Teams Up
By Saint Ted
November 10 2023
This is the Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs match thread
Who: Northampton Saints v Exeter Chiefs
Where: Franklins Gardens
When: Sunday 12th November 2023; 15:00
How do I watch: TNT 1/ITV/ITV X
Tickets: Direct from Saints
Matchday Info: Guide to the gardens
Saints take: Saints O'ffy
Officials:
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant referees: Jack Makepeace and Jamie Leahy
No.4: Richard Gordon
TMO: Rowan Kitt
| Northampton Saints | Exeter Chiefs | |
| George Hendy | 15 | Tommy Wyatt |
| Tom Seabrook | 14 | Immanuel Feyi-Waboso |
| Tommy Freeman | 13 | Henry Slade |
| Fraser Dingwall © | 12 | Joe Hawkins |
| James Ramm | 11 | Ben Hammersley |
| Fin Smith | 10 | Harvey Skinner |
| Alex Mitchell | 9 | Tom Cairns |
| Alex Waller | 1 | Nika Abuladze |
| Curtis Langdon | 2 | Dan Frost |
| Paul Hill | 3 | Josh Iosefa-Scott |
| Alex Moon | 4 | Dafydd Jenkins (c) |
| Chunya Munga | 5 | Lewis Pearson |
| Courtney Lawes | 6 | Ethan Roots |
| Angus Scott-Young | 7 | Jacques Vermeulen |
| Sam Graham | 8 | Ross Vintcent |
| Replacements: | ||
| Sam Matavesi | 16 | Jack Yeandle |
| Ethan Waller | 17 | Scott Sio |
| Trevor Davison | 18 | Ehren Painter |
| Alex Coles | 19 | Rusi Tuima |
| Tom Pearson | 20 | Aidon Davis |
| Tom James | 21 | Niall Armstrong |
| Rory Hutchinson | 22 | Will Haydon-Wood |
| Tom Litchfield | 23 | Tom Hendrickson |
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StumbleuponSaints v Exeter 12th November - Teams Up
Discussion started by Marching On , 10/11/2023 12:05
Marching On
10/11/2023 12:05
10/11/2023 12:05
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:17:08:16:53 by Saint Ted.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:17:08:16:53 by Saint Ted.
Strong team and a great bench - but what happens if Fin Smith is injured and where's Lewis?
That's a stong set of backs
I like TF at 13
Seabrook has proved to be a good acquistion
Hendy and Ramm's speed
Dingwall's all round game but so strong in defence.
Almost getting back to those days of Bruce, Fodes and Cashton.
I like TF at 13
Seabrook has proved to be a good acquistion
Hendy and Ramm's speed
Dingwall's all round game but so strong in defence.
Almost getting back to those days of Bruce, Fodes and Cashton.
Quote:North London Saint
Strong team and a great bench - but what happens if Fin Smith is injured and where's Lewis?
Hutch i assume would play 10
Quote:Dave JacksonQuote:North London Saint
Strong team and a great bench - but what happens if Fin Smith is injured and where's Lewis?
Hutch i assume would play 10
No probs - Paul Hill of course! (*).
Quote:Dave JacksonQuote:North London Saint
Strong team and a great bench - but what happens if Fin Smith is injured and where's Lewis?
Hutch i assume would play 10
Tommy V confirmed Hutch covering 10
Great to see Mitch, Lawes and Ramm back in. Think our 23 looks stronger on paper, particularly in the backs, but Chiefs have been playing well. If we can maintain the improvements in scrummaging and defence seen in recent weeks I fancy us to win again
Quote:white lion
I believe Hendy has played at fly half.
But not in Big Boys rugby.
Weather for Sunday looks wet. We will need our 10, more than ever, to kick the ball into the right places to play the game. Not so sure of Hutch's game control, dont think his kicking is top of his credits, Let's hope we dont need to see him at 10.
Will be interestingbto see how Mr Painter goes. He always had all the attributes to be very good.
Chiefs fan in peace. Using my usual metric of comparing the number of capped players in the squads, Saints have a minor advantage 6-5 I think. You also have home advantage, so the bookies probably favour Saints. Exe are still finding their way with this new team and whilst we are all excited at the potential we do not yet know how good they are after 3 home matches in the first 4 fixtures. We should have pushed Quins harder but nothing went to hand that day and Quins enjoyed the rub of the green. So fascinated by what could be a very interesting fixture.
Penalties will be key. We don't want lineouts 5m out. 8 of Exeters last 11 tries have been scored by forwards.
Ramm out through illness.
Freeman moves to wing & Hutch to start.
Sleightholme on to bench.
Freeman moves to wing & Hutch to start.
Sleightholme on to bench.
Cracking game. Finn Smith take a bow. Excellent team performance but he controlled things, along with the excellent Micthell, beautifully.
Hendy not been on my radar before but he was great too. Shame Hodge is out injured for Chiefs would have loved to see those two head-to-head. Also thought your 8 had a great game. Silky skills are great but you do need direct carrying options to make the space.
I noticed next weekend is all derby games. Good luck in yours.
Hendy not been on my radar before but he was great too. Shame Hodge is out injured for Chiefs would have loved to see those two head-to-head. Also thought your 8 had a great game. Silky skills are great but you do need direct carrying options to make the space.
I noticed next weekend is all derby games. Good luck in yours.
Hopefully SG is ok
He really does add some grunt to the backrow
They are starting to play as a team with all components functioning
Much better than the previous few years when they just didn’t seem joined up
Great result
He really does add some grunt to the backrow
They are starting to play as a team with all components functioning
Much better than the previous few years when they just didn’t seem joined up
Great result
Didn’t expect that!!
Just checked the scores fearing the worst and it turns out we beat them comprehensively!
Well done lads!!
Just checked the scores fearing the worst and it turns out we beat them comprehensively!
Well done lads!!
Quote:TringSaint
Didn’t expect that!!
Just checked the scores fearing the worst and it turns out we beat them comprehensively!
Well done lads!!
Missed a very good display. Do make sure you watch it. An excellent 80 (there, I said it!) minutes.
Both Saints half backs look very good!
We are definitely underdogs for next weekend, even if Exeter’s home side seems to play like a totally different side to their away side!
We are definitely underdogs for next weekend, even if Exeter’s home side seems to play like a totally different side to their away side!
Yeah, a great performance from a team that is starting to look very cohesive.We defended well generally despite conceding three pick and go tries but its hard to stop the exeter game from a few yards out. Sensibly we kept them deep in their own half for good portions of the game. Lots of energy off the bench and where in the past we’d found changes disruptive, I thought we only got better as the replacements filtered on. Exeter losing a man may have helped there I admit. None the less a great result.
Quote:tigersimon
Exeter’s home side seems to play like a totally different side to their away side!
They have been brutally effective against what I'd call traditional kick and control teams; Sarries and Sale. Who were happy to feed them possession and didn't adapt to how good they were in using it. Neither Quins or Saints like playing without the ball and neither does it play to their strengths both have done well against Chiefs.
Excellent performance, Mitchell looks a much more complete player and Smith controlled the game well. We really are starting to look like a serious side.
The scrum looked a bit shaky when both sides used all replacements and I doubt we will get the rub of the green like that again this season from the ref but make hay while the sun shines.
The scrum looked a bit shaky when both sides used all replacements and I doubt we will get the rub of the green like that again this season from the ref but make hay while the sun shines.
What on earth has happened to our defence so quickly? Massive improvement there. Chiefs scored three in their 'trademark' style but didn't even get to threaten anything else.
Really pleasing performance today and we've finally shown what we can do when on free-to-air TV! It's also pleasing to see us as high up in the league as we are having almost all of the top 6 other than ourselves (Quins being the exception).
And is it just me or has Painter become even bulkier than he was when he was with us? Maybe it's just the white shirts.
Really pleasing performance today and we've finally shown what we can do when on free-to-air TV! It's also pleasing to see us as high up in the league as we are having almost all of the top 6 other than ourselves (Quins being the exception).
And is it just me or has Painter become even bulkier than he was when he was with us? Maybe it's just the white shirts.
Quote:Matthew
And is it just me or has Painter become even bulkier than he was when he was with us? Maybe it's just the white shirts.
Bulkier is a polite way of putting it.
GB&G hoops are clearly a lot more flattering of the larger gentlemen’s physique that Exeter’s plain white. despite them having Crew Clothing among their sponsors. I’m surpised Ehren isnt personnaly endorsed by a sailmaker
Well done lads, amazing result which I didn't expect as I had a 3 point loss predicted because we are usually camera shy and get hammered on live TV.
Couldn't watch the game as my condition had floored me but hopefully the highlights are on later.
By the sound of what I have read so far it was a fantastic team effort and areas of concern once are beginning to change, keep it up guys.
Couldn't watch the game as my condition had floored me but hopefully the highlights are on later.
By the sound of what I have read so far it was a fantastic team effort and areas of concern once are beginning to change, keep it up guys.
Really delighted by the defensive improvement shown in that performance compared to recent years.
Early days but that performance suggested to me we might be genuine contenders instead of the impressive attacking team with a poor defence of recent years that flatters to deceive but wasn’t going to win silverware.
I haven’t renewed my TNT Sport. Seeing that performance made me minded to do so. COYS!!!
Early days but that performance suggested to me we might be genuine contenders instead of the impressive attacking team with a poor defence of recent years that flatters to deceive but wasn’t going to win silverware.
I haven’t renewed my TNT Sport. Seeing that performance made me minded to do so. COYS!!!
Very good performance by Saints who were the only home side to win in the Premiership this weekend. Big test next week against a wounded set of Tiggers.
To play this way missing Ludlam, Augustus and Pearson (albeit bench) in the back row is massive. Sam Graham and Angus Scott-Young are such important squad players for us right now.
How's Curtis Langdon been getting on?
I really rated him in the past, thought he was a terrific pickup for Saints. Langdon and Matavesi is a quality pair to rotate.
I really rated him in the past, thought he was a terrific pickup for Saints. Langdon and Matavesi is a quality pair to rotate.
Curtis has been outstanding so far. Excellent signing and probably 1st choice at the moment, Sam played well when he came on though.
Quote:tigersimon
Both Saints half backs look very good!
We are definitely underdogs for next weekend, even if Exeter’s home side seems to play like a totally different side to their away side!
Underdogs 🤣.
The old Alex Ferguson mind games effort !
Nice win. Looking forward to seeing where a decent squad plus good signings and an improved defence take us…
Quote:OldMarovianQuote:tigersimon
Exeter’s home side seems to play like a totally different side to their away side!
They have been brutally effective against what I'd call traditional kick and control teams; Sarries and Sale. Who were happy to feed them possession and didn't adapt to how good they were in using it. Neither Quins or Saints like playing without the ball and neither does it play to their strengths both have done well against Chiefs.
OM, good analysis 👍
Quote:Captain Darling
How's Curtis Langdon been getting on?
CD, Langdon looking really good and I think he will be getting a call from SB!
Great performance, mixing slick attack with strong defence and very good work at the set piece. Thought the half backs controlled things very well. George Hendy is really looking good - his ability to wriggle and bounce through tackles is very handy!
Quote:St Marcus
Great performance, mixing slick attack with strong defence and very good work at the set piece. Thought the half backs controlled things very well. George Hendy is really looking good - his ability to wriggle and bounce through tackles is very handy!
Your comment regarding George Hendy is exactly how I felt. As though he has "come of age"?
Just a good performance all round - it will always be difficult to stop Exeter from five metres out - it’s their trademark, it’s what they do.
However when I see Saracens without their highly paid ‘stars’ putting fifty on Newcastle away from home then I do wonder exactly where we are at the moment. I also fear for Newcastle and their continued existence.
However when I see Saracens without their highly paid ‘stars’ putting fifty on Newcastle away from home then I do wonder exactly where we are at the moment. I also fear for Newcastle and their continued existence.
Excellent performance - best for a very long time. Most pleasing was the way that we did it. A much more pragmatic game plan - good decisions around when to play and when to kick - and when we did kick we did it well. Forwards fronted up very well against a big Ex pack - still think we need to be more physical at the breakdown. Defensive line looked pretty good - can't remember that many Ex line breaks.
Langdon and Seabrook look like very useful signings (we always knew that Pearson and Munga would be). I think Borthwick would have liked what he saw from Mitchell and Smith. On current form Waller (E) isn't good enough.
Langdon and Seabrook look like very useful signings (we always knew that Pearson and Munga would be). I think Borthwick would have liked what he saw from Mitchell and Smith. On current form Waller (E) isn't good enough.
I thought Hendy was starting to get a bit carried away with running it back and a bit more controlled kicking was probably the way to go, but other than that very nit-picking appraisal, hard to find much fault in the effort overall.
We are probably starting to get a better idea of where teams are now their internationals are coming back.
Exeter for example were missing none I believe but have a very new squad, in the first game Sarries played them I think they had nine players away at the world cup, while home advantage is no doubt important and even the style the opposition play missing nine players and starting with your third choice hooker for example is always going to make a huge difference.
Interesting Sarries brought back the big names for the game against Tigers, who still rested many, but sent a "weaker" side away to Newcastle. Saints seemed to split things bringing back Lawes and Mitchell but resting Ludlum, will both play next week I wonder?
In the interview with Lawes after the game they said what a huge impact the internationals returning had across the premiership and he said how they had been training and playing at a much higher level, it certainly showed with Mitchell he really has come on after his time with England.
A bit crazy still very early days but nearly a thir of the way through the season already.
Exeter for example were missing none I believe but have a very new squad, in the first game Sarries played them I think they had nine players away at the world cup, while home advantage is no doubt important and even the style the opposition play missing nine players and starting with your third choice hooker for example is always going to make a huge difference.
Interesting Sarries brought back the big names for the game against Tigers, who still rested many, but sent a "weaker" side away to Newcastle. Saints seemed to split things bringing back Lawes and Mitchell but resting Ludlum, will both play next week I wonder?
In the interview with Lawes after the game they said what a huge impact the internationals returning had across the premiership and he said how they had been training and playing at a much higher level, it certainly showed with Mitchell he really has come on after his time with England.
A bit crazy still very early days but nearly a thir of the way through the season already.
Chiefs fan in peace.
Well done you guys. You completely nullified anything we attempted to do so we resorted to kicking the ball back to you....bad mistake, huge. It was like watching a Chiefs side from two years ago....flat and bereft of ideas...mainly cause by your approach to the game and not giving us any time, forcing mistakes.
My first visit to FG and really enjoyed it.....apart form the slightly dirgey 'come on you Saints'....I know we can talk about dirgey 'tunes'.
Supporters around me were confident you would implode..Ha Ha lulling me in!
Stewards great, fan village great, parking good, apart from the queues leaving.
All in all...not a complete waste of a journey.
Good luck for therest of the season AND beating Tigers next weekend
Well done you guys. You completely nullified anything we attempted to do so we resorted to kicking the ball back to you....bad mistake, huge. It was like watching a Chiefs side from two years ago....flat and bereft of ideas...mainly cause by your approach to the game and not giving us any time, forcing mistakes.
My first visit to FG and really enjoyed it.....apart form the slightly dirgey 'come on you Saints'....I know we can talk about dirgey 'tunes'.
Supporters around me were confident you would implode..Ha Ha lulling me in!
Stewards great, fan village great, parking good, apart from the queues leaving.
All in all...not a complete waste of a journey.
Good luck for therest of the season AND beating Tigers next weekend
Thank you Tiverton, nice to have a view of the Saints’ home from a visiting perspective.
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Good luck for the rest of the season.
Quote:195Rich
Curtis has been outstanding so far. Excellent signing and probably 1st choice at the moment, Sam played well when he came on though.
Thanks to Rich and others for responding on Langdon. He looks a quality player to me. Certainly has the physical attributes to make the England jump at hooker.
I think Langdon will be pushing George on current form. His darts are accurate and he has a lot of dog about him. Reminds me of Hartley.
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