Not available for selection: Matthew Arden, Alex Coles, Will Glister, Rory Hutchinson, Emmanuel Iyogun, Lewis Ludlam, Joel Matavesi, Burger Odendaal, James Ramm and Alex Waller.
St Stokey. Will be nice to see some 'old boys' back in Brookes and Ribbans.
Hopefully Dingwall is just rested, but a big shout to the development of Litchfield.
It would be interesting to see Savala, but I fear that we're only seeing him on the bench whilst we're short of numbers in the backs
Dingwall not listed as injured so hopefully just a rest. It’s a very young and inexperienced back line, Furbank and Mitchell the elder statesmen. Freeman has done well at 13 and Litchfield has impressed when given the opportunity too
This new format will make it all very close. As I can see, if the knockout stages were decided now we would have an away game at Bulls? Just shows how important those bonus points are. Lets hope this team can secure at least 4 points?
Chris Hoddle This new format will make it all very close. As I can see, if the knockout stages were decided now we would have an away game at Bulls? Just shows how important those bonus points are. Lets hope this team can secure at least 4 points?
Not sure how you work that out as we are one of the 4 group toppers at the moment so would get a home match. Staying top of the group however will be a massive challenge
Dave,
it goes on the record of all of those that qualify. There are 8 teams with either 5 league points or a better match points difference. Well that's how I read it. Will obviously change after 4 games but illustrates how important league points, especially bonus points are.
2.6 The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool will qualify for the Round of 16. All clubs will thereafter be ranked in descending order based firstly on their ranking in their pool and subsequently on the number of match points they have accumulated, to create an overall ranking from 1 to 16.
The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 4, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 5 to 8, the third-placed clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 13 to 16. The Round of 16 will thereafter be played over one match as follows:
R16 1: Number 1-ranked club v Number 16-ranked club
R16 2: Number 2-ranked club v Number 15-ranked club
R16 3: Number 3-ranked club v Number 14-ranked club
R16 4: Number 4-ranked club v Number 13-ranked club
R16 5: Number 5-ranked club v Number 12-ranked club
R16 6: Number 6-ranked club v Number 11-ranked club
R16 7: Number 7-ranked club v Number 10-ranked club
R16 8: Number 8-ranked club v Number 9-ranked club
NB The clubs ranked numbers 1 to 8 will have home advantage in the Round of 16.
The clubs ranked fifth in each of the pools will qualify for the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
So if I've read it correctly the seedings are as follows and we would play Munster at home (based on the first round, obviously a long way to go)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:12:15:10:06:13 by Saint Ted.
As a group topper, we would get a home game in last 16, regardless of points compared to other groups. I think we'd be ranked 4th at the moment based on points & points difference and I think we'd end up playing Munster or Bayonne in the Round of 16.
In the highly unlikely event that things ended up with this situation, I don't know how Munster & Bayonne would be decided; same points, same points difference, same bonus points.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:12:15:10:10:59 by St Stokey..
Good luck.
Abject would be harsh but their performance against Chiefs was surprising for such a "storied" club.
Be good to show Ribbans that the grass isn't always greener,
OldMarovian Good luck.
Be good to show Ribbans that the grass isn't always greener,
Mmm
So Toulon lose by a few points
Ribbans flies home tomorrow
Looks out the window of the plane on landing to see clear blue sky and temperatures mid 60s,
Wonders whether to put the roof down on his new porche
Checks his bank account to find he has more noughts than he can handle
Another 2.5 years of his contract
Thinks I may go for a walk on the beach tomorrow
Do you really feel he is thinking
Where did it go wrong 😂
Just as well, don't think he'd fit in a Porsche with the roof closed!
He's a competitive animal in the prime of his career, don't get me wrong the money will have played a part but he'll also want to win things (not that losing one group game undermines that even if it does happen!).
Given Toulon’s repeated poaching or targeting of Saints players, it gives added weight to wanting to beat them tonight. COYS!!!
I suspect if Ludlam hasn’t signed for Toulon yet that Toulon coaches will be trying to use the face to face opportunity to speak with Ludlam whilst they are over. If Biggar has highlighted any other gems to them, they may try to meet those players too.
Phew, injuries really caused saints issues in the second half but those yellow cards for Toulon tipped the score. Great grit from the players today, first half we could have taken more points really. Hope Smith can get a little more accurate goal kicking next time.
In contrast to the last few seasons I really had a feeling we’d Nick it at the death rather than the other way round. Great performance, Toulon nullified for the most part, defence again excellent
It's great to see the mindset of the current group of players. It says confidence, trust in the coaches and the game plan. A new belief in the defence plan whilst maintaining an attacking strategy. And with such a relatively young group of players, one cannot fail to be optimistic.
Courtney has the freedom of the town so can shepherd his sheep through the centre and we should allow to graze them on Franklins Gardens as he certainly owns that turf every time he steps on it.
What a great man we can't let him go!
Friday night games
And particularly winning in such a tense second half
Leading to a few celebratory beers
Definitely not conducive to feeling so good this morning
I thought our back row Lawes Pearson and Graham were exceptional
Really stood up to Toulon and stifled them
Looks like we have been put at an unfair disadvantage in the way the Cup pool games are configured. In our pool we have 2 home games and 3 away games whilst 3 other teams in our pool will get 3 home games and only 2 away games. Hardly a fair way of deciding who tops a pool.
If we end up with an away last 16 because of this it would feel decidedly unjust.
Saint Maul Looks like we have been put at an unfair disadvantage in the way the Cup pool games are configured. In our pool we have 2 home games and 3 away games whilst 3 other teams in our pool will get 3 home games and only 2 away games. Hardly a fair way of deciding who tops a pool.
If we end up with an away last 16 because of this it would feel decidedly unjust.
?
Each team plays four games in the pool stage, two Home two Away. Saints don’t play Exeter in the champions cup.
Top 4 in each pool go into Round of 16.
This was an interesting game. Saints seemed to still have a little of that frenetic attack which I think caused some attacking errors. The halftime score should have been higher.
On the other hand, when Toulon committed those two yellows, and how often does one see two yellows on the same play, Saints were inside their 22 and may well have scored regardless. Toulon started to look like they were sucking wind and Saints were marshalling themselves for the final few minutes.
Now it's big decision time: Do Saints put out the clear first team for the next Euro Rugby match? And, given the number of guys are playing well now, do we know our best team from 1 through 23?
Saint Maul Looks like we have been put at an unfair disadvantage in the way the Cup pool games are configured. In our pool we have 2 home games and 3 away games whilst 3 other teams in our pool will get 3 home games and only 2 away games. Hardly a fair way of deciding who tops a pool.
If we end up with an away last 16 because of this it would feel decidedly unjust.
?
Each team plays four games in the pool stage, two Home two Away. Saints don’t play Exeter in the champions cup.
Top 4 in each pool go into Round of 16.
My mistake. Exeter are in our pool and we are playing them just before Bayonne and Munster. But it’s a Premiership game. So I guess the format is we each don’t play a team in our pool. Possibly the team from the same league?
Push Over Great win.
As well as Sam Graham, I also think we have a really good signing in Curtis Langdon.
Bit worried still if Ethan is going to be starting loosehead.
Thought the referee had an exceptional game, a lot would have bottled the second yellow and also didn’t take the scrum at face value.
Toulon were walking around and not pushing straight.
Furbs showed exceptional captaincy in making sure that the Ref/TmO look at both incidents in a professional way. Unlike tbe RCT Captain who was questioning decisions. Nit just with captaincy but as a team as much stronger in the thinking space and adapting to how the game was playing, for example when Toulon struggling with line out throws we kicked it off the pitch at times rather than keeping it in play
Saint Maul Looks like we have been put at an unfair disadvantage in the way the Cup pool games are configured. In our pool we have 2 home games and 3 away games whilst 3 other teams in our pool will get 3 home games and only 2 away games. Hardly a fair way of deciding who tops a pool.
If we end up with an away last 16 because of this it would feel decidedly unjust.
?
Each team plays four games in the pool stage, two Home two Away. Saints don’t play Exeter in the champions cup.
Top 4 in each pool go into Round of 16.
My mistake. Exeter are in our pool and we are playing them just before Bayonne and Munster. But it’s a Premiership game. So I guess the format is we each don’t play a team in our pool. Possibly the team from the same league?
Easily done with Saints having a game against Exeter (which I didn’t realise!) in the league in the right time period for Europe.
Correct. Tigers don’t play Sale, Stade v La Rochelle don’t play each other etc in the Champions Cup.
Sublime skills moment of the match. The ref says ball is out and the Mitchell has to evade a Toulon player step back and kicks the ball for a 50/22 throw to Saints. I also thought Mitchell’s fitness has improved to go the full 80 and not dropping off. Though our more pragmatic game plan helps.
Furbs showed exceptional captaincy in making sure that the Ref/TmO look at both incidents in a professional way. Unlike tbe RCT Captain who was questioning decisions. Nit just with captaincy but as a team as much stronger in the thinking space and adapting to how the game was playing, for example when Toulon struggling with line out throws we kicked it off the pitch at times rather than keeping it in play[/quote]
Agreed, the mantle of captaincy sits easily on his shoulders and seems to have brought a maturity and "lead by example" to his game. With no disrespect to Courtney who has been amazing, Furbs is not far behind and is really leaving his mark this season.. More to come we hope!
I agree Furbank had a marvelous game and seemed to lead the team well. I think, however, it is easier to be a leader when the team has one of the most effective and respected players in Rugby at the moment in Courtney Lawes. I don't say that to denigrate Furbank in any way. Just that having Lawes on the pitch would make anyone's job a lot easier. And he leads as much by example, by manner, and words. And we also have Ludlum who has also been effective as captain and a leader. And is a terrific player, to boot.
I think a team becomes more effective with a strong captain group from different ages and points in their careers. All good for Saints.
No-one has said it but to me this was better than the Munster win.
I didn't have a season ticket back then but I was lucky enough to get a ticket in the corner of the south/Churches stand surrounded by Munster supporters but the best place to see Geherty score.
With the injuries we had and to win this match it's definitely one I'll never forget.
Does anyone know if there is a way to watch the full game including pre & post match analysis without having BT Sport? I was watching in pub and couldn’t hear what was being said 😬
Santiago BT Sport is obsolete - it's now TNT on Discovery+
Whatever it’s called.. I refuse to subscribe to BT sport now TNT so my question still stands is there anywhere that runs full game with analysis a day or so later without having to pay
Santiago You want something for nothing. The broadcasters will only pay the clubs if you pay the broadcasters.
Not really, I didn’t say I wanted it live for free. I can get highlights and extended highlights for free via the European rugby site, so it’s not a great leap to then want to hear what the pundits were saying a day or so later.
To be Frank, you are being a d!€k which again to be honest is not unusual for quite a number on here. If you don’t have anything constructive to say other than being argumentative bu££er off
Well I have to say that the competition’s bubbling up nicely with some very interesting results across the pools and a far more open championship than would have been predicted, thus far at least. Saints and Exeter lloking strong and there’s even the outside possibility that our final game will be a dead rubber if Munster lose at Toulon and we beat Bayonne at the gardens! I have to say that not even the most optimistic would have predicted that!
Push Over Great win.
As well as Sam Graham, I also think we have a really good signing in Curtis Langdon. .
Here Here - Curtis Langdon has been immense this year.. he is a pain at the breakdown, tackles like a demon and is generally ‘all action’
I would go so far as to say he could be on the radar for England - he certainly deserves a crack!
Definitely first choice hooker for Saints for me. He is a right pain to play against. Most Premiership sides have signed some gems from the 3 clubs that went out of business and we are seeing that in the improved Premiership performances in the European Cup (12 Premiership team wins from 16 games compared to 5 wins for the French and 6 for the URC). Fewer games probably helps too for focusing energies on Europe.
Curtis was mentioned by the TNT commentators in the Exeter game as a contender for hooker for England, along with the young Exeter hooker, George and Cowan-Dickie. Plus there is Dan and Walker that were not mentioned.
Mind Toulouse looked a different class v Quins compared to any of the other teams I’ve seen play in Europe this year - the likes of Leinster and La Rochelle aren’t playing that well, which opens up chances for teams like Saints.
Frost (ex Wasps) now Chiefs is who I think you mean St Maul.
This weekend in a losing Quins performance was the first time for a while I think Walker looked quite good.
Agree that brutal as it has been for the supporters of those three clubs the League has definitely improved in quality through the concentration of talent.
Hopefully the 10 survive the coming seasons as below that number if begins to look increasingly unworkable.
Reported as "accused of striking Toulon scrum-half Ben White with his head in the 70th minute their match at Franklin’s Gardens"
I've rewatched and there is no contact between the two in the 70th minute. James puts in a big shot on White in the 69th minute down the left wing just before Jaminet's drop goal. James appeared to get his head in the wrong place. He might've anticipated that White would step towards touch but White appeared to straighten for contact. James' head appeared to strike him on the body as part of the tackle. Both went into touch leaving the frame but James was back on pitch quickly suggesting there were no afters. White stayed down for a couple of phases.
I've never seen a tackle like this be identified as foul play let alone cited.. we shall see.
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