Saracens
SARACENS v GLOUCESTER please post match related comment here
By The Saracens
September 14 2023
Saturday sees a return to StoneX for Sarries’ first game of the season. It’s always nice to come home and there is something special about the first home game of the season. What will have changed? Will my favourite food outlet still be there? Will there be someone new in the seat next to me? But it’s the familiar which is the most comforting: the old Copt Hall Stadium we have come to love and call home: the place where the wandering tribe finally settled. Whatever they call it: Allianz, StoneX it’s our home, our fortress.
A young Sarries team came off 2nd best to Coventry last Saturday with Mark McCall staying true to form by picking a largely inexperienced team against the Championship side who were apparently at their strongest. So now we know: Sarries aren’t going to change the way they relate to the Premiership Cup, they appear to be using these games as warm-ups and the Premiership Cup is NOT a priority!
Our opponents, Gloucester Rugby, also fielded a young team for their opener against Nottingham, the difference being the cherry and whites managed to win. Like Sarries, they appear to be playing ball when it comes to this trophy and using it to give their youngsters experience. I’m not expecting any change in philosophy from either management although
On the Sarries side, I think there may be a few tweaks in personnel. Wholesale change isn’t MMc’s style – he usually lets players make up for a poor performance by giving them another chance. By all accounts the decision making wasn’t great and the front 5 struggled against a determined Coventry outfit. Ben Harris seems to have been our stand-out player and will hopefully get another chance. Willis will probably start and maybe Jackson too. We may also see Oli Hoskins and Tom Parton (if he is fit).
So I expect another tough day at the office for Sarries’ youngsters, although oddly, playing another Premiership Club with less to prove it may be a bit easier. Either way, the result probably doesn’t matter too much – it’s just nice to be home!
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Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 14/09/2023 18:31
TheSaracens.com
14/09/2023 18:31
14/09/2023 18:31
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:28:18:55:54 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:28:18:55:54 by Darraghgirl.
Decent side selected for tomorrow. Looking forward to the game in what will be hot and sunny conditions!
Saracens Men team to play Gloucester Rugby:
1 Sam Crean
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Ollie Hoskins
4 Callum Hunter-Hill
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Nathan Michelow
7 Toby Knight
8 Tom Willis
9 Aled Davies
10 Manu Vunipola
11 Alex Lewington
12 Olly Hartley
13 Alex Lozowski (c)
14 Ben Harris
15 Tom Parton
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Jevaughn Warren
18 Christian Judge
19 Alex Wardell
20 Samson Adejimi
21 Ivan Van Zyl
22 Alex Goode
23 Rotimi Segun
1 Sam Crean
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Ollie Hoskins
4 Callum Hunter-Hill
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Nathan Michelow
7 Toby Knight
8 Tom Willis
9 Aled Davies
10 Manu Vunipola
11 Alex Lewington
12 Olly Hartley
13 Alex Lozowski (c)
14 Ben Harris
15 Tom Parton
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Jevaughn Warren
18 Christian Judge
19 Alex Wardell
20 Samson Adejimi
21 Ivan Van Zyl
22 Alex Goode
23 Rotimi Segun
Well done to Lozo for his role as Captain.
Haven't seen Crean for a long while and felt he had a lot to work on so excited to see how he's progressed. It will be good to take a first look at Parton and a longer one at T Willis too.
Haven't seen Crean for a long while and felt he had a lot to work on so excited to see how he's progressed. It will be good to take a first look at Parton and a longer one at T Willis too.
Great to see Woolfie back in the squad - echo your thoughts on Sam, great chance for him vs Glos
Apparently it's not being televised or streamed - unless anyone knows different?
Apparently it's not being televised or streamed - unless anyone knows different?
See Francis Moore is on the bench for Ampthill tomorrow, so elegibility rules are obviously fairly lax!
Quote:The Bard
See Francis Moore is on the bench for Ampthill tomorrow, so elegibility rules are obviously fairly lax!
There's no cup-tie rule - presumably because lots of dual-registered players will play in the tournament.
When did Shedweb go to registered members only? Shame as I enjoyed reading on there occasionally
Quote:Sarriebone
When did Shedweb go to registered members only? Shame as I enjoyed reading on there occasionally
Agreed, about a month ago. I think they were being spoilt by some unpleasant new posters. They've always had a few unpleasant individuals but in general were full of rugby people discussing rugby from informed non-antagonistic positions with most happy to debate rather than insult. And an OM free zone as a bonus,
It may revert back at some point. The cunning plan was to encourage wider participation / debate, by making people log in. There has been a huge number of sign ups, so it's perhaps working. Nothing stopping Sarries fans signing up, if only to lurk.
Enjoy the game today, but preferably not too much.:-)
Enjoy the game today, but preferably not too much.:-)
Fair play to Glaws, excellent second half and got on the right side of the ref in the scrum. Hopefully JFR is ok because it looked like a nasty injury.
A bit disappointed in our second half performance from a strong lineup. Hopefully if we don’t progress then there are some friendlies organised in feb/March because the young lads need some game time.
A bit disappointed in our second half performance from a strong lineup. Hopefully if we don’t progress then there are some friendlies organised in feb/March because the young lads need some game time.
I thought we were almost bullied up front at times and was surprised there was less fight from our pack. Of the new players, I thought Tom Willis put in a hard shift and Tom Parton looked decent but some of our youngsters had a big learning experience today.
On the positive side there is certainly plenty for the coaches to get their teeth into!
Can’t see us progressing in this competition now, but c’est la vie!
On the positive side there is certainly plenty for the coaches to get their teeth into!
Can’t see us progressing in this competition now, but c’est la vie!
Just got home from the game. A strange one.
Individually, I thought there were some strong performances; Aled, Willis, Michelow, Lewi, Harris. But it hate to say, it seems like Manu again failed to take an opportunity to step up. It's still sort of pre-season, so not to be judged too harshly, but his management was slow and kicking was poor. As mentioned above, our front row was concerningly bullied throughout the game.
I thought Leal was particularly poor with the whistle, but that's to take nothing away form Gloucester who were by far the better team.
Individually, I thought there were some strong performances; Aled, Willis, Michelow, Lewi, Harris. But it hate to say, it seems like Manu again failed to take an opportunity to step up. It's still sort of pre-season, so not to be judged too harshly, but his management was slow and kicking was poor. As mentioned above, our front row was concerningly bullied throughout the game.
I thought Leal was particularly poor with the whistle, but that's to take nothing away form Gloucester who were by far the better team.
Well done Glaws.
Second week in a row we seem to struggle in the second half (optimising conditioning for the start of the Premiership rather than now?)
Agree that was not one of Manus better games but equally no platform to play from (second game in a row the front row have been noticeably second best) and too often no options to play to once he got the ball. Very disjointed as I guess you might expect with a pre-season.
I guess most of us would have hoped we'd start at a bit more of a canter than trot and build on how well some of the younger players finished last season. Possibly because of the number of newly integrated players that's not quite happening yet but I'm sure things will improve.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:16:18:46:24 by OldMarovian.
Second week in a row we seem to struggle in the second half (optimising conditioning for the start of the Premiership rather than now?)
Agree that was not one of Manus better games but equally no platform to play from (second game in a row the front row have been noticeably second best) and too often no options to play to once he got the ball. Very disjointed as I guess you might expect with a pre-season.
I guess most of us would have hoped we'd start at a bit more of a canter than trot and build on how well some of the younger players finished last season. Possibly because of the number of newly integrated players that's not quite happening yet but I'm sure things will improve.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:09:16:18:46:24 by OldMarovian.
Quote:Sara'smanQuote:Sarriebone
When did Shedweb go to registered members only? Shame as I enjoyed reading on there occasionally
Agreed, about a month ago. I think they were being spoilt by some unpleasant new posters. They've always had a few unpleasant individuals but in general were full of rugby people discussing rugby from informed non-antagonistic positions with most happy to debate rather than insult. And an OM free zone as a bonus,
Ha, actually they did it because of an unpleasant ’old’ poster. Rather than deal with him they took the decision to try and restrict what the general public could see of his inflammatory and arguably libellous posts. An interesting tactic.
Interesting that Quins nicked a draw from Cov at the Stoop with pretty much the last play. Quins also picked up a couple of cards.
Certainly goes to show the health of certain clubs in the Championship which is a great thing.
Certainly goes to show the health of certain clubs in the Championship which is a great thing.
If there is going to be a 10 Team Premiership then from an England point of view we certainly need a strong Championship , because as mentioned on another string here , the player pool for England is just not strong enough .
Much as I love Theo Dan the fact that he is England’s second choice hooker after half a season is rediculous …
Much as I love Theo Dan the fact that he is England’s second choice hooker after half a season is rediculous …
Like last week all over again. Passable first half, dismal second half with pack looking well beaten again. I’m sure that pack is capable of so much more than that. Tom Willis made some good carries, Toby Knight was putting himself about and Ben Harris showing well again the only real highlights. Ollie Hartley stepped up a bit from last week.
Surprised we didn’t see more replacements
Surprised we didn’t see more replacements
Theo Dan is in the right place at the right time when other hookers are injured / out of form.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
We should play Loz or Goode at 10 I don’t think Manu can step up and looks out of his depth tbh.
Quote:OldMarovian
Well done Glaws.
Second week in a row we seem to struggle in the second half (optimising conditioning for the start of the Premiership rather than now?)
Agree that was not one of Manus better games but equally no platform to play from (second game in a row the front row have been noticeably second best) and too often no options to play to once he got the ball. Very disjointed as I guess you might expect with a pre-season.
I guess most of us would have hoped we'd start at a bit more of a canter than trot and build on how well some of the younger players finished last season. Possibly because of the number of newly integrated players that's not quite happening yet but I'm sure things will improve.
Very true on Manu not having a platform. Scrum was poor and after Wolfy went off the lineout creaked. Last couple of seasons we’ve struggled with Gloucesters physicality up front. Considering that I’m puzzled by their performance in the league.
The line out creaked long before Wolfie went off! Scrum was a mess and some of the first up tackling was poor. 2nd half was just plain boring. Wings were good but little punch in midfield.
Apart from Willis, I was not overly impressed with our other new players on show.
The game for Sarries never really got going and for the majority of the game Glaws were by far the better side and played well as a team with more urgency. Our set piece was disappointing.
The game for Sarries never really got going and for the majority of the game Glaws were by far the better side and played well as a team with more urgency. Our set piece was disappointing.
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