Saracens
Stade Francais v Saracens: post match related content here
By The Saracens
December 11 2024
A weekend in Paris just before Christmas – what’s not to like about that? Buoyed by that fabulous performance on Saturday in horrendous conditions, Sarries will take the Eurostar (well I assume they will) across the channel to the French capital this weekend. Stade lost their opening game in Munster but by all accounts didn’t take their strongest team and managed to get both their locks (Pierre-Henri Azagoh & Baptiste Pesenti) red-carded which, assuming they are upheld, will give them a bit of a headache this weekend. Stade sit in a rather precarious 12th place in the French top 14, just a point ahead of Lyon in 13th so they could be forgiven for having one eye on top flight survival.
Stade are coached by Paul Gustard, well known in this parish. They also feature a couple of ex-pats Joe Marchant and Zack Henry.
Stade’s home form is somewhat better than their away performances (well they are French after all). They have lost all their away fixtures but won all but 1 of their home games (only Toulon have triumphed at the Stade Jean Bouin this season). Among their more celebrated players are French international fly halves Louis Carbonel & Leo Barre, scrum half Morgan Parra, centre Julien Delbouis, winger Lester Etien, flankers Sekou Macalou & Romain Briatte, locks Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Baptiste Pesenti & Paul Gabrillagues, No 8 Yoan Tanga, All Black scrum half Brad Weber, Argentinian prop Francisco Gomez-Kodela, Georgian props Giorgi Melikdze, & Sergo Abramishvili, Samoan prop Paul Alo-Emile, Portuguese winger Raffaele Costa Storti, Fijian full-back Peniasi Dakuwaqa, lock Setareki Turagacoke & flanker Henry Spring, Tongan lock/flanker Tanginoa Halaifonua and Italian hooker Giacomo Nicotera. Wow! Just shows you what a bigger salary cap can do for you.
The Stade front row looks enormous and will be a huge test for Carre, George and Riccioni (at least I assume that’s what we’ll go with). It could be another difficult night for the scrum! But Sarries showed last weekend that they could cope with a big opposition pack. They will just need to be clever with the way they do it. But if the Stade forwards have the edge, the Sarries backs probably have the upper hand over their French opponents. We shall see!
Being a girl I have always loved the Stade Francais pink jersey. It stands out and it’s different – it has certainly given them an identity.
After being pretty disparaging about our Welsh officials last weekend I actually thought they were OK. This weekend we are in the hands of the Scots: Hollie Davidson with the whistle supported by Finlay Brown and Rob McDowell with an Englishman, Ian Tempest, in the van (is that fair?)
I don’t see much change to the team that played the Bulls. Ben Earl probably deserves to start – Gonzalaz has maybe earned a week off? If Loz is fit I’d put him on the bench – I rather liked the look of Tompkins and Cinti. Fingers crossed we can carry on from last Saturday and register a 2nd European win.
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StumbleuponStade Francais v Saracens: post match related content here
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 11/12/2024 16:04
TheSaracens.com
11/12/2024 16:04
11/12/2024 16:04
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:23:11:22:32 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:23:11:22:32 by Darraghgirl.
Having seen a couple of their games this season on TV I’d say Dakuwaqa is their biggest thread, a bit like Ibitoye. Their scrum is indeed very solid. Despite having some good backs they have often struggled in attack, and this year their defence hasn’t been at the level that got them to the semi finals last year.
Quote:dirtybertie
Couple of niggles but the boys are well up for this one
Who injured?
2 week bans for the 2 SF naughty boys so they'll miss the game on Sunday
Maro was down a couple of times for treatment near the end of the game last Saturday so he is one potentially
Basically the one guy we can’t afford to lose with Tizard banned for an undisclosed time.
Question is, will SF bother? We know that French clubs are pretty ruthless when it comes to prioritising tournaments, but dare they insult their home crowd by putting out the 3rd team?
Some kind of half-way house is my best guess: enough stars to show willing, but plenty rested.
Some kind of half-way house is my best guess: enough stars to show willing, but plenty rested.
Saracens Men team to play Stade Francais:
1 Rhys Carre
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Fergus Burke
11 Rotimi Segun
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Liam Williams
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Phil Brantingham
18 Alec Clarey
19 Harry Wilson
20 Juan Martin Gonzalez
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Tiff Eden
23 Olly Hartley
1 Rhys Carre
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Nick Isiekwe
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Fergus Burke
11 Rotimi Segun
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Liam Williams
15 Elliot Daly
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Phil Brantingham
18 Alec Clarey
19 Harry Wilson
20 Juan Martin Gonzalez
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Tiff Eden
23 Olly Hartley
Are we breaking player welfare rules by playing JMG this week? He hasn’t had a break after the Autumns yet.
Non England players don’t fall under a formal welfare or match limit agreement. It’s up to clubs to manage their players. Our JMG and Cinti will get a long break during the 6Ns
Quote:#wolfpack1
Are we breaking player welfare rules by playing JMG this week? He hasn’t had a break after the Autumns yet.
Not sure that applies to non England players
SF are most certainly bothering looking at their team. Pretty much full noise compared to total silence last week.
Might have expected Balmain and Mawi on the bench?
Might have expected Balmain and Mawi on the bench?
It would be good to get any first team minutes out of Balmain at this rate! I don’t know my much about the SF pack but I’m assuming they’re massive.
Quote:Williams is excited to run out in Saracens colours in the Champions Cup once again.
“_____”
Speechless! [saracens.com] (I suspect they'll have the real quote in ASAP)
Add your own expletive! He can sometimes be a 'very naughty boy'!
Quote:The Bard
SF are most certainly bothering looking at their team. Pretty much full noise compared to total silence last week.
Might have expected Balmain and Mawi on the bench?
Never heard of any of them!
Pleased to see Earl start with JMG on bench. Olly also on bench which is great.
Hollie Davidson is the Sir/Miss
Hollie Davidson is the Sir/Miss
HT SF 10-13 Saracens. All Stade for 1st 20 mins until their 6 got himself red carded for a moment of lunacy on Van Zyl. Since then its been all Sarries
Finished 17-28
Stade down to 13 at the end but could have scored
Nasty Head Injury to Nick isiekwe and possible rib injury to Riccioni
Still a win's a win especially a win in France
Stade lost that rather than Sarries winning!
Stade down to 13 at the end but could have scored
Nasty Head Injury to Nick isiekwe and possible rib injury to Riccioni
Still a win's a win especially a win in France
Stade lost that rather than Sarries winning!
Job well done against a combative big French team. The red card cost them big time but Sarries still had to work to get the win. I would love to see the alleged knock on by Earl in super slow mo as I thought it was his right pec and not his right arm that knocked it forward. 9 points after 2 games is a great start in Europe when you consider teams like the Bulls and SF have zero!
Biggest worry is the second row for next week with Tizard “banned” and Isiekwe highly likely to be on concussion return to play protocols.
Well done to the whole team.
Biggest worry is the second row for next week with Tizard “banned” and Isiekwe highly likely to be on concussion return to play protocols.
Well done to the whole team.
It's *hard* to win away in Europe. Always has been, always will be. Fairly likely we wouldn't have won without the red, but they were playing right on the edge of crazy big shots at all times so even if you don't have a full on meltdown like that, something is always a possibility. It still took some winning and the young lads really showed up well, Dan, Hartley and Brantingham to the fore.
Also, Liam Williams, he's still got it!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:15:15:28:12 by nedrichards.
Also, Liam Williams, he's still got it!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:15:15:28:12 by nedrichards.
Quote:Replay shows ball hit right biceps and went forward.ComeOnSarries
Job well done against a combative big French team. The red card cost them big time but Sarries still had to work to get the win. I would love to see the alleged knock on by Earl in super slow mo as I thought it was his right pec and not his right arm that knocked it forward. 9 points after 2 games is a great start in Europe when you consider teams like the Bulls and SF have zero!
Biggest worry is the second row for next week with Tizard “banned” and Isiekwe highly likely to be on concussion return to play protocols.
Well done to the whole team.
I felt we had several opportunities to get the bonus point try but lacked accuracy. Theo was excellent and got Motm from the French director.
Supporting Saracens for over 55 years.
Upper body so academic what it hit.. unlucky but correct call. Re next week, Theo can slot to 2nd row.. can JMG? Wilson also a very able operator, as is Sodeke!
What an idiot Macalou was. Definitely cost them the game as we didn't get a look in until then. I'll take it though. A win in France is always tough, we should have had all 5 points though in the end.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:15:19:14:41 by Static.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:15:19:14:41 by Static.
Take the result and thought physically we fronted up well. McFarland is finding some form again and was very prominent. Philly B looked good in the scrum when he came off the bench as well.
The backs are still not quite clicking, but today was better. We look better when we play with intent. It’s a bit frustrating that it took the weather last week and a red card today for us to start playing and not just kicking the ball away all the time.
Big test for a tired team next weekend.
The backs are still not quite clicking, but today was better. We look better when we play with intent. It’s a bit frustrating that it took the weather last week and a red card today for us to start playing and not just kicking the ball away all the time.
Big test for a tired team next weekend.
Missed the last 5 mins as with the delays the recording ended , not good by a Premium channel, should keep going to the end
Sanjay,
Why did you ever leave?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Why did you ever leave?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
I thought Fergus had another very solid display, lovely break down the left in the first half, definitely very very strong and slotted the majority of kicks. He seemed to link up well with Olly when he came of the bench too.
Quote:TonyTaff
Sanjay,
Why did you ever leave?
An excellent performance from him - defensively he improves us immensely.
Burke had a mixed game. We need to find ways of getting him running with the ball - he looks good when he does. The problems come when one of our carriers gets stopped or we lose momentum. We tend to lose shape fairly quickly.
We also need to be more selective in who carries. It’s just not one of Maro or Nick I’s strengths. Get out the way and let Rhys or a backrower or Theo Dan do it
We’d have taken that result before the game, but it is a missed opportunity for a TBP. Ferguson was assured, Maro his usual disrupting self, big Nick put in a shift and good to see him walk off. We looked better when Olly ran at them in the 12 channel, would love to see him start v Saints, perhaps give Cints a bench. Big Theo v good and little Theo made a difference from the bench. And Sanjay, great to have you back - took one bomb v nonchalantly.
Well done lads
Well done lads
A win is a win is a win.
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
🌻🌻🌻
I also liked Olly Hartley’s cameo contribution and would be quite pleased to see him get a start next week.
I think Hartley’s power would really help Burke. Any -0 wants a big centre as the easy option to take and it puts less pressure on Earl as a carrier form from the lineout, it’s currently extremely obvious where the ball is going and he can be targeted. Fingers crossed Nick and Roti are ok.
Quote:nedrichards
Liam Williams, he's still got it!
I was wondering before the match, but he showed us he has.
Nicks still loopy so make up of pack against saints will be interesting. Theo 5 I reckon with JMG, Ben and Willis in back row
What's the position with Tizard? How can he be missing without, as far as I am aware, a definitive ban?
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Quote:TonyTaff
What's the position with Tizard? How can he be missing without, as far as I am aware, a definitive ban?
He's beginning serving the ban he hasn't yet been given.
I do wish Andy Goode and his poisonous drivel could be banned from Sarries' match commentaries. Nasty little references to OF - just can't help himself.
Was it him drivelling on and on and on about a penalty advantage he thought should've ended? It was a longish advantage but I've often seen longer. I was beginning to wonder if this fool has ever actually watched a rugby match before.
The match-day 23 today shared only 5 players with the 23 who beat Leinster in 2019. Granted there could've been a couple more, injuries permitting, but, still, this gives some idea of the extent of the rebuilding.
Back-to-back European wins (albeit today's being red-card-assisted) suggests we're getting somewhere. But how I'd love to see another hard-as-nails midfield commander in the Barritt/Farrell mould.
Back-to-back European wins (albeit today's being red-card-assisted) suggests we're getting somewhere. But how I'd love to see another hard-as-nails midfield commander in the Barritt/Farrell mould.
Quote:dirtybertie
Nicks still loopy so make up of pack against saints will be interesting. Theo 5 I reckon with JMG, Ben and Willis in back row
Pearce-Paul on the bench? They’ve been unwilling to bring Wilson on the last few matches and we (and England) can ill afford to lose Maro to injury now.
Quote:maynas
Missed the last 5 mins as with the delays the recording ended , not good by a Premium channel, should keep going to the end
That's poor - was that via the Sky platform? Prime Video kept going through to the end.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024:12:16:09:09:53 by AlanE2.
Quote:dirtybertie
Nicks still loopy so make up of pack against saints will be interesting. Theo 5 I reckon with JMG, Ben and Willis in back row
Is Theo McF OK - he took a knock was limping really badly in the last minute of the match having come back on for Nick I's HIA.
I can’t remember a match where Theo wasn’t carrying a knock by the end, always seems to be fine the next week.
Very impressed by Holly Davidson yesterday, took no nonsense and got the vast majority of things right.
Quote:We noticed that - he just had to do it didn't he?tpr's headmistress
I do wish Andy Goode and his poisonous drivel could be banned from Sarries' match commentaries. Nasty little references to OF - just can't help himself.
Yes, loathsome lump. It's a shame he wasn't even slightly as good - too lazy.
He was worth his visit to us because he had to put up with Tim Horan's snarky comments about his weight and hamburger-eating tendencies
Don't let Andy Goode get to you. I can tolerate all the commentators and pundits in Rugby. Whereas football, They all get on my wick.
I don't think we get talked up anymore. Think Leicester and Bath get all the love ins !.
I don't think we get talked up anymore. Think Leicester and Bath get all the love ins !.
Hartley was very impressive when he came on. I think Hartley-Cinti 12/13 axis with Lozowski (when he's back from injury) on the bench as 22 would be a threatening midfield. Cinti can play wing and Loz fly half which is useful.
Whilst I have always rated Tompkins, he doesn't seem to make the same metres in carries as he used to. I fear we expected him to become the 12 that Brad Barritt was before him when really they are 2 different players.
Whilst I have always rated Tompkins, he doesn't seem to make the same metres in carries as he used to. I fear we expected him to become the 12 that Brad Barritt was before him when really they are 2 different players.
Tompkins played all his early rugby at 13 outside Brad and usually off the bench. There is just a bit more space there. Plus at the time we had some big ball carriers in their pomp so there was much less pressure on the backs to make hard yards than there is in the current set up.
I’m not sure he’s ever thrived at 12. His feet tend to take him back into contact where he gets swallowed up.
I tend to agree that Hartley (or maybe Spink if we can get him to make a transition to 12?) may be the go to guy very shortly
I’m not sure he’s ever thrived at 12. His feet tend to take him back into contact where he gets swallowed up.
I tend to agree that Hartley (or maybe Spink if we can get him to make a transition to 12?) may be the go to guy very shortly
I think Nick has been around for a while now , so opposition are more familiar with how he plays and can counter him more effectively .
I love Tompkins. Especially when he rattles the opposition. Ala, Byron McGuigan !.
We went to the Stade clubhouse after the game to have a few (well several) "warm-downs". Saw quite a few of the Stade players but no one from Sarries. Now I know in the past we have sometimes been guilty of forgetting the whole ethos of rugby, disrespecting opposition and travelling fans alike, and disappearing straight after the game. Does anyone know whether we did this on Sunday?
Quote:Blanchefleur
I understand they caught the 1910 train back to London
Excellent. The Stade players we chatted to were very nice though. They didn't seem to take the fans for granted at all.
Quote:Blanchefleur
I understand they caught the 1910 train back to London
Blimey, that was running a bit late!
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