GLOUCESTER RUGBY, PREVIEW, TEAM SELECTION & MATCH COMMENTS
By The Saracens
May 4 2022
Friday sees a return to European Rugby with Sarries taking on Gloucester at Kingsholm in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup. This is a competition Saracens have never won so not to be sniffed at (Gloucester have won it twice in 2006 & 2015 and been losing finalists in 2017 & 2018). Both teams are still very much alive in the Premiership race with Sarries having all but claimed a home semi-final berth while Gloucester still have work to do to reach the play-offs. Ironically Gloucester’s fate could well be in Sarries’ hands as the 2 teams meet again at Kingsholm in the final round of the regular season, Sarries having played semi-final rivals Northampton Saints in the previous round.
It will be interesting to see how much emphasis both DORs put on European glory. Arguably defeat improves either teams’ chances of home success in that the losing team gets a week off next week to recharge batteries, and then another break before the home playoffs. But for me it is all about momentum. Playing and winning every week breeds success. The Premiership learnt this a few years ago when the playoffs only involved the 2nd and 3rd placed teams whilst the League winners got a bye into the final. It seemed to be a disadvantage to have that break rather than winning a big semi-final. Momentum is everything. Of course the caveat is fatigue and injuries (we all remember the Sarries’ team which triumphed in Edinburgh over Clermont in 2017 but agonisingly lost the semi final to Exeter the following week when the team was exhausted and several key figures were injured).
For once it looks like the stars may be aligning for Saracens. After a season where several key figures have been missing with injury, they are now back, fit, refreshed and at the top of their game. Faz is the shining example – after missing a big chunk of the winter with injuries to both ankles, he is now firing on all cylinders and better than ever. Even Mako should hopefully return just in time. The only significant absentee appears to be Riccioni but Vincent Koch has been both a workhorse and a thoroughbred for the club over the past couple of years (we’ll miss him big time) and should be able to carry the load on his not insignificant shoulders.
Gloucester have more work to do on the domestic front. They play Quins away at Twickenham, a game both teams need to win, before renewing the fight with Sarries on the final day of the regular season. Gloucester are currently in 5th, a point behind Saints, but Northampton end the season with a “gimme 5” against Newcastle so it would appear the clash with Quins will probably decide the 4th qualifying spot.
Both teams had a relatively simple time of it on Saturday. Sarries easily overcame Worcester while Gloucester demolished a poor Bath team. One would imagine Friday night’s clash will be a bigger ask for both sides. Gloucester have some exciting backs, notably Welsh international Louis Rees-Zammit, Mark Atkinson, Chris Harris, Ollie Thorley and Jonny May (who has been injured for much of the season but is reportedly close to a return). Scot Adam Hastings at 10 has been on sparkling form. In the forwards, Gloucester have Jamal Ford-Robinson, versatile prop, former wrestler and celebrity gamer alongside ex-Sarrie Jack Singleton. Old favourites such as Fraser Balmain, Ruan Ackermann, Lewis Ludlow and Ben Morgan are also on good form.
So what sort of teams will both sides put out? Sarries will still be hurting from that 1 point home defeat inflicted by Gloucester in January and revenge will be one of the words being used this week. Arguably if Sarries get 2+ points out of the home game to Saints, the Premiership fixture against Glos won’t matter so this might be the chance to right wrongs.
MMc has been fairly consistent in Europe, putting out a strongish team but not taking any risks. In which case I don’t see anyone being risked who isn’t 100%. Which suggests Ben Earl & Andy Christie will probably get the week off as will Maro unless he’s 100%. And what of Loz? The silence around his fitness/availability is a tad ominous but I’d really like to see him out there on Friday with perhaps a break for Tompkins. I assume Goodey will return from a nappy-changing break allowing try-machine Malins to slip back on the wing. Segun/Lewington/Maitland could be his wing-mate. I would expect MMc to stick with the Faz/Davies half-back partnership which is firing so well. If Woolfie is fit this might be the game to bring him back (with footballing superstar Jamie George on the bench). I expect Mawi and Koch to continue in the front row. If Maro isn’t fit, Swinson will probably come back alongside Nick Isiekwe with McFarland moving to the back row which could be a bit light if those who picked up knocks at the weekend are rested. Nick Isiekwe may even need to move to 7 if neither Earl nor Wray are 100%, in which case Billy has to start to shore up the back row.
Gloucester have issued a rallying call to their supporters to turn up and support the cherry and whites and no doubt they will respond. Those travelling Sarries fans will need to shout very loud!
So who wins? Glos at home is a big ask. As always it will come down to who wants it most and which teams take the field. Either way I expect a feisty full-on game. Fingers crossed that the boys do their stuff and the European journey goes on.
Referee is Frank Murphy of Ireland assisted by Adam Jones (Wales) and Eoghan Cross (Ireland). Brian MacNeice is the TMO.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:20:08:45:49 by Darraghgirl.
I'm not that fussed about the Challenge Cup itself but in terms of being a great opportunity for us to find our extra gears in a challenging game it feels like a chance that needs to be taken. I always get teams wrong so won't even try but I think I'd rest Koch completely but then my priority is only Premiership and I appreciate that probably isn't the case for McCall and Co.
Looking forward to seeing the team selected tomorrow and like the author am intrigued and slightly concerned as to what is up with Lozo.
Don’t think we’ll go full strength but strong enough to be competitive
15. Santiago Carreras
14. Louis Rees-Zammit *
13. Chris Harris
12. Mark Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley *
10. Adam Hastings
9. Charlie Chapman *
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Jack Singleton
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Freddie Clarke *
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Jordy Reid
7. Lewis Ludlow * (c)
8. Ben Morgan
16. Santiago Socino
17. Harry Elrington
18. Jamal Ford-Robinson
19. Andrew Davidson
20. Jack Clement *
21. Ben Meehan
22. Billy Twelvetrees
23. Tom Seabrook *
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Vincent Koch
4 Maro Itoje
5 Tim Swinson
6 Theo McFarland
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Sean Maitland
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Andy Christie
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Duncan Taylor
23 Alex Lozowski
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:05:12:02:15 by GazzaFez.
Won't it be great to have Mako back with either him or Eroni Mawi coming on at 50 minutes to face some tired bodies
Quote:Duncan96
Well that's pretty much as strong a line up as we can put out at the moment with one obvious ommission. Any one know if Max Malins is injured?
Won't it be great to have Mako back with either him or Eroni Mawi coming on at 50 minutes to face some tired bodies
Max not injured, unless something happened in training this week.
Jackson Wray the other obvious omission but at this stage some mild rotation is still good to see.
Some good news reported in the Times- Mako is coming back ahead of shedule.
Quote:Duncan96
Won't it be great to have Mako back with either him or Eroni Mawi coming on at 50 minutes to face some tired bodies
Agreed. Barrington has put in some really good shifts but Mawi has been playing exceptionally and Mako coming back would be brilliant.
Two very good sides selected. Shedweb seem to feel Ackermann will be a big miss for them but otherwise seem pretty happy. Great to see good form rewarded. A good XV and bench balance too.
We've looked really good when keeping the ball in hand more recently but feel we'll need to be much more clinical in taking our chances. Creating one for every two we blow won't do it for this game you suspect. Likewise making our first up tackles in the 22.
Hopefully its a great watch with a well deserved away win
Referee: Frank Murphy (Ire)
ARs: Adam Jones (Wal) & Eoghan Cross (Ire)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ire)
Quote:OldMarovian
Good news re Lozo. He's on the RugbyPass Offload podcast and references Sarries training on Monday and Tuesday for this weeks game. There's a bit of interesting chat with him including a funny story or two and something that might make you look at Andy Goode in a different light! From about 31 minutes so you can skip to there if you're interested in listening.
But Lozo wasn't at sarries at the time, so i will keep my opinion of him. Ha ha
Here’s to a cracker of a game and a hard earned Sarries victory.
Quote:TommyKentish
https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1522571216967684096?s=21&t=fts9pBGJJYj5Sccs55nZzQ
Nick sounds up for it!
That's very likely my favourite interview I've seen with a Sarries player
Quote:hasta
I'm sure you guys are used to criticisms and cynicism from other team's fans, but I'd just like to say this is an incredible performance, controlled, aggressive, powerful and determined. Congrats.
Been a great game from both teams, Gloucester look good but our boys have dominated. I reckon the cherry and whites are comparable to the best.
As much as I can admit, I don’t agree with how things have gone in the past, your boys were utterly class last night, a big lesson for Gloucester, and a learning curve to show us how much work we have to do if we want to get to your level.
Your fans were absolutely class as well, so much noise, should be proud.
I know is was a touch hostile at times, but I’m hoping none of our fans overstepped the mark, and you all enjoyed your welcome at kingsholm.
See you in a few weeks, do us a favour and stuff Northampton for us, then maybe put your under 18’s out for last game of season, and we can meet each other again at twickers.
All the best for the semi final as well
Quote:Stumpy7780
Was sat right amongst the Gloucester fans. Felt like going to the pantomime. Had a great chat with the ones around us as well.
"Oh no you didn't!!"
Seriously though that's great to hear. Despite the turnout the Glaws supporters seemed in good voice and the Sarries support in the crowd were very visible. I'm always hugely impressed and grateful for folks like yourself who make the time to support the team at away games and know how much it must mean to them. Good work fella!
Hard to know where to start re the game?
Sign up that new player Daly the Hooker straight away! Incredible lineout throw and a good maul and ruck game. Do we think Daly the centre might have his details?
Several weeks ago I wasn't quite sure where we were but many on here had more faith and the squad talked about building towards the end of the season. That has been very apparent in the past fortnight or so with performances getting noticeably better by the game and an added focus with the return of Farrell to the field. I thought he was splendid yesterday. He's playing fantastically well right now, 100% kicking in mixed conditions and including from out wide with Glaws trying to charge down each kick they could. If they make a TopGun 3 can we expect to see him as "Son of Iceman"?
Too many impressive performances to list but having forgotten to mention Tompkins above in backs playing brilliantly he was again superb. If you think that after Billy he's probably the Sarries player to make the next most positive carroies/metres over the gainline that's incredible. The team played the conditions brilliantly. No doubt we got the rub of the green and Thorleys yellow was ridiculous but even so I feel Glaws can have few complaints about the result if a few grumbles about the margin.
I thought Skivington spoke well afterwards and Glaws are early on their "journey" but the sort of attitude they showed in defeat is a vital aspect of a team you can build success on. Their young 9 was very good as was Soccino when he came on. Interestingly whether we would have done it anyway or whether Bristol gave us an insight but by being very aggressive on defensive lineout we really neutered a key aspect of their play. Likewise when they reverted to the maul to get control back we disrupted that too.
One of the best things is seeing how comfortable and happy the players seem with each other. It would be silly to think that the club is an all in love fest but even so it's great to see so many happy in their work (so to speak)
Role on Toulon or LI! any preferences do we think? either would be away I believe.
@hasta. Thanks for the comment. Good luck for next season.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:05:07:06:37:52 by OldMarovian.
My wife has told me that she's considering ending our marriage due to my utter obsession with rugby.
I'm begging her for one more try!
Quote:Duncan96
Close to being difficult to decide who is the better prop. Eroni or Mako
When Mawi has been doing it at the same incredible level season after season at every level going we can start to have that conversation. Having said that its been great to see how well Mawi is playing.
I assumed it was some sort of prayer.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:.AP
Stuart Barnes in the Sunday Times praises Farrell's ability to make and use an extra metre of space and Billy's carrying prowess, but then puts that down to deficiencies in Gloucester's tactics which other teams would do well to note ...
I believe he also says something about Farrell being not at his best. Incredible
Watching again, Healey mentioned that Faz was backing into his tackler and staying on his feet, with the ball available for offload to a player running directly behind him. With a tiny offload, the player finds a space that Faz has made himself. He also has strong enough arms in that position to ship a normal pass. Healey was saying very few players, particularly fly-halves being strong enough to carry it out.