SARACENS V BRISTOL BEARS: post match related content here
By The Saracens
November 23 2023
After 2 weeks on the road Sarries return to the StoneX this weekend to take on Bristol Bears. How fortunes change! The last home game against Leicester saw huge relief at a second win, now after full marks on the road, Sarries would expect to overcome the Bears in their own back yard. Of course there has been collateral damage on the journey. The win over Quins cost us Ben Earl (hopefully only out for 6-8 weeks) and Alex Lozowski (ACL – return date unspecified but not likely to be any time soon). With Calum Hunter Hill also out for around 4 months it was a heavy price to pay. Fortunately Elliot Daly’s omission was precautionary and he should be available this weekend.
Strange to say we shouldn’t miss Ben Earl to much! That’s an extraordinary statement regarding England’s best performer at the World Cup but we have good cover in the back row, Christie and Gonzales have really stepped up, Willis is raising Billy’s game and Nick Isiekwe and Theo McFarland should be back in a couple of weeks. Until then were a bit light at lock but Maro and Tizard should be able to manage for a while yet. The front row and the bomb squad are functioning well so assuming Theo Dan is OK I don’t see much change there.
The situation regarding Loz is potentially more difficult. Loz and Tompkins have formed a superb centre partnership which will be hard to replace. The loss of Loz (sounds like the title of a novel!) will put even more pressure on Tompkins, who desperately needs a break anyway. But there are plenty of possibilities. Will Mark McCall stick with the promise of Ollie Hartley or will he move Daly or Cinti into the centres? Given Alex Goode’s return to form plus Tom Parton’s excellent showing, we are fairly well covered at full back. Alex Lewington, Sean Maitland, Ben Harris and Roti Segun (in a week or 2) also provide decent cover on the wings.
Faz picks himself and all 3 scrum halves are now playing well which is rather a nice luxury to have.
Sarries have often struggled against Bristol at home – look at last season when Sarries trailed by 9 points with just 3 minutes left only for 2 magical tries from Segun and Hougaard (on debut) to give them a 1 point win; or the year before when the Bears came to Tottenham and almost snatched it at the death only for the “try” to be disallowed for a forward pass.
Bristol will bring with them former Sarrie Max Malins. His appearance as a substitute last week (apparently he was full of germs) certainly galvanised the Bears only for an agonising last minute defeat to Bath. In fact Bristol’s progress this season has been a mirror image of Sarries’ – winning their first 2 games and losing the next 4.
Bristol have a formidable pack with Ellie Genge and Kyle Sinkler propping but in the last couple of weeks, the pack has under performed. Bears are without Callum Sheedy (who can kick almost anything from anywhere) as he failed an HIA and apparently Randall is also struggling so most likely an inexperienced half back pairing of Marmion and Williams. Any side featuring Virimi Vakatawa, Piers O’Connor and Benhard Janse van Rensburg (along with Max) isn’t to be taken lightly though.
Given their history, Brizz will fancy their chances! Given the history it’ll be close! This isn’t a fixture to leave before the final whistle. The weather shouldn’t be a party-pooper – sunny but cold with a gentle breeze. (Always a relief for no rain when I’m doing the match report given we get very wet at the front of the East stand!) Fingers crossed Sarries keep up the good work but never underestimate a Bear with a sore head.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:12:07:12:08:44 by Darraghgirl.
I'd like to see Hartley backed again at centre but think he does need experience around him. He looked excellent last week and I think having Farrell and Tompkins there was part of that. Tompkins probably needs a rest soon so maybe we'll see Hartley and Cinti?
Bears have a quality team but if they have to go relatively inexperienced at 9 and 10 that feels like quite a blow for them.
Max had a brilliant start and then a bit of a shocker last week.
Hoping to see him play at his best this week (but not be on the winning side!)
Crumbs a collaborative SM club post. Also enjoyed the Sarries one re Max.
Quote:jimfitz12
Cinti and JMG are both on rest weekends from the WC so neither will feature in this game.
Where did you see this Jim? Both were rested on the first week back and Cinti only had 30 minutes as sub at Falcons over the 3 weeks. Like others I've been hugely impressed by JMG and thought Cinti looked promising in the little I saw at Kingston Park; hopeful that he and Hartley (+ Jackson and Hallett) will enable us to rotate Tompkins and Lozowski a little more. Whilst I agree with others that Nick deserves a rest, Loz had actually played more games - 10 in a row whilst Nick had a couple of weeks off, albeit 3 games at a higher level.
I agree that Cinti looks a great signing now given his versatility to play 13.
Quote:The Bard
I think the update on Daly said he’s back next week, not this one so we could be a bit thin in the backs
The injury update said him pulling out was precautionary and he's back in full training
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Tom Willis
7 Andy Christie
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Alex Lewington
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Alec Clarey
19 Theo McFarland
20 Toby Knight
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Olly Hartley
23 Sean Maitland
15. Max Malins (20 apps),
14. Gabriel Ibitoye (26 apps),
13. Virimi Vakatawa (6 apps),
12. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (9 apps),
11. Rich Lane (24 apps),
10. Callum Sheedy (159 apps),
9. Harry Randall (110 apps);
1. Ellis Genge (36 apps),
2. Gabriel Oghre (2 apps),
3. 18. Kyle Sinckler (46 apps),
4. James Dun (21 apps),
5. Joe Batley (48 apps),
6. Jake Heenan (99 apps),
7. Dan Thomas (136 apps),
8. Fitz Harding (59 apps) (c).
System players:
16. Harry Thacker (108 apps),
17. Jake Woolmore (138 apps),
18. George Kloska (36 apps),
19. Josh Caulfield (10 apps),
20. Paddy Pearce (4 apps),
21. Kieran Marmion (10 apps),
22. James Williams (25 apps),
23. Kalaveti Ravouvou (debut).
Guessing Theo Dan failed his HIA. But great to see Big Theo back, hopefully he is properly repaired and rested as like the rest of the team he wasn’t near his nest in the first two rounds
Saracens v Bristol Bears
Referee: Luke Pearce
ARs: Simon Harding & Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Rowan Kitt
Quote:+1ComeOnSarries
Two very strong teams. Should be a cracker!
As always it would be interesting to know what is rotation/form/injury cover in terms of selections.
I know he picked up a knock but I'm not really sure why we aren't seeing more of West? Strong scrummager and kept Cronin on the bench for Tigers and yet not selected. Sure there's a reason would just be interested to know. Been very impressed by Hadfield but good to see Pifeleti back and hopefully he's been hard at work on his arrows. Interested by our midfield selection.
Team looks good. Strong bench front row. Great to see McFarland back. Will also be interesting to see Willis and Billy playing together.
Quote:The Bard
Certainly gives us less lineout option with no Gonzalez at 6. I’d pick Hadfield based on his excellent performances when selected, certainly a better thrower than Kapelli.
We used Willis as a lineout option in the prem cup, certainly not as springy as JMG but can be used. Also I imagine Theo will come on for Tizard which will add to the options.
OM - Tom West has to get past Mako and Mawi, easier said than done!
Really looking forward to this game. Beautiful blue skies and crisp clean air outside. Feels like a day for thermals (those poor players in shorts and tees!) thermos and hip flask of cherry brandy.
COYS
Quote:JimG
Blimey. We made hard work of that. Farrelll had a shocker off the tee. 15 points was it?
13 as 5 conversions and 1 pen missed. Good day to do it though as 7 tries is a pretty impressive performance across the team.
Anyone else have a reflink on? Personal opinion of course, but as well as having a mare with the boot (other than one cross field kick), Owen's attitude towards the ref was dreadful from almost the first minute. Really rubbed me up the wrong way.
Individually, Andy would’ve been my motm perhaps more than the last two weeks. Thought Aled had another very assured game, despite the early charge down (although Faz seemed to have a few ricochets too). Daly looked sharp as well. Max was easily their best player in the first half, but barely got a touch in the second.
Quote:Barty II
Not often I come home after we've scored 39 and collected 5 points, and feel annoyed.
Anyone else have a reflink on? Personal opinion of course, but as well as having a mare with the boot (other than one cross field kick), Owen's attitude towards the ref was dreadful from almost the first minute. Really rubbed me up the wrong way.
I’m with you, really weird performance, it felt like the lads were happy to chuck it around after the first few tries which really played into Bristol’s hands.
Apart from an early long chat early on not sure I noticed anything in particular between Faz and Pearce. It was quite nice to see the other side being marched back 10 for once!
Quote:JimG
Only one person got marched back for chat and that was Genge. Seemed to me as though we gave away very few penalties over the 80 - 5 or 6 tops from recollection - so I don’t think there was anything wrong with Farrell’s attitude. Just his radar.
It wasn't anything to do with penalties given against us (there weren't many!), more arguing strongly for penalties being given for us which either weren't seen or weren't given. He was told to shut up at least twice.
Quote:Barty II
Not often I come home after we've scored 39 and collected 5 points, and feel annoyed.
Anyone else have a reflink on? Personal opinion of course, but as well as having a mare with the boot (other than one cross field kick), Owen's attitude towards the ref was dreadful from almost the first minute. Really rubbed me up the wrong way.
Spot on Barty.
I keep feeling and hoping that Farrell's turned a corner and then you have a performance like today.
From literally the first few minutes he was carrying on at Pearce (not a referee who is a fan of lots of dialogue on the best of days) and it was obvious within five minutes that he had @#$%& him off.
Farrell follows the game well and does brilliantly in terms of asking questions and seeking clarification BUT once he's been given the answer to keep going on about it is moronic. When has a referee ever changed his mind because a captain (or other player) has kept bleating on? I felt we were incredibly lucky not to be marched back several times and just because it didn't happen that's not a reason not to address it.
Send him on a course or let him work with someone who gives him a strategy when he thinks a call is wrong, FFlipsS get him count to ten like a child before saying something if needs be but if he can't address it it's time for a different Captain.
On a similar note goal-kicker and Captain is not a great combination IMO. You need separation in those roles and with at least one other very good kicker on the field in Goode I was disappointed to hear Daly say it was never a consideration for anyone else to kick. I get he hit the posts but he was also hobbling/favouring one leg for parts of the game. In that state give the kicks to someone who is 100%
None of that changed the respect I have for him as Sarries leader and he generally played very well ball in hand.
Well done to Peel and the pack. Several times Bears looked to have established a bit of dominance and yet my feeling was they were rather fortunate with calls that gave field position for two tries with Sinckler losing his bind twice and Sarries being penalised. I get that Pearce was penalising the other side but what is the AR doing?
Great game from Maro. Nice to see Willis get a try. Don't really feel the balance was right with he at 6 and Billy at 8.
Sarries played some lovely rugby at times, left a fair few chances out there and the defence needs attention. Lots to work on after that game.
Thought Malins had a decent game for them and Batley was excellent. Throwing over our jumpers for their mauled trys was a good bit of skill, execution and planning.
Quote:^This. Leaving aside the actual manner in which he spoke which Pearce seemed not to appreciate he is frequently like a dog with a bone once he's been told the referee doesn't agree.Barty II
It wasn't anything to do with penalties given against us (there weren't many!), more arguing strongly for penalties being given for us which either weren't seen or weren't given. He was told to shut up at least twice.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:25:19:50:19 by OldMarovian.
Odd to say when we scored 7 tries but I didn’t think we were great today. Plenty of errors and some uncharacteristically poor defending. On the plus side we did score 7 tries! Christie was my MoM and Maro was good too. Our lineout was faultless.
A really odd game. We went from nice slick handling for Lewington's first try to a period of total sleepwalking for the last 20 mins of the first half. Bristol were full of effort & had the better of the breakdown for long periods & I rather share the view that the balance in the back row wasn't quite right.
One more thing - think we over used the grubbers. Even Andy Christie had a go so it was clearly a deliberate tactic to get behind the rush defence, but got to be rather predictable at times & several were charged down.
Had a cup of tea and a biscuit though so feel calmer now
I think Billy puts it well:
"The scoreline doesn't tell the whole story. Probably a bit frustrating especially after what we did last week [beating Harlequins]. It's a win but the exciting bit is there's loads to work on - loads.
"Bristol wouldn't go away but a lot of it was down to our own doing, especially that try with Ibitoye. I don't think we chased hard enough and those are the things we pride ourselves on.
"We were a bit off it today - I can't put my finger on it. Most teams would take it, but for us that was very frustrating." - Billy Vunipola talking to BBC Sport.
The reality is whilst there were some excellent moments it was a game we kind of drifted in and out of and our kicker had a mare. We still won though, playing far from our best and got the TBP so that is a massive positive.
Farrell grinned with appreciation when the crowd enthusiastically applauded his first successful kick.
Pearce took an age over the scrums - I don't recall him doing that before.
I think the game plan was to go for broken field play and beat Bristol (and Max) at their own game. I was yelling for us to kick and clear our lines! We never played to put the clamp on in our usual style. Ibitoye nearly blew that plan up.
A win is a win is a win. The coaches will turn the screws on Monday.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:JimG
Well I didn’t have ref link but Pearce is a world class ref who is not afraid to take appropriate action if the line is crossed which he didn’t do. My point about penalties was that 50:50s often seem to go against teams who get on the wrong side of the ref which again didn’t happen. So other than you personally not liking the tone (which is entirely your prerogative) I don’t think it affected the game.
Well this is it, I didn't necessarily say it affected the game, although as darktagnan says above there were some odd decisions, which Faz did indeed, lets say 'aggressively question' with Sir. I'm usually Owen's biggest fan, who of us wouldn't be, but his attitude was over the top, as OM says like a dog with a bone, but I think you would have needed a Reflink to fully get it. It just seemed like the red mist had come down almost from our first attack when a Bristol infringement was pinged, Owen made a thinly veiled 'suggestion' that it should be a yellow card, which Pearce didn't take too kindly to, and Owen spent a good while aggressively claiming that he wasn't doing so. I'd be tempted to say that its no coincidence that it was then an off day with the boot, so perhaps it did affect the game.
Quote:AP
Pearce took an age over the scrums - I don't recall him doing that before.
Another one the reflink was handy for - some of the early scrums both teams were engaging in advance of Pearce's calls,and also both Judge and Oghre were warned about gaps. Seemed to be 6 of one and half a dozen of the other, and Pearce's response to it was to slow down the bind & engage calls to try and get both teams to wait.
A bit over 50% on our own scrum is not great though. Have to say it felt like a couple aside we were will in there but my calculations may have been on the "if that's refereed properly that goes to us not them" basis

I sit in the North Stand , and the entire game seemed to take place up the other end , so even with the big screen hard to know what was going on .
It felt as though both players and crowd thought that the game was won after two early tries , and it took us going behind just before half time to stir things up both on and off the pitch . I am sure the coaches had plenty to say at half time …
Second half much better , and 5 points is still 5 points !
We will finish this afternoon in either 2nd or 3rd, which given our first 2 games is an outstanding result and another home game next week.
Great to see Theo back on the pitch to add to our back 5 options in the pack.
Very resilient performance from Falcons today. Huge commitment and great tryline defence.
You do wish with their talented backs they'd run it back at Chiefs rather than fed them endless ball to run back (that's a strategy we have proved definitively is a non-starter!) but they don't need to start on their visit early New Year!
Quote:ComeOnSarries
my personal highlight but I also loved the very quick pick from the base of the line-out maul by Billy that caught the Bristol defence napping
Great shout. He did some lovely distributing from 8 and that was great.
Having just finished a re-watch I also thought Parton played well and linked well on the wing. He's got good pace too.
What I have really enjoyed is Sarries playing on our reputation as a kicking team to run it instead in recent games and catch the defence on the hop. Good stuff.
Quote:OldMarovian
Potentially sets up the December 30th game as a battle to take top spot into the New Year. Wish it was at StoneX rather than Sale![]()
Very resilient performance from Falcons today. Huge commitment and great tryline defence.
You do wish with their talented backs they'd run it back at Chiefs rather than fed them endless ball to run back (that's a strategy we have proved definitively is a non-starter!) but they don't need to start on their visit early New Year!
I think it's on the 22nd, OM?
Speaking of things that are wrong, was just looking at some player stats on wiki and they have Tom Willis down as 4ft tall! He certainly plays a lot bigger

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:26:20:49:35 by OldMarovian.
Just call him 'Twizzle' (showing my great age there).

Quote:OTsarrie
I sit in the North Stand , and the entire game seemed to take place up the other end , so even with the big screen hard to know what was going on . !
Not sure about time in play, but Sarries scored three tries at your end and four at the other.
Not got to rewatch the second half yet, but live there seemed to be something that riled Jamie George and one or two other players in the SouthEast corner as one of our tries was scored. Maro actually man handled Owen to keep him away from Pearce.
EDIT: Ok the lead guy has referred to him as Christian.... obviously its not the judge as he was playing.. they only other player or former player with a Lancastrian tinge might be Day, but im sure hes far too busy as the RPA to do doing a side gig...
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:27:01:24:09 by ninjafez.
[twitter.com]
Farrell: “That’s three at the maul.”
Pearce: “Thanks, I can count.”
Farrell: “Don’t be rude to me, there’s no need to be rude to me.”
For those who had the ref link was LP rude? To me it’s just a short response that he’s aware!
It was Christian Day
Quote:tigersimon
Just read the previous comments about OF’s 'aggressively question' (ing) of Luke Pearce and seen the TNT clip
[twitter.com]
Farrell: “That’s three at the maul.”
Pearce: “Thanks, I can count.”
Farrell: “Don’t be rude to me, there’s no need to be rude to me.”
For those who had the ref link was LP rude? To me it’s just a short response that he’s aware!
Important clarification here is that this is about 50 minutes (of match clock time) on from when Farrell and Pearce first got a bit testy with each other! In isolation, I'm sure most people would say that's pretty snippy from Pearce and possibly even unprofessional. But from the chatter up to that point its more the result of Pearce tiring of how the relationship between ref and captain seemed to be working
He's been with us for a while and it would be good to get his name right. Like Julian but with an E. Not like the rubbish exDT bouffanted rugby correspondent.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Quote:OldMarovian
CLAREY.
He's been with us for a while and it would be good to get his name right. Like Julian but with an E. Not like the rubbish exDT bouffanted rugby correspondent.
Goodness teacher Old Marovian! I do apologise for my typo of accidently putting the e out of position. I feel suitably admonished and will take more care to check my posts in future
If anyone is puzzled I was referring to his bandage coming unstuck at the end of the game and trailing about 3 feet behind him from his boot.
Quote:Barty IIQuote:tigersimon
Just read the previous comments about OF’s 'aggressively question' (ing) of Luke Pearce and seen the TNT clip
[twitter.com]
Farrell: “That’s three at the maul.”
Pearce: “Thanks, I can count.”
Farrell: “Don’t be rude to me, there’s no need to be rude to me.”
For those who had the ref link was LP rude? To me it’s just a short response that he’s aware!
Important clarification here is that this is about 50 minutes (of match clock time) on from when Farrell and Pearce first got a bit testy with each other! In isolation, I'm sure most people would say that's pretty snippy from Pearce and possibly even unprofessional. But from the chatter up to that point its more the result of Pearce tiring of how the relationship between ref and captain seemed to be working
Pearce does seem a little stroppy and with it being just after half-time I wonder whether this is related to the Bristol try on the stroke of half-time. Pearce is unsighted on that one and comes round the ruck to see the ball grounded beyond the try-line. He awards the try and is then completely let down by his TMO who fails to point out that the Bristol player has made about five different movements on the ground to get to that point (you can see Andy Christie making the point quite clearly). For professional referees who pride themselves on getting as much right as they can I always wonder what the subsequent chat with the TMO is. After all, on all of the camera angles the TMO had, the multitude of movements really couldn't have been clearer.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:28:10:18:33 by TOKS.
Quote:tigersimon
ninjafez,
It was Christian Day
thanks for the clarification, thought he did a good job...
Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!
Folks always seem to get his surname wrong. I appreciate it's not on purpose but I thought it might be nice to get it right. Maybe it doesn't matter?
Quote:OldMarovian
Sorry Doncin. ?
Ha Ha. Touche 😂
I shall assume that was fat fingers like mine 😊
Quote:JimG
That try was weird wasn’t it. From the west stand it looked like he brawled over the line on his elbows.
He did! The TMO must have already left for his half-time refreshment.
I just always wonder what the subsequent chat is between referee and TMO when a howler goes unspotted.
I was rather surprised we didn't get a PT at the end as either the in at the side or collapsing offence quite clearly took momentum out of a maul that was heading over the try line otherwise.
Quote:Duncan96Quote:OldMarovian
Sorry Doncin. ?
Ha Ha. Touche 😂
I shall assume that was fat fingers like mine 😊

Quote:OldMarovian
I might have got the incidents confused but the Ogre one seemed ok to me.
OGHRE! GET IT RIGHT!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:29:22:57:15 by nicsue.
Quote:Barty IIQuote:OldMarovian
I might have got the incidents confused but the Ogre one seemed ok to me.
OGHRE! GET IT RIGHT!
I had hoped to catch a bigger fish with that one!

Quote:OldMarovianQuote:Barty IIQuote:OldMarovian
I might have got the incidents confused but the Ogre one seemed ok to me.
OGHRE! GET IT RIGHT!
I had hoped to catch a bigger fish with that one!
Sorry, you're stuck with a minnow

