Brizz v Sarries: please post match related content here

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:20:20:23:25 by Darraghgirl.

I think Tigers' chance of reaching the playoffs is even less likely than that Saints will not! However, they will be keen to finish in seventh in case Gloucs win the Challenge Cup and take the eighth Investec Cup place available next season.

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

Just wanted to wish all you travelling fans a safe journey, and enjoy your day in the West Country….although not too much I hope😉

Thanks. Hopefully it's a great game.

Saracens Men team to play Bristol Bears:

1 Mako Vunipola
2 Jamie George
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Ivan van Zyl
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Theo Dan
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Theo McFarland
21 Billy Vunipola
22 Aled Davies
23 Alex Goode



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:10:12:01:54 by Sarriebone.

Bristol Bears team to face Saracens at Ashton Gate on Saturday (3.05pm KO):

15. Max Malins (32 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (33 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (23 apps), 12. James Williams (40 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (39 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (36 apps), 9. Harry Randall (124 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (43 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (15 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (59 apps), 4. James Dun (32 apps), 5. Joe Batley (61 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (128 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (70 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (43 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (113 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (148 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (85 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (22 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (109 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (22 apps), 22. Virimi Vakatawa (17 apps), 23. Noah Heward (19 apps).

Unavailable: Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona

Apparently there may be some 'comedy booing' - how refreshing!

Both teams look fully loaded. Should be a cracker in the sun tomorrow.

Quote:

tpr's headmistress


Apparently there may be some 'comedy booing' - how refreshing!

Oh dear, which perceived slight is it this time?

Who knows (or cares really). Possibly think it'll unsettle Owen and hence the team, after the much publicised w/c shenanigans.

Seems a fairly innocuous comment. Let it be food for our hungry players

Not sure why we’ve gone 6-2 bench here, will be very interesting to see what version of Sarries turn up. Really must get points out of this at least

As expected re the bench. Agree that its a questionable call.
Otherwise like the squad a lot and the back three now being given a run have looked really good.

For Tigers to reach the play offs it is necessary (but not sufficient) that Tigers win their two games with a try bonus point in each and that Bath lose both their games without any bonus point at all.

With Sale - Tigers and Falcons - Bath on tonight, it shouldn't be too long to see if it could be on!

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

Quote:

AP
For Tigers to reach the play offs it is necessary (but not sufficient) that Tigers win their two games with a try bonus point in each and that Bath lose both their games without any bonus point at all.
With Sale - Tigers and Falcons - Bath on tonight, it shouldn't be too long to see if it could be on!

In a word, no

What an exciting season end! I hope (expect) our boys are looking at this game as a must win knockout match.

By-the-by, Stains have beaten Glaws 90-0

Blimey ... anyone with hair or nails left who hasn't been defibrillated at least once report to the Nurses office.
What a game.
Well done team, coaches and travelling support.

So, any win over Sale gives the team a home SF right?

Incredible physicality from us today. A second fantastic win in a couple of weeks. Gonzalez and Cinti just look better and better.

Dickson is such a bad referee.

Our scrum remains a source of real concern. We just cannot stop giving away penalties; it will cost us in the knock outs I think.

Embarassing from Luatua. If he going to collapse in a heap clutching his head like that, he should be off for an HIA.

Great performance. Brilliant defence and some very good attacking rugby when it was on

Quote:

#wolfpack1
Incredible physicality from us today. A second fantastic win in a couple of weeks. Gonzalez and Cinti just look better and better.
Dickson is such a bad referee.

Our scrum remains a source of real concern. We just cannot stop giving away penalties; it will cost us in the knock outs I think.

Embarassing from Luatua. If he going to collapse in a heap clutching his head like that, he should be off for an HIA.

Likewise your 3 who was treated twice for head injury in the first 20, and your 12 who cleverly got Dickson to disallow our try for a head injury but no HIA. Please open both eyes

Likewise your 3 who was treated twice for head injury in the first 20, and your 12 who cleverly got Dickson to disallow our try for a head injury but no HIA. Please open both eyes[/quote]

Riccioni was a stinger. No where near his head and he never claimed it was.

So... now who need to open the other one?

They are both open.

Riccioni was not treated for a head injury. It was his shoulder after he was bumped by that carry from Van Rensburg.

I haven’t got a clue which Bristol try was disallowed I’m afraid..?

Luatua went down clutching his face the moment there was a bit of contact with Itoje. The moment the yellow card was brandished he was up and about and taking the line out from the resulting penalty.

Well done lads, thought big Tiz had a great game as did JMG, big Tom, Daly and Ivan. Nice pace from Lucio too and his mucker was in his shoulder to score a well deserved try.

If Quins don’t get at least 2 points from their match v chiefs then we have at least qualified - but home semi is crucial. 3 crucial final games next week, us v Sale, Bath v Saints and Quins v bears. Very exciting!

Quote:

#wolfpack1
They are both open.
Riccioni was not treated for a head injury. It was his shoulder after he was bumped by that carry from Van Rensburg.

I haven’t got a clue which Bristol try was disallowed I’m afraid..?

Luatua went down clutching his face the moment there was a bit of contact with Itoje. The moment the yellow card was brandished he was up and about and taking the line out from the resulting penalty.

A bit of contact 😄

Great performance, sets up the game with Sale beautifully for that home SF and the last game for OF and others

Can we all agree the JMG’s nickname should be Speedy. Not only does he live up to it but Speedy Gonzales

How on earth was Daly PotM? Mind you I guess it gets repetitive giving it to JMG every game!
Malins v quiet. Kicking to him worked beautifully. He took pretty much all of them excellently but mostly at the same time as a defender. Nullified his attacking threat.
McFarland fluffing the wonderful crossfield kick, ouch! 😀

Yay! Top 4 whatever happens next week.

Two points next week gets us a home semi, by my calculation

Quote:

OldMarovian
How on earth was Daly PotM? Mind you I guess it gets repetitive giving it to JMG every game!

Player of the season isn’t even close. Gonzalez is really special.

So:

Saints and Saracens are in the play offs
Saints have a home semi final
Saracens have a home semi final with a win but one more bonus point than Sale would be enough if Saints beat Bath
Bath need one bonus point to be in the play offs, and a win against Saints and Sale to beat Saracens to have a home semi final
Sale need a win over Saracens to reach play offs and would have a home semi final if Saints beat Bath, and Sale do not concede more bonus points to Saracens than they score themselves and score a bonus point if Bath get one.

The rest have to win and hope.

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

Quote:

Surbiton Sarries
Two points next week gets us a home semi, by my calculation

Like my sat-nav you might need to do some re-calculating

Quote:

OldMarovian

Quote:

Surbiton Sarries
Two points next week gets us a home semi, by my calculation

Like my sat-nav you might need to do some re-calculating

Perhaps Surbiton is assuming Saints pull the plug on Bath!

Superb after the first 10 mins. How was the deliberate knock on not a penalty try? What was Earls yellow for?
Scrum still an absolute shambles, even with a fresh front five. Bristol aren’t exactly top in that department but took us to the cleaners.
Their obsession with not kicking potentially cost them the game

Quote:

AP
Perhaps Surbiton is assuming Saints pull the plug on Bath!

Ok, that makes sense.

The Bard. Agree with you (and Farrell!) that was being walked under the posts. Unfortunately the Laws state if there is cover you can't PT. Frustrating but it's consistently applied. Earls carded, quite rightly given the warnings before, for collapsing the maul I believe.

The whole team was great. After a slightly wobbly first 15 I thought Farrell had one of his best games for a long time. Loads of great touches and did well with quite a bit of ropey passing to him. I love how nuggety IVZ and Tompkins are. Having both the speed and size of Cinti is making a big difference to our midfield attack. Earl and Willis both with huge workmate games and as said above Tizard was excellent. Daly had a great game too.
Great seeing Segun nab a try and be a general menace in open play. Can we suggest to both he and Dan that passing IS an option 😀

Most pleased with how we played. Excellent defence but ready to play when the opportunity (or half a one) was there. Some really top draw passing and play today.
Chapeau team.

The great thing was that they looked to be enjoying it.

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

A bit of contact 😄[/quote]

I liked the comedy bandage that appearred. Then second half disappeared along with any damage it was supposed to be healing. Miracle.

It was a great day out all told. After the first 10 we were simply stronger in all areas. Defence was awesome. I also think a shout-out is appropriate for the Bears' supporters. They were loud, very welcoming and humble in defeat. Thanks all....

Quote:

AP
So:
Saints and Saracens are in the play offs
Saints have a home semi final
Saracens have a home semi final with a win but one more bonus point than Sale would be enough if Saints beat Bath
Bath need one bonus point to be in the play offs, and a win against Saints and Sale to beat Saracens to have a home semi final
Sale need a win over Saracens to reach play offs and would have a home semi final if Saints beat Bath, and Sale do not concede more bonus points to Saracens than they score themselves and score a bonus point if Bath get one.

The rest have to win and hope.

I can't see saints sending a full 15 when they don't have to, so I might still want to see us end sale hopes next week... Sale will have to win to have any hope of staying in top 4 so they will be strong.... Hoping I can make kickoff rushing back from Kensington..

Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!

Quote:

OldMarovian
Seems a fairly innocuous comment. Let it be food for our hungry players

They did boo, a section of the crowd did, and it was rude and pointless. The booing reduced as Sarries moved farther ahead. Not a very sporting gesture by those Bristol fans who took part.

BJVR is such a class player. Esterhuizen is a beast.
"Dai" Tompkins however is just different level for us. Also think he and Cinti have very quickly formed a brilliant partnership.

I thought Cinti was excellent. And his interplay with JMG or 'Speedy' for that try was top draw...

Nick has certainly rediscovered his mojo these last two rounds, and just as well because him and Faz are the two players absolutely guaranteed to start and play the full 80

Quote:

ninjafez

Quote:

AP
So:
Saints and Saracens are in the play offs
Saints have a home semi final
Saracens have a home semi final with a win but one more bonus point than Sale would be enough if Saints beat Bath
Bath need one bonus point to be in the play offs, and a win against Saints and Sale to beat Saracens to have a home semi final
Sale need a win over Saracens to reach play offs and would have a home semi final if Saints beat Bath, and Sale do not concede more bonus points to Saracens than they score themselves and score a bonus point if Bath get one.

The rest have to win and hope.

I can't see saints sending a full 15 when they don't have to, so I might still want to see us end sale hopes next week... Sale will have to win to have any hope of staying in top 4 so they will be strong.... Hoping I can make kickoff rushing back from Kensington..

As long as we win I'll be happy if Bath also win. Saint's are already guaranteed a home semi, but any win for us guarantees the same for us and if Bath do beat Saints, as long as we match Saints for bonus points we'd be top of the league (I think). Ultimately meaningless I know but would be a pleasant bonus after the up and down season we've had.

How flakey are Quins? Chiefs were very good but blimey Quins were awful. Already thinking about their summer holidays maybe?

Quote:

Roger G

Quote:

ninjafez

Quote:

AP
So:
Saints and Saracens are in the play offs
Saints have a home semi final
Saracens have a home semi final with a win but one more bonus point than Sale would be enough if Saints beat Bath
Bath need one bonus point to be in the play offs, and a win against Saints and Sale to beat Saracens to have a home semi final
Sale need a win over Saracens to reach play offs and would have a home semi final if Saints beat Bath, and Sale do not concede more bonus points to Saracens than they score themselves and score a bonus point if Bath get one.

The rest have to win and hope.

I can't see saints sending a full 15 when they don't have to, so I might still want to see us end sale hopes next week... Sale will have to win to have any hope of staying in top 4 so they will be strong.... Hoping I can make kickoff rushing back from Kensington..

As long as we win I'll be happy if Bath also win. Saint's are already guaranteed a home semi, but any win for us guarantees the same for us and if Bath do beat Saints, as long as we match Saints for bonus points we'd be top of the league (I think). Ultimately meaningless I know but would be a pleasant bonus after the up and down season we've had.

We (Saints) are 4 points ahead of you, and you will finish top if you get 4 more match points than us (0/4, 0/5, 1/5). If we're level on points (0/4 or 1/5), we'd be on the same number of wins and your points diff is a little better than ours (even after our big win yesterday!). And of course, us losing and you winning would mean your points diff getting better and ours worse.
So I have to hope that if we lose to Bath we pick up try and losing BPs :-)

Quote:

shendy
We (Saints) are 4 points ahead of you, and you will finish top if you get 4 more match points than us (0/4, 0/5, 1/5). If we're level on points (0/4 or 1/5), we'd be on the same number of wins and your points diff is a little better than ours (even after our big win yesterday!). And of course, us losing and you winning would mean your points diff getting better and ours worse.
So I have to hope that if we lose to Bath we pick up try and losing BPs :-)

Thanks Shendy, that was my thinking, but you've summarised it so much better than I did. Either way, as I said, it's the home semi that's more important than being top dog at the end of the pre-playoff season.

I have only seen the highlights so far but so pleased for the boys as they really showed that their competitive spirit is still top draw with what are now two really hard nosed wins away from home. Just need to do the same at home this Saturday and we will have a valuable home semi to look forward to.
I had expected us to peak at this time but it still takes enormous skill, energy and commitment to do it against two strong teams.

Someone needs to give Maro some hugs to stop him trying to get them from his tackles! We managed the cards brilliantly but it would still be preferable to avoid them.

Living in South Wales now I don’t get to see as many games as I used to. Sat in the Dolman Stand with a couple of Saracens fans who had travelled down on their motorbikes. Can’t recall names, but great company. Found the Ashton Gate experience good as an away supporter. The Jamaican food in the ground is recommended. Bristol fans around me were pleasant, and those nearby didn’t partake in the unfortunate booing when we kicked. A great day out!

Have no issue with booing and think we should get off our high horses about it. We want more atmosphere at games not less, if we have to play pantomime villain from time to time and that’s fine. More booing at stone x would be great make it more of an intimidating atmosphere and less like a trip to the cricket

Shoutout to our coaches and backroom staff who have done a good job working out what is needed tactically in any given situation, and getting that over to the players in a way that they can carry it through in real time on the pitch.

Loved the 'box of tricks' that came out to play yesterday. What fun!

Can someone explain what the booing was all about?

Having now watched the whole game what a team performance. We never gave them a second to think before hitting them back in the tackle. I personally would have given the PoTM award to either Gonzales or Earl as we won the game up front in the energy of our tackle and breakdown play. There was some high skill levels across the team and we could so easily have had two more tries, with what I thought most refs would have given as a penalty try and then that drop by McFarland.
A massive game at home next week and if we can get 5 points as well I can see us ending up top of the pile as I fancy Bath to beat Northampton next week.

Segun passes to Davies after his magnificent break and I'd suggest he makes the line before Luatua? can catch him too. A great performance with things to improve, perfect.

Interesting that McCall (I think) referenced our own "Bomb Squad" with the tight five being replaced entirely against Bristol. I'm unclear whether it was a specific tactic or a reaction to Maros card/resting him.
It feels almost inconceivable that we wouldn't want him on the full 80 and yet Isiekwe and McFarland both played well and it allows Maro to empty the tank in 60.
Interesting to see.
Still struggling to see what Billy's bringing from the bench but maybe he'll show up before the season ends? Would still prefer Earl to 8 when Willis comes off and either one of our hybrids to 6 or a player like Knight with youth and commitmenton. The sort of difference Dan makes as opposed to a noticeable drop in quality.

Would people go same again for Sale or make changes? Does Maro need his minutes managed? Might we start the bench front row as we have a few times? There's a week rest after this game.

OM: It was a tactic, in fact it didn't go entirely to plan as because of the card we held off on bringing Billy on at the same time. [www.rugbypass.com] says:

Quote:

We wanted to use our six/two bench well today,” explained McCall in the aftermath. “It was going to be a fatiguing match the way that they [Bristol] play. The plan would have been to bring the whole tight five on with 30 minutes to go, which we couldn’t do as Maro was in the sin bin.
“We brought four of them on (Theo Dan, Eroni Mawi, Ollie Hoskins, and Nick Isiekwe). I thought our starting tight five did an incredible job and the guys who came on backed that up, which is what we wanted.”

“Billy is then last cab off the rank as your sixth forward once you decide to bring the other five on. We had a couple of little issues with some of the back row which we needed to clear up. We wanted to give Billy longer but Billy understands.”

Tks ned

Hard to imagine any changes this week although I don’t see much daylight between any of our tightheads so they might change.

With a semi final sorted (albeit not a home one yet), I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a couple of boys are given a farewell game.

I’d expect both Vunipolas to start this weekend, maybe Maitland as well with Lewington on the bench.

If Loz is fit enough to play some part in the semi final, I’d have thought he would get some minutes too.

Normally I’d be totally against this sort of thing, but we can win the game with a little rotation plus as it isn’t an absolute balls-out must win, I’m happy enough with us giving some great players a bit of a send off.

Strictly back to the Bristol squad for the semi final though (plus maybe Loz on bench instead of Goode, if he’s fit).

We still havent had the official announcement from the club as to who is leaving at the end of the season - normally they do this before the last home game , so hopefully we will know soon and give them a proper send offf…

I watched the Sale - Tigers game: Sale are as power-based as ever and won't be a pushover (literally), even if they have yet to win at the StoneX. They jackalled and counter-rucked very effectively. We really want a home semi, as going away to Saints, Bath or Sale will not be a picnic.

Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade

🌻🌻🌻

Personally I think a home semi is crucial so the match is a must win. If Smally thinks we can do the job with rotation then fine but I’d want to keep the team and momentum they’re building. Also there are a few guys like Willis, Cinti and Parton who need to continue building cohesion and Sale have the meanest defence in the league (apart from ours) so will be a good test to build to the playoffs. Also if we pip Saints to top spot I wonder if it might have a psychological impact on them…

I'm totally against the idea of sentiment having any part in selection when there's still a lot to play for. It's my view it's already hampering selection as is.
We all want the whole team to have the end of season they deserve and that starts with securing a home SF, with the advantages that brings, playing and financial.
There's a week off after the game and we should certainly rest any the coaches feel need it but mass changes would be a mistake IMO.
We have momentum, let's use it.

100% agree OM. I imagine Lewington would rather another prem medal then 10 mins off the bench so let’s give them the best shot possible for that.

Luke Pearce for the Sale game.
Good to see Sara Cox being given a game even if it's the only dead rubber of the week.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:14:15:36:45 by OldMarovian.

Quote:

Stumpy7780
if we have to play pantomime villain from time to time and that’s fine.

Saracens have been panto villain for ages, so much so that The Wicked Witch of the West has refused to be a club mascot and rumour has it that The Child Catcher is not interested either.
If we make the final against Saints the non-partisan will be willing on only one team. Don't care but there it is.

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!

Happy Sarrie but has it ever been any different for successful teams here in the UK?
I get the SC stuff for Sarries but let's be honest none of Tigers, Wasps or Bath were liked by the neutrals during their periods of sustained success and all it took to turn Chiefs from everyones darlings into a team few neutrals liked was for them to win some silverware.
I think we're generally not that good in this country at appreciating and congratulating success if it's not our own (or tied to what we support)

Personally I'm not in the "everyone hates us and we don't care" camp and am hoping that with some of the senior players leaving there will be a bit of a line drawn under the SC situation and continued benefits in the eyes of at least some of the more reasonable opposition supporters.

I have watched the replay a couple of times
There has always been some chatter over the years who was the best overseas player to sign for Sarries
We all Know thankfully the list is endless we as supporters have been blessed by being able to watch some of the best players in the world play for our club however I have never been so blown away by the weekly MOM performances of JMG he is only 22 and for me is the only candidate for player of the season
If he is in the team and along with the breakout star Cinti the future is indeed bright

Luatua reopened injury he got from Itoje... "Bit of contact" lol