SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here

Pre match discussion threads merged to keep things in one place



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:07:17:26:10 by Darraghgirl.

I am looking forward to seeing Sarries at home after a very long absence and am very hopeful that we will bring our A game this Saturday. We certainly need to win if we are to have a good chance of reaching the play offs. I am hoping that with the break (2 weeks for the England players) that we hit the ground running and dominate the collisions and tackle area. If we do that we should win, even against a very exciting and slippery Gloucester XV.
The structure of the season really doesn’t help attract those who are not already fully committed.

I cannot wait to get back to the StoneX, last time was 1st Feb v Ealing which feels like an age away. Fingers crossed the weather forecast changes!

It is getting somewhat ridiculous how few home games we have now. We are STH’s and Haven’t been to StoneX since the Bristol match at the start of January as the timings of the premiership cup games didn’t work for us (clashes with 6N matches etc). I reckon I’ll forget what the place looks like at this rate.

This probably sounds like a silly idea but should the club maybe try and arrange socials (or even screenings of Internationals?) at the StoneX to try and retain some sense of supporters still having a club in those extended periods of no home games.

I have no idea what such things cost and what level of take-up you need to make things profitable but I was wondering if people might enjoy something like a curry night re-watch of one of the great Saracens games in the Olympic bar maybe with a Q&A with a couple of ex-players afterwards.
It's entirely possible that it wouldn't be viable but I have always enjoyed the SSA events in the past and though that is something that could be built on.

Lovely idea but regrettably only suitable if you live within easy driving distance of StoneX and that definitely doesn't apply to us .

Quote:

saracensfan62
It is getting somewhat ridiculous how few home games we have now. We are STH’s and Haven’t been to StoneX since the Bristol match at the start of January as the timings of the premiership cup games didn’t work for us (clashes with 6N matches etc). I reckon I’ll forget what the place looks like at this rate.

Which why after nearly 30 years we are giving up our season tickets. The season is so disjointed. I am afraid the Prem Cup doesn’t make up for only 9 (8 if you count the Spuds game!) Premiership home games and then some of them without our English internationals

Mrs Rolls and i have renewed our season tickets for another year but only after a great deal of shal we/shant we. Weve been ST holders since 1999. For me the season itself is pretty hopeless, I agree with Kevetty that 9 games at StoneX plus premiership games in which we may or may not be competitive is hardly a worthwhile investment especially when for several games you lose your internationals. I have no interest in the autumn series, love the 6 Nations but am not going to Twickenham for their ludicrous prices. The RFU should have increased the league when the 3 clubs were lost, but didnt. I cant see English clubs being competitive in Europe until the format changes but wish whover is in with a chance the best of luck. Oh well, in for another year, i just hope i can make all the games……….

You won’t be the only one giving up their ST Kevetty.

I find the lack of games completely baffling.

Every club’s main income source is gate receipts, and yet they’re determined not to open the league to whoever wants to join. They should be begging the Welsh and the Championship clubs to join the league, not blocking them out.

Yes player management will be more difficult, but that’s better than going bust and all your players being out of a job.

i agree with many of the comments above and find it a very difficult decision to make re renewing my STH. Will leave the decision to the last day for renewal and hope that the light dawns before

I have renewed my season ticket, the cost of which was reduced from last year.
The lesser number of games is disappointing and I find it more difficult to attend with the kick off times later in the day . I have missed games with holidays etc so my attendance has been below the potential visits available. I don't see the Prem Cup as secondary and inferior but an opportunity to both blood young players and see Championship teams playing to assess their abilities. Few except the RFU could say Trailfinders wouldn't make it in the Prem.
I have explained my reasoning with other supporters that the problem of fewer games is not the fault of Saracens but the whole structure of rugby in this country its' finances and management at the top. However having supported Saracens from the days of the Peter Deacon initiatives I do not intend to abandon them or punish them for the faults of others. To do so would only add more negative pressure on their finances with potential presumably to fold as others this last year which I would not like to see. As an older retired supporter I can see a time when I won't be able to make the games and cost must influence decisions so understand others might need to weight the cost to benefit/enjoyment with perhaps more important demands on their finances.

We have renewed but downgraded from Platinum to Gold. For slightly worse seats we saved 350 a head. Hopefully the money saved means I’ll be able to attend a few more away games next season

#wolfpack1 it feels a bit like that logic is 12+ sides would be better than 10 regardless of those sides?

Welsh rugby is even more of a basket case than the Prem and whilst some have fond memories of the Anglo-Welsh from the past my guess is the majority would have little interest in those renewed "rivalries" I can see it being a positive for the SW clubs as they might get some travelling support hoping the border but is Hendon on a Saturday afternoon going to draw away or even home support for Saracens v Cardiff? let alone the Dragons.

It's also worth noting that whilst gates are important you'd almost certainly be "cashing out" a slice of your TV revenue to the new clubs and it's quite possibly debatable whether an extra 2 home games a season would make that worth it?

I do appreciate that people like different things but I wish more of those complaining about the lack of games would come and support the Women's team.
I appreciate some do but our gates for them are still relatively small and they play really good, mostly attractive rugby in an increasingly competitive League.
Imagine the difference it would make to the Women's team if an extra 500, even 1000 started turning up regularly. I think supporters would enjoy it too.

For the Men's team I'd sooner they concentrate on establishing a proper Academy/A League competition for some of those empty weeks over bringing in a couple of extra under-financed rubbish clubs too make up the numbers.

Had to check the title of the thread twice: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER Please post match-related content here.

Enu you took the words right out of my mouth
If you want to discuss season tickets please can you create another thread - this one is for the game on saturday!

I am looking forward to the game of Rugby Union taking place this upcoming Saturday the 19th of April between the fine fellows of Saracens Rugby Football Club and rapscallions of Gloucester Rugby Football Club.

Virtually a play-off game, and very tough to call.
The defence of our backs has to improve or we will be conceding a shed-load of tries (sorry about that)
We must also play for more than 60 minutes. Traditionally we were a second half team after a slow start but that’s now completely turned on its head.
We’ve certainly shown we have the capability, really time now for action.

Not the only massive game for the playoffs with Bris v Tigers and Quins v Sale.

Quote:

TommyKentish
Not the only massive game for the playoffs with Bris v Tigers and Quins v Sale.

All the remaining games are massive for the clubs from #2 to #7 - until they aren't!

Bath are pretty well there - wins against Exeter (A) and Newcastle (H) should see them to a home SF, and they can then try to hurt Bristol (A), Tigers (H) and us (at StoneX), and seal the top spot.

Gloucs are in a good position - the only other of the seven top sides to be playing both Exeter and Newcastle. They are also home to Saints in the final round. If we do not win on Saturday, they probably finish ahead of us.

Bristol may be in a tougher position than it looks as they are the only side not to be playing either Exeter or Newcastle.

If Exeter and Newcastle perk up and start getting a win or two, that will dash some hopes. Saints also have a say in things as they are playing Bristol, Gloucester and us.

The calamity of our season (besides the Showdown loss) is losing to Exeter and Newcastle. That effectively gives us a two win handicap.

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

🌻🌻🌻

Saracens Men team to play Gloucester Rugby:

1 Eroni Mawi
2 Theo Dan
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 Olly Hartley
13 Nick Tompkins
14 Tobias Elliott
15 Elliot Daly

Replacements:

16 Jamie George
17 Rhys Carre/Sam Crean
18 Alec Clarey
19 Hugh Tizard
20 Andy Onyeama-Christie
21 Juan Martin Gonzalez
22 Charlie Bracken
23 Alex Goode

We’ve done it again… Roti starting with only Goodey as cover. I almost despair. No Wade for Glos, feel he would have caused havoc down the wing.

On the plus side Bracken on the bench although I don’t hold much hope that he’ll be getting significant minutes.

Quote:

The Bard
We’ve done it again… Roti starting with only Goodey as cover. I almost despair. No Wade for Glos, feel he would have caused havoc down the wing.

Mad! We don’t learn, do we?!

Agree but its still a very good team overall and I'm really hoping we see continued progression of our game plan.
It looks like Carre might be a doubt. He made such a difference early season and it would be great to see him feature on a regular basis. Good luck to the players.

It will also be interesting to see how Marcus Street goes starting for Chiefs against a slightly rotated Bath side.

Referee is Adam Leal assisted by Joe James and Jonathan Healy. TMO Peter Allan

Quote:

The Bard
We’ve done it again… Roti starting with only Goodey as cover. I almost despair. No Wade for Glos, feel he would have caused havoc down the wing.

Bonkers

Quote:

The Bard
We’ve done it again… Roti starting with only Goodey as cover. I almost despair. No Wade for Glos, feel he would have caused havoc down the wing.

According to the Telegraph Wade has now signed for Wigan from June.

Quote:

Uttoxsarie

According to the Telegraph Wade has now signed for Wigan from June.

Just enough time to take Ashy's record? (If they pick him)

So we havent had a proper game at home since January and they make this a 5.30 kickoff on Easter weekend? Obviously they want season ticket holders to stop buying, i cant think what else they are aiming at. I give in, I wont renew. Hope this is a good one given the issues in getting away to attend. Team looks OK, here’s hoping Fergus gets to show us what a good place kicker he is at last. What’s happened to Cinti, is he out all season now?

Lot of vacant real estate in the east stand. Can't see what the others are like

Van Zyl around the ruck is absolutely infuriating

What a welcome Tonic to add to an Easter Weekend Gin.

Well done to the Coaches and team that felt like a real step in the right direction.
Sharper defense, great set piece and still some attacking intent.

MotM was rightly Isiekwe. That's the sort of performance we knew he has in him.
I also think huge credit to Clarey for doing pretty much 80 v two good Gloucester LHs. A penalty or two maybe but that's still a huge shift.
It was also nice to see the return of Jamie "Skilful Beast" George on the wing and JMG doing JMG things. Perhaps most pleasing of all was seeing Segun lasting the full 80. Let's get him the ball more as he cause Gloucester palpitations whenever he did.

Sale away next week which will be a great test of where we are as they looked high quality today away at Quins.

Well done all.

Agreed with the above, lineout defence was awesome and Isiekwe was a big part of that. Likewise excellent maul today, 2 tries and a lot of go forward produced. Only conceding 14 to one of the leagues best attacks was huge win and no BPs (I was mentally prepared for a tryfest) is great for the playoff fight.

Still work to do on attack, we once again got slowed at the breakdown and we didn’t have much variety or layered attack.

Always nice to win against Gloucester though so I’m going to enjoy the win!

6 tries to 2 shows that Sarries did manage to dominate the forward exchanges in the 2nd half. I thought it was a pretty decent team performance with plenty of fight up front and some decent attacking play as well. Great to see Nick I back to his best and Roti had a decent game on the wing. Maro was dominant in the line out. impressed that we nilled them in the 2nd half.

Absolutely massive game this Friday against Sale with us both currently sitting on 44 points.

[x.com] Got to give it to the Saints fan who runs this account. Flat out lying.

I was surprised when they gave the attendance as 8000 odd, so many empty seats in both east and west stand, maybe adding in season ticket holders off for an Easter break?
Good to see Fergus kicking for goal, sad to see Van Zyl still kicking ball away all the time and rarely well. Wish Bracken had more than 4 minutes of action. Apart from odd flashes that didnt look like the Gloucester I’ve seen recently on TV, boys must have closed them down well. Next week will be the big challenge v Sale. Hope Marco is OK

Quote:

TommyKentish
Still work to do on attack, we once again got slowed at the breakdown and we didn’t have much variety or layered attack.

Agreed and yet some of our best attack this afternoon showed both the ability and value of Van-Zyl actually playing quickly from the base.
I also feel the more we embrace attacking ball in hand the more comfortable our players will get with it and the better decisions they'll make.
For example I'd have loved to see Burke give the pass to McFarland on the wing. Two defenders coming across but I think I'd still probably have backed him to make the line or commit defense and give it back to Burke.

Hope that Riccioni is alright.

Riccioni in a protective boot in the Tiki Tonga video on socials
Not great news at all
Could see a medical joker being called in this week

Never in doubt.

Some awful passing in the first half against a team who looked much more coherent than we did. But a super second half gave us a deserved win.
Set piece in first half excellent, but surprised they didn’t challenge lineouts until the end of the second half.
Jack Singletons throwing still as wayward as ever.
Hugely disappointing crowd given the age since the last home game and the good weather.
Really don’t think the 5.30 kick off should make that much difference.
Was in Bordeaux recently for a 9.05pm kick off on a Sunday night in the international window. 32,500 there….

We all know there is a big difference between us and the French clubs, even between us and English clubs in the centre of towns where there is little else to do. I personally don’t like the 17:30 kick off for a myriad of reasons but still make it because I love it. If people are on the fence then that timing is probably going to put them off.

Quote:

TommyKentish
https://x.com/rugbyinsideline/status/1913638168282210352?s=46&t=Jhq8Yftghn-aZw6DsIyQ0w Got to give it to the Saints fan who runs this account. Flat out lying.

I think the TV people had special microphones there to pick up the away fans. At StoneX I completely forgot there was an "away fans" area, but my son, watching on TV, commented on how loud they were. At the match I think they were completely drowned out by the constant shouting at the ref by their players.

I felt Leal and his team had a good game although I was surprised at how patient he was with what felt like constant haranguing from Gloucester players on every decision.

One of the real pluses under Maro's leadership is we seem a much calmer team even when the calls are going against us. There was one game this season although I can't remember which when we seemed to revisit old times and we were marched back and penalised but generally it feels discipline has been a big plus this season.
I wonder if the stats would prove that out.

So who fancies a 3-3 draw at Bris today, highly unlikely really but it will shake up the table once more whatever happens

Ninjafez - supporting Sarries and cleaning their signs since 2006!

It was a very good team performance and complete control in the second half. It's great to see Burke being trusted with place kicks!
A few downers for me, nothing to do with the rugby. Why the constant stupid music (dancing queen!!). Why the awful "are there any ??? in the house" and those dreadful holiday snaps constantly dominating the big screens. All this razmataz nonsense never appears at other grounds.

Eurosarrie,

Games from Sandy Park (Exeter) are equally as bad if not worse!

I find it very annoying and it’s actually disrespectful to an injured player to have music blasting away whilst they are being treated.

I believe the clubs received a directive from PRL instructing them to play the music, probably from the ‘idiot’ that created the Hundred that is now employed by PRL!

Appreciate I am not the demographic PRL are looking to attract but I would like to talk with the people around me during breaks in play!

Is Hoskins still with the club? And is he fit?

Who else can play TH?
Any youngster playing for Ampthill?

Hoskins appeared on the training video from last week so presumably fit. But given his rate of being penalised at scrums is at least 75% I’d imagine we’ll see Beaton first.

I'd prefer to see Beaton.

Hoskins and Balmain have not been good signings.
Even on the rare occasions either have been fit they've offered little.

I thought Street was decent for Chiefs against admittedly not Bath's full strength team.
Scrum seemed solid and he tackled a bit and carried a bit. Hit quite a few rucks. Is he the guy to rotate with Riccioni, if he stays, so we're not so reliant on him and don't end up overplaying him. I don't know but I hope so.

I’ve liked Beaton every time his had a shot, even in Toulon he looked a handful ball in hand. Obviously the coaches have a better view of him and I imagine constant injuries don’t help but I’d like to see more of him.

Balmain unfortunately has never been match fit for you!

Carre, George, Beaton (couldn’t remember his name) doesn’t sound too bad a replacement front row!

No idea how Gonzalez try stood. Hands on the floor, no release at all. Would not have been happy had that gone against us.

Plenty of that went the other way, plus lying on the wrong side. JMG played the ref beautifully.

Quote:

The Bard
No idea how Gonzalez try stood. Hands on the floor, no release at all. Would not have been happy had that gone against us.

I’m not sure they are allowed to review that sort of infringement

Quote:

Eurosarrie
It was a very good team performance and complete control in the second half. It's great to see Burke being trusted with place kicks!
A few downers for me, nothing to do with the rugby. Why the constant stupid music (dancing queen!!). Why the awful "are there any ??? in the house" and those dreadful holiday snaps constantly dominating the big screens. All this razmataz nonsense never appears at other grounds.

The first two things I’ve no issue with, it is what it is.

But the last one really hacked me off yesterday, the amount of times I wanted to watch a replay of what had happened but had it cut short to show the same 10 selfies, was really annoying

Leicester bonus point win against Bristol puts them up to 2nd and knocks us out of the top 4

Paula, sorry for making an off-topic comment and thus starting an off-topic conversation. When you mentioned that there are just 3 home games left (2 now after the Glos match) it prompted me to comment my feelings about the lack of games at StoneX.

On the positive side of things it keeps us within 2 points of second place, we could really do with getting something from Sale to keep in touch though.

I think the comments above are quite generous.

I thought we were really bad in the first half; Gloucester looked so much better than us, more dangerous in attack and quite comfortable in defence.

We controlled the game well in the second half, but for all our possession and territory we didn’t manage to actually fashion any score — two driving mauls (fine), a piece of brilliance from Gonzalez and a little break from Itoje and Jamie. There was so so much space out wide, and did the ball ever get outside 12? Not sure it did. Tobias was so so quiet - our wingers need to offer so much more than just hanging out on the wing. I really hope Spink gets fit and gets a go, because I think we’d really benefit from someone who can carry with a bit of aggression and dynamism and directness in the backs.

Obviously very happy with the result, and I can’t complain there was a lack of intent this time. But execution was very poor imo and come to phase 4, 5 or 6 we haven’t much of a clue what we’re doing.

Re comments regarding empty seats - I always think you should ignore empty seats at the SX: at any one time people are wandering about getting drinks or food, watching from the side of the pitch etc. It isn’t the same as a traditional “stadium” where everyone takes their seats etc.

Quote:

tigersimon
Eurosarrie,
Games from Sandy Park (Exeter) are equally as bad if not worse!

I find it very annoying and it’s actually disrespectful to an injured player to have music blasting away whilst they are being treated.

I believe the clubs received a directive from PRL instructing them to play the music, probably from the ‘idiot’ that created the Hundred that is now employed by PRL!

Appreciate I am not the demographic PRL are looking to attract but I would like to talk with the people around me during breaks in play!

I am not of that demographic either.

I should like to shake the neck of the idiot who thought that the away end trial was allocated to a bunch of !nbred teenagers!

It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:04:20:17:51:46 by TonyTaff.

Quote:

#wolfpack1
I think the comments above are quite generous.
I thought we were really bad in the first half; Gloucester looked so much better than us, more dangerous in attack and quite comfortable in defence.

We controlled the game well in the second half, but for all our possession and territory we didn’t manage to actually fashion any score — two driving mauls (fine), a piece of brilliance from Gonzalez and a little break from Itoje and Jamie. There was so so much space out wide, and did the ball ever get outside 12? Not sure it did. Tobias was so so quiet - our wingers need to offer so much more than just hanging out on the wing. I really hope Spink gets fit and gets a go, because I think we’d really benefit from someone who can carry with a bit of aggression and dynamism and directness in the backs.

Obviously very happy with the result, and I can’t complain there was a lack of intent this time. But execution was very poor imo and come to phase 4, 5 or 6 we haven’t much of a clue what we’re doing

Phase 4 is being generous, often phase two. I don’t think it a lack of directness in the backs, Hartley and Tompkins are a very direct pair and did well (intercept aside). No Loz means less playmaking though. Despite that we did really well in other areas and not letting Gloucester (who have one of the best attacks in the league) score a point in the second half is a really good effort and deserving of praise. It was a good win against a rival for the top 4. After a short break it’s a good foundation to build on.

We get the ball out to the wings. But there's usually three well positioned defenders there as well.

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

🌻🌻🌻

Sorry, wolfpack, I disagree. I haven't watched the game again but my impression was that we were trying to go wide too early in the first half. There was no go forward and was one of the reasons for the 3-4 interceptions. In the 2nd half Hartley in particular was doing his best Brad Barritt impression and we were far more effective.

I thought that was an excellent performance. Agreed a little bit sloppy in the first half but we were trying to play rugby so I don't mind that at all. Harris is an excellent defender and Carreras is a constant danger so you have to give credit to the opposition too. Total control in the second half though and to nil a Gloucester team who have been in excellent form recently was extremely impressive. Burke is a class act. He is a danger at the line and starting to put others into space as well. It didn't always work but that is as much down to the defence as anything. So happy that we have ditched the constant box kicking and aimless grubbers.

Thought Hartley was good as well. I think every good team benefits from a 12 who can bosh it up. Look at Quins this season for how much they are missing Esterhuizen. Hartley is a big lad and he seems more than happy to run into brick walls. Let's just hope he can stay injury free for the run in.

Not sure how Nick I got MoM. He certainly played well and was a threat in the lineout but I imagine he was on negative carrying yards. I thought Maro, Dan or Burke were all ahead of him personally.

One area of concern remains IVZ. Our ruck speed is not as quick as it should be and that is partly down to him. The constant head up looking around at the base is wasting precious time, not to mention the number of times the ball pops out the back and he doesn't notice because he's too busy waving his arms around. The sooner we can bring forward a more instinctive scrum half the better.

Lastly, on the JMG try, it's close but I am not sure that the ruck had even formed by the time he got the ball out of there so I think giving him the benefit of the doubt on that was the right decision.

Also credit to Mawi. Coped admirably with the hyped up Fasogbon in the scrum and offered well in the loose too.

In the first half we were sloppy and allowed the Glaws backs to get round the corner too easily, but even then both their tries came from our errors. On top of that there were a couple of occasions when small margins kept us out - one marginally forward pass and, most obviously, a pass from Daly just behind Roti into touch - if that had gone to hand I don't think there was anybody to stop Roti touching down.

In the second half we were much more controlled and IMHO our bench made a big difference.

I'd have had Roti close to being MOTM. Every time he had the ball he was making yards and his defence has come on really well in the past year or so.

I totally agree re Roti , and it was great to see him last the full 80 minutes .
I also agree that Nick I played well , but if I had been awarding Man of the Match ( having watched it back on TV ) I would have given it to Maro . Tom Willis also not far behind ( again ! ) .

Segun had a good game but was lucky to be up against a fly half playing out of position on the wing in Barton who had an absolute horror show of a game

The only thing holding back Roti is his injuries. I think he’d be at least England A if he could stay fit.

Quote:

The Bard
Some awful passing in the first half against a team who looked much more coherent than we did. But a super second half gave us a deserved win.
Set piece in first half excellent, but surprised they didn’t challenge lineouts until the end of the second half.
Jack Singletons throwing still as wayward as ever.
Hugely disappointing crowd given the age since the last home game and the good weather.
Really don’t think the 5.30 kick off should make that much difference.
Was in Bordeaux recently for a 9.05pm kick off on a Sunday night in the international window. 32,500 there….

5.30 kickoff on an Easter weekend is crazy, you think this didnt affect attendance? I went because i have a season ticket but it finally convinced me I dont need one next year

Quote:

MarkCol7
Segun had a good game but was lucky to be up against a fly half playing out of position on the wing in Barton who had an absolute horror show of a game

He did. I rate him massively and he was incredible at the start of the season but he looked badly out of his depth on the wing yesterday.
I agree with Tommy Kentish about Segun. He is an incredible player who'd surely be in the International set up if he was able to stay uninjured.

Carre coming straight on and nabbing a breakdown turnover was pretty great too.

Quote:

maynas

Quote:

The Bard
Some awful passing in the first half against a team who looked much more coherent than we did. But a super second half gave us a deserved win.
Set piece in first half excellent, but surprised they didn’t challenge lineouts until the end of the second half.
Jack Singletons throwing still as wayward as ever.
Hugely disappointing crowd given the age since the last home game and the good weather.
Really don’t think the 5.30 kick off should make that much difference.
Was in Bordeaux recently for a 9.05pm kick off on a Sunday night in the international window. 32,500 there….

5.30 kickoff on an Easter weekend is crazy, you think this didnt affect attendance? I went because i have a season ticket but it finally convinced me I dont need one next year

I guess it depends on your perspective. I basically plan my life around rugby , so a 5.30 start on Easter Saturday is considerably less of a logistical exercise than Newcastle or Sale away on Friday nights, which I’ve turned into 3 day trips to get more out of them.
I fully appreciate that others might want to or can do that. But in reality very many social activities happen after 5pm so I don’t think it unreasonable that rugby should do occasionally as well.

Quote:

The Bard
But in reality very many social activities happen after 5pm so I don’t think it unreasonable that rugby should do occasionally as well.

To me that’s the issue. A 3pm start allows for people to get back and not miss evening social events. I live a few stops down the Northern line and wasn’t back until well past 8. My partying days are behind me but it doesn’t give you much time for anything e.g. pub, dinner etc We’re already competing with the football but then you’re competing with younger generations going out on a Saturday night. Don’t get me wrong I’d love it to be like France and a massive crowd gathers for a late kickoff but we’re in a completely different spot to the French teams.

There was a sloppiness in the first half but also a sense of cluelessness at times. For all the time on the training pitch, the disjointed season allows we still don't have much of an attacking identify. Maybe that's simplistic and our best players being absent negates that time together/playing games is what really counts. But we still seem to be getting our heads around the lack of true ball carriers and the lack of 'easy' go forward we are able to get. Burke clearly has pace for a flyhalf and seems most comfortable when on the loop trying to get outside the hinge of the defence. On the rare occasion we did get through a few phases the back line was often non-existent then outside him. The increased intensity from the start of the 2nd half was great to see. As was JMG's moment of magic (if from my seat slightly illegal), his ability to spark life into things is reminiscent of one S.Brits. We need to win our remaining home games to stand any shout of top 4 - we did that.

Agreed Sarries1.1 - the outside loop flood play is something we've tried a few times recently and has always looked dangerous. Similarly the more vertical stack and going for more of the old school Brumbies style overloads with lots of little offloads and short passes. It does seem to suit the team, although we do struggle with clearouts and quick ball for subsequent phases if you don't score a try off a play like that.

I think part of it is players getting more familiar with each other then hopefully both complexity and options can be layered in. On the outside loop we seemed to go for the player running of Burke rather than the wider option from him but maybe I just didn't spot the times we did that.

We're doing a couple of things at the lineout which are very interesting including a jumping technique I've not seen before although that may be my lack of knowledge.
If not it's a nifty innovation.

I have paid for the programme from this match earlier. Looking forward to it arriving. Like a kid !.