GLASGOW WARRIORS v SARACENS: post match related content here
By TheSaracens.com
January 14 2026
So after a stunning victory in the wind and rain last Sunday, Sarries have given themselves a shot at a home tie in the next phase of the Champions Cup. But it really is all to play for and even with Maximum points, Glasgow are not assured of top place!
Sharks v Clermont,
Toulouse v sale
Glasgow v Sarries
Glasgow 15 (PD 24)
Sale 11 (PD32)
Sarries 10 (PD 38)
Toulouse 7 (PD 24)
Sharks 5 (PD -48)
Clermont 0 (PD -70)
Let’s look at the permutations: Glasgow and Sale have definitely qualified and Sarries technically need 1 point to ensure they go through (although it would require a huge victory for Sharks over Clermont for them to catch Sarries). Glasgow just need a single point from their game with Saracens to finish on top. On the other hand a 5 point win for Sarries with Glasgow getting nothing would put Sarries on top (assuming Sale don’t beat Toulouse). A win for Sarries should put them in 2nd place (again barring a Sale miracle). Anything else is likely to mean not only playing away for the rest of the competition, but a low ranking and thus a higher chance of being drawn against one of the best teams.
The other 2 games in the pool take place on Saturday so by the time Sarries take the field at Scotstoun they will know exactly what they need to do.
Glasgow have had a great season so far. They are second to Stormers in the United Rugby Championships having won 7 of their 9 games and they have 100% record in this years’ Champions Cup. They reached the semi-finals last year losing to Leinster having won the title in 2024with a fabulous victory away against Bulls at Loftus Versfield. Under coach Franco Smith, the team seem to have gelled and especially at home they are a force to be reckoned with. BUT just this week it was announced that Hugh Jones, their Lions’ centre, will be moving to Toulon next season only days after Adam Hastings announced his departure for Montpelier. Will that affect the mood in the dressing room?
But the big question is how will Sarries perform? Can they put together back-to-back performances especially against high quality sides? Glasgow are unlikely to be phased by inclement weather in the way that Toulouse were. And what sort of team will Mark McCall put out? Given the performance last Sunday, one would hope for not too many changes. I would love to see Charlie Bracken get a start but I fear that in a game of this magnitude that won’t happen. I hope we persist with Burke at 10, maybe with Owen on the bench again. In Mark McCall we trust!
It’s a shame most people won’t be able to watch the match – can’t help thinking that ERCC sold their soul to the highest bidder – short-term gain but long term pain. We shall see. Good luck to the team, another performance like last week should be enough: but can we raise our game to that level again?
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:24:20:34:01 by Darraghgirl.
I would say that I think any win against Toulouse, UBB or Leinster in the group stages should bring an extra point regardless of tries scored. Just a “beat one of these ridiculously loaded teams” bonus point.
Very interesting match for us. I don’t expect a win or even a performance on the level of last week which I felt was cup final stuff. I would like to see us back it up though with some really strong defence and put Glasgow under pressure. I can’t think of too many changes I’d make injury permitting. I want to see more of this Hartley/Loz combo, even if they struggle against Huiwipolulotu it will be great experience and Hartley is the future for me at 12, Loz rounds him out nicely. Linked to this I hope it frees Burke up because he showed glimpses of greatness on Sunday.
Hopefully Roccioni back in the picture so we don’t wear Street out, likewise Dan for George. Big battle in the second from with Maro/Tizard and I wonder if a change to the backrow to counter that breakdown theat….
I seem to remember our last outing to Scotstoun being a particularly spicey affair with Maro celebrating a disallowed try with them (possibly my favourite bit of shithousery from the younger less mature non-Captain Maro) and both him and George coming away with broken noses. A lot of water under the bridge since then I’m sure 😂
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:15:20:55:36 by jimfitz12.
I just want to see us have two (plus) decent games on a bounce.
A committed performance will do me fine. A point r two points would be a bonus. Anything more a dream but I felt the same way last weekend so who knows.
Daly has been poor the last 4 games. If that might be changed by playing him at 13 we should definitely consider it in the absence of both Lozo and Cinti and give Malins the start with Segun and Caluori.
Quote:Don't agree has been poor just not upto his usual high standard. A spell at 13 owuld be interesting after all it is his natural n and prefered position I believePaulHerox
Good preview.
I just want to see us have two (plus) decent games on a bounce.
A committed performance will do me fine. A point r two points would be a bonus. Anything more a dream but I felt the same way last weekend so who knows.
Daly has been poor the last 4 games. If that might be changed by playing him at 13 we should definitely consider it in the absence of both Lozo and Cinti and give Malins the start with Segun and Caluori.
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
They rejected TNT’s TV deal bid trying to earn extra money and then had to accept Premier Sports bid for less money!! For what IMOH is inferior coverage!
Assuming Sale don’t get a 5pt Win in 🇫🇷
Quote:gerry1Quote:Don't agree has been poor just not upto his usual high standard. A spell at 13 owuld be interesting after all it is his natural n and prefered position I believePaulHerox
Good preview.
I just want to see us have two (plus) decent games on a bounce.
A committed performance will do me fine. A point r two points would be a bonus. Anything more a dream but I felt the same way last weekend so who knows.
Daly has been poor the last 4 games. If that might be changed by playing him at 13 we should definitely consider it in the absence of both Lozo and Cinti and give Malins the start with Segun and Caluori.
Agreed he hasn’t been poor. I think he says 15
Is his preferred position now .
So french officials - hopefully a good sign
I do hope Loz is good to go, be interesting to see whether Tomkins, Cinti or Faz step into that breach.
I guess Nick I is back in the frame, would he replace AOC on the bench?
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
15 Elliot Daly
14 Max Malins
13 Lucio Cinti
12 Owen Farrell
11 Rotimi Segun
10 Fergus Burke
9 Ivan van Zyl
1 Eroni Mawi
2 Jamie George
3 Marcus Street
4 Maro Itoje (c)
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Juan Martin Gonzalez
8 Ben Earl
Replacements:
16 James Hadfield
17 Rhys Carre
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Andy Onyeama-Christie
20 Tom Willis
21 Charlie Bracken
22 Olly Hartley
23 Noah Caluori
1 Patrick Schickerling (18)
2 Gregor Hiddleston (37)
3 Zander Fagerson (167)
4 Alex Craig (10)
5 Scott Cummings (151)
6 Matt Fagerson (134)
7 Rory Darge (73)
8 Jack Dempsey (61)
9 George Horne (149)
10 Dan Lancaster (11)
11 Ollie Smith (54)
12 Sione Tuipulotu (77)
13 Huw Jones (82)
14 Kyle Steyn (C) (101)
15 Kyle Rowe (43)
Replacements
16 Seb Stephen (8)
17 Rory Sutherland (20)
18 Sam Talakai (32)
19 Max Williamson (42)
20 Gregor Brown (45)
21 Euan Ferrie (46)
22 Stafford McDowall (105)
23 Ben Afshar (30)
Unavailable for selection: Angus Fraser (knee), Adam Hastings (knee), Johnny Matthews (neck), Nathan McBeth (calf), Josh McKay (hamstring), Fin Richardson (calf), Alex Samuel (shoulder), Charlie Savala (knee), Tavi Tuipulotu (knee).
As TK says we need Earl to step up..stop celebrating scrums and provide a consistent ball carrying threat.
A bonus point loss will probably be Toulon away
No points and Leinster away
Quote:JK12
Fear worse with Cinti at 13 opposite Tua...
As TK says we need Earl to step up..stop celebrating scrums and provide a consistent ball carrying threat.
He celebrates plenty for England as well, we just need the rest.

Quote:TommyKentishQuote:JK12
Fear worse with Cinti at 13 opposite Tua...
As TK says we need Earl to step up..stop celebrating scrums and provide a consistent ball carrying threat.
He celebrates plenty for England as well, we just need the rest.
Yes like you say all the pomp is fine if the performance is there. Not sure if hes jaded or not happy bot being the 8... big game for him today as he is an exceptional player.
Really hope my unscientific calculations are wrong but lose with one point and it’s quins away (having just beat LR) and lose with zero and it’s saints away. Eugh
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻

At some point we have to attack because we can’t expect to be able to defend for 80 mins and prevail
Quote:To be fair to them the comment of ‘if you’re a saracens fan that’s not enough effort’ was close to the mark wasn’t it.Harrow Sarrie
Tough viewing so far. At least we have the benefit of knowledgeable and impartial commentary
Jack Dempsey the latest
Supporting Saracens for over 55 years.
Segun and to a lesser extent Mawi the only Saracens players capable of doing something positive in attack.
Watching the last 5 mins of the half where carry after carry goes nowhere is so frustrating.
Great 1st 40 mins with a lot of hard work in cold weather which must be hard to play in. Well done boys.
Quote:JK12
To avoid any negative feedback..
Great 1st 40 mins with a lot of hard work in cold weather which must be hard to play in. Well done boys.
How dare you call the weather cold.
Two line out mauls turned over, one on their 5m. Multiple balls spitting out of the ruck and slipping off tackles again.
I'd throw Bracken, Calouri, Hartley and Willis on and see if we can catch them cold for the first 10mins.
Also, get Street off to protect him. He looks prime for an injury after going 80 last week and we're getting nothing in the scrum anyway
Quote:#wolfpack1
Earl particularly poor imo. Giving away penalties and making no yards in the carry. Frustrating because he is a better player than he shows for us.
Stripped in possession twice now
9 to slow laborious carrier… 9 to slow laborious carrier… 9 to slow laborious carrier.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:18:18:43:08 by Nosher1979.
Quote:Nosher1979
The boys are turning on each other now! That’s sums it all up
The most intent any of our players have shown all evening
Bath away will be an absolute massacre
Quote:#wolfpack1Quote:Nosher1979
The boys are turning on each other now! That’s sums it all up
The most intent any of our players have shown all evening
I had to giggle when I read that
Quote:JK12
This squad...and people may not like it being said but time and time again up against physical teams we get beaten up ..toulouse was the exception to 18 months of passive conservative play..it starts with the selection and migrates into the play.
This
Oh my good grieff I posted that too early didn’t I!
Quote:Nosher1979
Positive from this is the last 50 minutes we have not conceded a point. Couldn’t Score for love nor money but didn’t leak any more.
Errrrr….
Quote:StonexjimQuote:JK12
This squad...and people may not like it being said but time and time again up against physical teams we get beaten up ..toulouse was the exception to 18 months of passive conservative play..it starts with the selection and migrates into the play.
This
+ 1
Oh my good grieff I posted that too early didn’t I![/quote]
I did wonder if that was a few mins early lol
Oh my good grieff I posted that too early didn’t I![/quote]
I did wonder if that was a few mins early lol[/quote]
I blame the time delay up here or the bitter!
Quote:#wolfpack1Quote:Nosher1979
Positive from this is the last 50 minutes we have not conceded a point. Couldn’t Score for love nor money but didn’t leak any more.
Errrrr….
Maybe I was being hopeful! I spoke far too soon ( 3 seconds before full time ) just before we gave away another penalty.
Quote:JK12
This squad...and people may not like it being said but time and time again up against physical teams we get beaten up ..toulouse was the exception to 18 months of passive conservative play..it starts with the selection and migrates into the play.
Glasgow aren't a particularly physical team. They just stuck their tackles and played the ref much better at the breakdown and scrum.
Quote:SarrovQuote:JK12
This squad...and people may not like it being said but time and time again up against physical teams we get beaten up ..toulouse was the exception to 18 months of passive conservative play..it starts with the selection and migrates into the play.
Glasgow aren't a particularly physical team. They just stuck their tackles and played the ref much better at the breakdown and scrum.
They drove us of our own scrum. 5 times., dominated ball carries , line breaks and smashed us at the maul.... ref had zero to do with that marking.
That “our defence wasn’t as bad as it can be and has been occasionally” is the best thing I can say about the game sums it up.
Segun was the only one worth his place in the side.
We really have to sort out:
1) our pathetic ball carrying when Tom doesn’t do it all for us; and
2) our complete inability to find space or fashion a line break.
I’d love to know the yards per carry of all players less Segun and Tom. I bet it will be in the negative.
There are far too many passengers in this team. Too few have any positive impact on a game.
Quote:JK12Quote:SarrovQuote:JK12
This squad...and people may not like it being said but time and time again up against physical teams we get beaten up ..toulouse was the exception to 18 months of passive conservative play..it starts with the selection and migrates into the play.
Glasgow aren't a particularly physical team. They just stuck their tackles and played the ref much better at the breakdown and scrum.
They drove us of our own scrum. 5 times., dominated ball carries , line breaks and smashed us at the maul.... ref had zero to do with that marking.
The scrum pens all came from it wheeling round. Plenty of refs rightly don't reward that. One of them the scrum was at 45 degrees before the ball was fed in.
Line breaks were slipped tackles, mainly due to some excellent attacking shape. No one got ran over the top of from what I remember
Line out maul was an odd one but seemed to be more about them slipping in between catcher and latcher to disrupt.
Quote:#wolfpack1
I know a lot of people get annoyed when there’s a lot of criticism when we lose and think there’s always more good than bad in every loss but I don’t think anyone could have watched that and not thought it was totally abject.
That “our defence wasn’t as bad as it can be and has been occasionally” is the best thing I can say about the game sums it up.
Segun was the only one worth his place in the side.
We really have to sort out:
1) our pathetic ball carrying when Tom doesn’t do it all for us; and
2) our complete inability to find space or fashion a line break.
I’d love to know the yards per carry of all players less Segun and Tom. I bet it will be in the negative.
There are far too many passengers in this team. Too few have any positive impact on a game.
Official stats:
Meters made - Us 409. Glasgow 343
Clean breaks - Us 7. Glasgow 8
Defenders beaten - Us 24. Glasgow 27
Killer was conceeding 16 pens to 8.
We lost awat to one of the best sides in the competition who have built a team over a number of years. They won the crucial moments, territory battle and our red zone efficiency (usually right up there) was poor.
We desperately need a big number 12 around which we can base our go forward game. Owen isn’t that and whilst Olly is probably the best of our options he is not in the same class as Tuipiotu (apologies for the spelling).
Lots and lots of work for the coaches to do as we are a very average side at present.
Quote:SarrovQuote:#wolfpack1
I know a lot of people get annoyed when there’s a lot of criticism when we lose and think there’s always more good than bad in every loss but I don’t think anyone could have watched that and not thought it was totally abject.
That “our defence wasn’t as bad as it can be and has been occasionally” is the best thing I can say about the game sums it up.
Segun was the only one worth his place in the side.
We really have to sort out:
1) our pathetic ball carrying when Tom doesn’t do it all for us; and
2) our complete inability to find space or fashion a line break.
I’d love to know the yards per carry of all players less Segun and Tom. I bet it will be in the negative.
There are far too many passengers in this team. Too few have any positive impact on a game.
Official stats:
Meters made - Us 409. Glasgow 343
Clean breaks - Us 7. Glasgow 8
Defenders beaten - Us 24. Glasgow 27
Killer was conceeding 16 pens to 8.
We lost awat to one of the best sides in the competition who have built a team over a number of years. They won the crucial moments, territory battle and our red zone efficiency (usually right up there) was poor.
They did not “win the territory battle”. In the second half they showed the graphic showing us with 70 odd % possession, and the biggest % (37 I think from memory) was in their 22, with the next biggest (33%?) between halfway and their 22. And we didn’t look like getting over the line.
We had plenty of possession and plenty of territory… but just could not score and really didn’t know how to go about doing it. (Summed up by Farrell and AOC shouting at each other in frustration when yet another series of pointless carries went nowhere and resulted in a knock on the moment we tried to move it more than one out).
Quote:#wolfpack1Quote:SarrovQuote:#wolfpack1
I know a lot of people get annoyed when there’s a lot of criticism when we lose and think there’s always more good than bad in every loss but I don’t think anyone could have watched that and not thought it was totally abject.
That “our defence wasn’t as bad as it can be and has been occasionally” is the best thing I can say about the game sums it up.
Segun was the only one worth his place in the side.
We really have to sort out:
1) our pathetic ball carrying when Tom doesn’t do it all for us; and
2) our complete inability to find space or fashion a line break.
I’d love to know the yards per carry of all players less Segun and Tom. I bet it will be in the negative.
There are far too many passengers in this team. Too few have any positive impact on a game.
Official stats:
Meters made - Us 409. Glasgow 343
Clean breaks - Us 7. Glasgow 8
Defenders beaten - Us 24. Glasgow 27
Killer was conceeding 16 pens to 8.
We lost awat to one of the best sides in the competition who have built a team over a number of years. They won the crucial moments, territory battle and our red zone efficiency (usually right up there) was poor.
They did not “win the territory battle”. In the second half they showed the graphic showing us with 70 odd % possession, and the biggest % (37 I think from memory) was in their 22, with the next biggest (33%?) between halfway and their 22. And we didn’t look like getting over the line.
We had plenty of possession and plenty of territory… but just could not score and really didn’t know how to go about doing it. (Summed up by Farrell and AOC shouting at each other in frustration when yet another series of pointless carries went nowhere and resulted in a knock on the moment we tried to move it more than one out).
Fair enough. Over the full 80 you are correct we had more territory. A lot of it when the game was already lost though.
Our ability to score hasn't been an issue this season. Glasgow just had our number today.
Actually was ok today but our maul was dire. Spent what felt like 80% of the second half in their half, some with 14 men and couldn’t produce a single chance.
I’ve said it multiple times. If Faz is playing it should be at 10. 12 he offers no gainline threat and is too easy to run around in defence. Hartley immediately made dents when he came on too. Earl offered hopefully a false look into the future of him at 8 for us. Simply where is the man that gets MOTM regularly for England?
We’re just so easy to beat, it’s very frustrating.
I’d love to say I have the answers but the only angry thing I can think of is to play all these young lads who we’ve heard so much about. Stop coddling them. Keep them in a team with Maro, George maybe Daly for the backs and let’s watch them grow. Cinti isn’t a winger and just doesn’t suit us at 13, no one’s fault so let’s get Hall at 13 immediately with Hartley and build a partnership. Sodeke needs to put muscle on, fair enough. Can he play while he does that? We’ve apparently got about 10 back rows coming through, I’d play all of them over JMG, AOC and Theo M (granted the latter has been good but he’s leaving so what’s the point).
It took a make or break conversation to beat Toulouse. Well we can’t keep doing that each week so the coaches need to figure a way out to motivate this squad full of lions and internationals.
Quote:PaulHerox
Three cheers for Sireli Bombo!
Thanks Paul, that made me laugh! Can’t contribute any more than that to the discussion above, I am not sure what the solution is.
My only addition is to ask if Earl is playing well for England because he is surrounded by the best of the best in England and it gives him the time, space, opportunity to show international class? And it is also a different gameplan with different coaches?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:18:19:56:58 by Strangelove.
We are through to the knock outs from a tough group. Sharks, Clermont, La Rochelle and Munster are all out. I guess they must also have squads full of lightweights who aren't good enough.
At the moment, aiming for top 4 in the Prem is about our level. We have good players coming through but on the whole they are very young. Nobody benefits from throwing them to the wolves.
Following the clear the air meeting and last weeks game v Toulouse this weeks selection on Friday and today's plan must have made clear to most that those were just words, nothing has changed and the same voices are the only ones that count.
What a waste of talent.
This squad needs blowing up not resigning players whoeve done is proud but are clearly past it.
Quote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are the top spending team in England. If we can’t spend our way to the top four then change it up and play the young guys who want that big contract. That’s what gets me, we arent Saints or Exeter spending way below budget but with actual playing identities, we’re a squad full of international who half the time either look like they don’t know the plan or don’t have the physicality to live with other teams.
Quote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are through to the knock outs from a tough group. Sharks, Clermont, La Rochelle and Munster are all out. I guess they must also have squads full of lightweights who aren't good enough.
At the moment, aiming for top 4 in the Prem is about our level. We have good players coming through but on the whole they are very young. Nobody benefits from throwing them to the wolves.
You do realise we are top spenders in Prem?
Quote:TommyKentishQuote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are the top spending team in England. If we can’t spend our way to the top four then change it up and play the young guys who want that big contract. That’s what gets me, we arent Saints or Exeter spending way below budget but with actual playing identities, we’re a squad full of international who half the time either look like they don’t know the plan or don’t have the physicality to live with other teams.
I agree TK.
In my opinion too many of our players (including big name players earning big money) have too little positive impact on the game.
Quote:TommyKentishQuote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are the top spending team in England. If we can’t spend our way to the top four then change it up and play the young guys who want that big contract. That’s what gets me, we arent Saints or Exeter spending way below budget but with actual playing identities, we’re a squad full of international who half the time either look like they don’t know the plan or don’t have the physicality to live with other teams.
But neither of those teams achieved that over night.
Chiefs spent 4 years in the doldrums, far worse then we are now, and have benefited from being able to concentrate on the league and relatively few internationals going in to camps or summer tours. That will change.
Saints went a decade between titles and built around a young group, the same as we are trying to do.
We won the league 3 seasons ago. Hardly starved of success.
I am as keen as anyone to see the young lads come through but it needs to be managed properly.
Again, I would disagree we struggle with physicality overall.
Quote:JK12Quote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are through to the knock outs from a tough group. Sharks, Clermont, La Rochelle and Munster are all out. I guess they must also have squads full of lightweights who aren't good enough.
At the moment, aiming for top 4 in the Prem is about our level. We have good players coming through but on the whole they are very young. Nobody benefits from throwing them to the wolves.
You do realise we are top spenders in Prem?
And won the title 3 seasons ago with largely the same group, were in the final season before that and only missed top 4 last year from a hideous ref/TMO call. You are acting like we havent won anything for a decade.
You cant just blow a squad up as you suggest, players have contracts. Also, if you release a player then usually they need to be replaced and what is the point if the replacement isnt any better?
Quote:SarrovQuote:TommyKentishQuote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are the top spending team in England. If we can’t spend our way to the top four then change it up and play the young guys who want that big contract. That’s what gets me, we arent Saints or Exeter spending way below budget but with actual playing identities, we’re a squad full of international who half the time either look like they don’t know the plan or don’t have the physicality to live with other teams.
But neither of those teams achieved that over night.
Chiefs spent 4 years in the doldrums, far worse then we are now, and have benefited from being able to concentrate on the league and relatively few internationals going in to camps or summer tours. That will change.
Saints went a decade between titles and built around a young group, the same as we are trying to do.
We won the league 3 seasons ago. Hardly starved of success.
I am as keen as anyone to see the young lads come through but it needs to be managed properly.
Again, I would disagree we struggle with physicality overall.
Chiefs have gone from 9th to 3rd in 8 months.
Quote:TommyKentish
I’d love to say I have the answers but the only angry thing I can think of is to play all these young lads who we’ve heard so much about. Stop coddling them. Keep them in a team with Maro, George maybe Daly for the backs and let’s watch them grow. Cinti isn’t a winger and just doesn’t suit us at 13, no one’s fault so let’s get Hall at 13 immediately with Hartley and build a partnership. Sodeke needs to put muscle on, fair enough. Can he play while he does that? We’ve apparently got about 10 back rows coming through, I’d play all of them over JMG, AOC and Theo M
Good grief and you say I talk nonsense.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:18:20:43:09 by PaulHerox.
Quote:PaulHeroxQuote:TommyKentish
I’d love to say I have the answers but the only angry thing I can think of is to play all these young lads who we’ve heard so much about. Stop coddling them. Keep them in a team with Maro, George maybe Daly for the backs and let’s watch them grow. Cinti isn’t a winger and just doesn’t suit us at 13, no one’s fault so let’s get Hall at 13 immediately with Hartley and build a partnership. Sodeke needs to put muscle on, fair enough. Can he play while he does that? We’ve apparently got about 10 back rows coming through, I’d play all of them over JMG, AOC and Theo M
Good grief and you say I talk bollocks.
I said you talk bollocks when you said Faz stat pads because he took a penalty against Toulouse, which I wholeheartedly stand by.
I admitted in the above that I am angry but I can still say that I think we should take advantage of this slump and blood some more players regularly. It also might allow us to trim our bloated wage bill if some talent emergea that can replace very expensive players that are not getting us anywhere very fast.
You can no doubt tell us why nothing is Van Zyl’s fault again and why it’s the coaches telling him to amid the wrong thing over and over again instead though.
Back row were outplayed and I’ve no idea what was going on in the scrums. One had literally wheeled 90 degrees before the ball went in.
Roti was fantastic but the only back to threaten.
Saw tge same ref do the Edinburgh v Glos game recently and he was a distinct homer.
Can see Glasgow going all the way to the final.
Quote:StonexjimQuote:SarrovQuote:TommyKentishQuote:Sarrov
I think people need to gain some perspective on where we are as a side. We aren't at the top table and it will take seasons to get back there as we cant spend our way to success.
We are the top spending team in England. If we can’t spend our way to the top four then change it up and play the young guys who want that big contract. That’s what gets me, we arent Saints or Exeter spending way below budget but with actual playing identities, we’re a squad full of international who half the time either look like they don’t know the plan or don’t have the physicality to live with other teams.
But neither of those teams achieved that over night.
Chiefs spent 4 years in the doldrums, far worse then we are now, and have benefited from being able to concentrate on the league and relatively few internationals going in to camps or summer tours. That will change.
Saints went a decade between titles and built around a young group, the same as we are trying to do.
We won the league 3 seasons ago. Hardly starved of success.
I am as keen as anyone to see the young lads come through but it needs to be managed properly.
Again, I would disagree we struggle with physicality overall.
Chiefs have gone from 9th to 3rd in 8 months.
Before that they finished 7th, 7th and 7th. So 4 seasons worse than we have had for over 15 years (ignoring the salary cap relegation obviously...)
We have finished 2nd, 1st, 4th and 6th (which by rights should have been 3rd)
Quote:TommyKentish
I admitted in the above that I am angry but I can still say that I think we should take advantage of this slump and blood some more players regularly. It also might allow us to trim our bloated wage bill if some talent emergea that can replace very expensive players that are not getting us anywhere very fast.
I agree, and who knows -
Maybe results would be better this season as well as putting together structures for next season and the season after.
This current group aren’t going to get better at this stage in their careers.
We’re 6th in the league (won 4, lost 5) looking down- back half is actually harder than first half, and Sale will get better and Quins seem to have found something.
I do think we need to roll the dice. But we won’t. We’ll carry on doing the same things and will scratch our heads when the results stay the same.
Quote:TommyKentish
Again, Chiefs are not spending up to the wage bill. In fact they detonated their team to cut costs hence the drop in form.
Their wage bill for this season hasn't been released has it?
They have brought in Hooper, Dweba, Varney and Ikitau. All internationals and unlikely to be cheap. When IFW, Fisilau etc come up for contract renewal do you think they might not request more money?
Also, they havent actually won anything. They are just having a better season so far. When their players start getting pulled in to England squads and they have Champions Cup to contend with it could well be a different story.
Quote:#wolfpack1
This current group aren’t going to get better at this stage in their careers
I normally agree with your take on things but I'm not sure I do with that depending on which players we're talking about.
Charitably it is a bold take to suggest the solution to International quality players; Cinti, Earl, JMG, AOC, etc not firing with the current coaching is to replace them with players who are doing an ok job in the Championship rather than, oh I don't know, actually playing them in a way that suits their skills.
Quote:We made changes last week and took precisely zero lessons from the performance.#wolfpack1
I do think we need to roll the dice. But we won’t. We’ll carry on doing the same things and will scratch our heads when the results stay the same.
Quote:MarkCol7
Can only hope some of the kids who are so highly thought of, show enough in this prem cup block to get themselves a chance when the prem restarts
This is certainly something to be positive about.
I don't follow the Championship so am a bit unclear who is fit and who isn't but we have some very promising talent coming through and it will be good to have a look at them against some Prem/PRC level opposition.
I'm less sure about the pack but in the backs could we see something like Bracken, Johnson, Bracken, Hartley, Hall, Caluori, Elliott with maybe the odd more experienced player in.
I'd prefer that later balance with giving some time to combinations that might transition more realistically to the Prem team so Bracken, Johnson/Farrell, Segun/Bracken, Hartley, Cinti, Caluori, Malins.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:18:21:39:52 by PaulHerox.
Quote:Sarrov
They have brought in Hooper, Dweba, Varney and Ikitau. All internationals and unlikely to be cheap. When IFW, Fisilau etc come up for contract renewal do you think they might not request more money?
I think it's obvious that they were quite a bit under cap but also that Baxter was given a chunk of change for this season previously denied to Hepher/Hunter. Ikitau alone is quoted as being on £400K for a single season.
Quote:PaulHeroxQuote:MarkCol7
Can only hope some of the kids who are so highly thought of, show enough in this prem cup block to get themselves a chance when the prem restarts
This is certainly something to be positive about.
I don't follow the Championship so am a bit unclear who is fit and who isn't but we have some very promising talent coming through and it will be good to have a look at them against some Prem/PRC level opposition.
I'm less sure about the pack but in the backs could we see something like Bracken, Johnson, Bracken, Hartley, Hall, Caluori, Elliott with maybe the odd more experienced player in.
I'd prefer that later balance with giving some time to combinations that might transition more realistically to the Prem team so Bracken, Johnson/Farrell, Segun/Bracken, Hartley, Cinti, Caluori, Malins.
I’m sorry I thought this was nonsense when I suggested something similar Paul!
Report writing for that won't be easy
“I think we had 70 per cent territory in the whole game and to come up with three points when we’ve got 70 per cent territory is not good enough. We just couldn’t get the speed of ball, we couldn’t take the odd five-metre line-out opportunities that we got and they defended brilliantly.”
Quote:saracensfan62
A thoroughly disappointing performance but we must admit we got totally outplayed by a far better team.
Report writing for that won't be easy
This is true but with the team we have that can beat Toulouse we should be a to throw some more punches. Maybe even one punch would do.
Quote:#wolfpack1
“We obviously started the game slowly,” said Mark McCall, Saracens’ director of rugby. “It was 7-3 after 24 minutes, but it didn’t feel that way. I felt that they were the team on the front foot, we were the team on the back foot. We had a hill to climb in the second half and I thought our effort and our fight in the second half was great. But at the minute we’re just not joining that effort and fight up.
“I think we had 70 per cent territory in the whole game and to come up with three points when we’ve got 70 per cent territory is not good enough. We just couldn’t get the speed of ball, we couldn’t take the odd five-metre line-out opportunities that we got and they defended brilliantly.”
This could have been written by ChatGPT
Quote:#wolfpack1
“We obviously started the game slowly,” said Mark McCall, Saracens’ director of rugby. “It was 7-3 after 24 minutes, but it didn’t feel that way. I felt that they were the team on the front foot, we were the team on the back foot. We had a hill to climb in the second half and I thought our effort and our fight in the second half was great. But at the minute we’re just not joining that effort and fight up.
“I think we had 70 per cent territory in the whole game and to come up with three points when we’ve got 70 per cent territory is not good enough. We just couldn’t get the speed of ball, we couldn’t take the odd five-metre line-out opportunities that we got and they defended brilliantly.”
MM forgotten what it’s like to de a team start quickly!
“ But at the minute we’re just not joining that effort and fight up.” with a few exceptions it’s been that way for a while and nothing has changed.
I’m reminded of when Borthwick took over England and said we weren’t good at anything. That’s how I feel about Sarries ar the moment. At least last year the driving maul was really good. Now, nothing looks good I’m afraid.
The obvious follow up is “ok, so you think the effort was there; so if not for a lack of effort, what explains the inability to score, to get close to scoring and to concede some fairly soft tries? And if the Toulouse performance was a one off effort borne on the back of a rollicking, what are you doing or what are you going to change to ensure that you don’t need to give a rollicking every other week?”
- What is our new attack coach actually doing in training? We get to the opposition 22 and just freeze. If you sign a coach from a Welsh region I guess you can't be surprised when we start attacking with the same effectiveness as a Welsh region.
- I feel sorry for Malins - he was never the fastest but has a lost a yard of pace after his injury and just isn't fast enough or competitive enough in the air to play wing at a high level at the moment.
- The centre pairing just doesn't work. It has no creativity and is porous in defence.
- It used to be the case that Saracens players often played much better for club than they did for country. It is concerning that the opposite pattern is now emerging (Earl, Cinti etc)
- Once Williams is here, I don't understand why we would waste salary cap on Van Zyl, he is constantly poor and would be such an error to not give Bracken on more game time.
MM keeps blaming poor performances on transition - but isn't picking the players to give us a chance to transition. Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result and picking a Dads army backline that gets picked apart in away games just keeps happening.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:19:09:51:23 by LondonSarrie.
Quote:LondonSarrie
the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game.
That is incredibly poor
Quote:LondonSarrie
After a bumpy night on the sleeper train back down from Glasgow, I still can't believe quite how insipid that performance was. But before talking about the game, the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game. Might feels like a small thing, but I think its indicative of where the club is at the moment. We seem intent on being known as the "@#$%&**les of rugby" but that shouldn't apply to your own fans.
- What is our new attack coach actually doing in training? We get to the opposition 22 and just freeze. If you sign a coach from a Welsh region I guess you can't be surprised when we start attacking with the same effectiveness as a Welsh region.
- I feel sorry for Malins - he was never the fastest but has a lost a yard of pace after his injury and just isn't fast enough or competitive enough in the air to play wing at a high level at the moment.
- The centre pairing just doesn't work. It has no creativity and is porous in defence.
- It used to be the case that Saracens players often played much better for club than they did for country. It is concerning that the opposite pattern is now emerging (Earl, Cinti etc)
- Once Williams is here, I don't understand why we would waste salary cap on Van Zyl, he is constantly poor and would be such an error to not give Bracken on more game time.
MM keeps blaming poor performances on transition - but isn't picking the players to give us a chance to transition. Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result and picking a Dads army backline that gets picked apart in away games just keeps happening.
👏
For the first time in many years we are way off being a top English team (it is taking me back to Vicarage Road where I normally travelled with hope and not expectation!)
Plenty for the coaches to do to turn the ship around. That Telegraph article that came out just before we lost to Leicester about Sarries successful transition was complete hubris!
Let’s be ruthless this Saturday against Newcastle and start the rebuild as this season is nearly gone already.
Quote:LondonSarrie
After a bumpy night on the sleeper train back down from Glasgow, I still can't believe quite how insipid that performance was. But before talking about the game, the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game. Might feels like a small thing, but I think its indicative of where the club is at the moment. We seem intent on being known as the "@#$%&**les of rugby" but that shouldn't apply to your own fans.
- What is our new attack coach actually doing in training? We get to the opposition 22 and just freeze. If you sign a coach from a Welsh region I guess you can't be surprised when we start attacking with the same effectiveness as a Welsh region.
- I feel sorry for Malins - he was never the fastest but has a lost a yard of pace after his injury and just isn't fast enough or competitive enough in the air to play wing at a high level at the moment.
- The centre pairing just doesn't work. It has no creativity and is porous in defence.
- It used to be the case that Saracens players often played much better for club than they did for country. It is concerning that the opposite pattern is now emerging (Earl, Cinti etc)
- Once Williams is here, I don't understand why we would waste salary cap on Van Zyl, he is constantly poor and would be such an error to not give Bracken on more game time.
MM keeps blaming poor performances on transition - but isn't picking the players to give us a chance to transition. Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different result and picking a Dads army backline that gets picked apart in away games just keeps happening.
Quote:LondonSarrie
After a bumpy night on the sleeper train back down from Glasgow, I still can't believe quite how insipid that performance was. But before talking about the game, the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game. Might feels like a small thing, but I think its indicative of where the club is at the moment. We seem intent on being known as the "@#$%&**les of rugby" but that shouldn't apply to your own fans. .
That is so @#$%& and needs to be called out.
I know it’s different but I felt a similar “couldn’t give a @#$%&” attitude when I rang to the club to help with parking due to a temporary situation where I can’t walk very far. The nearest I go to help was to buy a cop ticket each for us at £170 each. Cheers for that.
Quote:SarrovQuote:LondonSarrie
the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game.
That is incredibly poor
I have passed this onto management - Embarssing and can only appologise
Quote:For the first time in many years we are way off being a top English team (it is taking me back to Vicarage Road where I normally travelled with hope and not expectation!)
I made a similar point to a friend yesterday, similarly then we had a host of top players, and occasionally put in marvelous performances or individual feats and other games just didn't seem up for it, or suffered 'impossible' collapses.
Quote:dirtybertieQuote:SarrovQuote:LondonSarrie
the complete lack of respect shown to travelling fans by the Saracens players I thought sums up where we are as a club at the moment. Three players could be bothered to walk across the pitch to acknowledge travelling fans who had spent hundreds of pounds and 10s of hours to get to the game.
That is incredibly poor
I have passed this onto management - Embarssing and can only appologise
DB thank you for your continual engagement it is appreciated.
[www.reddit.com] This was posted on Reddit which shows our 20 game rolling average for wins is now at 2008 levels. We have all heard and been excited by the talk of transition but we keep on seeing the same team being put out with maybe Caluori on the wing and Bracken begrudgingly given minutes. It’s beginning to feel like someone is @#$%& on my leg and telling me it’s raining.
I think we would all genuinely like to see and hear more about what is involved in this transition but there was a telegraph article saying it had happened ahead of time and if that’s the case then we’re in for some hard seasons.
I think some honest engagement with the fans is needed.
Quote:TommyKentish
I’m sorry I thought this was nonsense when I suggested something similar Paul!
Because you didn't suggest something similar.
You suggested dropping a load of Internationals to play youth and Academy players in the Prem under the auspices of a small number of senior players two of whom are a major part of why our attack isn't working right now (in their current positions with the current gameplan)
Quote:nedrichardsQuote:For the first time in many years we are way off being a top English team (it is taking me back to Vicarage Road where I normally travelled with hope and not expectation!)
I made a similar point to a friend yesterday, similarly then we had a host of top players, and occasionally put in marvellous performances or individual feats and other games just didn't seem up for it, or suffered 'impossible' collapses.
But the thing is can't most of us see a good team in the players we have?
Sure we have weaknesses in the squad, so do most teams, I also think towards the top of the table a number of teams have strengthened and improved as we've fallen away but I'm still not convinced that a return to respectable performances and good wins isn't as far away as recent performances might suggest.
Quote:PaulHeroxQuote:nedrichardsQuote:For the first time in many years we are way off being a top English team (it is taking me back to Vicarage Road where I normally travelled with hope and not expectation!)
I made a similar point to a friend yesterday, similarly then we had a host of top players, and occasionally put in marvellous performances or individual feats and other games just didn't seem up for it, or suffered 'impossible' collapses.
But the thing is can't most of us see a good team in the players we have?
Sure we have weaknesses in the squad, so do most teams, I also think towards the top of the table a number of teams have strengthened and improved as we've fallen away but I'm still not convinced that a return to respectable performances and good wins isn't as far away as recent performances might suggest.
Paul were 6th in the league and 4 wins from 9.
We have one win in Europe against an awful clermont and a good win v Toulouse.
We also finished 6th last year.
These aren’t just recent performances
Quote:PaulHeroxQuote:TommyKentish
I’m sorry I thought this was nonsense when I suggested something similar Paul!
Because you didn't suggest something similar.
You suggested dropping a load of Internationals to play youth and Academy players in the Prem under the auspices of a small number of senior players two of whom are a major part of why our attack isn't working right now (in their current positions with the current gameplan)
Unfortunately you are unable to spot hyperbole that comes from frustration. Despite me even saying I was suggesting it from a place of anger.
However you subsequently literally said let’s play and entire backline with maybe one experienced player:
“in the backs could we see something like Bracken, Johnson, Bracken, Hartley, Hall, Caluori, Elliott with maybe the odd more experienced player in.“
Quote:StonexjimQuote:PaulHeroxQuote:nedrichardsQuote:For the first time in many years we are way off being a top English team (it is taking me back to Vicarage Road where I normally travelled with hope and not expectation!)
I made a similar point to a friend yesterday, similarly then we had a host of top players, and occasionally put in marvellous performances or individual feats and other games just didn't seem up for it, or suffered 'impossible' collapses.
But the thing is can't most of us see a good team in the players we have?
Sure we have weaknesses in the squad, so do most teams, I also think towards the top of the table a number of teams have strengthened and improved as we've fallen away but I'm still not convinced that a return to respectable performances and good wins isn't as far away as recent performances might suggest.
Paul were 6th in the league and 4 wins from 9.
We have one win in Europe against an awful clermont and a good win v Toulouse.
We also finished 6th last year.
These aren’t just recent performances
It’s less the results for me. I just can’t see what we’re trying to do? Big pack bullying others? That never seems to happen. Defence first, boxkicking, giving the ball to the opposition? Fast ball, using our attack mind weapons to cut through the opposition? Maybe against the really poor teams we’ve played or those ravaged by injury. What is this team that is in transition focusing on doing to a top top level?
What frustrates me and also Mark McCall is the lack of consistency; why are we so good one week and so bad to the next?
I could be wrong here, but the one thing that I noticed is that the more younger players we play, the better we play. I think back to Bracken starting at scrum-half; Calouri starting on the wing; Hartley starting at centre and look at the performances.
We’ve been through this cycle before of keeping experienced players in the team past their sell-by dates, Billy V for example.
I believein Mark, but is it time that we need a change in the coaching team? Difficult message, yes, know but has Joe Shaw run his course? Do we need a new defence coach? Why has the new attack coach not made a difference.
Many complain about Van Zyl; others say that he is merely following the coach's instructions. Rather than blaming him and looking to change him, should we be looking to change the people giving him the instructions?
Einstein said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We keep picking an experienced team who play with little energy and passion and expect the results to change.
Does that mean that the coaches are insane?
My final point, comments are made above about Exeter and their improvement this season, compared to last. Little mention is made about the fact that they have had a huge turnover in their coaching team…
Quote:But the thing is can't most of us see a good team in the players we have?
I can! That Alan Gaffney and later Sarries team has some of my all time favourites and memories. Hugh Vyvyan! Him and his mini rugby team still sit near us in the east stand. Singing 'Born in a basket' at Moses Rauluni, the young Brad Barritt and all too many more which I'll remember forever. Still not as good as this team, where I spent all season being really boring to everyone around me claiming that it was easy to beat sarries, you just had to score 40 points, and go all out at all times. 3 was never enough. Northampton scored 39. [www.youtube.com]
I do think that this team can get there again, maybe with a few tweaks. If they don't, maybe Noah Caluori will be this generation's Noah Cato (he really isn't - it's Rotimi, but the name is too easy to compare!) I'll still be there.
I'd also remind those who are not enjoying the men's style of play or performances as much this year that we have another *extremely* exciting team who's next home game isn't that far away...
They do seem to have lost their magic touch of getting in a player no one’s heard of or taking a player with an apparently low ceiling and making them play well above themselves, turning them into a really good player. I’m thinking Baz Barrington, Petrus, Michael Rhodes, Jackson Wray, Ben Spencer, Chris Wyles, Duncan Taylor etc. The haters say our best years were on the back of galacticos, but I always thought it was on the back of our coaches ability to massively improve players who no one else was interested in.
This seems to have gone the other way now.
Either we have good players playing well below their ceiling (Earl, McFarland (until last couple of months), Max), or players who appeared to have a very high ceiling only getting so far and stalling (Tizard (although he’s been better recently), Isikwe, AOC, Tompkins, IVZ etc).
It's boring as hell but the most sensible route forward would likely be to split the difference. Bit more youth in the starting lineups without making wholesale changes and finishing near the bottom for a few years like Leicester and Chiefs did. And an outside voice or two into the coaching set up without losing all that experience, continuity and love for the club. Daddy Faz back in 2027 could be just what we need in that regard, MM into the board or a performance director role of some kind.
Two things you can't excuse are firstly attitude on the pitch. Getting tetchy with refs and being marched back, or with each other when things aren't going well. Secondly is connection with the fans. Not thanking travelling fans because you've just been hammered is pathetic, and the management could do with being more transparent about the transition, the game plan, how long they see it taking, etc. Maybe we'll see some of that at the fans forum next week.
nedrichards you obviously missed that Vyvyan dusted his boots off for the Toulouse game, or at least so the commentators would have had us believe!
I also agree 100% re the Women's team. Unity of coaching and commitment and implementing a pretty significant change to how we attack in this first half of the season with great results.
#wolfpack1 I think that's a good point about those bought in a developed. I feel we still do that to a degree but we're maybe not backing those players. For me Wilson has done enough that he should be a regular in the 23 but he isn't and will now be off. Hadfield likewise should be regularly challenging for at least a bench spot. Obviously the coaches know these players better than us but those both feel like the type of players who might previously have been given a chance to establish their places based on merit.
Keffer K don't you feel Farrell Snr's current issues with Ireland are a mirror for our own re holding onto senior players and not embracing the next generation.
My own feeling is we would benefit from new thinking if we had a change of coaching/DoR.
Quote:#wolfpack1
On coaching-
They do seem to have lost their magic touch of getting in a player no one’s heard of or taking a player with an apparently low ceiling and making them play well above themselves, turning them into a really good player. I’m thinking Baz Barrington, Petrus, Michael Rhodes, Jackson Wray, Ben Spencer, Chris Wyles, Duncan Taylor etc. The haters say our best years were on the back of galacticos, but I always thought it was on the back of our coaches ability to massively improve players who no one else was interested in.
This seems to have gone the other way now.
Either we have good players playing well below their ceiling (Earl, McFarland (until last couple of months), Max), or players who appeared to have a very high ceiling only getting so far and stalling (Tizard (although he’s been better recently), Isikwe, AOC, Tompkins, IVZ etc).
This is a really good point and ive banged on about our recruitment and its lack of results vs spend. One would argue we rarely see best of many our players vs intl form prob Maro is only one ...JMG nowhere near dame level , Earl is another same for Cinti . Not sure why this and its a disconnect that worries me especially when dovetailed with the seemingly torturous resigning process we are undertaking .
Quote:PaulHerox
Really interesting to hear a number of different voices and views. Exactly what makes these discussions interesting.
nedrichards you obviously missed that Vyvyan dusted his boots off for the Toulouse game, or at least so the commentators would have had us believe!
I also agree 100% re the Women's team. Unity of coaching and commitment and implementing a pretty significant change to how we attack in this first half of the season with great results.
#wolfpack1 I think that's a good point about those bought in a developed. I feel we still do that to a degree but we're maybe not backing those players. For me Wilson has done enough that he should be a regular in the 23 but he isn't and will now be off. Hadfield likewise should be regularly challenging for at least a bench spot. Obviously the coaches know these players better than us but those both feel like the type of players who might previously have been given a chance to establish their places based on merit.
Keffer K don't you feel Farrell Snr's current issues with Ireland are a mirror for our own re holding onto senior players and not embracing the next generation.
My own feeling is we would benefit from new thinking if we had a change of coaching/DoR.
Yes Farrell Snr is definitely battling what seems to happen to most international coaches if they extend past a single World Cup cycle (we had the exact same problem with Eddy) but at this point he's been out of the Sarries bubble for so long that from a coaching perspective, to me he's as good as a complete newcomer to the club at this point. You just get the benefit of someone who knows the core values (which are there regardless of the game plan), knows the hierarchy, etc.
I think the Farrell we have is already an issue to be honest and don't see that improving with Snr joining.
I appreciate that view is an outlier and I could easily be proved wrong on both counts. Which would delight me to be honest as I want to see the club slip it's current malaise.
I think one of the issues re the current set-up is clarity. It's early days to be saying whether Dai is having an impact but other than our ruck ball being much quicker our attack seems to be a work in progress. Shaw had a reputation as an innovative coach, is that something we're seeing. Likewise I know several players who were incredibly positive about Sorrell and yet that didn't translate to the attack.
Are these coaches actually getting to coach or is the ultimate plan and playing structure coming from elsewhere.
The Fezcast episode taking about the Academy coach with an up to date take on the state of the game and the attacking realities being let go was both illuminating and worrying.
Quote:TommyKentish
However you subsequently literally said let’s play and entire backline with maybe one experienced player:
Your reply was re the Prem. I replied to a specific post mentioning the upcoming PRC games and made reference in that post that I'd like to see that team with a view to the PRC games with maybe further consideration when the Prem starts.
That's not what you said, that's not what you inferred, you talked about the Prem alone. I don't agree with you.
Quote:PaulHerox
This is certainly something to be positive about.
I don't follow the Championship so am a bit unclear who is fit and who isn't but we have some very promising talent coming through and it will be good to have a look at them against some Prem/PRC level opposition.
I'm less sure about the pack but in the backs could we see something like Bracken, Johnson, Bracken, Hartley, Hall, Caluori, Elliott with maybe the odd more experienced player in.
I'd prefer that later balance with giving some time to combinations that might transition more realistically to the Prem team so Bracken, Johnson/Farrell, Segun/Bracken, Hartley, Cinti, Caluori, Malins.
Farrell was due to start the Toulouse game. He didn't as he took a knock and it was relatively late in the week that the decision was made he'd be on the bench.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:01:20:15:50:23 by PaulHerox.
Quote:PaulHerox
It's certainly possible Keffer K I just think of clubs with strong club identities that have lost their way in past seasons; Bath, Tigers, and to a lesser extent Quins and a significant part of that is backing those comfortable and familiar with the set up and maybe not getting the critical eye that an outsider provides in soon enough.
I think the Farrell we have is already an issue to be honest and don't see that improving with Snr joining.
I appreciate that view is an outlier and I could easily be proved wrong on both counts. Which would delight me to be honest as I want to see the club slip it's current malaise.
I think one of the issues re the current set-up is clarity. It's early days to be saying whether Dai is having an impact but other than our ruck ball being much quicker our attack seems to be a work in progress. Shaw had a reputation as an innovative coach, is that something we're seeing. Likewise I know several players who were incredibly positive about Sorrell and yet that didn't translate to the attack.
Are these coaches actually getting to coach or is the ultimate plan and playing structure coming from elsewhere.
The Fezcast episode taking about the Academy coach with an up to date take on the state of the game and the attacking realities being let go was both illuminating and worrying.
Quote:TommyKentish
However you subsequently literally said let’s play and entire backline with maybe one experienced player:
Your reply was re the Prem. I replied to a specific post mentioning the upcoming PRC games and made reference in that post that I'd like to see that team with a view to the PRC games with maybe further consideration when the Prem starts.
That's not what you said, that's not what you inferred, you talked about the Prem alone. I don't agree with you.
Quote:PaulHerox
This is certainly something to be positive about.
I don't follow the Championship so am a bit unclear who is fit and who isn't but we have some very promising talent coming through and it will be good to have a look at them against some Prem/PRC level opposition.
I'm less sure about the pack but in the backs could we see something like Bracken, Johnson, Bracken, Hartley, Hall, Caluori, Elliott with maybe the odd more experienced player in.
I'd prefer that later balance with giving some time to combinations that might transition more realistically to the Prem team so Bracken, Johnson/Farrell, Segun/Bracken, Hartley, Cinti, Caluori, Malins.
Farrell was due to start the Toulouse game. He didn't as he took a knock and it was relatively late in the week that the decision was made he'd be on the bench.
We’ve seen them a PRC level and yes we will get to see them more. Of course I’m talking about those younger players, who else do you think I’m talking about other than the ones we play in the PRC? Do you think I’m saying stick the u18s out there? You've literally made the same point as me with some extra context ignoring the first part of my message with says I’m saying it in anger and ignoring the obvious hyperbole. I.e. younger players in the squad deserve opportunities now but surrounded with selected international/senior players so they aren’t totally dropped in the deep end but we can start truly building a transition for next year.
I’ve not seen anything about Faz getting a knock before Toulouse but either way it’s even more evidence that he shouldn’t be playing 12 for us anymore and I hope the coaches take that on board.
Quote:TommyKentish
Agreed. On the bench is fine too. I’m hoping this isn’t the case with the coaching as well but the way things are going…
Agree im also at a point where it feels like a complete reset is needed of coaches of the quality of Al and Gustard brought in...current crop are nowhere neat that standard
Quote:PaulHerox
Three cheers for Sireli Bombo!

