Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints

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It would be so fitting of Saints to beat Leinster and lose to us.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:09:12:49:41 by StanWilks.

Don’t worry, Stan. Saints will be sending their U18s down there. Need to keep the first team ready for the game that matters.

Quote:

Connorman
Don’t worry, Stan. Saints will be sending their U18s down there. Need to keep the first team ready for the game that matters.

Ah, well remembered.

So...Saints by twenty? 😂

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

I dont think saints will be sending the boys,its 2 weeks before the final and they need to keep them on their game but we will see.

Good evening from the Gardens.

Expecting a largely second string team to journey to Sandy Park with possibly a ridiculously strong bench. Saracens at home the following weekend will be the dress rehearsal for Cardiff.

We shall find out at noon tomorrow !

Quote:

NGSB
Good evening from the Gardens.
Expecting a largely second string team to journey to Sandy Park with possibly a ridiculously strong bench. Saracens at home the following weekend will be the dress rehearsal for Cardiff.

We shall find out at noon tomorrow !

So excited to see you guys in the final. Gonna be epic. Hoping to see the first English team lift the trophy in five years!

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Exeter Chiefs:

15 Josh Hodge

14 Nick Lilley

13 Henry Slade

12 Will Rigg

11 Paul Brown-Bampoe

10 Harvey Skinner

9 Stu Townsend


1 Scott Sio

2 Jack Yeandle

3 Marcus Street

4 Rusi Tuima

5 Dafydd Jenkins (c)

6 Jacques Vermeulen

7 Richard Capstick

8 Ethan Roots


Replacements:

16 Dan Frost

17 Kwenzo Blose

18 Josh Iosefa-Scott

19 Christ Tshiunza

20 Martin Moloney

21 Tom Cairns

22 Will Haydon-Wood

23 Tamati Tua

Northampton Saints


15 Jake Garside
14 Toby Cousins – Gallagher Premiership debut
13 Tom Seabrook
12 Tom Litchfield
11 Will Glister
10 Tom James
9 Jonny Weimann

1 Tom West
2 Henry Walker
3 Elliot Millar Mills
4 Ed Prowse
5 Chunya Munga
6 Tom Lockett (c)
7 Fyn Brown – Gallagher Premiership debut
8 Angus Scott-Young

Replacements:
16 Craig Wright
17 Tarek Haffar
18 Luke Green
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Reuben Logan – Gallagher Premiership debut
21 Archie Benson – Gallagher Premiership debut
22 Rafe Witheat – Gallagher Premiership debut
23 Ewan Baker – Gallagher Premiership debut



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:09:11:52:08 by Lowerwatha.

Match Officials

Referee: Karl Dickson
Assistant Referees: George Selwood and Jamie Leahy
TMO: Andrew Jackson

Weather Forecast as at 1200 Friday

Light rain showers and a gentle breeze from the south east
Temperature 18 degrees feels like 19 degrees
Chance of Precipitation

TV Coverage

Channel 408 TNT Sports 1 SD 1430-1715
Channel 430 TNT Sports 1 HD 1430-1715

Know nothing about Nick Lilley but according to All Rugby and his England profile he's a centre who's played U19 and U20 internationally this season. Congratulations Nick on your debut.

Going with Chiefs 29 Saints 16.

Well i am sticking my neck out here and going for a chiefs win 31 to 21 with a few yellows no doubt.

Ever hopeful so:
Exeter 31 - 17 Northampton

Keen to maintain my record of getting it wrong, I’m going for:
Chiefs 29; Saints 26

Cautiously optimistic with that Saints lineup.

Chiefs 30 Northampton 25

WOW Saints really are resting a lot. On paper and with our lads wanting to put in performance after Gloss I'm expecting a win but that Saints squad have nothing to lose which could make them dangerous, however optimism wins, Chiefs 33 - 19 Saints 🤞



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:09:12:34:15 by Chief Bert.

Yeah, I was initially leaning towards Saints but having now seen the team sheets, we should win this. We are "technically" the better team on paper. Let's hope we show why on the pitch.

Amended Prediction:

Chiefs 29 - 23 Saints.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Its a bit of a no win match for Chiefs now. I certainly don't blame Saints for resting players and best of luck to them in the final.

Obviously we should win this comfortably but even if we do, it isn't much of a victory. If we only scrape a win or if we lose though...😳👀

I just want to see a 100% committed, intelligent and disciplined performance, possibly for the first time this year.

Predicting the score? I've nearly given up, but Chiefs 38 Saints 21. ☹

Chiefs 29 - 20 Saints

After the Glos fiasco, hope we get a reaction out of the squad.
Chiefs 32 - 27 Saints

Chiefs 42 Saints 17. Hope Saints win in Cardiff too!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:05:09:14:40:04 by Currychef.

Can't be optimistic. Yet another change in coaching will herald another change in style and probably back to pick & go. This style of the past is likely to result in a thumping from St's 2nds. Chiefs 19 Saints 42

Chiefs 37 Saints 19

Chiefs 26 Saints 24

Chiefs 42 Saints 22

Quote:

Not Manichean
Its a bit of a no win match for Chiefs now. I certainly don't blame Saints for resting players and best of luck to them in the final.
Obviously we should win this comfortably but even if we do, it isn't much of a victory. If we only scrape a win or if we lose though...😳👀

I just want to see a 100% committed, intelligent and disciplined performance, possibly for the first time this year.

Predicting the score? I've nearly given up, but Chiefs 38 Saints 21. ☹

Totally agree NM! If we win we'll it will be " well it was a second/thirds saints team" if it's close or we lose, then it hammers confidence even lower.
Like you I don't blame Saints at all and hope they win the euro final.
Interestingly Barf have fielded an equally weakened side for their game against Bris in Cardiff, again I don't blame them. The problem is with so few club games anyway the wider game needs them all to be competitive. If I was a part time rugby fan who bought tickets to either game, especially the one in Cardiff I'd want to see the internationals/lions playing, not the reserves! I don't blame the clubs but this season is a disjointed mess!!

Back to the game, id expect to see a big uplift in energy and effort from our team, whoever we were playing. Although we should win well, we've had our pants pulled down already this season by weakened teams! Still I'm expecting a big performance, so I'm going Chiefs 42 Saints 26

This is a huge game for RB. If he can’t get a response v Saints 2’s/3/‘s/Dev team then I fail to see how he wouldn’t start to question his future (if he hasn’t done already of course)
Sad times. I hope this isn’t the point of no return, so I’m going with total faith and belief
Chiefs 38 Saints 19

I know why we’ve done it but I don’t like it even if the final in Cardiff is the clear priority. If we still had relegation, I suspect Dimes would be spitting feathers.

Rembering how we lost to a 2nd/3rd Glos team in the Prem Cup just a few months ago does not fill me with confidence playing a 2nd/3rd string Saints whose overall confidence will be sky high after that amazing win at Leinster.

Chiefs 21 - 25 Saints

Weather not looking great, think our bench will make an impact.
Chiefs 38 Saints 19

Good luck for the game, I suspect you would have won anyway, but if the weather is wet I'd say you will definitely win. You need a 10 who is a 10 in those conditions. I'm hoping you guys can get your game going soon!

Very underwhelmed by this game. The result may have a bearing on how RB is perceived if we lose but it should not. After the awful season we have had and the team selected and the team saints have we should expect to win handsomely. Anything else should emphasise how much of a hole we are in. If we win handsomely it does not prove much. Nicely put by NM. Chiefs 43 Saints 14 or Saints 26 Chiefs 19. I''ll go with the former. 25% of the selected team known to be leaving.

Not sure after these negative comments but ever the optimist Exe 27- 19 Saints but I could be wrong,

Chiefs 31 Saints 15

Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?

It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

Quote:

Not Manichean
Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?
It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

It's a good point, NM. Sport is not too dissimilar to war: if you don't believe in your generals and their commands, why would you go to battle for them?

The only person, at least captured on camera, that seemed opposed to the pasting was Henry Slade. Say what you will about him, but he cares deeply and he was visibly irritated on numerous occasions.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Quote:

StanWilks

Quote:

Not Manichean
Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?
It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

It's a good point, NM. Sport is not too dissimilar to war: if you don't believe in your generals and their commands, why would you go to battle for them?

The only person, at least captured on camera, that seemed opposed to the pasting was Henry Slade. Say what you will about him, but he cares deeply and he was visibly irritated on numerous occasions.

TBH Stan i thought even Henry looked fairly uninspired. The only starting player who made a real effort was Josh Hodge imo.

I cant bring myself to rematch it though to see if im right though.

Quote:

Not Manichean

Quote:

StanWilks

Quote:

Not Manichean
Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?
It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

It's a good point, NM. Sport is not too dissimilar to war: if you don't believe in your generals and their commands, why would you go to battle for them?

The only person, at least captured on camera, that seemed opposed to the pasting was Henry Slade. Say what you will about him, but he cares deeply and he was visibly irritated on numerous occasions.

TBH Stan i thought even Henry looked fairly uninspired. The only starting player who made a real effort was Josh Hodge imo.

I cant bring myself to rematch it though to see if im right though.

Interesting. He did bring the backs together a few times to talk privately and I remember him berating Daff for his behaviour, so I still stand by that he was at least trying to raise standards.

But if his heart wasn't in it, like many others, I can't imagine what that head space must be like as a player.

Sadly, standing between the sticks became frustratingly habitual that day.

Cueto wasn't in touch, at least in my dreams.

Quote:

Not Manichean
Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?
It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

I've just caught up on today's games, not the greatest viewing! Glaws looked a shadow of the side that walloped us, it's like they are a different team away from home. Bristol's 1st team beat Barf's 2nd/3rds and Sarries thrashed Newcastle. At least Friday nights game was worth watching, great defensive sets and some really well worked tries. Games need to be competitive to keep up interest for neutrals. If I was TNT I'd be wondering about getting value for money.

As for who came out of last week with any credit, I'm not sure anyone did, I'd switched off midway through the second half, the only time I've ever done that in a chiefs game. I have seen pictures of Henry looking upset, which I suppose at least shows he cares!

Expecting a big statement, both as a result of last week, and in support of Baxter. Chiefs to win 42 : 22.

In Rob we trust.
By the way - cream on first. There's nothing to debate.

Quote:

Not Manichean
Did anyone watch Quins v Glos today and wonder how in hell Glos put 79 pants on us?
It really makes me wonder if the players were on a predetermined go slow and making a deliberate point to the coaches.

I hope the hole squad was made to watch the Quins game, to show that Glos are not some unplayable team. That if you all own the bits you have to do for the team, the team will play well, and Quins were the team above us in the league shows how far the top 8 teams in the league are better.
Hopefully our day captain and club captain will show the kind of fire in the belly that Tony Rowe showed he still has for the club.

Exeter 45 Saints 19

Chiefs 33 Saints16

Lilley and Skinner - A shoe in?

Quote:

PC again
Lilley and Skinner - A shoe in?

What a load of old cobblers.

Quote:

Chief Boldeagle

Quote:

PC again
Lilley and Skinner - A shoe in?

What a load of old cobblers.

Now you've gone and put your foot in it