Domestic and European Rugby 2016 - 2017

[paul_e]

The saints dominate but fail to score and even look like scoring despite possession and territory.
It's got to be a worry for Malinder as it has been like this for a while.

yep, although the one that was scratched off was 50/50 as the half time chat showed, could easily have gone the other way and meant a half time lead.  On top of that I think the ref was very lenient with wasps giving away penalties in the last 5, there were 4-5 in the first half and 3-4 more in the 2nd before he eventually pulled out a yellow card.  I do think the biggest problem for Saints is Myler, he's a tidy kicker and his game management is decent but he's just no threat and it makes us less than the sum of our parts.

[Dante Lavelli]

A season ticket holder I know says the same thing about Myler.  He's the definition of solid, but when the pack are as good as they are and with foden, north, the pisis and Malinder they should be creating much more.  For example, I cannot imagine Myler even attempting the Cipriani move for Wasps first try.

[paul_e]

A season ticket holder I know says the same thing about Myler.  He's the definition of solid, but when the pack are as good as they are and with foden, north, the pisis and Malinder they should be creating much more.  For example, I cannot imagine Myler even attempting the Cipriani move for Wasps first try.

Absolutely, Myler is a great option to tighten up a game and has a part to play but they need that spark of genius at 10.  With Wilson, Burrell, Tuala, Elliott, Collins and Tuitavake to add to those you've named they have threats all through the centres and outside backs and yet too often Myler is too deep and we play in front of teams.  I'd love a 10 who step up and stand flat so that we're operating right in the faces of the defence instead.  Given how good his hands are in the tight I suspect Mallinder could do the job but I do prefer him at 12.

Oh and that move you mention is why I want Cipriani in the England squad.  The only other 10 we have who can do that is Freddie Burns who has also started the season in great form. Hopefully he's over the poor form and injuries that have ruined the last couple of seasons for him.

[paul_e]

good game on BT tonight, saints 14-13 exeter.  Saints 2 tries came in about 2 minutes, second direct from the kick off after the first 80-90yard break.

[cheltenhamlion]

Lost to Bath (again). Still pissed off.

[paul_e]

Will upset a few on here but the Banahan try for Bath just was excellent, the way they created an overlap in the first phase was brilliantly executed and then the running from Banahan was perfect, just aiming at the soft inside shoulder.

Good game so far, yet again for this season, the Televised games have pretty much met the billing every time.

[paul_e]

Bad result again for Saints, they've got a very strong squad but there's clearly something wrong.  I suspect Mallinder is in his last season but having my rugby team struggling for wins when Villa are so poor is very frustrating.

[cheltenhamlion]

Watching Gloucester throw it away at the end of every match is just like watching the Villa.

[DaveD]

Bad result again for Saints, they've got a very strong squad but there's clearly something wrong.  I suspect Mallinder is in his last season but having my rugby team struggling for wins when Villa are so poor is very frustrating.

BT had this game on Freeview, so i watched it all for once. Northampton didn't show up. If Quins had finished a quarter of their chances, it would have been over by half time. Desperately dull game to watch.

Only saw the highlights of Saracens v Wasps but very surprised it ended up a 5 point game. Cipriani is a human highlight reel though...

[Jon Crofts]

2 outstanding performances at the weekend from Cipriani and Robshaw.

[paul_e]

Cipriani was utterly brilliant, I didn't watch it live but I've caught up now and that was an inspired performance.

[paul_e]

Tigers away in Glasgow tonight.  They appear to have not bothered with defence training this week, they're defending like Glaws in the last 10.

[paul_e]

Tigers lost heavily in end, terrible performance from them.

Today the early game is Wasps v Zebre and it's a big start for wasps but then conceded a cheap one from a line out.  I'm not sure how the ref let it stand though, I'm fairly certain the ball carrier detached and then reattached at the back of the maul and he's just stood and watched it happen.

[paul_e]

talking to myself in here but every time I've seen Wasps this season my disbelief that Cipriani isn't in the England squad increases.  This is a truly faultless performance at 10.

[paul_e]

Zebre are a poor side, that has to be a disclaimer on this but the running lines and soft skills of this wasps side are a genuine joy to watch.