Domestic & European Rugby 2015-16

[paul_e]

The saints injuries are proving the difference now, so many back row players out meant that they couldn't afford to lose Nutley.

[DaveD]

Wind is a big factor also.

[DaveD]

Wasps v Saracens will be helluva game. Still pissed off that I missed out on tickets to the final by seconds.

[paul_e]

I think the sheer number of players saints had missing was the main thing, Brookes, Hartley, Wood, Gibson, Dickson and North would've all started and Ethan Waller, Fisher, Clark, Dickinson, Wilson and Tuala would all be in the mix for the 23 as well.

Having the squad stretched to the full when you're playing away at one of the best sides in europe is always going to make it a tough ask.  As I said earlier at half time the gap should've been 15-20 and then the slight weakness of the bench wouldn't have been such  a big problem, missed kicks, dropping one over the line and the subsequent kicks to the corner trying to push the scoreboard all meant saints didn't have the points they deserved after a superb first half.

[paul_e]

Wasps v Saracens will be helluva game. Still pissed off that I missed out on tickets to the final by seconds.

Agreed, Wasps are in fantastic form and will punish Sarries if they're not on the money.

[paul_e]

I talk a lot about liking Burrell because his running lines are the best of anyone we have.  Watch the try Saints have just scored (on 24mins, Harrison with the finish). You won't see/have seen a better break from a centre all season.  The commentators have named Harrison as a genuine England contender as well, I think I got there 2-3 months before them.

[paul_e]

As I hit to post it Burrell throws a blind pass off the floor which leads to an interception and simple try for Goneva, which also highlights why he isn't an England regular.

[DaveD]

That's very harsh on Farrell. Robson slipped, that tackle would have been at chest height.  Hope he's okay.

[paul_e]

I'm not sure, from some views it looks an accident from others it looks malicious, a yellow seems fair.

[DaveD]

Leicester have dropped the ball every single time they've entered the Racing 22. It's unbelievable, but somehow they're still in this game.

[UK Redsox]

Are Leicester playing in Nottingham because of the building work at Welford Road or because Leicester City's game was switched to the Sunday ?

[DaveD]

It's Home Country advantage not Home advantage and the EPCR choose the venue.

[paul_e]

That's very harsh on Farrell. Robson slipped, that tackle would have been at chest height.  Hope he's okay.

I'm not sure, from some views it looks an accident from others it looks malicious, a yellow seems fair.

Coming back to this now there are videos online -

It's a very tough call - I still think a yellow is the right decision though, it was just too reckless to be allowed to go unpunished.  This is one of my biggest issues with Farrell, in his mind he thinks he can be an enforcer in areas like that but his technique isn't good enough to reign in his natural aggression.  If you watch Lawes (who is the best in the world at this) he hits like a truck but it's safe, controlled and his tackling technique is impeccable, Farrell all too often gets it wrong and hurts either himself or the opponent, he's been very lucky to get away with tackles worse than this one in the past but he needs to grow up now and stop trying to prove to the world how tough he is.

[paul_e]

Farrell has been cited for that tackle now.  I suspect nothing will come of it but I can understand why they're taking a look and I suspect he'll get a warning to be a bit more sensible going forward.

Marler has also been cited and I suspect he'll get a ban - http://www.worldrugbyvids.com/index.php/2016/04/22/joe-marler-kicks-heguy-in-face/ - given he's got previous for petulance I suspect he'll get a few weeks.

[paul_e]

Whilst I'm linking videos, have any of you seen the 'tackle' in the air from the super rugby on Friday, if ever you need to explain to some why making contact with someone in the air is ridiculously dangerous just show them this - http://www.rugbydump.com/2016/04/5049/jason-emery-suspended-for-4-weeks-for-dangerous-challenge-on-wille-le-roux

Thankfully he did get up and carry on playing and they had a bit a 'bro' moment on twitter afterwards so there's no hard feelings but I've been on a pitch where something very similar happened and the guy broke his collar bone and cracked 2 vertebrae in his neck, there's just no excusing this one, it's clearly a complete accident and even still it's a 4 week ban, any intent and you'd be looking at 20 weeks.