SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
By The Saracens
April 18 2024
So it’s Premiership or bust then. After a disappointing (to put it mildly) European display all our eggs are in the Premiership’s rather fragile basket. And with just 4 games left, we really can’t afford to slip up at home (especially given our dire away form). In order to make it to the semi’s we probably need to win 3 of the last 4 (with maximum points from the 2 home games). Arguably we need to win all 4 for a home game. A pretty tall order but we can do it!
Gloucester will be on a bit of a high after their win over Ospreys has given them a realistic shot at the Challenge Cup (and in all honesty they only have a mathematical chance of reaching the Premiership play-offs). They have a home game against Benetton on 4th May to look forward to so could be forgiven for taking one eye off the Premiership (OK I know, clutching at straws but you have to!) A Challenge Cup victory would also give them a guaranteed Champions Cup place next season whereas 8th in the Premiership may not (I gather next season’s format has yet to be agreed). So might they be tempted not to risk Carreras, Thorley, Harris, Atkinson and Varney on our “dangerous” plastic pitch?
As for Sarries, following the debate on this board and elsewhere about team selection, and the changing of the guard, it will be interesting to see who is selected. I have always had faith in Mark McCall and his team of coaches. But comments in recent times about players not trying hard enough and not giving their all have been concerning and not at all like Sarries. So for what it’s worth (very little) here are my thoughts:-
I’d go with Mawi, Dan and Riccioni to start in the front row with Maro and Tizard at lock and 3 of Gonzales, McFarland, Earl and Willis in the back row (who’d be a coach with that sort of choice to make?) Assuming Faz isn’t fit, the choice at 10 will be interesting: stick with Goodey who has started to show his age this season or start with Manu who doesn’t quite have the class. If Van Zyl has recovered from his nasty bang on the head, he has to start (not sure whether Davis is injured or out of favour but Ivan is the better player). I love Nick Tompkins, he’s given his all this season but the guy is shattered so maybe let him have another week off and go with Hartley and Cinti. On the wings, I think Lewington starts but I’d like to see one of Segun, Harris or Parton on the other side (if any of them are fit and ready). Daly is my full back (again if he’s recovered from his head banging) but if not I’d probably pick Parton over Goode, fitness permitting.
So those are my thoughts, you and doubtless the coaching team will have your own but at the end of the day, it’s Mark McCall’s that count!
We need to win this and win it well. We need to get our confidence back in time for the season-end. Otherwise we may as well all head for the beach now.
Our referee is Anthony Woodthorpe assisted by Karl Dickson and Gareth Holsgrove. TMO is Rowan Kitt.
SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: TheSaracens.com (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 07:35
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:03:14:12:09 by Darraghgirl.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:05:03:14:12:09 by Darraghgirl.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 09:00
I'd like to see that team too. Very tempting to rest Tompkins as you say. Clarey to the bench would be good.
I'm afraid I'm still not really buying lack of effort as opposed to individual mistakes and a gameplan that gives us very little chance against good attacking teams.
We absolutely have the players and ability to finish strongly and challenge for SFs minimum but whether the coaches will empower that is something I've been losing faith in all season.
Hope I'm proved wrong.
I'm afraid I'm still not really buying lack of effort as opposed to individual mistakes and a gameplan that gives us very little chance against good attacking teams.
We absolutely have the players and ability to finish strongly and challenge for SFs minimum but whether the coaches will empower that is something I've been losing faith in all season.
Hope I'm proved wrong.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 09:44
Agree with all of the above, but suspect Earl might get a rest this week. I don’t think he’s had one yet (other than last week) and played every second of the 6N.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: AP (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 09:59
Is our pitch any less safe than the one at Kingsholm?
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Successful hills are here to stay
Everything must be this way
Gentle streets where people play
Welcome to the Soft Parade
🌻🌻🌻
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 12:41
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mako, Billy, Sean and Goodey all start as it is essentially a knockout game and Mark has always backed experience.
Toby Knight has been in excellent form for Ampthill recently and well worth a bench spot
Toby Knight has been in excellent form for Ampthill recently and well worth a bench spot
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 13:13
Quote:The Bard
I wouldn’t be surprised if Mako, Billy, Sean and Goodey all start as it is essentially a knockout game and Mark has always backed experience.
I fear you may be right. It didn’t go particularly well in our last knockout game though. Those who fail to learn from history and all that…
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Sully08 (IP Logged)
Date: 18/04/2024 16:24
Sean Maitland busy signing autographs in the club shop pre match apparently so hopefully confirms we will see Roti this weekend.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: westglos (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 07:37
We will be sending an "experimental" side, according to our Head Coach, George Skivington. So expect to see a fair few fringe players, as we are where we are in the league...and winning the Euro Challenge Cup is now the focus
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 08:23
Thanks for the info westglos. That makes sense I guess.
Good luck for the Challenge Cup.
Good luck for the Challenge Cup.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 12:06
Saracens Men team to play Gloucester Rugby:
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Theo Dan
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Theo McFarland
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Jamie George
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Billy Vunipola
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Olly Hartley
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Theo Dan
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Maro Itoje
5 Theo McFarland
6 Juan Martin Gonzalez
7 Ben Earl
8 Tom Willis
9 Aled Davies
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Tom Parton
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Lucio Cinti
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Alex Goode
Replacements:
16 Jamie George
17 Eroni Mawi
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Billy Vunipola
21 Gareth Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Olly Hartley
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 12:06
A lot to like in that. Great to see Willis and Roti start. Hopefully IVZ and Daly are ok and just completing return to play protocols.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:19:12:08:31 by TommyKentish.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:19:12:08:31 by TommyKentish.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Duncan96 (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 12:07
So good to see Roti back. Fingers crossed for the warm up!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 12:20
Really like the look of that team. Delighted to see Segun back and also some more of Parton. That 4-8 just looks incredible. I think this is Willis first start since his return from injury? Strong bench with great experience. Interested to see what Hoskins brings.
Play with the ball and that's a very exciting team.
As above, hopefully the obvious missing players are being rested/following protocols.
Glaws heavily rotated. As long as we take them seriously, even so, I feel relatively confident.
GL team.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:19:15:01:09 by OldMarovian.
Play with the ball and that's a very exciting team.
As above, hopefully the obvious missing players are being rested/following protocols.
Glaws heavily rotated. As long as we take them seriously, even so, I feel relatively confident.
GL team.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:19:15:01:09 by OldMarovian.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 12:21
Glos team:
15. George Barton*
14. Josh Hathaway*
13. Louis Hillman-Cooper*
12. Seb Atkinson*
11. Jake Morris*
10. Charlie Atkinson
9. Caolan Englefield
1. Mayco Vivas
2. Santi Socino
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Arthur Clark*
5. Freddie Thomas*
6. Albert Tuisue
7. Lewis Ludlow* ©
8. Jack Clement*
REPLACEMENTS
16. Seb Blake*
17. Harry Elrington
18. Ciaran Knight*
19. Danny Eite*
20. Rob Nixon*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Jack Reeves*
23. Ioan Jones*
15. George Barton*
14. Josh Hathaway*
13. Louis Hillman-Cooper*
12. Seb Atkinson*
11. Jake Morris*
10. Charlie Atkinson
9. Caolan Englefield
1. Mayco Vivas
2. Santi Socino
3. Fraser Balmain
4. Arthur Clark*
5. Freddie Thomas*
6. Albert Tuisue
7. Lewis Ludlow* ©
8. Jack Clement*
REPLACEMENTS
16. Seb Blake*
17. Harry Elrington
18. Ciaran Knight*
19. Danny Eite*
20. Rob Nixon*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Jack Reeves*
23. Ioan Jones*
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 13:24
Can anybody explain what the asterisks mean on the Gloucester side, as there was no obvious explanation on the Gloucester rugby site? Is it players who have come up through the Gloucester Academy?
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 13:35
Yeah I believe they're academy players
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: ICantBelieveItsNotBartyII (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 17:39
Yeah quite a few teams do that to highlight their 'homegrown' players, even down the divisions. Quite like it.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Strangelove (IP Logged)
Date: 19/04/2024 19:28
Peeps Glos concentrating on the Challenge Cup as a way into the Champions cup next season? Also gives their young boys some experience.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Sarriebone (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 17:37
That last 20 was infuriating!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 17:50
I hate being negative but that was some really poor stuff in the last 20. Let’s hope our playoff place doesn’t come down to points difference.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Kevetty (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 18:00
Totally agree! We were trying to be too ambitious, throwing the long pass to no one. Frustrating.!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 18:01
It is a bit of a no win situation for Sarries. They deservedly won the game but then switched off with some very loose passing and less commitment in the tackle letting Glos score 3 consolation tries in the last 20. There were some positives from the first 60 though. My main concern is JMG as it would be a great shame to lose him for the run in.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Rolls (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 18:22
Some serious brain fade in the last 20, JMG’s looked bad but I think - was it Hartley’s - looked worse, compounded by chucking the ball to no one when we had just turned the ball over conceding another try to Glaws, words almost fail me. Fingers crossed for injuries to both players. Very frustrating even though we got the 5 points.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Strangelove (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 19:08
Players needed to look at the bigger picture. Time was up, just won a pen, game was won - whoever was Captain/ senior players should be making voices heard that they kick it out and not risk any injuries. Sadly for Olly he was the one who paid the price with a season ending injury. Let’s hope he recovers well. Lost all shape and intensity when Faz, big Tom W and the Theos went off. Hope JMG can be back for the pointy end of the season providing we make it! As I speak Bath have a tbp away to Chiefs - away game at the Rec will be defining.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: maynas (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 19:20
It was nice to go to a game again after so long, just fed up it’s another month before we have a home game again. Something is badly wrong with the way the season has worked out. Hope next year is organised so the 2nd half of the season isnt so barren.
Too many subs and the bench just wasn't with the game, maybe thought it was too easy and paid a price, I hope the team hasnt with the injuries. I’m just not a fan of emptying he bench when ahead to give everyone a run. Up till subs started Gloucester hadn’t really done anything, suddenly they found they could run through our defence whenever they wanted. Worrying there is no one calling for sense in defence when Faz went off
Too many subs and the bench just wasn't with the game, maybe thought it was too easy and paid a price, I hope the team hasnt with the injuries. I’m just not a fan of emptying he bench when ahead to give everyone a run. Up till subs started Gloucester hadn’t really done anything, suddenly they found they could run through our defence whenever they wanted. Worrying there is no one calling for sense in defence when Faz went off
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 21:04
Good news that Theo M back to his very best, Tom Willis immense and clearly HAS to start big games. Cinti now looking accomplished and Tom Parton could do no wrong. Goodey seemed 20 years younger than he was in Bordeaux.
Scrum still looks weak, we cannot afford to concede penalties at the current rate at Bath on Friday so Mawi has to start.
I’ve calculated that I’ve been to 10 different rugby grounds since our last home league game at Stonex!
Scrum still looks weak, we cannot afford to concede penalties at the current rate at Bath on Friday so Mawi has to start.
I’ve calculated that I’ve been to 10 different rugby grounds since our last home league game at Stonex!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: Strangelove (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 21:47
Impressed with Glos hat trick winger, I know we gifted him a couple but he always looked dangerous.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 22:20
What a frustrating game.
Some nice attacking intent and some great phases of play but as said above the implosion and potential injuries in the last 10 of normal time a real issue.
With no disrespect that was a weak Glaws team and for them to get a TBP is concerning.
On the one hand it's a poor pass from one player and a poor decision from another and that's two trys. What's concerning is neither player was under pressure and still executed/chose poorly.
Playing on when we could have ended the game was ridiculous. There needs to be some proper accountability for that from the leadership group on the field at the time especially given we ended up with an injury. On that note I hope both JMG and Hartley, the later in particular given it looked bad, are OK.
Manu played well when he came on and immediately changed the picture for Glaws by presenting a threat at the gainline.
As in many of our performances lots of players stood up brilliantly but it still feels like it's not quite working overall.
Bath pretty uninspiring today but certainly wirked hard and put a good Chiefs team away conformably whilst doing little but feeding off Chiefs mistakes. Their scrum looks a real weapon and even without Russell they have a talented bunch of backs. Feels like a season defining game on Friday.
Some nice attacking intent and some great phases of play but as said above the implosion and potential injuries in the last 10 of normal time a real issue.
With no disrespect that was a weak Glaws team and for them to get a TBP is concerning.
On the one hand it's a poor pass from one player and a poor decision from another and that's two trys. What's concerning is neither player was under pressure and still executed/chose poorly.
Playing on when we could have ended the game was ridiculous. There needs to be some proper accountability for that from the leadership group on the field at the time especially given we ended up with an injury. On that note I hope both JMG and Hartley, the later in particular given it looked bad, are OK.
Manu played well when he came on and immediately changed the picture for Glaws by presenting a threat at the gainline.
As in many of our performances lots of players stood up brilliantly but it still feels like it's not quite working overall.
Bath pretty uninspiring today but certainly wirked hard and put a good Chiefs team away conformably whilst doing little but feeding off Chiefs mistakes. Their scrum looks a real weapon and even without Russell they have a talented bunch of backs. Feels like a season defining game on Friday.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 23:03
Quote:Kevetty
Totally agree! We were trying to be too ambitious, throwing the long pass to no one. Frustrating.!
The pass from 9 was just flat out bad. I'm almost more frustrated at an experienced player waiting for it to bounce up for them rather than just dropping on it and containing the mistake.
The pass for Hatherways 3rd can hopefully be a teaching point. It's rarely the right call to throw a miss pass when you have an overlap rather than trust it going through the hands. If that goes to Tompkins I'd say there's a decent chance we at minimum end up playng in their 22 if not scoring a try.
It takes these mistakes and learning from them to build confidence in decision-making, execution, ones teammates etc something we'd have ideally been during through the season when we were kicking away our attacking balk instead.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 20/04/2024 23:23
I don’t mind the throwing of the craPpy passes during the game. It was a bit sloppy, but if the game was still live I don’t think they do that.
I DO mind them not kicking the ball out at the end. Absolutely stupid. Poor Ollie Hartley has a season ending injury and depending on the severity could be out for a lot of next season completely unnecessarily. Completely brainless from Simpson and Tompkins.
Also the scrum remains appalling. It’s been a joke all season, and we haven’t improved it.
I DO mind them not kicking the ball out at the end. Absolutely stupid. Poor Ollie Hartley has a season ending injury and depending on the severity could be out for a lot of next season completely unnecessarily. Completely brainless from Simpson and Tompkins.
Also the scrum remains appalling. It’s been a joke all season, and we haven’t improved it.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: MonaghanBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 00:08
A quick word for Aled Davies, who I thought was exceptional today (one box kick aside), having not played in months. Him and Faz going off was when the drop-off started to my eye.
It speaks to the quality of the back row though when Ben Earl had the quietist game of the 3. Both Theos immense today as well.
It speaks to the quality of the back row though when Ben Earl had the quietist game of the 3. Both Theos immense today as well.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OTsarrie (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 00:34
Like Wolfpack I feel gutted for Ollie Hartley . His injury looked like a bad one , and completely avoidable given the hooter had gone .
Just kick it out and finish the game for f***s sake . There was absolutely no upside in playing on …
Just kick it out and finish the game for f***s sake . There was absolutely no upside in playing on …
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 08:49
Quote:The Bard
Good news that Theo M back to his very best, Tom Willis immense and clearly HAS to start big games. Cinti now looking accomplished and Tom Parton could do no wrong. Goodey seemed 20 years younger than he was in Bordeaux.
Scrum still looks weak, we cannot afford to concede penalties at the current rate at Bath on Friday so Mawi has to start.
I’ve calculated that I’ve been to 10 different rugby grounds since our last home league game at Stonex!
Mawi has to start and Tizard in the second row (which will probably be an enforced change anyway) as Itoje and Theo is a pretty lightweight second row. Both Bath and Bristol away coming up the former favourite for second place right now and the latter in dangerous form and look likely to get a top four place.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: gerry1 (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 10:18
Unfortunately the official comments on the Fish re the game ignore the problems of the final 10 minutes. Although we won pretty comfortably the Spin doesn't reflect what actually happened.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 10:27
I can see Theo Mc moving to 6 to cover the injured JMG. That allows Tizard to start with Isiekwe covering on the bench. I agree with others that I would like to see Mawi given the start probably with Jamie and Marco. I hope IVZ is ok and Daly has recovered as we need a top draw performance to turn over Bath on Friday night. It won’t be easy but our record at the Rec is pretty decent in recent years. If we win then we control our destiny.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 11:57
A huge performance needed on Friday.
Saints have already done the double over us this season. This will be Baths chance as well as strengthening their top 4/2 aspirations.
Losing JMG is a big blow he just adds so much.
I think the temptation will be stick with Goode at FB if Daly is back with him going to wing. For me if fit Daly to FB, same wings as this week and Goode to 22.
Let's be honest though the pack is where it'll be won/lost. No idea how we fix scrum issues, Mawi starting and a scrummaging lock both feel good calls but we have to try to get parity there.
Saints have already done the double over us this season. This will be Baths chance as well as strengthening their top 4/2 aspirations.
Losing JMG is a big blow he just adds so much.
I think the temptation will be stick with Goode at FB if Daly is back with him going to wing. For me if fit Daly to FB, same wings as this week and Goode to 22.
Let's be honest though the pack is where it'll be won/lost. No idea how we fix scrum issues, Mawi starting and a scrummaging lock both feel good calls but we have to try to get parity there.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: samgibbo (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 12:20
IVZ appears to have had the weekend off due to arrival of newborn.
JMG definitely as bad as you think? Looks pretty smiley in the post match vids?
JMG definitely as bad as you think? Looks pretty smiley in the post match vids?
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 12:24
Just responding to him going off S. No idea of injury. Smiling post game is good 👍
Congrats to the VZ family. Do Sarries have a scrum-half nursery? 😀
Congrats to the VZ family. Do Sarries have a scrum-half nursery? 😀
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 21/04/2024 13:05
Gonzalez injury looked worrying at the time - he was on the floor clutching his leg for a long time, but did walk off with help. After the game he looked ok, and the newspaper reports this morning suggest he’s alright. He’ll probably miss Bath but doesn’t sound/look like he will be out for long.
Agree with OM. We simply must get the scrum right on Friday night otherwise we’re going to be in for another unpleasant away trip. In my opinion it would be worth bringing in big Lugovi’i to just stand still at tight head - he did a decent job in the first Bordeaux game. Mawi has to start too. Mako goes backwards or goes down every scrum I’m afraid.
Agree with OM. We simply must get the scrum right on Friday night otherwise we’re going to be in for another unpleasant away trip. In my opinion it would be worth bringing in big Lugovi’i to just stand still at tight head - he did a decent job in the first Bordeaux game. Mawi has to start too. Mako goes backwards or goes down every scrum I’m afraid.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: tigersimon (IP Logged)
Date: 23/04/2024 18:28
Has Ben Earl had a rest weekend since 6Ns?
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 23/04/2024 18:42
Benched at Saints, no Europe last weekend and obviously none next weekend so he should be fine.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 11:21
Quote:#wolfpack1
Agree with OM. We simply must get the scrum right on Friday night otherwise we’re going to be in for another unpleasant away trip. In my opinion it would be worth bringing in big Lugovi’i to just stand still at tight head - he did a decent job in the first Bordeaux game. Mawi has to start too. Mako goes backwards or goes down every scrum I’m afraid.
Just on this, RIL have put up a graphic showing scrum penalties conceded this season.
Harlequins - 20
Gloucester - 23
Exeter - 28
Bath - 33
Bristol - 34
Leicester - 37
Northampton - 42
Sale - 43
Newcastle - 44
Saracens - 54!!
Averaging over 3.5 scrum penalties conceded a game.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: ComeOnSarries (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 11:52
That is an incredible stat and shows what an Achilles heel the scrum has been this year!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 12:44
That’s probably every other scrum…
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: BarnetBoy (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 18:23
Wow - that stat is mind blowing! However - just wonder how much context we need to put in. The biggest worry would be we are conceding a disproportionate amount of scrum penalties with our first choice front row. Don't know the answer on this however, we know this season we have frequently had 4th/5th choice hookers and 3rd choice props playing and have been missing our first choices for huge chunks of the season. Maybe that has skewed the figures?? Straw grasping going on here I know!
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: The Bard (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 18:56
I’d love to see a breakdown by player per scrum involved. Suspect it wouldn’t make great viewing for Mako and Riccioni, Clarey potentially the only one who isn’t too bad.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: OldMarovian (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 19:17
Mawi, George and Riccioni with Maro plus one of Isiekwe/Tizard gives us a scrum that I feel would give us a chance against most.
It feels like we're trying to split our quality so that we don't struggle to badly starting or from the bench.
That is not really working plus its denying us the chance to play out strongest scrummaging pack all at one time.
The reality is there used to be one or two proper scrummaging teams in the Prem now pretty much all the top6 have them. Injuries haven't helped but the reinforcements, at LH at least, suggest the issue is being addressed for next season.
Who knows, we might still have Vinnie if Wasps hadn't offered him a handful of magic beans!
I have the feeling we'll be watching our scrums against Bath from behind the sofa.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:24:19:53:53 by OldMarovian.
It feels like we're trying to split our quality so that we don't struggle to badly starting or from the bench.
That is not really working plus its denying us the chance to play out strongest scrummaging pack all at one time.
The reality is there used to be one or two proper scrummaging teams in the Prem now pretty much all the top6 have them. Injuries haven't helped but the reinforcements, at LH at least, suggest the issue is being addressed for next season.
Who knows, we might still have Vinnie if Wasps hadn't offered him a handful of magic beans!
I have the feeling we'll be watching our scrums against Bath from behind the sofa.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2024:04:24:19:53:53 by OldMarovian.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: #wolfpack1 (IP Logged)
Date: 24/04/2024 19:46
The most concerning thing is that it hasn’t got better through the season at all. It started bad and has stayed bad. We haven’t worked out where we have a problem, and whilst I agree that Mako, Riccioni and Judge seem to be the most susceptible, it doesn’t really matter who plays - we still get pinged.
This will also not include all the scrums where we get shoved backwards and get away with it, or Willis / Vunipola fish the ball out before it’s too late.
This will also not include all the scrums where we get shoved backwards and get away with it, or Willis / Vunipola fish the ball out before it’s too late.
Re: SARRIES v GLOUCESTER: Please post match-related content here
Posted by: TommyKentish (IP Logged)
Date: 26/04/2024 07:28
Agreed Wolfpack, it seems like a coaching/perception issue rather than a personnel one. No way players of that quality should be bottom of the table. Although having said that, our scrum has probably looked best with Mulipola on the field.
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