WIth the players back on European duty this weekend, it’s up to Best of the Weekend to round up all of the action from the Champions and Challenge Cup ties.
Carter’s return puts dampener on English celebrations
Both Exeter and Leicester came up with huge victories to go top of their respective pools. The Chiefs were faced up against reigning Champions Cup holders Clermont Auvergne, and produced one of the greatest results in the club’s history upsetting Clermont 31-14 and winning a bonus point in the process. The French went up early after two tries within 20 minutes, Hosea Gear and Aurelien Rougerie crossing and making it seem like Clermont were on their way to an easy victory. However Exeter used their pack like a battering ram and assaulted the visitors’ line repeatedly, a tactic that came up trumps for Rob Baxter as Thomas Waldrom (2), Don Armand and Mitch Lees all bustled over from close-range to confirm an historic result for Exeter, and an embarrassing slip for Clermont Auvergne.
Leicester meanwhile travelled to Thomond Park to face their old enemy, Munster, and continued their promising European form by emerging 31-19 victors. Although neither side could conjure any tries for the majority of the first half, Tigers crossed twice in quick succession through Veroniki Goneva (check the highlights for his outstanding finish) and Mike Fitzgerald to finish the half 18-6 up. Although the home side rallied back with James Cronin’s try just after the break, Ben Youngs sniped through to score one of his own which put the game beyond Munster. A late try from Mike Sherry retained some pride for Munster, but not much else.
Ulster recorded their first win of the 2015/16 Champions Cup and in some style, beating Toulouse 38-0 at Ravenhill Park. The home side shook of their second round defeat at the hands of Scarlets and ran in five tries from Andrew Trimble, Nick Williams, Luke Marshall, Stu McCloskey and Chris Henry, whist also denying Toulouse a point, the first time they have failed to score in a European fixture. Toulouse heaped yet more misery upon themselves, having two players sin-binned, and despite the evident class in their squad have looked wretched in the early stages of the competition.
Racing 92’s fixture with Northampton marked Dan Carter’s debut for the club. Two weeks after appearing at Stade Oympique Yves du Manoir and showing of his Kiwi-tinted French, Carter finally took to the field and universally impressed, leading Racing to a 33-3 drubbing of Northampton. Tries were scored by Henry Chavancy, Eddy Ben Arous, Juan Imhoff and a brace by Brice Dulin. Racing were a force to be reckoned with, and Saints did not seem equal to the reckoning.
Ospreys claimed a win from their match with Bordeaux Begles but it was far from the easy ride that they might have hoped for. The Welshmen squeezed by 19-16, mainly thanks to a Jean-Baptiste Dubie red card for a swinging arm on Dan Biggar who incidentally scored all of Ospreys’ points with four penalties and a converted try. Bordeaux’s try came from Felix Le Bourhis who finished off a close-range attack and a Romain Lonca penalty earnt the French side their first point of the competition.
It took a second-half onslaught to get Glasgow Warriors the result they needed against the Scarlets, the Scots eventually finishing 43-6 winners. However, when Steve Shingler kicked his second penalty of the day at 46 minutes, the score was just 10-6 to Glasgow after Duncan Weir’s early try. This was before Scarlets had been fully introduced to Taqele Naiyaravoro; the Aussie winger ran in a 17 minute hat-trick, only the second Warriors player to score three tries in a European match, and finished off Scarlets almost single-handedly. With the try bonus point already in the bag, replacement Tim Swinson crossed on the stroke of full-time and Glasgow sent Scarlets packing, now occupying last place in Pool 3.
As might have been expected, Saracens strolled past Oyonnax at Stade Charles Mathon, winning 45-10 and barely breaking a sweat. An early penalty try for an Oyonnax infringement at the scrum was a suggestion of what was to come as Sarries scorched the French side with 5 further tries, from Alex Goode, Chris Wyles, Maro Itoje, Richard Wigglesworth and Schalk Brits. The Premiership leaders were firing on all cylinders throughout this match and have now earnt the maximum 15 points from their 3 European games so far. Early money has to be on Sarries to go one better than last year and at least make the Champions Cup final.
Toulon’s 24-9 victory over Leinster came despite their struggles at the set-piece and some inclement conditions, but it ultimately gives last year’s finalists their first win of the 2015/16 Champions Cup. The scoring started and finished with tries from Steffon Armitage (on 10 and 79 minutes respectively) and Eric Escande made up the difference with some excellent kicking, but this was far from a vintage outing for Toulon with few of their stars truly impressing. Leinster meanwhile had two of their Ireland stars, Cian Healy and Devin Toner, sin-binned needlessly which was a further hindrance to their cause.
Stade Francais visited Benetton Treviso at Stadio Comunale de Monigo and smashed their hosts 50-17, with Treviso’s points coming once the game was all but decided. Stade waltzed in for 7 tries from Waisea Vuidarvuwalu, Julien Arias, Meyer Bosman, Sylvain Nicolas, Sergio Parisse and two from Paul Williams.
The final result of the weekend saw Bath beat Wasps 25-23 in a stunner of a finish. George Ford casually knocked over a touchline conversion to win the game for Bath after Anthony Watson’s 84th minute try, Bath having scored earlier through Jonathan Joseph and Matt Banahan. Ruaridh Jackson and Elliot Daly kept Wasps in touch with the boot before Rob Miller’s try seemingly clinched it for Wasps. Bath still sit in second in Pool 5, 2 points behind Wasps but have a game in hand on their Premiership rivals.
Champions Cup Star Man: Taqele Naiyaravoro
Cardiff mount comeback against Montpellier, Enisei-STM record first ever victory
Gloucester continued their perfect start to the defence of the Challenge Cup title, brushing Worcester aside 34-22. With a great deal of familiarity between these sides, it was the Warriors who found the first weakness sending Dean Hammond over after 12 minutes to give Worcester an early lead. Gloucester eventually hit back before half time through Henry Purdy and the boots of Laidlaw and Lamb saw the sides even, 10-10 going into half-time. However, in the second period Gloucester took control of this game in earnest, scoring twice in quick succession through Purdy and Rob Cook before Steve McColl and Billy Twelvetrees confirmed the victory for Gloucester. Worcester managed two more tries, Mike Daniels and Daniel O’Shea the scorers, but Gloucester finish Round 3 with a bonus point victory and first place in Pool 4.
In Pool 5, Grenoble made quick work of Agen winning 40-20 and leaving their opponents nailed to the bottom of the group with 0 points. Wing Xavier Mignot bookended Grenoble’s performance with a pair of tries while prop Sona Taumalolo scored a gleeful hat-trick before being substituted on 58 minutes. A penalty try rounded out the rout for the visitors.
Cardiff Blues staged a remarkable and unlikely comeback to beat Montpellier 37-27 at BT Sport Arms Park. After a try in the first minute from Blues fly-half Rhys Patchell, Montpellier set about winning the game, scoring three tries in the game’s first quarter through Jamie Mackintosh, Timoci Nagusa and Julien Malzieu giving the French side a 20-7 lead. It stayed that way right up until half-time where Josh Navidi crossed for the Blues just prior to the break, and Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams dotted down just after. This was the start of a run of 27 unanswered points for the Blues as Alex Cuthbert and then Navidi clawed Cardiff back into the lead at 34-20. A converted Charles Geli try in the 77th minute seemed to have at least secured two bonus points for Montpellier until Patchell had the last word for the Blues. The fly half knocked over a penalty at the death to finalise a thrilling victory.
Connacht were kicked to a 25-10 victory over Newcastle by fly-half Jack Carty who contributed 20 points before a 74th minute try by Danie Poolman denied the Falcons a losing bonus point. Newcastle were within touching distance for much of the match and scored in the second half through Richard Mayhew. They were however, unable to wrest the lead from Connacht at any point and the Irishmen sit atop the pool at the half-way point.
La Rochelle broke a six game losing streak in the Challenge Cup by beating Zebre 27-19 at Stade Marcel Deflandre. Fly-half Fabien Fortassin scored the hosts’ fourth try on 57 minutes to secure the bonus point after earlier tries from Benjamin Lapeyre, Jone Quovo Nailiko and Kini Murimurivalu.
Enisei-STM recorded their first ever Challenge Cup victory over Brive at the charmingly-named Yug Stadium, 10-7. All of the Russians’ points came in the first half, prop Nazir Gasanov scoring the try and Iurii Kushnarev adding the conversion and further penalty. Brive countered right after half time through Thomas Acquiers converted try but Enisei’s defence proved equal to the French challenge and the three-point lead was held to full time.
Rounding out a mostly positive Challenge Cup weekend for English teams, Harlequins, London Irish and Sale Sharks all came out on top in their games, with Quins and Irish moving into first place in their groups. Harlequins ran in eight tries to tot up 50 points against Calvisano, 50-10 the final score. Luke Wallace scored twice with Ross Chisholm, Matt Hopper, Jack Clifford, Mark Lambert, Kyle Sinckler and Charlie Walker providing the other tries.
London Irish’s 38-6 victory over Edinburgh was similarly convincing, with the Exiles’ backline deserving most of the plaudits. Winger Andy Fenby scored twice early on before Alex Lewington and Johnny Williams added tries before half-time to record their second try bonus point of the tournament. Asaeli Tikoirotuma scored halfway through the second half with Fenby completing his hat-trick, and the rout, on 73 minutes.
Sarel Pretorius and Dorian Jones scored solo tries to propel NG Dragons past Pau 22-0. The second ‘nilling’ of the weekend, Dragons didn’t hesitate in establishing their dominance ahead of the return leg in Pau next Saturday.
Sale’s victory over Castres came thanks to a late penalty try, giving them a 17-10 win at Stade Pierre Antoine. Sharks flyer Nev Edwards has made quite the impression recently, and scored his third try in two games within the first minute of the game, although Castres immediately cancelled out the score with one of their own through Florian Vialelle. With little momentum from either side, Joe Ford and Julien Dumora kicked a penalty each to bring scores to 10-10. Mathieu Caminati’s illegal tackle on Charlie Ingall was for referee David Wilkinson to award Sale a penalty try, and subsequently the victory.
Challenge Cup Star Man: Rhys Patchell
Try of the Weekend: My list of tries to seek out is as follows: all of Taqele Naiyaravoro’s scores from Glasgow v Scarlets, Maro Itoje’s try against Oyonnax and Niki Goneva’s ridiculous close-range effort against Munster. But the winner goes to Ulster’s Luke Marshall for his try from a stunning Ruan Pienaar cross-field kick.
Hero of the Weekend: It is very tempting to give it to Racing 92’s little-known fly half Daniel Carter, who had a handy debut for the club after a pretty nondescript international career. Carter kicked excellently from the tee and from hand and was brilliantly defensively. He seems like one to watch. However the award has to go to Carter’s teammate Big Ben Tameifuna for his bullocking run and offload to give Brice Dulin his second try. Tameifuna has long been an internet favourite for his, let us say, physical style but this showed the finesse side of his game as well.
Villain of the Weekend: Ill-disciplined players are the collective villains this weekend, with 25 yellow cards and 1 red card handed out in the 20 European matches this weekend. It seems as if this tournament has already seen too many players spending time on the sidelines and as the competition progresses I hope that players are able to identify risks worth taking and to control their emotions in pressurised games.
By Fraser Kay (@fraserkay)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Some great results this weekend for English clubs. Just one correction though, Sarries have 14 points in their pool, as thy only scored three tries against Toulouse.
Pretty gutted as a Wasps fan. In one sense, I’m disappointed with the Wasps players for not converting territory into tries, we probably missed 3 or 4 glaring changes to get the ball over the line before Miller finally went over. On the other hand. I’m at a loss as to how Bath were allowed to constantly give penalities away on their own try line without cards coming out, but as soon as Wasps did it; two yellows in two phases. Is there a rule to say that it is a worse offense if it is later in the game?
Launchbury, Simpson, Daly, Watson and Roko were all brilliant yesterday with Eddie Jones watching though. And Ford, despite not being that great during the game, did very well to knock over that winning conversion.
Hughes is also an animal, he gets through so much work. I know it was already obvious, but he walks into the England side when he qualifies.
As a Bath fan, I felt we got very lucky with the result, Wasps were the better team on the day and had all the possession, we just managed to convert to points at the right times on the back of some great individual plays.
As for the penalties, I agree Bath were again lucky not to see a yellow but I think the difference between the incidents you make was that the ref warned the Wasps players that more penalties in a similar vein would lead to yellow cards. Then eventually warned, following the 2 yellows that a penalty try would be next.
Agree Launchburry was fantastic, probably the best game I’ve seen him play, Piatau though is outrageous, absolutely lethal everytime he gets the ball! Felt Matawalu was also very good.
On the penalties, I know Wasps were warned (I don’t really have an issue with our yellows), but why weren’t Bath warned earlier in the game?
Launchbury is like that every week if you watch Wasps – if England play an expansive game as Wasps do he’ll show the same skill level on the international stage.
I actually thought Matawalu was quite poor. Really quick and dangerous, but his scrum half basics were severely lacking in my opinion. His passing and general breakdown work was poor, and his decision making was indifferent as well.
Fair play to Bath though, hopefully Wasps can get the win next weekend; we now need it.
Jacob, whilst Hughes was immense earlier on, I felt he faded somewhat before being replaced. I’ve not seen too much of Wasps this year. Does Hughes normally last 80 mins?
I didn’t think much of Jacobs for Wasps or Jackson at fly half – he seemed to have problems bringing the back line into play. Gopperth looked more sparky when he came on
Also Haskell. Some good play ruined by some godawful bits. Hands of stone on occasion
He definitely faded. In terms of meters made, it is definitely his lowest for a while. But it was constantly taking 3 men to get him to ground, opening up so much space. He does tend to last 80 to be honest, I don’t think fitness is an issue for him. However, I think the commentator said he made 11 carries in the first half hour – no player will last 80 at that rate. Wasps needed other carriers to help him out.
On Haskell; I do agree. Great breakdown work, and some strong carries. Then a few classic old school head down carries when it was on out wide.
Jackson has been brilliant this season before Sunday, so I expect to see him keep the shirt. Jacobs isn’t great at all, I expect Leiau to grab the 12 shirt from him now that he is back from injury. Goperth has been poor so far, but I expect him to get better as the season goes on. His ban interrupted his early season as a new club so difficult to judge him too much.
Aside from the pain of the Wasps fixture, I did catch a few other games as well.
Saracens – some great forwards in there. Itoje and George in particular were brilliant, and Farrell seems to have moved to a new level this year. Still think Wrigglesworth gives far too slow service; Sarries could be even better with a 9 that is able to use front foot ball well. Also thought Ashton was brilliant.
Toulon – serious cracks in this side. Their line out is a mess; with Manoa and Taofifenua at lock they have no line out options and fell apart. With a pack including those two, plus Vermuelen, Armitage and Gorgodze – they lack mobility. If you can even get close to matching them up front; they can be beaten.
Leicester – brilliant performance from them I thought. Slater was good, as was Kitchener who is brilliant at line out time. Ben Youngs looks in good for, as does Dan Cole. Veainu is a seriously dangerous runner for them at FB too, and Goneva looks as destructive as ever.
I think the best player Sarries had on the pitch was Rhoades at 6. Popping up all over the place with ball in hand, two rampaging runs and great offloads for two of the tries.
Interesting in the interview after the game that Goode indicated that Ashton has been involved in coaching the rest of the team about support play. It seems to be paying off because every time they got a break someone was on hand ready for the offload (and not just the backs).
I’m thinking that Launchbury and Itoje would be a seriously good second row partnership for England!!?
Do agree with you on Rhoades; he looked brilliant at 6. Itoje and Launchbury will be great together. Such a good blend of skills as well. Itoje can run the line out whilst Launchbury is probably the most destructive carrier. Most importantly though, both can scrummage and both are fantastic at the breakdown.
Doesn’t surprise me, the Sarries offloads were brilliant to watch, the ones that set up the Wyles try were particularly good. Ashton in general was really disruptive all afternoon, I expect him to be in the England reckoning. Although, there is also Watson, Roko and Nowell having brilliant seasons to date.
I think May could lose his spot, as Nowell, Watson, Ashton and Roko are all looking better at the moment.
I know people are going to disagree with me on this, and I’m obviously biased, but Goode is on excellent form at the moment for the 15 spot. Him and Watson are the stand out 15’s so far this season, and bring very different qualities and options to the shirt.
There is no doubting that Goode is in fantastic form. My doubts are regarding whether he has the ability to transfer that form to test level; he hasn’t managed to in the past no matter how well he has performed for Sarries. He just has the split second less at international level, and the fact that he is naturally quite slow for a back 3 player seriously hinders him here. Where he makes a break or puts someone in a hole for Sarries, he seems to get caught and turned over for England.
To be fair to him, I think this is a lot to do with the team’s performance in general. Not suggesting by any means that they should pick a team around Goode (even I’m not that single minded!!!!), but in the majority of the games he’s played, the forwards are not providing good ball, and the service to the backs has been poor.
Put him in a team and with forwards winning the breakdown, and a good clean service being delivered (i.e. getting the basics right!), and he thrives, as we’ve seen with Sarries so far this season.
Without Slade being available as the extra playmaker in midfield, I wonder if EJ will look to Goode to provide that extra creativity which has been missing.
having Burrell/Barritt and JJ/Slade combos does not help create extra space for the back three. We need an extra playmaker somewhere in the back line, and I think the World Cup proved it.
I’m not sure about that, Goode played plenty of 6 nations games where England had a pack on top. In fact, that is the only way we won games under SL during the first couple years. He still didn’t look like he had the ability to open up gaps in the same way he does for Sarries.
Personally, with Slade out, I’d play Ford with Farrell. Both are better distributers than Goode, and Farrells new found running game adds a dimension to the idea of his at 12.
With Slade fit, I’d push Farrell into the 10 shirt.
Interesting thought, but who would you have on the bench? Obviously Farrell could move to 10 if needed, but then you need someone else who can cover 12. I wouldn’t want to see Cips at 12 in an international as I don’t think his defence would cut it.
I wouldn’t bother with 10 cover on the bench as you already have two in the squad.
Something like: Youngs, Ford, Nowell, Farrell, Daly, Roko, Watson
Simpson, Burrell, JJ.
Daly or Nowell can cover 15. Burrell covers 12 if we want to move Farrell into 10. JJ can either be like for like in the 13 channel or cover wing if needs be.
Jack Nowell has to play for England regularly now, his form this season has been immense. Covers 13 too.
And full back. Hopefully he won’t become a victim of his own versatility; sometimes you see these players fail to pin down a starting berth because they can cover others so well.
Sadly for Sarries it looks as though Gustard will be moving on? Maybe Farrell snr to return?!?! Wonder who EJ will be looking to recruit as the attack coach?
Sad for Sarries but happy days for England.
The pride and passion that Sarries take in their defence and kick chase seems to be really paying dividends this season. If Gustard can bring the wolf pack mentality to England then all the better.
As for Sarries I believe Farrell snr is a free agent at the moment
As for attack coach i’ve heard EJ is keen to take that role himself but I wonder if its all part of a long game to bring in Wayne Smith when he has finished his sabbatical
Interesting. I suppose EJ has been round long enough to know how to run an attack, and with a solid defensive platform and players who adapt quickly to the run of play, it could be the easiest job.
For me SL’s (and Catt’s) problem was they were thinking about the attack too much. Running obvious dummy lines, and flinging the ball out wide, often too quickly. Without the extra creativity in the back line between 11 and 15, England struggled to create the space needed for a good attack.
England haven’t has a backs coach for a long time; Catt was skills coach. I expect EJ to take the role of of structuring the side in attack.
As you say Dazza, England’s problems weren’t necessarily the backs, but it was the overall gameplan and when to use the backs. We seemed to either never use them, or force it wide too early. Hopefully we can let Borthwhick sort out he set piece, Gustard defense and then we can let Jones put together a cohesive attacking strategy.
As long as they get Borthwick in the set-up!? Robinson seems to be digging his heels in on that issue. For someone who’s been an England coach he appears to have a real issue about letting Brothwick go? I can understand to a degree, but standing in the way of someone becoming a coach for the country they were born in, captained and played in for their whole career!? Sour grapes maybe!!
Don’t think Gustard’s appointment will be an issue.
Doesn’t surprise me that Bristol are digging their heels in. Let’s be honest, after two failed attempts, they need to get back into the Prem. I expected them to cling to everything that might help them.
That being said; I’m sure Borthwick will end up in. He obviously has a strong relationship with Jones, and learning under him in a national set up can only help.
I’d have Ashton, Watson and Wade as wingers with Watson providing backup for FB. They are all finishers with electric pace whilst Nowell arguably is not at Test level from the purist point of view. May has his defensive frailties and is out of form.
Itoje and Launchbury at lock is a combo! Parling didn’t offer enough around the park in my view (though a good technician at the line out)
Back line of Simpson, Ford, Daly, JJ, Roko, Nowell and Watson at Full back.
No room for Brown Mark? One of the only shoe-ins in the team and potential captain material. Big call!
Brown is so far from being a shoe-in; and the idea that he could captain a side is crazy. He’s confrontational manner on the field is the opposite level of composure that you need from a test match captain.
The problem for Brown is Watson. He is probably the most talented back three player that England have produced in a decade, and he is best suited to the 15 shirt. Add into the mix the fact that Brown is already 30 and unlikely to make the next WC (34 is ok for a forward but unlikely to last as a back three player) – suddenly he place is very much under threat.
Currently disagree with you on Watson here.
Sure he’s got has talent but until both his defense and his ability under the high ball are quite improved, he should not be allowed in the England fullback position unless its in an emergency. A team like Ireland would have an absolute field day with Watson at fullback
He also doesn’t seem to have the concrete confidence in his own ability that allows players like Brown and Nowell, both of whom may not be the fastest, to beat tacklers when they seemingly have no right to
Curently I’d rather see Nowell, Foden or Pennell in before Watson
Perhaps long term he’s the answer but he has so much work to do before then
Brown, so long as he’s shaken off his concussion (which is sadly I think a real concern), is still the current answer at fullback. Brilliant in defense and under the high ball, he still has the ability to drag the team onto the front foot through his runing and sheer stubborness. You don’t discard players like that lightly – especially when you are re-building a team
Watson is far better than Nowell under the high ball in particular. Nowell had real trouble against Ospreys a few weeks back; he’s quite small and doesn’t have a leap. I’m struggling to see these frailties from Watson. I can’t think of a time for England, or Bath, where I’ve seen him struggle under the high ball or defensively?
I’m not suggesting discarding Brown, I’m a big fan of his, but I would definitely start easing Watson into the side. Either rotating them, or moving Watson to 15 for the last 20 minutes of matches.
Nowell is a top player, but he is a winger. Foden and Pennell are both good options, but neither have the class that Watson has with ball in hand.
I think these few sentences are spot on:
“I’m struggling to see these frailties from Watson. I can’t think of a time for England, or Bath, where I’ve seen him struggle under the high ball or defensively?
I’m not suggesting discarding Brown, I’m a big fan of his, but I would definitely start easing Watson into the side. Either rotating them, or moving Watson to 15 for the last 20 minutes of matches.”
Nowell did have trouble against the Ospreys but its the first time I’ve seen him really struggle
As for Watson, he was very unreliable under the high ball vs Ireland in 6 Nations this year. In the RWC he was outjumped by the 20 stone Nadolo because his positioning was wrong and he and Barritt were at fault for Wales’ crucial try in the pool game
He deinfitely has the talent, I just think he’s too raw to be thrown in when you have a fullback of the calibre of Brown available.
Though as you say though, easing him in is probably the way to do it. And whatever happens, he is still a far, far better option than Goode…
To be fair I have seen Nowell struggle quite a few times at 15 so he definitely wouldn’t be an option for me.
Against Ireland, it was Goode causing uncertaintly from the back that was causing the issues. In fact during that game Watson dealt with the aerial onslaught far better than his two back three colleagues that day IMO.
And the Wales try in the WC had nothing to do with Watson – that’s mental. Barritt rushes up needlessly creating a dog leg; leaving Watson completely stranded – no way is any defensive coach analysing that blaming him.
Watson is definitely raw, but he is out our most gifted back three player and his potential is incredible considering his age.
On Goode – his positioning is brilliant, but he doesn’t have the ability to bring others into the game in attack at test level in the same way he does for Sarries. His speed of thought is there; but his natural speed of feet and hands just is not unfortunately.
I’d have to agree with Jacob here. At the moment the two most in form 15’s are Watson and Goode. Now most people on here have already decided that Goode is not an international 15, so let’s take him out of the equation and we’re left with:
Pennell for me would be a good option, as he plays solely at 15, and combines the abilities of Goode and Watson (maybe not the same pace as Watson?).
Foden is still struggling for form, and is not ready for an England return yet.
Could Cips do a job long term at 15? Maybe, but if we’re talking about defensive issues, his tackling is still not great.
The thing with 15 is that it is probably the most difficult defensive position to master. How many top international full backs can back themselves to stop an international class winger one on one? None that I can think of.
If a player has got that far up field and the 15 is the last person to beat, the rest of the team has failed in my opinion. You can’t lay the blame for that on the 15!
All this leads me back to Goode, who is a 15 who can play at 10. He may not be the quickest across the ground, or the strongest tackler, but his ability under the high ball and his positioning is outstanding, and his ability to bring others into the game are difficult to argue with. For me our two best options at the moment are Goode or Watson. They bring very different qualities to the shirt, and could both change a game depending on the opposition.
I’ve sort of replied to Goode above – I don’t think he is high up the list unfortunately, but I would not completely dismiss him.
In order I’d have:
Brown – still the best 15 right now
Watson – second best, and long term option so should be phased in and soon
Foden – can be class, but a bit inconsistent for Saints this year
Goode – classy player, but as I say, lacks the natural speed of feet/hands at test level.
Pennell – great all round skill set but not exactly world beating natural talent
Cips is not an option for me to start at 15, but I would happily have him as bench cover in that positiong – he has ability to change a game. But if he was starting, I think he’d be targeted.
I’ve always thought Pennell could be a little like Ben Smith. Not the fastest, not the strongest but a fantastic skill set and rugby brain.
Don’t think he’ll have get a chance to really show it unless he leaves Worcester though
Just think Watson offers a bit more than Brown in attack. Injuries aside Would want to find room for Slade and bowling ball in the side, but still having Ford as first choice outside half and JJ as outside centre. Oh to be a coach.