Comments on: Best of the Weekend: Saracens sublime, Munster valiant

By: Buzz

Buzz — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 20:01:33 +0000

Were there Pro12 games on at the weekend?

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:55:18 +0000

Couldn’t have summerised the Barrit/Ashton/England situation better myself.

The only comments I would add to expand are:

If Barrit contiues to play as he is then he is not that far off the current England starters. Twelvetrees has grown into the role, but is still not owning the shirt. We have yet to see Burrell at 12. if Barrit shows his playmaking skills consistently then he is in with a real chance of grabbing the shirt back. I think he has the skills, but it is very rare for a player to produce a style and level of play on the international stage that they are not producing for the club (please don’t bring up Nonu or Morgan). With Sarries adapting to a more attacking style Barrit seems to have dusted off his more subtle skills.

I currently think Ashton may be shading Yarde and May for the England shirt. Yarde has not yet hit his pre injury form. If he was more experienced I would not consider this as significant. But we need to see Ashton hit this form (particularly defensively) consistently. As commented the broken tackles and the passing were IMO the best bits from him.

By: Ding Dong Denny

Ding Dong Denny — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 14:28:10 +0000

“Cry ‘Havoc,’ and let slip the dogs of war”

DDD

By: brighty

brighty — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:47:59 +0000

The English Toulon v the French Toulon is going to be a big, dirty (in the “epic smashes” not “foul play” sense of the word) final. Should, I hope, be cracking to watch. I’m backing Toulon as I love the way Giteau plays.

By: Ding Dong Denny

Ding Dong Denny — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 13:04:55 +0000

God I hate Toulon! –

never thought I would write something like this, but,

I hope Saracens win! …… It will be cup final rugby – so it won’t be a stuffing but I really would love if it was.

DDD

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:01:04 +0000

Goode is a good club player who has demonstrated he can’t step up to the pace and physicality of international rugby. He has to be judged on his international performances, same with Barritt.

Goode still looks to be a better 10 than a 15, but with Hodgson staying for at least another year his opportunities to develop there remain limited.

Delighted with the way Farrell is coming along though! Mako too. I was wondering if Mako had played a bit too much over the last year and wasn’t getting enough recovery/gym/conditioning time to progress his game, but this was a mighty performance from him. I didn’t see his ass facing the touchline once either.

By: Pablito

Pablito — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:38:33 +0000

I’m afraid my doubts still remain about Goode playing full-back at the highest level and will do until I see him replicate this in an international.

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:17:23 +0000

I wonder if Sarries will do it the other way round and play the best team against Worcester (who have been improving). The reason being that Saints are away at Bath and Leicester are away at Sale this weekend. With the potential for Leicester, Bath or Saints to drop points, Saracens could cement top spot this weekend with a 5 pointer, and then play a lesser team against Tigers and give the starters a rest before the Prem semi final. They are still 9 points ahead of Saints!

By: Dazza

Dazza — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 11:08:41 +0000

I think it should put to rest a few things about Farrell’s ability.

It should also put to rest the talk about Goode’s inability to run fast enough, create space, and beat defenders, as he did all three as well as perform excellently under high balls and kick 13 points off the tee.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:44:38 +0000

Agree he needs to defend consistently well over the next few weeks, but many people were expecting Nalaga and Sivivatu to leaving him clutching at air (or going over him) all afternoon. He does deserve some credit for his work without the ball as well as his tries.

I agree with Jacob’s comment, we should give Yarde and Wade a proper go (assuming fit) before going back to Ashton. Out of interest has anyone seen much of Yarde since he’s come back?

If Wade is injured, Ashton probably playing a final, Nowell injured (anyone know when he’s due back?) is it Roko or Watson for the right wing (assuming Bath don’t make the final themselves)?

By: McMurphy

McMurphy — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:38:17 +0000

Wow. That was looking like ashton back to his predatory best. And as I remember it at international level his defence wasn’t bad until suddenly it became a real problem.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:25:41 +0000

I think if Saracens can remain injury free all the way through they can win the double. I would rest all starters until the Aviva semi’s, but they may put out a strong side against Leicester on the last day, as that might impact on who they face in the semi.

If they can replicate anything like the performance on Saturday, the Aviva should be theirs. With regard to the Heineken, Toulon don’t seem to have improved that much from last season, so Saracens have definitely closed the gap. Should be a very good game.

Re Barritt, he was the right choice when first picked for England, but there are better options available.

Re Ashton, his defence will be the only reason preventing him from getting more caps. It was good against Clermont, but it will take more than one game to remove the doubts.