Comments on: Best Of The Weekend: Sarries Ensure English Presence In Quarters

By: Taliesin

Taliesin — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:52:38 +0000

As a rare ‘Celt’ here (Welsh), I have to say I am really looking forward to this year’s 6N, despite all the injuries affecting most teams. I am convinced there could be some serious upsets, and those writing off Wales, despite all the new or newish caps, do so at their peril!

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 17:08:04 +0000

Sorry Leon, complete brain fade. Had just been writing an e-mail to a friend called Alex, (who I don´t think is any relation).

By: Leon

Leon — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:57:00 +0000

Who is Alex Smith?
Any relation to Marcus?

By: Andy

Andy — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 13:45:35 +0000

On balance I would not argue that Exeter deserved to win this weekend, but I am persistently bemused as to why Roman Poite is allowed anywhere near first class rugby. A nonsense yellow card, two forward passes in the second Glasgow try and one in the third, constantly allowing players of both sides to wander offside, go off their feet and come in at the side. He should go to a couple of compulsory JP Doyle masterclasses to learn how to let a game flow without making a mockery of the laws. All credit to Quins and Leicester for giving it everything even with nothing to play for.
Re England, it really concerns me that Ben Youngs doesn´t look in any sort of form at all and it has begun to affect George Ford. I would have Care at 9 and Farrell at 10 unless EJ is prepared to take a real punt against Italy and give Alex Smith a go. On current evidence I think Ireland and France will both give the England front row a very torrid time, but with so many injuries around it is hard to tell which teams will be worst affected.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 12:32:11 +0000

Interesting point on the Irish set up. Does that idea ever materialise though? Ireland have always have just 4 teams, and I can’t think of anyone outside of Sexton in the last decade that have played regularly for Ireland without being at one of the provinces? Not exactly results in continued dominance at 6 nations level even when Leinster were going back to back.

By: Steve H

Steve H — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:44:10 +0000

Getting one team through to the QF’s isnt ideal but in reality I dont think many were predicting more than two from the outset.
Some of our teams have been pitiful. A couple have come close but failed when it really mattered. One has squeaked through thanks to results elsewhere going their way.
Formwise its a mixed picture. A few players have definitely impressed, while others have struggled.
Come the 6N’s i dont think what has gone on in the European competitions matters a great deal beyond form players being a touch more upbeat, and those not at their best needing some encouragement.
England know who they have at their disposal. Despite missing a few and some being overlooked, we look in fairly good order. We will be very competitive and hard to beat.

By: jake

jake — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:43:37 +0000

Agree re the Irish. Fewer domestic teams also means that many of the players in the Ireland squad also train and play club rugby together much more frequently than the England players; this will likely translate to better chemistry when coming together to form the national team.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 11:12:29 +0000

Bang on – I don’t think they are much related. France have 4 teams left out of 8 but I don’t think anyone has the French national side down as favourites for the 6 nations.

I would say though, you could argue that Irelands test players look in slightly better form than some of Englands. It can all change in the test arena though.

By: JS 10

JS 10 — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:47:58 +0000

What does the European situation mean for the Six Nations?- Having just read Brian Moores article in the Telegraph I agree with his assertion that very little can be divined. Those who believe that there is a correlation between Champions Cup and International Rugby are as deluded as those who think that that Eddie Jones should have his England selection influenced by Gatlands Lions selection.
Test Matches are a totally different beast-much more high pressure and much more likely to be determined by a few key moments.
Supporters of the underdog nations always tend to think more with their hearts than with their heads and Celtic supporters have good reason to think their teams will do well. Whether they will beat England is a different matter entirely-Those who”s thinking is always done with head(The Bookmakers) don’t seem to think so
One major imponderable is the weather-We have been lucky in recent years that very few games have been played in truly horrible conditions.The better the weather the more England will like it-As everyone knows the one thing you cant defend against is pace!.

By: Dazza (Dazzle)

Dazza (Dazzle) — Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:24:16 +0000

As a Sarries fan I must say a big thank you to Wasps and their fans for beating Ulster.

Players that stood out for Sarries on Saturday were mostly the usual suspects. All of the forwards were on top form but Mako was outstanding!! Itoje seemed determined to wind up Hartley for no other reason than he was enjoying it. Burger steered the scrum well form 8 and played the best he has this season. His replacement, new signing Silone Vailanu, was impressive off the bench on his debut bulldozing his way over the try line on his second touch of the ball.

Wiggy, Farrell and Goode were impressive throughout controlling the ball and field position brilliantly. The guy in the backs that really stood out for me was Nathan Earle. Obviously trying to prove himself to Eddie Jones and doing a fine job. Solid in defence, lethal in attack and hands soft enough to be in a fairy liquid ad, this kid has it all…….makes me wonder why we would let him go!?!?!?