Northampton vs Sale

[Puja]

15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Nafi Tuitavake
13 Rob Horne
12 Luther Burrell
11 Ben Foden
10 Piers Francis
9 Nic Groom

1 Campese Ma’afu
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 Christian Day (capt)
6 Tom Wood
7 Heinrich Brüssow
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements
16 Reece Marshall
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Jamal Ford-Robinson
19 Michael Paterson
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Cobus Reinach
22 Stephen Myler
23 Ken Pisi


15 Mike Haley
14 Denny Solomona
13 Will Addison (capt)
12 Luke James
11 Marland Yarde
10 Sam James
9 Faf De Klerk

1 Ross Harrison
2 Rob Webber
3 WillGriff John
4 Bryn Evans
5 Andrei Ostrikov
6 Jono Ross
7 Ben Curry
8 Josh Strauss

Replacements
16 Marc Jones
17 James Flynn
18 Halani Aulika
19 Josh Beaumont
20 Cameron Neild
21 Will Cliff
22 Byron McGuigan
23 Josh Charnley

[Scrumhead]

How is Luke James doing? I know he is fairly highly rated and has got a few starts recently, but I haven’t really got any idea how wel he’s doing?

[Banquo]

Saints getting pasted at the mo. Looks like Denny roasting Benny

[Adam_P]

Bonus point conceded in 38 mins. I bet everyone who put all the effort in to get the game on in this weather is miffed that the players can't show the same determination when defending against Sale

[Banquo]

Bonus point conceded in 38 mins. I bet everyone who put all the effort in to get the game on in this weather is miffed that the players can't show the same determination when defending against Sale

its a half decent side, they shouldn't be getting this badly beaten

[p/d]

Resting the defensive rock Mallinder looks to be backfiring

[Spiffy]

How is Luke James doing? I know he is fairly highly rated and has got a few starts recently, but I haven’t really got any idea how wel he’s doing?

He's doing well for an 18 year old. But Saints are poor opposition.
Solomona hat trick before half time, a couple of easy run ins, but he certainly has a nose for the line and tracks the ball well.
Might we worth another run for England.

[Adam_P]

With both Sales wingers scoring in the first half, I wonder if Saints might try playing any in the 15 next weekend.

[p/d]

Surprised Curry hasn't bagged a brace, what with him hanging out on the wing and not hitting rucks

[Adam_P]

Quotes from Gaffney post match that suggest North didn't want to play for his club this weekend

[Which Tyler]

Quotes from Gaffney post match that suggest North didn't want to play for his club this weekend

Really doesn't look good, for North or Gafney TBH

"It's a pretty good question and it's a very difficult one to answer at this moment in time.

"You'd probably have to ask George.

"We picked the side that actually wanted to be out on the pitch and the best side for Northampton.

"I haven't spoken to George personally about it, but I'm just disappointed he wasn't here."

[fivepointer]

last week Saints ran Exeter very close at Sandy Park and could be considered a little unlucky not to get a win. They scored some cracking tries and only lost to a last minute close range try.
This week they concede a try BP before h/t and seemingly have picked a side based on who fancied a game.
Good luck to the new coach. The place needs a major shake up from top to bottom.

[Raggs]

Surprised Curry hasn't bagged a brace, what with him hanging out on the wing and not hitting rucks

Did he do some good clearing out today then? Brusssouw is a good test I'd have thought.

[Shiny]

Quotes from Gaffney post match that suggest North didn't want to play for his club this weekend

Did I read somewhere that Mr. North has previous for this at his last club and once he knew he was leaving he had periods of going AWOL.

[Tigersman]

Tom Collins dad on twotter responding to the AG quotes.
“Should have asked him where Tom Collins was because he wanted to play.”

Not good for Saints at all, you hope that in times like these a club grows tighter.

[Adam_P]

I feel Collins Seniors (and juniors) frustrations. Apparently North and Pivac were spotted in Spoons in Llanelli this evening

[Which Tyler]

How close would this come to breach of contract - hit him in the pocket, whilst sending out a message that this is NOT acceptable behaviour.

[Raggs]

He's signed an extension since, and I don't know if that would change things, but he was originally signed for Saints with full release (they got fined for it), if that's still in the contract, then he's done nothing wrong.

[Which Tyler]

He's signed an extension since, and I don't know if that would change things, but he was originally signed for Saints with full release (they got fined for it), if that's still in the contract, then he's done nothing wrong.

Did the full release ever include rest weekends? I genuinely can't remember - if so, then you're dead right, and this is a moutnain out of a mole-hill.
My recollection is that it was for matches and training camps; but could well be wrong. Equally, Faletau (also with full release) is named for Bath; but then he hasn't played yet this 6N and is coming back from injury.

[Adam_P]

That was in his first contract, during which we got fined by PRL for releasing him. It's my understanding that his current contract has addressed this issue, hence him not being released for the Wales game outside the international window last season.

[Scrumhead]

I feel Collins Seniors (and juniors) frustrations. Apparently North and Pivac were spotted in Spoons in Llanelli this evening

Same here. It's not difficult to make a case for Collins having been the better player this season either.

[Digby]

That was in his first contract, during which we got fined by PRL for releasing him. It's my understanding that his current contract has addressed this issue, hence him not being released for the Wales game outside the international window last season.

Two issues here. Releasing him to play for Wales outside the window is very different to picking him for Saints outside the window. And they can't possibly be surprised he wants to stay in the Wales camp during the 6N

[Digby]

Watch this game now on the Aviva site. And so far, into the 10th minute, I'm really liking Ben Curry's work in the game. He's quick, he's working hard, even one of his efforts in a ruck where Sale were turned over showed him technically in a good position to support the 1st man from Sale in. He's just won a ruck turnover, probably a bit off his feet, but that's what happens.

[Digby]

Minutes 10-20 he's still working hard. Game isn't coming towards Curry, but there are mistakes from his team mates more than anything he's doing, or not doing. I did wonder briefly if he was left handed as there would a couple of softer tackles with his right shoulder, not the worst thing for an openside to be left shoulder dominant of course, but it might just have been footwork as he's then put in some solid right shoulder tackles. He did lose a little in contact on one run from the big Saints lock Ratuniyarawa, but that's going to happen.

[Digby]

Minutes 20-30. Curry makes a nice decoy run that clearly holds Burrell. Sale are then pinged in the Saints 22, not I think for anything Curry did, though actually I think Curry could have been pinged even before Sale eventually were. After that with the role he has the game isn't coming toward him. So he could use being allowed to play tighter to showcase himself rather more, but it's hard to knock him for doing what he's told