Worcester v Saints Fri 7.45

[fivepointer]

Worcester: Pennell; Heem, Venter, Mills, Adams; Weir, Hougaard; Black, Singleton, Schonert, Bresler, Fatialofa, Mama, Lewis, Van Velze (capt).

Replacements: Taufete'e, Waller, Milasinovich, Phillips, Hill, Arr, Lawrence, Van Breda.

Northampton: Tuala; Collins, Burrell, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (co-capt), Hartley (co-capt), Hill, Ribbans, Lawes, Wood, Ludlam, Harrison.

Replacements: Fish, Van Wyk, Franks, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Brussow, Mitchell, Dingwall.

[Mellsblue]

Schonert is giving Waller a bit of a tuning.

[Mellsblue]

Kudos to the Saints medical team.

[padprop]

Hougaard has not looked his best, Reinach has played him off the park.

[Mellsblue]

Blimey. It can be depressing being a Bedford fan at times but it could be worse, I could be a Worcester fan.

[padprop]

one of the best arguments against relegation is because we probably won't see much of Lawrence or Hill this season with the difficulties that Worcs will have, and even less so next year potentially.

[Beasties]

I enjoyed that match. Both teams played with pace. Reinach was something else.

[twitchy]

I enjoyed that match. Both teams played with pace. Reinach was something else.

Imagine if england had a proper 9 that could boss games.

[Scrumhead]

100%. I didn’t see the game, but I agree with the sentiment.

Youngs is (or maybe was) actually capable of the odd excellent game, but we’ve lacked a consistently good 9 forever. Let’s hope Maunder can take the chance to re-establish himself with Townsend out.

[fivepointer]

Based on that Wuss are certainties for relegation. Outside of a very good scrum, they were utterly appalling. Their l/o was a farce, they repeatedly coughed up the ball, their breakdown work was all over the place, they missed relatively easy kicks and presented not one but two interceptions for the Saints tries. At times they looked like a disorganised rabble.
They will have to pull themselves together sharpish.

[Scrumhead]

I think that’s harsh based upon one game.

Worcester have been good in most games and have been very competitive in almost all of the games they’ve lost.

Prior to the game, I expected them to win this, so it sounds more like a bad night at the office rather than anything else.

Their breakdown work has generally been good and I’d argue that their backs have put together some of the more attractive rugby I’ve seen this season.

[twitchy]

100%. I didn’t see the game, but I agree with the sentiment.

Youngs is (or maybe was) actually capable of the odd excellent game, but we’ve lacked a consistently good 9 forever. Let’s hope Maunder can take the chance to re-establish himself with Townsend out.

When was the last english scrum half that could actually have a huge impact on the tide of a game? It seems we just constantly lower the bar until any one that can pass half decently is considered a test player. Is it really austin h or is my brain rotting?

On the plus side. From what I have read we have a some serious talent in the age groups. Fingers crossed.

[Warrior85]

That was the worst warriors performance I've seen for a very long time! Duncan Weir (who before last night was kicking around 90%) had a shocker. Hougaard was terrible, kicking ball far to early (his kicking had never been his strong poimt) and our awful lineout got even worse.

Really disappointing as we have been playing some great attacking rugby with a solid defence this season. Saints didn't have to do much to win the game. Reinach was a different level, his pace is frightening!

[Mellsblue]

Don’t worry. Ben Te’o will be ready to play in the first week of February to bolster the team.....