Sale vs Saracens

[Puja]

Chaps, you can't possibly have Farrell as captain of the national side when he is in this current state. That is a disaster waiting to happen.

You're saying this like it's news to us. There's a reason most of us would now grudgingly select Hartley over George - he might be crap, but he can at least talk to a referee without giving the impression he's always one syllable away from openly calling him a tw*t.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Sick of listening to Dallaglio constantly gushing about Farrell. He praises every play, no matter how mediocre, and thinks he can do no wrong. Now he is also an apologist for Farrell's captaincy skills (or lack of), saying that he is still learning and should be given every chance to show his stuff, even though it's clear that Farrell can't control himself and is a liability in the captaincy role. At 27, with 63 England caps and two Lions tours, he is hardly a newbie who doesn't know what's what.
Apart from that, Dallaglio also misses an awful lot of the more subtle stuff that goes on in a game, limiting his comments to the bleedin' obvious, and often missing even that.
He's as good a commentator as Farrell is a captain.

[francoisfou]

Wonder if Eddie was watching his undroppable co-captain this evening? Probably won't make him change his mind even if he was watching.
Many would say that he shouldn't be a leader of the English team (except Dallaglio, of course), and that he shouldn't even be in the team when there are better players and captains (George Ford, anyone?).

[twitchy]

Sick of listening to Dallaglio constantly gushing about Farrell. He praises every play, no matter how mediocre, and thinks he can do no wrong. Now he is also an apologist for Farrell's captaincy skills (or lack of), saying that he is still learning and should be given every chance to show his stuff, even though it's clear that Farrell can't control himself and is a liability in the captaincy role. At 27, with 63 England caps and two Lions tours, he is hardly a newbie who doesn't know what's what.
Apart from that, Dallaglio also misses an awful lot of the more subtle stuff that goes on in a game, limiting his comments to the bleedin' obvious, and often missing even that.
He's as good a commentator as Farrell is a captain.

......and breathe.

[Beasties]

Sale were very good value for the win. Tolofua was a lucky boy not get more than a yellow for that hit. Fazlet's yellow was a tad harsh but it was great to see him penalised at last. He does three or four worse tackles every game than the one last night without any hint of sanction.

Faf is on a deifferent level to any English SH. Sale's secobd try was a lovely bit of off the cuff incision. Despite everyone's reservations about Curry no7's robustness at the highest level I thought he looked to have stepped up a level last night since last time I saw him play. He was a menace all night.

[Mellsblue]

What was everyone’s thoughts on Solomona’s hit on Koch? It happened right in front of me and seemed to be a no arms tackle (Koch looked to be in in real pain immediately afterwards). The crowd went mad at the time but the ref didn’t seem to even give it a second thought.

Speaking of the crowd. I’ve been to a handful of matches at the AJ Bell and yesterday was the first time there’s been any real atmosphere. In fact, in the last 10 mins the atmosphere was very good indeed.

Also, I’ve given Webber plenty of stick over the years for being fat and fairly useless but I thought he was superb last night.

[Scrumhead]

Solomona’s hit was Farrell-esque no arms tackle, but I think Koch’s pain came from the combination with whoever tackled him from behind. Solomona knocks him back which twists his knee at a nasty angle. Either way, it could/possibly should have been a yellow.

[twitchy]

It seems like this is the first time for ages that sale have had pretty much every one fit and firing. Also SA 9's just highlight how terrible ours are. I've been praising faf for a long time now.

[fivepointer]

Very poor night for Saracens who were knocked out of their stride and seldom looked like they were top of the table. Credit Sale who produced the best bits of attacking play, and defended with great composure when called upon. T Curry was just excellent. Billy got through 80 minutes which was good to see. Didnt look at his sharpest but a couple more tough games should help.
Farrell's antics with referees and his poor tackling technique caught up with him a bit. He's shown himself to be simply terrible at dealing with refs, displaying a childish petulance all too often. Someone needs to have a word and tell him to pack this stuff in. Right now he's a liability.
Dallaglio, or should i say Lawrence "Look at that" Dallaglio, is basically trading on his rep as a former top player. His "analysis" is never remotely interesting.

[Oakboy]

Was it my imagination or has Farrell bulked up a bit? Over-doing the weights would be his worst route to improvement, IMO. He needs pace and agility, not muscle-strength. Might he be suffering from too much League guidance?

[Oakboy]

Wonder if Eddie was watching his undroppable co-captain this evening? Probably won't make him change his mind even if he was watching.
Many would say that he shouldn't be a leader of the English team (except Dallaglio, of course), and that he shouldn't even be in the team when there are better players and captains (George Ford, anyone?).

I wish Ford was a sufficiently consistent and dominant character to replace Farrell. He has the skill. Unfortunately, every consideration (under Jones) points to him only getting on the park with Farrell not instead of him.

[Mellsblue]

It seems like this is the first time for ages that sale have had pretty much every one fit and firing. Also SA 9's just highlight how terrible ours are. I've been praising faf for a long time now.

There’s a good argument that the three best scrumhalfs in the Prem are the three Saffers. I think everyone has been praising Faf for a long time now. There was a funny moment when Webber and Faf were replaced at the same time. Cue a standing ovation for Faf, which Webber took with good grace by pointing at Faf and joining in the applause.

[Mellsblue]

Was it my imagination or has Farrell bulked up a bit? Over-doing the weights would be his worst route to improvement, IMO. He needs pace and agility, not muscle-strength. Might he be suffering from too much League guidance?

He didn’t look any bigger than usual and he’s never been quick. He was gassed by James in the 13 channel at one point, and James isn’t that quick for an outside back.

Speaking of the 13 channel, I thought Sarries were exposed there quite a bit. Tompkins and Sanderson had a chat about it after about 20 mins but it didn’t seem to recitify the issue.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Was it my imagination or has Farrell bulked up a bit? Over-doing the weights would be his worst route to improvement, IMO. He needs pace and agility, not muscle-strength. Might he be suffering from too much League guidance?

He didn’t look any bigger than usual and he’s never been quick. He was gassed by James in the 13 channel at one point, and James isn’t that quick for an outside back.

Speaking of the 13 channel, I thought Sarries were exposed there quite a bit. Tompkins and Sanderson had a chat about it after about 20 mins but it didn’t seem to recitify the issue.

To be fair on the James break Strettle rushed up leaving a gaping hole and a perfect space for the outside arc. Anyone defending there is getting done.

It is good to see the love of Farrell extending into the new year. Anyone would think he was just about the only thing on the pitch tonight judging by the comments. Either that or I'm reading the comments on a Daily Mail article. The yellow was very harsh. His communication is simply not right. He's too involved in the game to be able to calm quickly to engage the ref in the right way. By involved I mean living and breathing everything emotionally.

Ross and Curry were superb tonight, as was Isiekwe in a losing side. he's got some engine on him! Faf as always just a level above everyone and was really impressed by the general back play of Sale. They seem to have settled into a rhythm and a lineup. Just need to keep the core fit as they've had to chop and change a lot earlier in the season.

A very enjoyable game though that. Really good contest in multiple facets. That said I wouldn't like to be Sale the next time they visit Allianz. Sarries don't tend to forget when a side has got into them such as Sale did. Full credit to Sale. Combative as hell.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Was it my imagination or has Farrell bulked up a bit? Over-doing the weights would be his worst route to improvement, IMO. He needs pace and agility, not muscle-strength. Might he be suffering from too much League guidance?

It is your imagination. His body shape hasn't really changed in about five years.

[Digby]

It seems like this is the first time for ages that sale have had pretty much every one fit and firing. Also SA 9's just highlight how terrible ours are. I've been praising faf for a long time now.

And yet Faf mostly came off 2nd best to Youngs back in the summer. Not because Youngs was especially good but after the first test the error rate on Faf's game was unacceptably high

[Timbo]

It seems like this is the first time for ages that sale have had pretty much every one fit and firing. Also SA 9's just highlight how terrible ours are. I've been praising faf for a long time now.

There’s a good argument that the three best scrumhalfs in the Prem are the three Saffers. I think everyone has been praising Faf for a long time now. There was a funny moment when Webber and Faf were replaced at the same time. Cue a standing ovation for Faf, which Webber took with good grace by pointing at Faf and joining in the applause.

It’s not an argument I would agree with. In terms of Prem form over a prolonged period of time Dan Robson is only behind Faf imo. Reinach has had what, 5 good games? Last season he spent a lot of of his time on the bench. Hougaard is an athlete, was generally poor as an international 9 and has not been great this year.

As an international 9 I would take Youngs over the other pair of Saffas.

[Mellsblue]

It seems like this is the first time for ages that sale have had pretty much every one fit and firing. Also SA 9's just highlight how terrible ours are. I've been praising faf for a long time now.

There’s a good argument that the three best scrumhalfs in the Prem are the three Saffers. I think everyone has been praising Faf for a long time now. There was a funny moment when Webber and Faf were replaced at the same time. Cue a standing ovation for Faf, which Webber took with good grace by pointing at Faf and joining in the applause.

It’s not an argument I would agree with. In terms of Prem form over a prolonged period of time Dan Robson is only behind Faf imo. Reinach has had what, 5 good games? Last season he spent a lot of of his time on the bench. Hougaard is an athlete, was generally poor as an international 9 and has not been great this year.

As an international 9 I would take Youngs over the other pair of Saffas.

Reinach has been good all season, from what I’ve seen, it’s just that his eye catching work has been in the last few games. Hougaard has been off this season but was superb last season. I’m happy for Robson to be mentioned in that conversation and would probably agree he would sit second behind Faf. Regardless, none of them play for England and, going on Prem form, Youngs has not reached the quality of Hogaard last season and Reinach this.

[Mellsblue]

Was it my imagination or has Farrell bulked up a bit? Over-doing the weights would be his worst route to improvement, IMO. He needs pace and agility, not muscle-strength. Might he be suffering from too much League guidance?

He didn’t look any bigger than usual and he’s never been quick. He was gassed by James in the 13 channel at one point, and James isn’t that quick for an outside back.

Speaking of the 13 channel, I thought Sarries were exposed there quite a bit. Tompkins and Sanderson had a chat about it after about 20 mins but it didn’t seem to recitify the issue.

To be fair on the James break Strettle rushed up leaving a gaping hole and a perfect space for the outside arc. Anyone defending there is getting done.

I’d agree that it was a big hole but a faster player wouldn’t be done as easily as Farrell, purely because they are, well, faster. The whole point of the convo with Dors was about his pace and James, a slowish 13, gassed him.

[Epaminondas Pules]

He didn’t look any bigger than usual and he’s never been quick. He was gassed by James in the 13 channel at one point, and James isn’t that quick for an outside back.

Speaking of the 13 channel, I thought Sarries were exposed there quite a bit. Tompkins and Sanderson had a chat about it after about 20 mins but it didn’t seem to recitify the issue.

To be fair on the James break Strettle rushed up leaving a gaping hole and a perfect space for the outside arc. Anyone defending there is getting done.

I’d agree that it was a big hole but a faster player wouldn’t be done as easily as Farrell, purely because they are, well, faster. The whole point of the convo with Dors was about his pace and James, a slowish 13, gassed him.

That really more of a positional issue defensively creating such a big gap. Farrell caught up with him, but the alignment from Sarries, and to be fair Sale's movement, created that one.

[Mellsblue]

To be fair on the James break Strettle rushed up leaving a gaping hole and a perfect space for the outside arc. Anyone defending there is getting done.

I’d agree that it was a big hole but a faster player wouldn’t be done as easily as Farrell, purely because they are, well, faster. The whole point of the convo with Dors was about his pace and James, a slowish 13, gassed him.

That really more of a positional issue defensively creating such a big gap. Farrell caught up with him, but the alignment from Sarries, and to be fair Sale's movement, created that one.

I agree that there was a big gap - I was sat about 5 metres away. Dors asked about/mentioned his pace not defensive alignment. I pointed out that James out gassed him on a longer route. He did well to make the tackle but a slowish 13 went round him pretty easily. All that said, every player has at least one weak point and he’s never been quick but is still a top quality flyhalf.

[Scrumhead]

There’s a good argument that the three best scrumhalfs in the Prem are the three Saffers. I think everyone has been praising Faf for a long time now. There was a funny moment when Webber and Faf were replaced at the same time. Cue a standing ovation for Faf, which Webber took with good grace by pointing at Faf and joining in the applause.

It’s not an argument I would agree with. In terms of Prem form over a prolonged period of time Dan Robson is only behind Faf imo. Reinach has had what, 5 good games? Last season he spent a lot of of his time on the bench. Hougaard is an athlete, was generally poor as an international 9 and has not been great this year.

As an international 9 I would take Youngs over the other pair of Saffas.

Reinach has been good all season, from what I’ve seen, it’s just that his eye catching work has been in the last few games. Hougaard has been off this season but was superb last season. I’m happy for Robson to be mentioned in that conversation and would probably agree he would sit second behind Faf. Regardless, none of them play for England and, going on Prem form, Youngs has not reached the quality of Hogaard last season and Reinach this.

I’d agree with this. TBH, I don’t really remember the last time Youngs looked good for Tigers? He’s had some fairly decent performances for England interspersed with a lot of crap ones.

Care is often very good in the Premiership. When he’s in form, he’s definitely among the best in the league. The main difference at test level being that Quins play a lot off 9, which England typically don’t.

[Digby]

England play off 9 lots for my money

[Stom]

England play off 9 lots for my money

Well indeed. And then England often pick Youngs and Ford at 9/10, who both play off 10 a lot at club level...

[Epaminondas Pules]

It’s not an argument I would agree with. In terms of Prem form over a prolonged period of time Dan Robson is only behind Faf imo. Reinach has had what, 5 good games? Last season he spent a lot of of his time on the bench. Hougaard is an athlete, was generally poor as an international 9 and has not been great this year.

As an international 9 I would take Youngs over the other pair of Saffas.

Reinach has been good all season, from what I’ve seen, it’s just that his eye catching work has been in the last few games. Hougaard has been off this season but was superb last season. I’m happy for Robson to be mentioned in that conversation and would probably agree he would sit second behind Faf. Regardless, none of them play for England and, going on Prem form, Youngs has not reached the quality of Hogaard last season and Reinach this.

I’d agree with this. TBH, I don’t really remember the last time Youngs looked good for Tigers? He’s had some fairly decent performances for England interspersed with a lot of crap ones.

Care is often very good in the Premiership. When he’s in form, he’s definitely among the best in the league. The main difference at test level being that Quins play a lot off 9, which England typically don’t.

Today!