Lyon v Saracens Sun 3.15

[Timbo]

Another thread about Farrell. Yay!

[Mikey Brown]

Another thread about Farrell. Yay!

As P/D pointed out, anything (good) Saracens do is because of Farrell. So it’s hard to separate the two topics.

[p/d]

Another thread about Farrell. Yay!

As P/D pointed out, anything (good) Saracens do is because of Farrell. So it’s hard to separate the two topics.

Indeed Mike. No mention of an outstanding second half from Kruis, the composure of Goode under the high ball nor the blonde flowing locks of the linesman.

[Timbo]

Sarries bp try today was brilliant. Kruis carries and offloads out the tackle to Mako, quick ball at breakdown, out to Billy who beats his man and passes to George. George makes the line break down the line, inside ball to Skelton with a strong carry, offload to Maro who finishes it off.

6 forwards, 1 breakdown, 3 passes, 2 offloads and they’ve gone 40 metres and scored.

[Renniks]

Sarries bp try today was brilliant. Kruis carries and offloads out the tackle to Mako, quick ball at breakdown, out to Billy who beats his man and passes to George. George makes the line break down the line, inside ball to Skelton with a strong carry, offload to Maro who finishes it off.

6 forwards, 1 breakdown, 3 passes, 2 offloads and they’ve gone 40 metres and scored.

But, y'know - we don't have English forwards who can pass

[Mellsblue]

It was superb and almost all England players. As good as it was, it wasn’t as good as Itjoe’s double dummy run!!

[Puja]

It was superb and almost all England players. As good as it was, it wasn’t as good as Itjoe’s double dummy run!!

I like the fact that the first dummy was to kick. Gods knows why anyone bought that!

Puja

[Oakboy]

Some great performances - Itoje and Billy, in particular. I was surprised that Billy knocked the ball on twice in contact late in the game. Anybody heard if he is having issues with his arms? One minor question was that the big padded support on his arm gives an opponent an effective jarring contact point but I could not make out if that was a factor in him losing the ball.

[Mellsblue]

From what I remember, one was just him coming at full pace and dropping it and the other was just very poor hands - possibly taking his eye off the ball to look at where contact was coming from.

[Puja]

Some great performances - Itoje and Billy, in particular. I was surprised that Billy knocked the ball on twice in contact late in the game. Anybody heard if he is having issues with his arms? One minor question was that the big padded support on his arm gives an opponent an effective jarring contact point but I could not make out if that was a factor in him losing the ball.

Billy always has had the occasional issue with clog hands when running onto the ball at pace, even back to his Wasps days. I'm puting them down to him still being a touch ring rusty from coming back after so long.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Billy was very good. he looks in good shape considering the rugby he's missed. Itoje first rate, Mako, George and Kruis very effective. Good news from an England pov.
Nick Tompkins is really playing well. He's finally getting a run of games and looks a top player.