Lol. Nice bloke, very skilful; I do wonder how good he could have been at 10.
Yep. Always wanted him to stay at 10. He was class at age grade. Lottery win dream was to get him to play 10 at a newly promoted Bedford.
When I’m stood outside the AJ Bell, with freezing feet and my freezing son waiting for Sarries players autographs and he pretends to receive a phone call just as he walks out so as to avoid engaging with the fans, I’ll stick to thinking he’s a ****. The rest had no issue, with Billy, Mako and Williams being brilliant with the kids. Billy to the extent that he held up the players’ taxi into Manchester to sign a few extra books and have a few extra photos. Goode was in said taxi which makes him twice the ****.
Mellsblue wrote:Watching the replay of this......if Jones wants to continue playing as we did in this 6N why don’t we just pick the Sarries XXIII and just fill in the blanks.
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Mellsblue wrote:Watching the replay of this......if Jones wants to continue playing as we did in this 6N why don’t we just pick the Sarries XXIII and just fill in the blanks.
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Mellsblue wrote:Watching the replay of this......if Jones wants to continue playing as we did in this 6N why don’t we just pick the Sarries XXIII and just fill in the blanks.
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Yet, when we needed a Sarries-type performance in the 2nd half against Scotland the whole fricking lot of them went missing. Maybe, they can only do it when Barritt leads?
Mellsblue wrote:Watching the replay of this......if Jones wants to continue playing as we did in this 6N why don’t we just pick the Sarries XXIII and just fill in the blanks.
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Yet, when we needed a Sarries-type performance in the 2nd half against Scotland the whole fricking lot of them went missing. Maybe, they can only do it when Barritt leads?
I've made that point a lot about Barritt- he is a proper on field leader, and Sarries miss him big time when he's crocked. Itoje too.
Mellsblue wrote:Watching the replay of this......if Jones wants to continue playing as we did in this 6N why don’t we just pick the Sarries XXIII and just fill in the blanks.
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Billy was doing quite a bit for England too. Great player, looked to be back at his best and as you point out, added a bit more to his game.
I thought Spencer was solidly effective. His extra size and speed off the mark could make him a useful running threat. He's probably good enough to kick less which we need. Given a run of half a dozen games for England he could go past Youngs. Why the hell hasn't Jones already done it, though?
Timbo wrote:
Well I do think there’s probably something in the fact that our best performance came against Ireland when we started with 5 Sarries forwards.
Just as an aside, insteresting that Billy made 14 passes against Glasgow. The next highest in the European qf’s for a forward was 7. Like playing with an extra playmaker.
Yet, when we needed a Sarries-type performance in the 2nd half against Scotland the whole fricking lot of them went missing. Maybe, they can only do it when Barritt leads?
I've made that point a lot about Barritt- he is a proper on field leader, and Sarries miss him big time when he's crocked. Itoje too.
Yeah I slagged him off as much as anyone when he was the incumbent at 12. He was clearly a solid choice if just to babysit Faz/Manu in defence but seemed to really bring the attack to a halt sometimes.
He’s limited but pretty reliable in attack and probably suffered a lot more from the balance of the midfield than his lack of skill/ability? Interesting to think what may have happened had Ford/Barritt/Joseph been the first choice in the following years. I can’t temember how much that combo ever (if at all?) played together.
I was going to say the preceding 6N but that was Ford - Burrell - Joseph. Yep, that’s correct. None of our 6N midfield (all five matches), including the champ’s top points and try scorers, started a match in the World Cup until we got knocked out, and one didn’t even make the squad.
Not worth it's own thread really but sarries are going to play their show piece matches at the new white heart lane. I think you will get a proper atmosphere in there, should be some thing to look forward too.
twitchy wrote:Not worth it's own thread really but sarries are going to play their show piece matches at the new white heart lane. I think you will get a proper atmosphere in there, should be some thing to look forward too.
I am sorely tempted to get tickets for that next year. The stadium looks like it was well worth the wait for Spurs and could be a gorgeous place to watch a rugby match.
Digby wrote:Are you worried about being tainted by a place so tainted by football?
Surely, any taint is insignificant compared with bringing the real game into the modern era. The contrast between the Spurs new stadium and that dump where Saracens play is marked. In the professional era and the current century, the place is an embarrassment to RU.
Digby wrote:Are you worried about being tainted by a place so tainted by football?
Surely, any taint is insignificant compared with bringing the real game into the modern era. The contrast between the Spurs new stadium and that dump where Saracens play is marked. In the professional era and the current century, the place is an embarrassment to RU.
Digby wrote:Are you worried about being tainted by a place so tainted by football?
Surely, any taint is insignificant compared with bringing the real game into the modern era. The contrast between the Spurs new stadium and that dump where Saracens play is marked. In the professional era and the current century, the place is an embarrassment to RU.
I've refused to go to Wembley since they rebuilt it, but I'll be surprised if it's more of a dump than the old Wembley
"The contrast between the Spurs new stadium and that dump where Saracens play is marked."
Oakboy over the last few years Saracens have played their show piece match which I have attended at Twickenham, Wembley, and London Stadium. I would definitely agree with you if you meant Wembley or London Stadium These grounds are both unsuitable for rugby and many of the facilities were extremely poor. Twickenham was OK, particularly when there were 'double headers' and a full house.
If however, your criticism was aimed at Allianz Park I'd like to differ. There is a big problem in that it is unable to increase its capacity significantly even when the new West Stand is completed. I have been at over half the Premiership grounds over the last couple of years. The Rec and Ricoh Stadium are considerable inferior. Sandy Park, Franklin Gardens, Welford Road and others are all on a par with Allianz Park.
I have watched matches at Allianz Park from pitch side and from Platinum plus seats and the view is always brilliant with both the whole pitch and both large tv screens easily visible. There is a slight problem with the low roof in both the North and South Stand. Free shuttle buses operate from local stations. Coaches pick fans up from surrounding towns.
Allianz Park pizzas are exceptional and the pies are of a good standard. There is a variety of excellent beers available at reasonable prices and even a specialist gin bar although I've not sampled the drinks there. The pitch surface ensures the games are fast and potentially entertaining - a recent trip to Bath watching a dire game being played in a mud bath was not value for money. The team always mingles with young, and not so young, fans on the playing surface after matches There seems to be a good rapport between the visiting fans and the locals. I could go on ...........
Anyway Oakboy, if your criticism was of Allianz Park then I'm a little surprised.
There has been a major problem at Allianz Park for me. The doubling of season ticket prices for pensioners in Silver seats at the start of this season was despicable as it applied to no other group of season ticket holders. I will never purchase another season ticket there and I'll not be attending any future matches at Allianz Park in protest but this is a personal gripe! Very sad as I did always enjoy my visits there - especially the pizzas!
Disagree on The Ricoh. For your bog standard league match when it’s half full it can seem a bit soulless, but for big games when they have the fan parks and 20k+ it’s really good imo.
Digby wrote:Are you worried about being tainted by a place so tainted by football?
Surely, any taint is insignificant compared with bringing the real game into the modern era. The contrast between the Spurs new stadium and that dump where Saracens play is marked. In the professional era and the current century, the place is an embarrassment to RU.
Watching the games over the weekend. In ireland and france it seemed like huge events where as at saracens it definitely felt like a training match at non league football ground in front of a couple of parents and some dog walkers. Definitely not one of the supposed elite teams in europe.
I'd like to visit Allianz Park as it's supposed to be a decent experience there (rubbish on TV), but they always force our game to be outside the 6 Nations and in the rubbish massive stadiums - glad the next one will be at Spurs
