Racing V Saracens

[Beasties]

Great intensity from Sarries and they stuck to their single gameplan wonderfully. Itoje deservedly MOM and Faz controlled things impressively. Loved the little dinks thorugh that he did. Maybe other teams will see how effective these are and maybe, erm you know, try that against Sarries in the future? Also impressed with how he has cut down on the "you knows" during interviews. Lot of work been done there.

Still not my favourite team but credit where it's due. Congrats, richly deserved.

[fivepointer]

Gotta hand it to Saracens. That was an impressive performance against a very good side in difficult conditions. They had the games key players and made their pressure count. Difficult to single out individuals when the whole team work so hard for each other.

Fantastic all round effort from everyone.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Is anyone going to, you know, play any rugby?

It turns out no.

Saracens have been the most consistently good team in the tournament so deserved winners. However I'd prefer to watch almost any other team in Europe - apart from maybe Montpellier, so it's been a disappointing weekend in Lyon from a rugby perspective.

Itoje is a truly fantastic player. Let's hope he can stay injury free and continue to develop

[Parsifal]

I watched the game in the early hours here. Was it just me or was the TMO arsed off with Nigel's questions? Each time the fella upstairs responded he did so with a seemingly sour and monosyllabic "Yes".

[Digby]

Gotta hand it to Saracens. That was an impressive performance against a very good side in difficult conditions. They had the games key players and made their pressure count. Difficult to single out individuals when the whole team work so hard for each other.

Fantastic all round effort from everyone.

The had Racing really under control, seeing Racing stood with all 15 players almost right in the middle of the pitch with no options left or right is testament to the Sarries defence. Though without Carter it did seem Racing lost the plot, way too often they had only 2-3 players actually behind the ball carrier, and when Racing did have any sort of shape they had Phillips to slow them down.

My personal highlight would be Farrell firing the pass at Kruis who was stooping to get out of the way, still some work needed left to right, but even against such skill Racing had no answer.

[Banquo]

Is anyone going to, you know, play any rugby?

It turns out no.

Saracens have been the most consistently good team in the tournament so deserved winners. However I'd prefer to watch almost any other team in Europe - apart from maybe Montpellier, so it's been a disappointing weekend in Lyon from a rugby perspective.

Itoje is a truly fantastic player. Let's hope he can stay injury free and continue to develop

From your rugby perspective, I assume you mean. I enjoy a lot of what sarries do, even if I prefer a different style in general. I don't like a couple of things, but very few sides are perfect.

[Banquo]

Gotta hand it to Saracens. That was an impressive performance against a very good side in difficult conditions. They had the games key players and made their pressure count. Difficult to single out individuals when the whole team work so hard for each other.

Fantastic all round effort from everyone.

The had Racing really under control, seeing Racing stood with all 15 players almost right in the middle of the pitch with no options left or right is testament to the Sarries defence. Though without Carter it did seem Racing lost the plot, way too often they had only 2-3 players actually behind the ball carrier, and when Racing did have any sort of shape they had Phillips to slow them down.

My personal highlight would be Farrell firing the pass at Kruis who was stooping to get out of the way, still some work needed left to right, but even against such skill Racing had no answer.

Faz's passing skills remain clunky, but he generally managed the game well (one blind alley and one poor downfield kick aside) and his goal kicks and restarts were top notch. Generally a good game from him- I actually am more inclined to blame Kruis for that moment of hilarity.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

I know it wont happen but I'd love to see Sarries play against the NZ Super Rugby sides to just see how good they are. Well played to them yesterday, wasn't the most exciting game at times but they did what they had to do to win.

[Mellsblue]

Itoje stats:
20 games started and 20 games won
Motm in the QF, SF and F.
Unbelievable.

Convex will be ordering the most expensive bottle of champagne on the menu.

He is the business; Kruis wasn't at his best in terms of handling and a couple of lineout calls.............but they are a hell of a partnership, tremendous all round the park, tight and loose. Very reluctant to break that up, even for a fully in form Launchbury.

We can add European Player of the Year to the list as well.

[Banquo]

Itoje stats:
20 games started and 20 games won
Motm in the QF, SF and F.
Unbelievable.

Convex will be ordering the most expensive bottle of champagne on the menu.

He is the business; Kruis wasn't at his best in terms of handling and a couple of lineout calls.............but they are a hell of a partnership, tremendous all round the park, tight and loose. Very reluctant to break that up, even for a fully in form Launchbury.

We can add European Player of the Year to the list as well.

...we should ask Eddie if he thinks he is tough enough yet

[Banquo]

I watched the game in the early hours here. Was it just me or was the TMO arsed off with Nigel's questions? Each time the fella upstairs responded he did so with a seemingly sour and monosyllabic "Yes".

I think they know he will make his own mind up when he sees the replays, and more power to his elbow. He often over-rules them, rightly.

[Mikey Brown]

I watched the game in the early hours here. Was it just me or was the TMO arsed off with Nigel's questions? Each time the fella upstairs responded he did so with a seemingly sour and monosyllabic "Yes".

I think they know he will make his own mind up when he sees the replays, and more power to his elbow. He often over-rules them, rightly.

Aye. The TMO does seem pretty much redundant if the refs are just going to do it themselves anyway.

I can't decide if I like it when the refs call play on but ask TMOs to check back on an incident. I suppose it's sensible, really.

[oldbackrow]

I watched the game in the early hours here. Was it just me or was the TMO arsed off with Nigel's questions? Each time the fella upstairs responded he did so with a seemingly sour and monosyllabic "Yes".

I think they know he will make his own mind up when he sees the replays, and more power to his elbow. He often over-rules them, rightly.

Aye. The TMO does seem pretty much redundant if the refs are just going to do it themselves anyway.

I can't decide if I like it when the refs call play on but ask TMOs to check back on an incident. I suppose it's sensible, really.

I prefer that to stopping the game everytime, which would often end in a scrum!

[Banquo]

I watched the game in the early hours here. Was it just me or was the TMO arsed off with Nigel's questions? Each time the fella upstairs responded he did so with a seemingly sour and monosyllabic "Yes".

I think they know he will make his own mind up when he sees the replays, and more power to his elbow. He often over-rules them, rightly.

Aye. The TMO does seem pretty much redundant if the refs are just going to do it themselves anyway.

I can't decide if I like it when the refs call play on but ask TMOs to check back on an incident. I suppose it's sensible, really.

Nige is as speedy as most in fairness- there were a couple yesterday that were sorted out as play continued with no stoppage, so good. Refs are between a rock and a hard place now everything is replayed over and over.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

Is anyone going to, you know, play any rugby?

It turns out no.

Saracens have been the most consistently good team in the tournament so deserved winners. However I'd prefer to watch almost any other team in Europe - apart from maybe Montpellier, so it's been a disappointing weekend in Lyon from a rugby perspective.

Itoje is a truly fantastic player. Let's hope he can stay injury free and continue to develop

From your rugby perspective, I assume you mean. I enjoy a lot of what sarries do, even if I prefer a different style in general. I don't like a couple of things, but very few sides are perfect.

I'd rather thought that it was obvious from the construction of the sentence - I'd... so... " - that it was from my perspective, but then the fact that I was writing what was obviously an opinion should have been clue enough, along with the fact that i don't think everyone was in Lyon this weekend.

[Banquo]

It turns out no.

Saracens have been the most consistently good team in the tournament so deserved winners. However I'd prefer to watch almost any other team in Europe - apart from maybe Montpellier, so it's been a disappointing weekend in Lyon from a rugby perspective.

Itoje is a truly fantastic player. Let's hope he can stay injury free and continue to develop

From your rugby perspective, I assume you mean. I enjoy a lot of what sarries do, even if I prefer a different style in general. I don't like a couple of things, but very few sides are perfect.

I'd rather thought that it was obvious from the construction of the sentence - I'd... so... " - that it was from my perspective, but then the fact that I was writing what was obviously an opinion should have been clue enough, along with the fact that i don't think everyone was in Lyon this weekend.

It read to me like a disappointing weekend for rugby (given your intro), but you knew what you were thinking, unlike me, plus I didn't know you were in Lyon. I was only clarifying in any case. Sorry for the upset.

[Spiffy]

Gotta hand it to Saracens. That was an impressive performance against a very good side in difficult conditions. They had the games key players and made their pressure count. Difficult to single out individuals when the whole team work so hard for each other.

Fantastic all round effort from everyone.

The had Racing really under control, seeing Racing stood with all 15 players almost right in the middle of the pitch with no options left or right is testament to the Sarries defence. Though without Carter it did seem Racing lost the plot, way too often they had only 2-3 players actually behind the ball carrier, and when Racing did have any sort of shape they had Phillips to slow them down.

My personal highlight would be Farrell firing the pass at Kruis who was stooping to get out of the way, still some work needed left to right, but even against such skill Racing had no answer.

Faz's passing skills remain clunky, but he generally managed the game well (one blind alley and one poor downfield kick aside) and his goal kicks and restarts were top notch. Generally a good game from him- I actually am more inclined to blame Kruis for that moment of hilarity.

They are not nearly as clunky as before. He is not my favourite player but, fair doos, he has come on well this year and looks to be still steadily improving. He seems to have been around for ever but at 24 has not reached his best yet. He has a good big-match temperament, which helps any team he plays for. Still needs to iron out the odd brainfart and flash of petulence, but he's getting there.

[Banquo]

The had Racing really under control, seeing Racing stood with all 15 players almost right in the middle of the pitch with no options left or right is testament to the Sarries defence. Though without Carter it did seem Racing lost the plot, way too often they had only 2-3 players actually behind the ball carrier, and when Racing did have any sort of shape they had Phillips to slow them down.

My personal highlight would be Farrell firing the pass at Kruis who was stooping to get out of the way, still some work needed left to right, but even against such skill Racing had no answer.

Faz's passing skills remain clunky, but he generally managed the game well (one blind alley and one poor downfield kick aside) and his goal kicks and restarts were top notch. Generally a good game from him- I actually am more inclined to blame Kruis for that moment of hilarity.

They are not nearly as clunky as before. He is not my favourite player but, fair doos, he has come on well this year and looks to be still steadily improving. He seems to have been around for ever but at 24 has not reached his best yet. He has a good big-match temperament, which helps any team he plays for. Still needs to iron out the odd brainfart and flash of petulence, but he's getting there.

I tend to agree, but the passing, despite improving a lot, still isn't what I'd ideally want in a top 10. I'm not totally convinced on big match temperament, or rather temperament generally. He's had a great opportunity to learn, and is a lucky lad imo- but he does look now to be worthy of being in the EPS, cos he wasn't a while ago. I still think Ford, Burns, Cipriani are superior talents, despite evidence

[morepork]

I know it wont happen but I'd love to see Sarries play against the NZ Super Rugby sides to just see how good they are. Well played to them yesterday, wasn't the most exciting game at times but they did what they had to do to win.

They remind me of the SA teams under White. Not spectacular, but tough. Hard to break down. You'd need an opposition team that has a cool headed 10 to keep them in the wrong half of the field. Plus a well drilled back row that doesn't give away penalties. The good NZ domestic sides have a 9-10 axis that is very heads up. They just strangled Racing yesterday, who really failed to fire a single shot. The Saracens forward just forced them to commit everything to just hanging onto the ball. Masoe was a one man show at the breakdown, and when they did start punching in, poor old Mike Philips just forced Racing into kick and hope. The Racing fullback was keen but just got no change on the ball he secured. Two teams with no threat in the centres.

[Beasties]

I know it wont happen but I'd love to see Sarries play against the NZ Super Rugby sides to just see how good they are. Well played to them yesterday, wasn't the most exciting game at times but they did what they had to do to win.

They remind me of the SA teams under White. Not spectacular, but tough. Hard to break down. You'd need an opposition team that has a cool headed 10 to keep them in the wrong half of the field. Plus a well drilled back row that doesn't give away penalties. The good NZ domestic sides have a 9-10 axis that is very heads up. They just strangled Racing yesterday, who really failed to fire a single shot. The Saracens forward just forced them to commit everything to just hanging onto the ball. Masoe was a one man show at the breakdown, and when they did start punching in, poor old Mike Philips just forced Racing into kick and hope. The Racing fullback was keen but just got no change on the ball he secured. Two teams with no threat in the centres.

Indeed, to a certain extent. Racing's backs looked extremely good against Leics in the semi though, Goosen and Rokocoko in particular looked dangerous. Just goes to show how suffocating Sarries defence can be when it's at its best.

[Mellsblue]

Doesn't help when you lose your SH after 14(?) mins and only have 45 injured mins of your FH but yes, they were poor. It was a standard Sarries performance - plenty to admire but hard to like. Against a lesser team (or maybe on a less important occasion) they'd have become more expansive as they oppo tired/gave up. As it was it was 80 dull minutes.

[I R Geech]

Doesn't help when you lose your SH after 14(?) mins and only have 45 injured mins of your FH but yes, they were poor. It was a standard Sarries performance - plenty to admire but hard to like. Against a lesser team (or maybe on a less important occasion) they'd have become more expansive as they oppo tired/gave up. As it was it was 80 dull minutes.

Yep, well done, totally deserved, very effective etc., but that, and the Montpellier result, feels like a vindication of dull, negative rugby. Deeply unattractive rugby, played by deeply unimaginative teams coming good in the long run. Rather depressing really and hard to get excited about. Sport is part of the entertainment industry after all...

[Spiffy]

Faz's passing skills remain clunky, but he generally managed the game well (one blind alley and one poor downfield kick aside) and his goal kicks and restarts were top notch. Generally a good game from him- I actually am more inclined to blame Kruis for that moment of hilarity.

They are not nearly as clunky as before. He is not my favourite player but, fair doos, he has come on well this year and looks to be still steadily improving. He seems to have been around for ever but at 24 has not reached his best yet. He has a good big-match temperament, which helps any team he plays for. Still needs to iron out the odd brainfart and flash of petulence, but he's getting there.

I tend to agree, but the passing, despite improving a lot, still isn't what I'd ideally want in a top 10. I'm not totally convinced on big match temperament, or rather temperament generally. He's had a great opportunity to learn, and is a lucky lad imo- but he does look now to be worthy of being in the EPS, cos he wasn't a while ago. I still think Ford, Burns, Cipriani are superior talents, despite evidence

I agree that, at their best, they are superior talents. The coach may see Farrell as rather more consistent and hard nosed. He has not displaced Ford, but rather has been shunted to 12 to get him into the team, so Jones clearly likes him. There are certainly better 10s and 12s in England.

[Banquo]

They are not nearly as clunky as before. He is not my favourite player but, fair doos, he has come on well this year and looks to be still steadily improving. He seems to have been around for ever but at 24 has not reached his best yet. He has a good big-match temperament, which helps any team he plays for. Still needs to iron out the odd brainfart and flash of petulence, but he's getting there.

I tend to agree, but the passing, despite improving a lot, still isn't what I'd ideally want in a top 10. I'm not totally convinced on big match temperament, or rather temperament generally. He's had a great opportunity to learn, and is a lucky lad imo- but he does look now to be worthy of being in the EPS, cos he wasn't a while ago. I still think Ford, Burns, Cipriani are superior talents, despite evidence

I agree that, at their best, they are superior talents. The coach may see Farrell as rather more consistent and hard nosed. He has not displaced Ford, but rather has been shunted to 12 to get him into the team, so Jones clearly likes him. There are certainly better 10s and 12s in England.

Sort of player a coach likes, works hard, gets stuck in, follows instructions. I normally have a lot of time for players like this.

[Len]

I know it wont happen but I'd love to see Sarries play against the NZ Super Rugby sides to just see how good they are. Well played to them yesterday, wasn't the most exciting game at times but they did what they had to do to win.

They remind me of the SA teams under White. Not spectacular, but tough. Hard to break down. You'd need an opposition team that has a cool headed 10 to keep them in the wrong half of the field. Plus a well drilled back row that doesn't give away penalties. The good NZ domestic sides have a 9-10 axis that is very heads up. They just strangled Racing yesterday, who really failed to fire a single shot. The Saracens forward just forced them to commit everything to just hanging onto the ball. Masoe was a one man show at the breakdown, and when they did start punching in, poor old Mike Philips just forced Racing into kick and hope. The Racing fullback was keen but just got no change on the ball he secured. Two teams with no threat in the centres.

Mike Phillips is so average. Carter must hate life going from Smith to that.