Saracen vs Exeter - Sunday

[Puja]

Saracens: Goode; Malins, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt.), Davies; Mawi, George, Koch; Isiekwe, Swinson, McFarland, Earl; Vunipola

Replacements: Pifeleti, Barrington, Clarey, Wray, Christie, Van Zyl, Taylor, Lewington

Exeter Chiefs: Hogg; Woodburn, Whitten, Hendrickson, O'Flaherty; Slade, Maunder; Hepburn, Yeandle (capt.), Street; Gray, Skinner, Kirsten, Capstick; Vermeulen

Replacements: Innard, Keast, Schickerling, Jenkins, Grondona, Townsend, Simmonds, Hodge

Referee: Wayne Barnes

[fivepointer]

Eh? Simmonds is on the bench and Slade starts at 10. Bold.

[Puja]

Given how utterly toothless they were against Munster, I guess something had to change, but it does feel a bit "shake the bag with the players names and see which one comes out first" doesn't it? Maybe it's like England 2015 where they're scared of Saracens' behemoth centres and feel the need to put Hendrickson and Whitten up against... [checks notes] man mountains Daly and Tompkins.

Hasn't Hogg played 10 more recently than Slade?

Puja

[FKAS]

Given how utterly toothless they were against Munster, I guess something had to change, but it does feel a bit "shake the bag with the players names and see which one comes out first" doesn't it? Maybe it's like England 2015 where they're scared of Saracens' behemoth centres and feel the need to put Hendrickson and Whitten up against... [checks notes] man mountains Daly and Tompkins.

Hasn't Hogg played 10 more recently than Slade?

Puja

I suppose they might feel that an additional direct carrier in the midfield might help counter the Sarries blitz. Chiefs like to hit up a couple of times and then sprint wide with the blind side winger sweeping into the attack. Sarries are normally good at picking that type of move off. Particularly as their forwards are good at stopping the opposition making metres around the ruck. As you say Tompkins and Daly aren't the biggest. Tie them in narrow with the direct running centres and try to isolate the Sarries wingers.

It could be that or Chiefs are going to kick the leather off it and two big centres can hit Sarries harder in defence and try to limit territory and force penalties. Not the best tactics for sunny weather though.

[Timbo]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

[Puja]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

Plus picking Slade at 10 and then kicking the leather off it would be a weird tactic.

I maintain that this is reversion to the mean and JSimmonds was never more than okayish as a whole. Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

Puja

[FKAS]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

Plus picking Slade at 10 and then kicking the leather off it would be a weird tactic.

I maintain that this is reversion to the mean and JSimmonds was never more than okayish as a whole. Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

Puja

He's got a massive boot and Hogg will be waiting for the return to launch counters. Get some runners chasing the kick to the return is pressured and something might be done. Might be easier than running into the Sarries brick wall though I'm sure Chiefs will give that a good go first.

[Timbo]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

Plus picking Slade at 10 and then kicking the leather off it would be a weird tactic.

I maintain that this is reversion to the mean and JSimmonds was never more than okayish as a whole. Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

Puja

Only Ok-ish in the context of being an England level international flyhalf, I agree. But he’s been a very good club standard 10 for quite a few years now. He was Chiefs starting 10 all the way back in 2018 when they got to the prem final and every final, domestic and European, since. He’s definitely had a noticeable dip this season imo.

[Scrumhead]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

Plus picking Slade at 10 and then kicking the leather off it would be a weird tactic.

I maintain that this is reversion to the mean and JSimmonds was never more than okayish as a whole. Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

Puja

I think that’s a bit harsh. I think he’s a very good player who has had a poor season. Would I pick him ahead of Smith, Ford or Farrell for England, no. Is he better than quite a lot of 10s capped by Tier 1 teams/currently in their squads, IMO, yes. I’d put him ahead of Sheedy, Billy Burns and Adam Hastings for example.

[Which Tyler]

Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

[Oakboy]

Simmonds is just knackered and off form. I'd rank him at 4 behind Smith, F and F when fully fit and on form. He carries and steps better than the two Fs and would be a competent international 10 if injuries required his presence.

[p/d]

Eddie was right!!!

Talk about a bloke who puts names in a hat…

Anyhoo. 2 games and 12 tries. Between Smith, Ford and Furbank they landed 4 conversions. Marvellous

[Banquo]

I can guarantee that Chiefs won’t kick the leather off it. Don’t they kick just about the least of any team in Europe?

I think it’s simply that Joe Simmonds has spent most of the last 12 months or so being no more than ok-ish. Even his goal kicking has gone way off the boil. I’m sure he’ll get back to his best, but like Chiefs in general I think he needs a good break and reset over the summer.

Plus picking Slade at 10 and then kicking the leather off it would be a weird tactic.

I maintain that this is reversion to the mean and JSimmonds was never more than okayish as a whole. Decent enough player, but Eddie was right in not counting him international quality.

Puja

I think that’s a bit harsh. I think he’s a very good player who has had a poor season. Would I pick him ahead of Smith, Ford or Farrell for England, no. Is he better than quite a lot of 10s capped by Tier 1 teams/currently in their squads, IMO, yes. I’d put him ahead of Sheedy, Billy Burns and Adam Hastings for example.

Yep, and as Timbo said, was outstanding in 2018.

[Adam_P]

Did I just see Farrell make a line break followed by an accurate left hand pass?!

[Banquo]

Did I just see Farrell make a line break followed by an accurate left hand pass?!

indeed. fell off me chair. He and Slade both going well.

[Puja]

Did I just see Farrell make a line break followed by an accurate left hand pass?!

Something something only because the opposition weren't expecting it of him something something.

He's looking like he's discovered a bit of his joy in rugby. Long may it continue.

Puja

[32nd Man]

Missed the first half walking the dog.

Saracens must have had a proper rocket at half time.

[Banquo]

Not sure what game the officials are watching

[Mr Mwenda]

Itoje injured?

[Puja]

"So, Lawrence Dallaglio, who is your player of the match today and why is it Owen Farrell?"

In fairness, he did look pretty decent. Good to see.

Puja

[Banquo]

fair call n faz. Played v well. Chiefs shot themselves in the foot, iffy reffing notwithstanding.

[Banquo]

"So, Lawrence Dallaglio, who is your player of the match today and why is it Owen Farrell?"

In fairness, he did look pretty decent. Good to see.

Puja

he is a v good prem 10- esp for a team like sarries

[fivepointer]

Faz went well. Exe fell apart in the 2nd half after a decent 1st half. Not enough from their international players and all round they look like they need a refresh.

[Banquo]

Faz went well. Exe fell apart in the 2nd half after a decent 1st half. Not enough from their international players and all round they look like they need a refresh.

Couple of momentum turners went against them and Sarries raised their game.

[Timbo]

Sarries have found themselves a couple of quality additions in Mawi & McFarland.