Newcastle vs Northampton

[Puja]

Newcastle Falcons: Obatoyinbo; Radwan, Moroni, Orlando, Carreras; Connon, Young (c); Mulipola, Blamire, Tampin; Peterson, de Chaves; Rubiolo, Lockwood, Chick.

Replacements: Cade, Brocklebank, Kenny, van der Walt, Fearns, Stuart, Penny, Tait.

Saints: Furbank; Collins, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman; F Smith, Mitchell; A Waller, Matavesi, Hill; Ribbans, Moon; Lawes, Ludlam (c), Augustus.

Replacements: Cruse, E Waller, Petch, Salakaia-Loto, Scott-Young, Graham, James, Litchfield.

Not considered for Saints selection: Emmanuel Iyogun, Matt Proctor, James Ramm, Ollie Sleightholme, Robbie Smith.

[Puja]

Last game of the regular season for Saints, so they need to set a high-water point to defend their place in the playoff on the last weekend. A 5 point win means Quins are out of the hunt before they play and Irish would need to get a minimum of 2 league points out of travelling to Saracens in order to stand a chance. However, a 0 point loss could see them in danger of finishing 7th (albeit unlikely) and would very likely mean no playoffs.

Good to see Lockwood back for Newcastle. Decent player, although I'm not sure he's a 7.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Falcons to upset the applecart and win? Probably not. Saints should be all round too strong.

Think Lockwood has been in and out of the side. Pepper would have been handy for Newcastle at 7 but he's been injured after showing up well early season.

[FKAS]

Lockwood isn't much of a jackler but he might be decent in the link role. He's a strong carrier.

Falcons do occasionally turn up and spring a surprise and Saints have both awful defence and discipline. Should be a TBP win for Saints though. They've got nearly their best side out and Falcons are missing a few.

[Adam_P]

There is a worrying stat that so far this season Saints have both won and lost against every team in the league. We beat Falcons in the reverse fixture, so a win would be bucking the season long trend.

[Banquo]

Alex Coles not featuring again, one might call it a ‘mixed’ season for him

[Adam_P]

Very entertaining game so far. Radwan very dangerous, and Collins showing what we're going to be missing next season.

[Mr Mwenda]

Agreed, I like both teams' attitude, here to play and not dick about.

[Adam_P]

Super try saving tackle from Mitchell on Radwan that half - didn't expect him to be stopped once he got going.

[Oakboy]

I'm liking the Mitchell/F Smith halfback pairing more every time I see them.

[Mr Mwenda]

Although now it's a bit one-sided.

[FKAS]

I'm liking the Mitchell/F Smith halfback pairing more every time I see them.

Fin off the tee was outstanding (at least in the 50 odd minutes I watched) as well. Made some of the kicks from the touchline looked routine.

[fivepointer]

Good contest in first half but Saints ran away with it after h/t. Some of their play was outstanding. I really enjoyed some of their close quarter passing. The support play was exemplary. Smith was first rate. He's developing very nicely.
Horrible result for Falcons which condemns them to finish bottom. They've got some good players (Carreas and Radwan are great talents) but not across the board and they have little depth. Next season bound to be a struggle.

[FKAS]

Watching Falcons you can see why there's a coach clearout happening. Line speed and connectivity in defence were non-existent. Yes, the Saints attack is nice but it was way to easy for them. Similarly the lineout for Falcons, Blamire threw pretty well but there wasn't much deception and Saints were able to get a jumper up to contest every time.

Falcons don't have a bad base for the squad next season. They've got a couple of big lock options incoming which might help as the injury to Sean Robinson (Prem's most underrated lock) has hit them hard. Prop situation looks pretty grim though, not much quality and no depth there at all unless they have more to announce. Really could do with another openside as well as Saints even when knocked back in the tackle had very little threat to their ruck ball.

[Banquo]

Saints ...most points scored, most conceded by quite a long way, albeit they've finished. Immensely frustrating for Dowson no doubt, but a great watch. How they beef up across the park without losing the fluidity going forward is the test- mind, its not just about physicality, but about mindset without the ball.

[FKAS]

Saints ...most points scored, most conceded by quite a long way, albeit they've finished. Immensely frustrating for Dowson no doubt, but a great watch. How they beef up across the park without losing the fluidity going forward is the test- mind, its not just about physicality, but about mindset without the ball.

The back five of their pack isn't exactly small though. They've got three locks, a big traditional ball carrying 8 and a 7 that can play 8.

I think you're right with mindset, they've got to start relishing the defensive phases. Hunting the big double tackles and targeting their jackling as opposed to the panicked sticking their hand in.

[Banquo]

Saints ...most points scored, most conceded by quite a long way, albeit they've finished. Immensely frustrating for Dowson no doubt, but a great watch. How they beef up across the park without losing the fluidity going forward is the test- mind, its not just about physicality, but about mindset without the ball.

The back five of their pack isn't exactly small though. They've got three locks, a big traditional ball carrying 8 and a 7 that can play 8.

....well I did say across the park....