Bordeaux vs Saracens - Sat 5.30pm

[Puja]

Bordeaux: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matéo Garcia, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Antoine Miquel, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Cyril Cazeaux, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Romain Latterrade, 17 Lekso Kaulashvili, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Thomas Jolmes, 21 Guido Petti, 22 Yann Lesgourgues, 23 Pablo Uberti

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Alex Goode, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Jamie George (c), 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 20 Tom Willis, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Manu Vunipola, 23 Olly Hartley

Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas
Kick-off: 18:30 local (17:30 GMT)
Referee: Frank Murphy (IRE)
Assistant Referees: Eoghan Cros (IRE), Andrew Cole (IRE)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRE)

[Puja]

Maro comes back from his two week sabbatical to add a bit of quality for Saracens, but realistically, I don't see anything other than a Bordeaux win here.

Puja

[FKAS]

That's a fairly loaded Sarries bench and a young flyhalf for Bordeaux. Bordeaux should have enough but it's not certain. Where's the Ice Man?

[Mikey Brown]

Injured apparently.

[Banquo]

Injured apparently.

Hammy

[FKAS]

Injured apparently.

Hammy

Ah the Ice Man Melteth

[francoisfou]

That's a fairly loaded Sarries bench and a young flyhalf for Bordeaux. Bordeaux should have enough but it's not certain. Where's the Ice Man?

B/B’s young fly half, Matéo Garcia, is in fact French and played 5 times for France U20 in 2021/22, and must be Jalibert’s understudy. We’ll see what he’s made of when the Saracens’ back row put him under pressure.

[morepork]

That's a fairly loaded Sarries bench and a young flyhalf for Bordeaux. Bordeaux should have enough but it's not certain. Where's the Ice Man?

B/B’s young fly half, Matéo Garcia, is in fact French and played 5 times for France U20 in 2021/22, and must be Jalibert’s understudy. We’ll see what he’s made of when the Saracens’ back row put him under pressure.

He's got two tries already.

Elliot D really is an ineffectual flappy sourpuss.

[FKAS]

That's a fairly loaded Sarries bench and a young flyhalf for Bordeaux. Bordeaux should have enough but it's not certain. Where's the Ice Man?

B/B’s young fly half, Matéo Garcia, is in fact French and played 5 times for France U20 in 2021/22, and must be Jalibert’s understudy. We’ll see what he’s made of when the Saracens’ back row put him under pressure.

He's got two tries already.

That's one way to answer the question whether you've got the game to step up and play in the big games at senior level.

[Mikey Brown]

I can't think of many who score more of those sorts of tries out of nowhere against the run of play than LBB. He is lethal.

[morepork]

I'd be gutted if I were BB letting that one in.

[morepork]

Seriously, what is up with the chip kick on every attacking play?

[Spiffy]

I can't think of many who score more of those sorts of tries out of nowhere against the run of play than LBB. He is lethal.

LBB and Penaud are far and away the best wing pairing in Europe. Love to see LBB, who is slim, light, non muscle-bound, and a average sized bloke, skinning opponents for fun with pure gas and brilliant footwork.

[FKAS]

I can't think of many who score more of those sorts of tries out of nowhere against the run of play than LBB. He is lethal.

LBB and Penaud are far and away the best wing pairing in Europe. Love to see LBB, who is slim, light, non muscle-bound, and a average sized bloke, skinning opponents for fun with pure gas and brilliant footwork.

The Bordeaux backline has some serious firepower and bar Lucu are all of an age where they could continue together for years yet. LBB is a special talent, still a bit raw which is a worrying thought when you think he's a diamond that could be polished up even more.

[Banquo]

sarries a pale shadow, too many v ordinary players, esp in the backs.

[morepork]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

[francoisfou]

So B/B travel to Quins next Saturday and could well be a high-scoring match. Bound to be a sellout as soon as tickets are on sale. Hope it’ll be on tv over here.

[FKAS]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

Because he's not rated that highly and rumours are he's off in the summer.

[morepork]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

Because he's not rated that highly and rumours are he's off in the summer.

Worse than the wooden fare served up today?

[Scrumhead]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

Because he's not rated that highly and rumours are he's off in the summer.

This is more than likely the case. TBH, I’ve always thought Manu Vunipola is fairly decent. If he does go to Japan or at least somewhere in the SH, I can see him being Tonga’s 10 for the 2027 RWC.

[FKAS]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

Because he's not rated that highly and rumours are he's off in the summer.

Worse than the wooden fare served up today?

Haven't seen today's game. Presumably Sarries went with the experience of Goode. Next season the very promising Louis Johnson joins alongside Burke who's been a solid performer at Super Rugby level. Burke is a year older than Manu Vunipola and Johnson two years younger.

MV is just a bit average. He'd be better off going somewhere where he'll be first choice. Maybe Newcastle or off to ProD2 in France. More consistent game time under his belt and he might develop into a player who can make the step up.

[morepork]

How come the young Vunipola wasn't starting at 10?

Because he's not rated that highly and rumours are he's off in the summer.

This is more than likely the case. TBH, I’ve always thought Manu Vunipola is fairly decent. If he does go to Japan or at least somewhere in the SH, I can see him being Tonga’s 10 for the 2027 RWC.

He actually executed a 2 on 1 draw and pass without putting in a chip kick.

[francoisfou]

So B/B travel to Quins next Saturday and could well be a high-scoring match. Bound to be a sellout as soon as tickets are on sale. Hope it’ll be on tv over here.

I’m mistaken, Quins go to Bordeaux/Bègles.

[fivepointer]

Chastening experience for Saracens. They simply cant compete with the top teams at this level. They look an old team, in real need of fresh legs.

[FKAS]

Chastening experience for Saracens. They simply cant compete with the top teams at this level. They look an old team, in real need of fresh legs.

With Farrell and BillyV going it's the end of a era a bit. If Mako goes as well the rebuild really will be in full swing. There's younger players coming in but looking at that back three in particular they could definitely use some fresh legs or at least Parton staying fit.