RugbyRebels

I agree that it's a bad law in cases like this (even though Brits was right in the passing line, and not exactly flat to the ground) - but the law is there for a reason (as are laws about blocking the kick-chasers, which aren't stopping Sarries today).
The law needs to be there, and occasionally you'll be penalised "unfairly'

It was a cheap pen but thems the breaks.

Brits is probably more frustrated that he, along with every other Saracens player, is being outdone by their opposite numbers.

Bath playing really well so far.

I just can't understand Brits getting so precious about it when he blatantly stayed up rather than getting flat. Maybe, he was making a fuss to cover his silly error.

Only ourselves to blame there, 2 stupid penalties to give the try and yellow

Whoever's coaching our man-down defence this season needs a pay rise

Great game for the neutral. Total commitment.

Great game for the biased as well. Pity one set of fans is going to be gutted in 12 min

I'll take that Roko

Wow.

Monye seems much more keen on Roko now he's no longer competing with Yarde for an England place

I.. just scared my dog... and possibly burst my vocal chords

Bath's d has been immense.

Wow that was awesome.

Fantastic finish. Roko's 1st try was simply brilliant.

Huge win for Bath. Really impressed with their attitude and commitment. Outstanding performances throughout the team. Great fightback from Saracens, whose bench made a big impact.

Hopefully no serious knocks for JJ and Watson.

Don't know who Bath are playing next week, but they're going to have to heavily rotate surely. Must be shattered after these 2 games.

Really hope Watson is ok, has to be in England's 15 shirt asap.

Playing Saints next week; and I don't think AW a going to be involved this November. Not only is Eddie supposed to be resting him, but that looked like an AC joint to me; get it pinned this week and... actually, that still gives him 8 weeks which should be doable.

As for Bath, I suspect our "unavailable" list might have grown for next weekend

Which Tyler wrote:Playing Saints next week; and I don't think AW a going to be involved this November. Not only is Eddie supposed to be resting him, but that looked like an AC joint to me; get it pinned this week and... actually, that still gives him 8 weeks which should be doable.

As for Bath, I suspect our "unavailable" list might have grown for next weekend

That would be a big shame. Really hope it's just a niggle.

How good was Francois Louw btw? If he keeps that up he'll go back to being the best pound-for-pound forward in the league.

I've been carping on for years that he just needed a month on the beach followed by a month of conditioning, rather than playing rugby for 12 months of the year

Which Tyler wrote:I've been carping on for years that he just needed a month on the beach followed by a month of conditioning, rather than playing rugby for 12 months of the year

You'd hope this would be a lesson that could be learnt for several of the England squad.

Oakboy wrote:I just can't understand Brits getting so precious about it when he blatantly stayed up rather than getting flat. Maybe, he was making a fuss to cover his silly error.

I think it was the fact that he did duck down out of the passing lane and then the ball was thrown against his shin. Even if he had lain down, it would've hit him. There was never an attempt at a sensible pass by Fotuali'i; it was cheap and I think the ref could easily have given an accidental offside rather than a deliberate and warned the 9 for ungentlemanly conduct.

I was massively disappointed by Earle again today (and I don't have the highest of expectations anyway). The moment in the first half where Goode passed into touch? There was a 2-on-1 if Earle had stayed flat and Goode made the pass no-look because Wyles, Ashton, Strettle, Maitland, any of the Sarries wingers he's played with, would've been up there ready to accelerate onto a flat pass, sniffing out a scoring opportunity. Earle was a yard behind where he needed to be and that lost yard was in his head. He then went on to screw up a Lozowski half-break by being too flat to pass to, but sticking in the passing lane and looking lost. He's quick and strong, but I don't see him beating players, I don't see him doing anything clever, and I don't see him reading the game well enough to poach or to make impacts from being in the right place at the right time. I don't see him becoming a Premiership regular, let alone an international.

Puja

I think Sarries spend so much time lying on the wrong side getting in the way I don't really care if they get pinged in such instances as yesterday when Brits feels hard done by. I can't imagine Fotuali'i didn't do it on purpose, but I've more sympathy with him being prevented from playing as he wants phase after phase than I do for Brits.

Though the better solution is for Sarries to simply be pinged an awful lot more

Why is Roko not in Eddie's favourites list? Defence has been mentioned in the past. I wonder about his rugby brain. Two fantastic breakaway tries were great to see but why in the act of scoring both did he not veer towards goal to make the kicks easier? It might be a marginal niggle but the first, in particular, could have been scoreboard-crucial. The kick went over anyway but even two steps at 45 degrees towards the goal could have helped. A top class winger would automatically think that way for his team, perhaps?

Oakboy wrote:Why is Roko not in Eddie's favourites list? Defence has been mentioned in the past. I wonder about his rugby brain. Two fantastic breakaway tries were great to see but why in the act of scoring both did he not veer towards goal to make the kicks easier? It might be a marginal niggle but the first, in particular, could have been scoreboard-crucial. The kick went over anyway but even two steps at 45 degrees towards the goal could have helped. A top class winger would automatically think that way for his team, perhaps?

Maybe he was thinking about Jonny May almost failing to get the ball down last week after being shoved to the floor by him.

I don't know what point I'm even trying to make there. Didn't even see the try. I think we should have looked at Roko but think it will be too late now. The idea we disregard him for his defensive lapses but we'll let Jack Nowell on the pitch is just ridiculous. It must be something else.

Oakboy wrote:Why is Roko not in Eddie's favourites list?

No idea.

Bet Ford is delighted he went to Tigers