Where to go - players leaving Sarries

[Digby]

If the Sarries lads who play for England are only going to play a handful of Championship games can we relegate every club for the 22/23 season?

It'd even allow Mells a season of Bedford in the top flight

[Oakboy]

If the Sarries lads who play for England are only going to play a handful of Championship games can we relegate every club for the 22/23 season?

It'd even allow Mells a season of Bedford in the top flight

It's ironic in a way that a year off is now going to be good for them, apparently, provided that a special individual training regime is created. It sounds like excuses are being put in place early. Previously, the competitive environment at the top of the Premiership together with Europe was essential for maintaining international edge.

I'm not sure how you can KNOW that a player with no competitive form is worth his place. Can a Saracens player, no matter how good - Itoje, say - be picked purely on a previous season's reputation? It sounds a bit preferential and cosy. Johnny Hill, say, is playing out of his skin for Exeter, in a fully competitive environment but he does not merit a squad place?

Jones will have to be exceptionally inspirational to engender the right spirit of togetherness in the dressing room.

[Mellsblue]

If the Sarries lads who play for England are only going to play a handful of Championship games can we relegate every club for the 22/23 season?

It'd even allow Mells a season of Bedford in the top flight

I’ve had one of those. I’m not champing at the bit for a repeat. Given current form, a season in NLD1 looks the more likely scenario.

[Digby]

If the Sarries lads who play for England are only going to play a handful of Championship games can we relegate every club for the 22/23 season?

It'd even allow Mells a season of Bedford in the top flight

It's ironic in a way that a year off is now going to be good for them, apparently, provided that a special individual training regime is created. It sounds like excuses are being put in place early. Previously, the competitive environment at the top of the Premiership together with Europe was essential for maintaining international edge.

I'm not sure how you can KNOW that a player with no competitive form is worth his place. Can a Saracens player, no matter how good - Itoje, say - be picked purely on a previous season's reputation? It sounds a bit preferential and cosy. Johnny Hill, say, is playing out of his skin for Exeter, in a fully competitive environment but he does not merit a squad place?

Jones will have to be exceptionally inspirational to engender the right spirit of togetherness in the dressing room.

And unlike other players based in England they'll be able to join up with the jamboree early doors.

[Puja]

It's all become academic anyway if the latest press reports are correct. They imply that the top English players will stay with Jones's and Gatland's blessing, playing just a few Championship games.

If that's the case, it's going to create some horrendous mismatches. Imagine the likes of Itoje playing the semi-pros of Richmond.

Puja

[Digby]

It's all become academic anyway if the latest press reports are correct. They imply that the top English players will stay with Jones's and Gatland's blessing, playing just a few Championship games.

If that's the case, it's going to create some horrendous mismatches. Imagine the likes of Itoje playing the semi-pros of Richmond.

Puja

2 games against Ealing and a World Tour playing some of the big names in rugby, maybe even a crossover game against the NRL

[switchskier]

I tend to agree he wouldn't work at Exeter but for all of the flack Farrell deserves I don't think he's ever been guilty of an overinflated ego. It's certainly never struck me as trait of his in post-match press conferences, interviews or any other public appearance I've seen. On the field he - for example - takes the England kicks instead of Ford but that's always struck me as a coaching decision. Happy to be proven wrong on this.

It's a funny one, where from the outside it's very easy to conflate the two. I think you're right though and he is just absurdly competitive. He actually seems humble enough when you hear him off the pitch, but some of his antics in the heat of a game do make him (to some) very unlikable. I think he's a really good player, just 10-15% short of the hype he receives.

The line-kicking thing must be an EJ thing, but god knows why he made that decision. The problem for me is (it appears) a loud and decisive voice usually gets priority over any other, even if he doesn't have the decision-making, execution, consistency etc. to always back it up.

I can't work out if it is a testament to the character/togetherness of Saracens that I can't picture many of their key players at other clubs, or if it's just because they've played the 'everyone is against us' card so much.

I think that Farrell is good at what he does but he is wholly committed in character and style to just that one way of playing. It means that he is a superb flat-track bully and an excellent presence when things are going according to plan. I used the word 'ego', perhaps incorrectly, to describe his single-minded attitude.

Fitting him into a new environment at a club with a different approach would not be impossible but it would not be without problems, I suspect. Exeter, with a controlled and intelligent progression from Steenson to Simmonds would not provide the right environment.

It's all become academic anyway if the latest press reports are correct. They imply that the top English players will stay with Jones's and Gatland's blessing, playing just a few Championship games.

Could be the best thing for England in the long run. A year long sabbatical to rest some weary bodies and prolong careers