RugbyRebels

After quite a promising set-up, it's turned out to be a remarkably dull final weekend. The top 4 is all but confirmed barring some very strange results, as is the top 8. Basically the only game that could really make a difference to anyone is Leicester vs Wasps, just about everything else is either a foregone conclusion or doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Puja

A good reason to end relegation and play-offs. In fact, why even bother crowing a champion?

Would be a major surprise if Saints dont beat Newcastle to secure 4th place. Wasps have 8th place to play for but away to Leicester is not the ideal place to go and try to get a win.
Worcester v Bath is surely the game of the final round.

Quite possibly, yes. Both Worcester and Bath have improved considerably (from a very low base) in the past few weeks.

Worcester will want another win to back up their cup success and end the season on a high. Bath will simply want back to back wins to say sayanora to a terrible season.

Puja wrote:After quite a promising set-up, it's turned out to be a remarkably dull final weekend. The top 4 is all but confirmed barring some very strange results, as is the top 8. Basically the only game that could really make a difference to anyone is Leicester vs Wasps, just about everything else is either a foregone conclusion or doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Puja

The more I look at this, the more I see some potential for a fairly dramatic final day.

The points difference between Saracens and Tigers is only 3.

I fully expect Saracens to get the full 5 points vs. Gloucester which would mean Tigers have to win to stay in 1st.

Tigers didn’t look particularly great vs. Falcons and Wasps have something to play for. I don’t expect them to beat Tigers, but they’re certainly capable of doing it and have already done so this season. Dolly’s injury could be costly if Montoya is not fit. Clare, TCD and Vanes are OK, but definitely not at the level of Montoya or Dolly. If Wasps were to win and Tigers don’t get a losing BP and a try BP, Saracens could leapfrog them in to 1st.

I guess 1st or 2nd doesn’t make that much difference, but the psychological aspect of going in to the play-offs topping the table with a 100% home record, would be a bit different to almost doing that and falling at the final hurdle.

Scrumhead wrote:

Puja wrote:After quite a promising set-up, it's turned out to be a remarkably dull final weekend. The top 4 is all but confirmed barring some very strange results, as is the top 8. Basically the only game that could really make a difference to anyone is Leicester vs Wasps, just about everything else is either a foregone conclusion or doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

Puja

The more I look at this, the more I see some potential for a fairly dramatic final day.

The points difference between Saracens and Tigers is only 3.

I fully expect Saracens to get the full 5 points vs. Gloucester which would mean Tigers have to win to stay in 1st.

Tigers didn’t look particularly great vs. Falcons and Wasps have something to play for. I don’t expect them to beat Tigers, but they’re certainly capable of doing it and have already done so this season. Dolly’s injury could be costly if Montoya is not fit. Clare, TCD and Vanes are OK, but definitely not at the level of Montoya or Dolly. If Wasps were to win and Tigers don’t get a losing BP and a try BP, Saracens could leapfrog them in to 1st.

I guess 1st or 2nd doesn’t make that much difference, but the psychological aspect of going in to the play-offs topping the table with a 100% home record, would be a bit different to almost doing that and falling at the final hurdle.

Agreed, but it's just one game in the whole round which could affect two positions in the table. There was a stage in the run-up where it looked like there could be up to 6 teams scrapping out for 4th-9th in the final day and they've just separated out a bit as the last few rounds have gone through. Just a bit disappointing, compared to what was possible.

Puja

Fair enough. As it happens, I don’t think there will be any change to the top 4 now, but it could be an interesting day.

Sarries swapping places with Leicester would deny us a London derby and an East Mids derby for the semis, assuming Newcastle don’t pull something out of the bag.

True, but it does mean one of those could be the final.

From a Quins POV, I’d far rather play Saracens in the final at Twickenham than a semi at the Stonex.

There would be the small matter of beating Tigers at Welford Road first mind you …

As a neutral, two derbies for the semis would be my preference - a final is a final, whether it’s a derby makes little difference. A Quins v Northampton final would be my preference.

Mellsblue wrote:As a neutral, two derbies for the semis would be my preference - a final is a final, whether it’s a derby makes little difference. A Quins v Northampton final would be my preference.

That would be my final preference, too!

I just feel like we’ve got more chance of beating Leicester than Sarries, tbh…

I’d prefer Leicester first up, too

Mellsblue wrote:As a neutral, two derbies for the semis would be my preference - a final is a final, whether it’s a derby makes little difference. A Quins v Northampton final would be my preference.

Please, make it so.....

Stom wrote:

Mellsblue wrote:As a neutral, two derbies for the semis would be my preference - a final is a final, whether it’s a derby makes little difference. A Quins v Northampton final would be my preference.

That would be my final preference, too!

I just feel like we’ve got more chance of beating Leicester than Sarries, tbh…

I’d prefer Leicester first up, too

You'd prefer Tigers on the small Welford Road pitch? I'd have thought you'd prefer Tigers at 'Big Stoop' which has a wider and longer pitch where the Quins game plan and speed advantage would be easier to bring to the fore.

I would prefer Quins in the final to Sarries. I worry that Tigers attack isn't sharp enough to damage the Saracens defence even though it's not what it was. Quins will be tough because they are a high quality side but I'd back our power game to be more effective against them and our bench to maybe see us through.

Saints or Glaws for fourth place I'm easy with. Tigers have beaten both home and away this season. Obviously that matters little in a one off game but you'd hope at home we could replicate those performances and get to Twickers.

I don't see a situation where Glos beat Sarries and Saints lose with no BP to Newcastle. So it is going to be Saints.

Gloskarlos wrote:I don't see a situation where Glos beat Sarries and Saints lose with no BP to Newcastle. So it is going to be Saints.

yep, we bogged it in the second half v Quins. Shame, as the 1st half was really good for us.

Banquo wrote:

Gloskarlos wrote:I don't see a situation where Glos beat Sarries and Saints lose with no BP to Newcastle. So it is going to be Saints.

yep, we bogged it in the second half v Quins. Shame, as the 1st half was really good for us.

Arguably bogged it V Bristol, Wasps and Sale before that, but most disappointing to not even fire a shot (drop goal to the corner flag aside) in that second half.

Next season......

Gloskarlos wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Gloskarlos wrote:I don't see a situation where Glos beat Sarries and Saints lose with no BP to Newcastle. So it is going to be Saints.

yep, we bogged it in the second half v Quins. Shame, as the 1st half was really good for us.

Arguably bogged it V Bristol, Wasps and Sale before that, but most disappointing to not even fire a shot (drop goal to the corner flag aside) in that second half.

Next season......

In fairness, above expectation. Skivington has done a great job; pension off Billy and Ben and crack on

Banquo wrote:

Gloskarlos wrote:

Banquo wrote:yep, we bogged it in the second half v Quins. Shame, as the 1st half was really good for us.

Arguably bogged it V Bristol, Wasps and Sale before that, but most disappointing to not even fire a shot (drop goal to the corner flag aside) in that second half.

Next season......

In fairness, above expectation. Skivington has done a great job; pension off Billy and Ben and crack on

Agreed - I think Gloucester fans would've bitten your hand off if you'd offered them 5th at the start of this season. Skivington deserves his contract extension; let's see how he plans to kick on from here.

Puja