Saints vs Bath - Wednesday

[Puja]

15 Harry Mallinder
14 Ahsee Tuala
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Piers Francis
11 Taqele Naiyaravoro
10 Dan Biggar
9 Henry Taylor

1 Nick Auterac
2 James Fish
3 Owen Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Courtney Lawes
7 JJ Tonks
8 Teimana Harrison (c)

Replacements:
16 Sam Matavesi
17 Francois van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Lewis Bean
20 Tui Uru
21 Tom James
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 Tommy Freeman


15. Tom de Glanville, 14. Semesa Rokoduguni, 13. Max Clark, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Gabriel Hamer-Webb, 10. Josh Matavesi, 9. Will Chudley; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Jack Walker, 3. Christian Judge, 4. Will Spencer, 5. Elliott Stooke, 6. Mike Williams, 7. Josh Bayliss (C), 8. Zach Mercer
Replacements

16. Tom Dunn, 17. Lewis Boyce, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. Miles Reid, 21. Ben Spencer, 22. Rhys Priestland, 23. Ruaridh McConnochie

[fivepointer]

Good match up this. Even allowing for changes there are a number of quality players turning out. Bath with a much stronger bench.

[Adam_P]

Saints have gone from a lightweight pacey back 3 against Irish to what must be the heaviest back 3 in the Prem. I'm enjoying seeing the squad rotation as a result of the condensed fixtures, makes things a bit more interesting. Agree that Bath's bench looks stronger, with just the props and Hutchinson being normal 1st team contenders for Saints. I'm hoping Saints can get something more out of Auterac, I feel like there's potential there that hasn't been fully realised yet.

[Banquo]

Saints have gone from a lightweight pacey back 3 against Irish to what must be the heaviest back 3 in the Prem. I'm enjoying seeing the squad rotation as a result of the condensed fixtures, makes things a bit more interesting. Agree that Bath's bench looks stronger, with just the props and Hutchinson being normal 1st team contenders for Saints. I'm hoping Saints can get something more out of Auterac, I feel like there's potential there that hasn't been fully realised yet.

I like what Boyd is trying to do at Saints.

[Adam_P]

So do I! Slightly concerned that we re-contracted Vesty, Dowson and Ferguson yesterday but no mention of Boyd extending his stay. I get the feeling from various interviews that he is quite home sick, but hopefully he fancies following through his initial 3 year contract for one more.

[fivepointer]

I really like the fact that Boyd is prepared to give young players a chance, AND is keen to promote home grown coaches too.

[Puja]

So do I! Slightly concerned that we re-contracted Vesty, Dowson and Ferguson yesterday but no mention of Boyd extending his stay. I get the feeling from various interviews that he is quite home sick, but hopefully he fancies following through his initial 3 year contract for one more.

Frankly, if I were given a choice right now between continuing to work in the UK or going to NZ, you wouldn't see me for dust!

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Saints have gone from a lightweight pacey back 3 against Irish to what must be the heaviest back 3 in the Prem. I'm enjoying seeing the squad rotation as a result of the condensed fixtures, makes things a bit more interesting. Agree that Bath's bench looks stronger, with just the props and Hutchinson being normal 1st team contenders for Saints. I'm hoping Saints can get something more out of Auterac, I feel like there's potential there that hasn't been fully realised yet.

I thought the same when he signed for Quins. At one point when he was at Bath, he looked like he was developing very nicely, then he got injured and has never come close to rediscovering that kind of form.

I’ve read articles With him that suggest that his head isn’t quite in it. I’d have to go looking for it, but as I recall, he was intimating that he doesn’t really like being in a competitive environment and only certain types of training motivate him (presumably the gym!).

[Adam_P]

So do I! Slightly concerned that we re-contracted Vesty, Dowson and Ferguson yesterday but no mention of Boyd extending his stay. I get the feeling from various interviews that he is quite home sick, but hopefully he fancies following through his initial 3 year contract for one more.

Frankly, if I were given a choice right now between continuing to work in the UK or going to NZ, you wouldn't see me for dust!

Puja

Have you never experienced the delights of Northampton?!

[FKAS]

So do I! Slightly concerned that we re-contracted Vesty, Dowson and Ferguson yesterday but no mention of Boyd extending his stay. I get the feeling from various interviews that he is quite home sick, but hopefully he fancies following through his initial 3 year contract for one more.

Frankly, if I were given a choice right now between continuing to work in the UK or going to NZ, you wouldn't see me for dust!

Puja

Have you never experienced the delights of Northampton?!

There is a nice varied selection of speed cameras...

[Adam_P]

Late change for Saints, Mallinder out again last minute with a dodgy knee. Freeman onto the wing and Collins on the bench

[Which Tyler]

That's not too clever these days.

Double tackle on Mercer, legs go above the horizontal, lands on head/shoulder.

Nothing malicious, but yellow every day, red on a bad one.

They go yellow

[Adam_P]

I thought Harrison was more culpable than Tonks there to be honest

[Adam_P]

I would like to see Saints put Naiyaravoro at 8 on attacking scums as a regular option, even with 15 on the pitch

[FKAS]

I thought Harrison was more culpable than Tonks there to be honest

As soon as you lift the legs it's all on you pretty much. Certainly Harrison flying caused most of the problems but Tonks put him in the air to begin with.

[Which Tyler]

Zach off for the inevitable HIA

[Adam_P]

Our lineouts close to the try line have been awful the last few games

[Which Tyler]

Lol thinks that Saints should turn the screw whilst Bath are down a man.
Could have sworn Tonks plays for Northampton

[Adam_P]

Lots of adventure from saints so far but little to show for it

[Raggs]

Clearly on a long delay on my stream, games only just kicked off... Lawes has been fantastic in the first 5 minutes though, solid turnover, good slow down, nice offloads and carries.

[Which Tyler]

Quite honestly, I didn't expect it to be all level at HT.
That 2nd 20 was all Northampton, and it just feels like you're ready to stick a couple of quick tries on us.

[Adam_P]

Very frustrating first half really, pretty much all Saints in terms of open field rugby but little to show for it. Need to be much more clinical in the red zone. Bath have looked a bit one dimensional in attack, which is a shame with the talent in the back line

[Which Tyler]

Very frustrating first half really, pretty much all Saints in terms of open field rugby but little to show for it. Need to be much more clinical in the red zone. Bath have looked a bit one dimensional in attack, which is a shame with the talent in the back line

Meh.
New half back combination, including a centre at FH, kids at 11, 12 and 15; whilst Rocco is on the downslope and Clarke is not exactly a world beater.

The only player in the backline who is first choice is playing out of position

[FKAS]

Surprised the tackle on de Glanville as he went over wasn't reviewed. Nearly took his head off.

[Which Tyler]

Surprised the tackle on de Glanville as he went over wasn't reviewed. Nearly took his head off.

Should be a restart with a penalty from the centre spot, as Tom goes off for an HIA.

I really hate that there's no high tackle line if it might save a try