RugbyRebels

So there's actually quite a few big fixtures now!

Wuss can still make top 8, and so will desperately want to beat Sale, who want to secure top 4. Irish have just had a confidence boost and may take it to Bristol, who also need a win to get top 4. Wasps will be desperate to beat Exeter (who won't want to lose either obviously). Glaws need to win really, to be sure of top 8. Saracens will want to go out with a bang, and Bath obviously want top 4.

So by my reckoning, 5 of the 6 games actually have something riding on them. Not bad.

Leicester, on the other hand, have had what could've been an interesting final weekend made meaningless by today's fixtures. There was a possibility that they could've gone up to 9th if they beat Quins, and if Worcester and Irish's games had gone to form, but them turning over Exeter and Saracens has meant that even a win over Quins will gain us nothing.

Puja

Sarries v Bath will be a belter

Puja wrote:Leicester, on the other hand, have had what could've been an interesting final weekend made meaningless by today's fixtures. There was a possibility that they could've gone up to 9th if they beat Quins, and if Worcester and Irish's games had gone to form, but them turning over Exeter and Saracens has meant that even a win over Quins will gain us nothing.

Puja

Meaningless or not, I still wouldn’t bet against you getting the win ...

Sale's points difference is a big advantage. Bonus point win and they're in.

Banquo wrote:Sarries v Bath will be a belter

Game of the round for sure.
Saracens will field the strongest side they can to try and go out with a bang. Thats going to make life difficult for Bath.
Wasps might have a game on their hands if Exeter bring back a few regular starters, and Bristol will have to field an understrength side at Irish..

Top 4 is out of Bristols hands. We need Exeter & Sarries to win, hoping that their recent losses means they go all out for these!
However, I fell dirty wantying Sarries to win but it is against Bath.....

I'd think Chiefs would be playing second string given what's coming up tbh. Sarries will be very tough though.

No one else thinking Sarries will field an u20s side as a big up yours to the league?

Nah, their England internationals will want a chance to shine i reckon.

Sarries look on course to set a record points difference for a side finishing bottom. But they've a call to make now, back the statistical call to develop the squad by giving the Championship side and some kids the game, or back the emotion of the occasion and pick something as close to their 1sts as possible. If they're true to what's gotten them here they will not pick a side based on emotion

Also all this talk of the final round and Europe puts one in mind of song called the final something or other

Quarter finals weekend. Any win will do.

After our start to the season, I'm not convinced we deserve this shot, but hey, I'll take it.
Ultimately, over 22 matches everyone deserves exactly what they end up with.

We're perfectly capable of beating Saracens, even on plastic, bit we'll have to bring our A game.

Saw somewhere it was Barritts final game, Wiggys 250th and Rhodes 100th match so Sarries will be up for it.
I'm hoping Exe/Baxter are looking a strong bounce back as well, weather is supposed to be bad (wet/windy) which might hinder Wasps.

Which Tyler wrote:Quarter finals weekend. Any win will do.

After our start to the season, I'm not convinced we deserve this shot, but hey, I'll take it.
Ultimately, over 22 matches everyone deserves exactly what they end up with.

We're perfectly capable of beating Saracens, even on plastic, bit we'll have to bring our A game.

and then some if Sarries turn up imo. Though bench might make a difference, and if no Barritt then chances much improved with Bath's backs.

Bath should want the game more than Sarries, though Bath might suffer as Wasps did under pressure against Quins

Digby wrote:Bath should want the game more than Sarries, though Bath might suffer as Wasps did under pressure against Quins

I wouldn't underestimate Sarries attitude to this or any game.

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:Bath should want the game more than Sarries, though Bath might suffer as Wasps did under pressure against Quins

I wouldn't underestimate Sarries attitude to this or any game.

A last big hurrah, and from a group who've meant a lot to each other is big. Just if I had to back the motivation as a factor Bath are going for something a little more, especially given Exeter will have a focus on Europe (assuming Racing can put out a side) so there's a league championship up for grabs. I suspect Sarries will win, but because they've got better players.

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:Bath should want the game more than Sarries, though Bath might suffer as Wasps did under pressure against Quins

I wouldn't underestimate Sarries attitude to this or any game.

A last big hurrah, and from a group who've meant a lot to each other is big. Just if I had to back the motivation as a factor Bath are going for something a little more, especially given Exeter will have a focus on Europe (assuming Racing can put out a side) so there's a league championship up for grabs. I suspect Sarries will win, but because they've got better players.

I was thinking about that, and I’d think Baths backs and back row are possibly better individually, selection dependent. Sarries were certainly better than the sum of their parts v Leinster.

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote: I wouldn't underestimate Sarries attitude to this or any game.

A last big hurrah, and from a group who've meant a lot to each other is big. Just if I had to back the motivation as a factor Bath are going for something a little more, especially given Exeter will have a focus on Europe (assuming Racing can put out a side) so there's a league championship up for grabs. I suspect Sarries will win, but because they've got better players.

I was thinking about that, and I’d think Baths backs and back row are possibly better individually, selection dependent. Sarries were certainly better than the sum of their parts v Leinster.

Maybe if Faletau fronts up, but he doesn't seem to really do that much for Bath, partly as he'd do more if the tactics weren't so focussed on power, and maybe Bath just doesn't do it for him as does Wales. I'm a big Faletau fan, but if I look at big names in the back row coming to Bath he'd be well behind the likes of Watson and Louw. Which is maybe a longwinded way (perish the thought) of saying Billy casts such a shadow I don't know I'd give Bath an edge in selection in the loose forwards, unless perhaps Faletau really fronts up, and he could

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:
A last big hurrah, and from a group who've meant a lot to each other is big. Just if I had to back the motivation as a factor Bath are going for something a little more, especially given Exeter will have a focus on Europe (assuming Racing can put out a side) so there's a league championship up for grabs. I suspect Sarries will win, but because they've got better players.

I was thinking about that, and I’d think Baths backs and back row are possibly better individually, selection dependent. Sarries were certainly better than the sum of their parts v Leinster.

Maybe if Faletau fronts up, but he doesn't seem to really do that much for Bath, partly as he'd do more if the tactics weren't so focussed on power, and maybe Bath just doesn't do it for him as does Wales. I'm a big Faletau fan, but if I look at big names in the back row coming to Bath he'd be well behind the likes of Watson and Louw. Which is maybe a longwinded way (perish the thought) of saying Billy casts such a shadow I don't know I'd give Bath an edge in selection in the loose forwards, unless perhaps Faletau really fronts up, and he could

I had already got Billy ahead of Faletau at this time, with neither in their pomp.

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote: I was thinking about that, and I’d think Baths backs and back row are possibly better individually, selection dependent. Sarries were certainly better than the sum of their parts v Leinster.

Maybe if Faletau fronts up, but he doesn't seem to really do that much for Bath, partly as he'd do more if the tactics weren't so focussed on power, and maybe Bath just doesn't do it for him as does Wales. I'm a big Faletau fan, but if I look at big names in the back row coming to Bath he'd be well behind the likes of Watson and Louw. Which is maybe a longwinded way (perish the thought) of saying Billy casts such a shadow I don't know I'd give Bath an edge in selection in the loose forwards, unless perhaps Faletau really fronts up, and he could

I had already got Billy ahead of Faletau at this time, with neither in their pomp.

Yep, you just can't ignore Billy. He drags resources even if he's playing like crap, which is the luxury of being such a beast. In other games I'd rate Underhill higher, but Sarries wouldn't usually play in a way that invites Underhill to dominate a game.

I prefer the Bath back three, back four if including JJ, but Bath normally get the ball to them via collecting kicks rather than via Priestland. And Sarries apply a lot of pressure. If Roko can score or instigate 2 tries from nothing, that's a way into the game for Bath, otherwise it's down to power in the pack and whether Sarries are on it with nothing to play for beyond emotion

Digby wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Digby wrote:
Maybe if Faletau fronts up, but he doesn't seem to really do that much for Bath, partly as he'd do more if the tactics weren't so focussed on power, and maybe Bath just doesn't do it for him as does Wales. I'm a big Faletau fan, but if I look at big names in the back row coming to Bath he'd be well behind the likes of Watson and Louw. Which is maybe a longwinded way (perish the thought) of saying Billy casts such a shadow I don't know I'd give Bath an edge in selection in the loose forwards, unless perhaps Faletau really fronts up, and he could

I had already got Billy ahead of Faletau at this time, with neither in their pomp.

Yep, you just can't ignore Billy. He drags resources even if he's playing like crap, which is the luxury of being such a beast. In other games I'd rate Underhill higher, but Sarries wouldn't usually play in a way that invites Underhill to dominate a game.

I prefer the Bath back three, back four if including JJ, but Bath normally get the ball to them via collecting kicks rather than via Priestland. And Sarries apply a lot of pressure. If Roko can score or instigate 2 tries from nothing, that's a way into the game for Bath, otherwise it's down to power in the pack and whether Sarries are on it with nothing to play for beyond emotion

Just don’t think it’s a definite that Sarries have the better players,to simplify.

Racing report nine positive covid tests. It must be squeaky bum time in the Sarries camp.

Exe are getting some stick for resting players vs wasps.

I think if anyone can show they've not rested players in the run in and they're impacted by Exeter's decision they've got a point