Saints Wasps Sat 4.30pm

[Raggs]

Wasps trying to keep in the top8, Saints still with a chance to make top 4, albeit unlikely. Should be an open and quick game. Threatened to step on Adam Leal's toes next week if he doesn't give Wasps the 50/50 calls.

[FKAS]

Interested to see how Leal handles this one, he seems to be getting more Prem games recently (that or I've not noticed him before). Seems to be one of the better refs coming up.

[Raggs]

Interested to see how Leal handles this one, he seems to be getting more Prem games recently (that or I've not noticed him before). Seems to be one of the better refs coming up.

It's a good game for him, he's fit and bloody rapid. Seems to have a good rapport with most the players too. He's not looking forward to having to do this, and then having to run the line in the exeter game though, he's going to be knackered.

[Banquo]

Interested to see how Leal handles this one, he seems to be getting more Prem games recently (that or I've not noticed him before). Seems to be one of the better refs coming up.

It's a good game for him, he's fit and bloody rapid. Seems to have a good rapport with most the players too. He's not looking forward to having to do this, and then having to run the line in the exeter game though, he's going to be knackered.

Something of a 1st world problem

[Adam_P]

Now we've essentially counted ourselves out of the play offs with a few back to back shit shows I fully expect Saints to put together a great performance. Think this is the first time I've seen Dingers starting at 12 for the first team. Good to see Iyogun back invovled after his impressive stand in during our loose head injury crisis last(?) season.

[Adam_P]

Sleightholme caught Bassett so easily there. As I've said previously, he is deceptively lighting quick

[Adam_P]

And again showing his pace - unbelievable solo try but frustratingly disallowed due to a minor knock on

[FKAS]

Sleightholme caught Bassett so easily there. As I've said previously, he is deceptively lighting quick

Nothing deceptive about that just plain rapid.

[Adam_P]

By deceptive I mean he doesn't really look like he's motoring - similar to May. In contrast to someone like Jason Robinson who really looked like he moved fast

[I R Geech]

TMO has form against Wasps. Completely ignored the obvious knock on for the last try.

[Raggs]

TMO has form against Wasps. Completely ignored the obvious knock on for the last try.

He's the one that missed the blatantly obvious gouge on Bassett right. Seems like there were a few things the TMO missed, how was Adam Leal in his game? Couldn't watch it myself.

[Puja]

TMO has form against Wasps. Completely ignored the obvious knock on for the last try.

He's the one that missed the blatantly obvious gouge on Bassett right. Seems like there were a few things the TMO missed, how was Adam Leal in his game? Couldn't watch it myself.

Thought he had a good game - generally made the right decisions, had good communication, kept a good control of the match. One to watch, definitely.

Puja

[Adam_P]

Aye I thought Leal was good - although he was very accepting of players other than the captains bleating on at him, which he might want to put an end to

[Banquo]

And again showing his pace - unbelievable solo try but frustratingly disallowed due to a minor knock on

correctly disallowed

He is rapid....though Bassett isn't super quick in fairness.

[Beasties]

And again showing his pace - unbelievable solo try but frustratingly disallowed due to a minor knock on

correctly disallowed

He is rapid....though Bassett isn't super quick in fairness.

Bassett actually looked to be keeping pace with him for the disallowed try, just always slightly behind him, which was surprising after the earlier foot race (when Bassett had ball in hand).

[Puja]

Aye I thought Leal was good - although he was very accepting of players other than the captains bleating on at him, which he might want to put an end to

Indeed. It was Biggar continuing to chirp on about the decision to allow Wasps to renominate from the penalty a full 5 minutes after the decision had been made that was the worst. I'd've lost my temper with him long before.

For those who didn't watch, there was a TMO decision which gave a penalty to Wasps and Leal stuck his arm up and signalled the penalty 40m out and Wasps brought on the tee. Then the TMO intervened and told him the penalty was back on the halfway, so Leal apologised, moved them back and let them rechoose whether they went for goal seeing as he'd given them the wrong mark. I think that was excellent refereeing - might not technically have been the absolute lawbook correct decision as you're not supposed to be allowed to go back on a decision at a penalty, but was the fair decision for the game given the initial mistake was the referee's.

Biggar just couldn't let it go. Chirping on at the referee 5 minutes later about "It's the tee carrier's responsibility to know where the penalty was," despite the fact that badgering Leal about it would achieve the square root of f*ck all.

Puja

[Banquo]

And again showing his pace - unbelievable solo try but frustratingly disallowed due to a minor knock on

correctly disallowed

He is rapid....though Bassett isn't super quick in fairness.

Bassett actually looked to be keeping pace with him for the disallowed try, just always slightly behind him, which was surprising after the earlier foot race (when Bassett had ball in hand).

fair, and most players are slower ball in hand.

[I R Geech]

Thought Leal was very good. Showed great empathy, but should have marched Biggar back 10 a few times.

Hughes was awful as usual. A quick glance at his Twitter shows a very bitter, self important man. Probably more interested in reffing how he thinks the outcome should be than actually applying the laws.

[FKAS]

TMO has form against Wasps. Completely ignored the obvious knock on for the last try.

He's the one that missed the blatantly obvious gouge on Bassett right. Seems like there were a few things the TMO missed, how was Adam Leal in his game? Couldn't watch it myself.

Thought he had a good game - generally made the right decisions, had good communication, kept a good control of the match. One to watch, definitely.

Puja

Yeah he looks a very good ref. Far more deserving of promotion than Dickson who for some reason seems to have been given far more chances than his talent deserves.

Did well not to sin bin Biggar.

[Spiffy]

Aye I thought Leal was good - although he was very accepting of players other than the captains bleating on at him, which he might want to put an end to

Indeed. It was Biggar continuing to chirp on about the decision to allow Wasps to renominate from the penalty a full 5 minutes after the decision had been made that was the worst. I'd've lost my temper with him long before.

For those who didn't watch, there was a TMO decision which gave a penalty to Wasps and Leal stuck his arm up and signalled the penalty 40m out and Wasps brought on the tee. Then the TMO intervened and told him the penalty was back on the halfway, so Leal apologised, moved them back and let them rechoose whether they went for goal seeing as he'd given them the wrong mark. I think that was excellent refereeing - might not technically have been the absolute lawbook correct decision as you're not supposed to be allowed to go back on a decision at a penalty, but was the fair decision for the game given the initial mistake was the referee's.

Biggar just couldn't let it go. Chirping on at the referee 5 minutes later about "It's the tee carrier's responsibility to know where the penalty was," despite the fact that badgering Leal about it would achieve the square root of f*ck all.

Puja

Biggar has always been a mouthy sod. The ref should have been a tad tougher with him.
On the plus side, at 31 he is playing the best rugby of his career and is the likely Lions test starter at 10.

[Adam_P]

And again showing his pace - unbelievable solo try but frustratingly disallowed due to a minor knock on

correctly disallowed

He is rapid....though Bassett isn't super quick in fairness.

Oh yeah it definitely was the correct decision, just very frustrating that the fumble happened before he got motoring!

[Puja]

Aye I thought Leal was good - although he was very accepting of players other than the captains bleating on at him, which he might want to put an end to

Indeed. It was Biggar continuing to chirp on about the decision to allow Wasps to renominate from the penalty a full 5 minutes after the decision had been made that was the worst. I'd've lost my temper with him long before.

For those who didn't watch, there was a TMO decision which gave a penalty to Wasps and Leal stuck his arm up and signalled the penalty 40m out and Wasps brought on the tee. Then the TMO intervened and told him the penalty was back on the halfway, so Leal apologised, moved them back and let them rechoose whether they went for goal seeing as he'd given them the wrong mark. I think that was excellent refereeing - might not technically have been the absolute lawbook correct decision as you're not supposed to be allowed to go back on a decision at a penalty, but was the fair decision for the game given the initial mistake was the referee's.

Biggar just couldn't let it go. Chirping on at the referee 5 minutes later about "It's the tee carrier's responsibility to know where the penalty was," despite the fact that badgering Leal about it would achieve the square root of f*ck all.

Puja

Biggar has always been a mouthy sod. The ref should have been a tad tougher with him.
On the plus side, at 31 he is playing the best rugby of his career and is the likely Lions test starter at 10.

I've always thought him highly underrated. Quite apart from anything else, his ability to put up high balls and then consistently regather them is priceless, but he's also got a good all around game. I think we all know Farrell's gonna start, but I'd agree with you that he'd be my pick from the squad selected.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Entertaining game between 2 well matched sides. Several very good performances to enjoy. Ribbans simply has to play for England soon.
Thought the ref handled the game well. He had a relaxed, calm manner and got most things right.

[Banquo]

Indeed. It was Biggar continuing to chirp on about the decision to allow Wasps to renominate from the penalty a full 5 minutes after the decision had been made that was the worst. I'd've lost my temper with him long before.

For those who didn't watch, there was a TMO decision which gave a penalty to Wasps and Leal stuck his arm up and signalled the penalty 40m out and Wasps brought on the tee. Then the TMO intervened and told him the penalty was back on the halfway, so Leal apologised, moved them back and let them rechoose whether they went for goal seeing as he'd given them the wrong mark. I think that was excellent refereeing - might not technically have been the absolute lawbook correct decision as you're not supposed to be allowed to go back on a decision at a penalty, but was the fair decision for the game given the initial mistake was the referee's.

Biggar just couldn't let it go. Chirping on at the referee 5 minutes later about "It's the tee carrier's responsibility to know where the penalty was," despite the fact that badgering Leal about it would achieve the square root of f*ck all.

Puja

Biggar has always been a mouthy sod. The ref should have been a tad tougher with him.
On the plus side, at 31 he is playing the best rugby of his career and is the likely Lions test starter at 10.

I've always thought him highly underrated. Quite apart from anything else, his ability to put up high balls and then consistently regather them is priceless, but he's also got a good all around game. I think we all know Farrell's gonna start, but I'd agree with you that he'd be my pick from the squad selected.

Puja

He's very good, and is very highly regarded off the park at Saints. I hope he starts.

[16th man]

Looks like Biggar has been pulled up for a dodgy clear out / cheap shot to Umaga's head. Definitely looks like a possible citing offence.