Saints vs Bristol, Sat 15.00

[jimKRFC]

Saints:
15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Fraser Dingwall, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Tom Collins, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell
1 Alex Waller, 2 Sam Matavesi, 3 Paul Hill, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam (c), 8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood, 17 Nick Auterac, 18 Conor Carey, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Alex Coles, 21 Tom James, 22 Matt Proctor, 23 George Hendy

Bristol:
15. Charles Piutau, 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Antoine Frisch, 11. Alapati Leiua, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Andy Uren,
1. Yann Thomas, 2. Harry Thacker, 3. John Afoa, 4. Dave Attwood, 5. Joe Joyce, 6. Chris Vui, 7. Jake Heenan, 8. Fitz Harding

Subs:
16. Jake Kerr, 17. Jake Woolmore, 18. Jake Armstrong, 19. Sam Jeffries, 20. Harry Randall, 21. Tiff Eden, 22. Piers O’Conor, 23. Luke Morahan

Bristol finally able to put out a team close to that of last season! But with the turmoil of the pitch anything less than a 40 point margin win by Saints has to be considered a moral win for Bristol!

[Mellsblue]

Looks like you already can’t afford RICH LANE!!!

[FKAS]

Dunno about that, Bristol players are probably playing to ensure they aren't the ones cut. That should spur them on.

[jimKRFC]

Think this line up also wins the "Most Jakes" award with a potential 4 Jakes on the pitch, and the whole reserve front row called Jake.

Don't suppose Rich Lane's middle name is Jake is it Mells?

[Mellsblue]

I believe it’s Messiah.

[fivepointer]

LANE SENSATIONALLY DROPPED is obviously the real headline around this selection.

This could be a belter. Both sides can entertain and when on song produce some thrilling rugby.

Big test for Lam. Can he galvanise a performance out of a side struggling and unlikely to make 8th place and Europe next season.

[Adam_P]

Happy to see Hendy rewarded with a first team place after some impressive performances in the Cup

[Adam_P]

Just realised Bristol have a 4/4 split on the bench, not sure I've seen that before in a Prem first team match

[jimKRFC]

Just realised Bristol have a 4/4 split on the bench, not sure I've seen that before in a Prem first team match

They've done it the last couple of games, worked ok against Sarries.

[FKAS]

Tommy Freeman won't enjoy seeing that one back. Done on the outside by Harry Thacker. Really should have made that tackle.

[FKAS]

Biggar some manages to dodge a red there. Always high, shoulder makes contact to the head. Dickson decides he's clipped the ball and it's penalty only. Very lucky and not a word from Biggar points to just how lucky he thought it was. I suspect had it been Radrada on Biggar instead of the other way round then it would have been a card minimum.

[FKAS]

2 mins later and it's a cracking crossfield kick from Biggar to Freeman who then grubbers round the winger and dots down. Beauty of a try but unfortunately chalked off for foot on the line. Bad luck.

[Mr Mwenda]

Biggar some manages to dodge a red there. Always high, shoulder makes contact to the head. Dickson decides he's clipped the ball and it's penalty only. Very lucky and not a word from Biggar points to just how lucky he thought it was. I suspect had it been Radrada on Biggar instead of the other way round then it would have been a card minimum.

My thought as well.

[Adam_P]

The initial hit was definitely on the ball, hence why he bounced off so much.

Saints have finally woken up, Hutchinson making a couple of breaks untouched. Lawes' soft balls in midfield are lovely

[twitchy]

A really fun game so far.

[Adam_P]

6 tries in the first half, and 3 disallowed tries for Saints. Certainly entertaining! Real shame that Freeman's try wasn't to be, lovely ball control in the catch and dribble down the line.

[Adam_P]

If I was a Bristol fan I think I'd be annoyed that a yellow was given for that tackle on Dingwall, given the earlier (in my opinion correct) penalty call for Biggar

[FKAS]

Fitz Harding gets a yellow for no more, arguably less dangerous contact with the head than Biggar's. Bristol fans might feel a double standard there.

Dickson reffing high tackles like it's ten years ago. They were both awful technique with players going high and reckless.

Saints running away with it now. As a neutral shame to see the two yellow cards as it's been a fun end to end game.

[Adam_P]

Some very obvious forward passes going missed this game

[FKAS]

Some very obvious forward passes going missed this game

Dickson reminding all he's the worst ref in the Prem. Thankfully a game managed to break out in spite of him. Highly entertaining with both sides playing lots. Quite a few errors dotted around so I'm sure head coaches will be banging heads against walls though.

[fivepointer]

3rd quarter proved decisive with Bristol down to 13.
Much to enjoy about the game. Some excellent tries, some first rate individual performances. Great adventure and a positive attitude throughout from all the players.
I thought the Biggar and Harding challenges should have been red. We've certainly seen similar tackles get punished with a sending off.

[Adam_P]

I feel like neither were high danger, Biggar hit the ball first and Dingwall was dipping so I think penalty for both

[Timbo]

That was an enjoyable Saturday afternoon, defence optional romp. I wonder where Dingwall is in the England pecking order at the moment. Think he’s stepped up a gear this season.

[FKAS]

I feel like neither were high danger, Biggar hit the ball first and Dingwall was dipping so I think penalty for both

There were always high and made no attempt to lower their height before contact. They both made contact with the head. To my mind that's minimum of a card. I'm fairly sure but not certain that's what the framework recommends as well. They were the both the lazy type of technique that the tightening of the high tackle laws was supposed to help clamp down on. If either had been red I'd have had no sympathy whatsoever. I think Biggar knew he was incredibly lucky to only get a penalty, probably the only time in his life he hasn't complained to the referee about a decision given against him.

That was an enjoyable Saturday afternoon, defence optional romp. I wonder where Dingwall is in the England pecking order at the moment. Think he’s stepped up a gear this season.

I was a little surprised he got man of the match, I thought Hutchinson slicing open the Bristol defence for those two tries in the first half really turned the game.

I think Dingwall is possibly a bit unlucky that there are more dynamic centres than him currently and at a similar age. A few years ago he'd have had a great chance at getting a cap but now there's a queue at 13 and at 12 Kelly and Ojomoh look more likely to be England regulars. Wouldn't surprise me if Dingwall ended up playing for Scotland.

[Banquo]

That was an enjoyable Saturday afternoon, defence optional romp. I wonder where Dingwall is in the England pecking order at the moment. Think he’s stepped up a gear this season.

Eddie talks to him a lot, as does gregor. I am a tad biased, but he has an excellent skill set, defends really well- covering up for Hutchinson- and has done well at both 12 and 13, not easy. He was due to start for England in the Baabaa Covid game.

I also like Freeman (brizz 1st try aside)- he should be competing w Steward if he stays fit, Coles, and Ribbans.