Munster vs Saints - Sat 5.30pm

[Puja]

Munster: Zebo; Nash, Frisch, Nankivell, Daly; Crowley, Casey; Loughman, Scannell, Jager; Ahern, Beirne (capt); O'Mahony, Hodnett, Coombes.

Replacements: Clarke, Wycherley, Ryan, Gleeson, Kendellen, Murray, Carbery, O'Brien.

Northampton Saints: Furbank (capt); Freeman, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Sleightholme; Smith, Mitchell; Waller, Curtis Langdon Davison; Mayanavanua, Coles; Lawes, Pearson, Augustus.

Replacements: Smith, Iyogun, Millar-Mills, Moon, Graham, James, Odendaal, Savala.

[Puja]

Big game from an England perspective - last week was a procession against a side that left their best players at home and lost interest early on. If Pearson, Furbank, Freeman, Dingwall, and FSmith can put on the same quality away at Munster, that's a much better statement of their credentials.

Really pleased that Saints haven't decided to send their 2nd string out, given they've already got a home tie secured.

Puja

[Banquo]

Big game from an England perspective - last week was a procession against a side that left their best players at home and lost interest early on. If Pearson, Furbank, Freeman, Dingwall, and FSmith can put on the same quality away at Munster, that's a much better statement of their credentials.

Really pleased that Saints haven't decided to send their 2nd string out, given they've already got a home tie secured.

Puja

Good test for Coles as well.

[fivepointer]

Thought Saints might heavily rotate but fair play to them they're going full bore. Very interesting to see how the England hopefuls go.

[Banquo]

full bore

appropriate, given the England coach.

KIck!
Chase!

[Spiffy]

Has the makings of a great game. If you are not quite up with things in Irish rugby :

Old man Zeebo back to form (should have made the Ireland squad)
Nankivell - a New Zealander pulling up trees at 12.
Jager - a massive TH prop, has been playing in NZ, but is IQ.
Ahern - a 6'9" athletic lock/6 who has played as a back and has real gas.
Hodnett - a smallish but dynamic 7 in the VDF mode who will run/tackle/link all day
Gleeson - a massive, fast, smart backrower, star of the Ireland U20s.
Murray/Carbery - not a bad pair of half backs off the bench

[p/d]

Gutted Langdon didn’t get the nod from SB, though pleased to see he gets his full name on the team sheet

[Mellsblue]

Gutted Langdon didn’t get the nod from SB, though pleased to see he gets his full name on the team sheet

It’s just common Curtesy.

[Banquo]

saints overplaying a bit

[Mellsblue]

A bit?!?!?

[Mellsblue]

George ‘The Enforcer’ Furbank.

[Mellsblue]

No way that’s a red.

[Mellsblue]

Anyone but POM.

[p/d]

No way that’s a red.

It’s bollox

Curtis done there

[FKAS]

Fin Smith showing his maturity with that drop goal. Smart choice and good execution.

[Banquo]

great win, fin graduated

[Banquo]

A bit?!?!?

they scored as i posted

[Mr Mwenda]

No way that’s a red.

It’s bollox

Curtis done there

Bloody Donal Lenehan practically demanding he be hanged. I would have liked to have seen it in real time again before passing judgement.

Wow that was a cracker - thought Northampton were done and dusted. Lawes was immense and I really like the look of Finn Smith there.

[oldbackrow]

Thought Finn Smith was very good, mature and good decision making. He makes it so easy for Mitchell!
Not a big fan of M Smith to be honest so would be interesting to see F Smith given a go against Italy (who should be stronger this year than they've ever been)

[oldbackrow]

Oh and how do we convince Courtney Lawes to change his mind on retirement!

[FKAS]

I only saw the second half but Fin Smith was playing like a 31 year old with 50 odd caps not an uncapped 21 year old. Decision making and game management were just spot on. The drop goal and the lock from the halfway were class and if Farrell had done it we'd have had a good 30 mins of Ice Man talk. Turning Munster and dropping those kicks into the Minster 22 so Saints could pressure the lineout and exit were spot on, the commentators comparisons to O'Gara were apt with the kicking from hand.

[Spiffy]

I only saw the second half but Fin Smith was playing like a 31 year old with 50 odd caps not an uncapped 21 year old. Decision making and game management were just spot on. The drop goal and the lock from the halfway were class and if Farrell had done it we'd have had a good 30 mins of Ice Man talk. Turning Munster and dropping those kicks into the Minster 22 so Saints could pressure the lineout and exit were spot on, the commentators comparisons to O'Gara were apt with the kicking from hand.

England should get a cap on his head as soon as possible and nail him down. Great game from a kid under those conditions.

[FKAS]

I only saw the second half but Fin Smith was playing like a 31 year old with 50 odd caps not an uncapped 21 year old. Decision making and game management were just spot on. The drop goal and the lock from the halfway were class and if Farrell had done it we'd have had a good 30 mins of Ice Man talk. Turning Munster and dropping those kicks into the Minster 22 so Saints could pressure the lineout and exit were spot on, the commentators comparisons to O'Gara were apt with the kicking from hand.

England should get a cap on his head as soon as possible and nail him down. Great game from a kid under those conditions.

Seems to be doing it every week. On form Fin Smith deserves the start Vs Italy. Just seems very rounded already.

[Mellsblue]

Smith had a poor first 20/25 mins but came good. Needs to add a running game and play a bit close to the line for me but he’s a good young player. He also needs to miss less tackles. I can see him being Sullen Barsteward’s type of flyhalf, ie a good game manager.

[p/d]

I’m not sure F can leap ahead of M …….. though I would be happy whichever Smith wears 10 v Italy