Champions Cup 15/16 - Rd 3 Pool 1 (Oyonnax, Saracens, Toulouse, Ulster)

[Tony Manx]

Saracens looking strong.

Hate to say it, Farrell is looking good.

Edit: I could see a lot of Saracens players in the England team on this performance. George, Itoje and Fraser looking very good.

No opposition - Hard to judge!

 

[TommiG88]

No opposition - Hard to judge!

Got to be a decent side to be in European cup, unless you're an Italian side.

If Saracens had a better back line they would be one of the best teams in Europe. I envy that pack.

 

[Tony Manx]

Got to be a decent side to be in European cup, unless you're an Italian side.

If Saracens had a better back line they would be one of the best teams in Europe. I envy that pack.

Bottom of Top 14 with 10 points from 10 games and everyone's favourite to be relegated!

 

[ratsapprentice]

You can see for yourself, Tommi - this is a pretty dire Oyonnax side... Rory Clegg is their FH ffs.

Cleggy, cleggy, Clegg.

 

[Tony Manx]

Anyone else think that Ali Williams comes across as supercilious? Being Carter's minder must be a cushy number for him!!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Definitely - comes across as a bit of a smarmy prick TBH.

 

[FrenchFan]

I think poor old Toulouse's goose has been cooked for a few years now.

So have poor old Munster's and Leinster's by the look of it

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Could this season see the end of the French moneymen dominance of Europe?
Toulon and Toulouse both been battered by clubs with a fraction of the playing budget.

Maybe. Toulouse are virtually out but Europe is no priority. Only 8 years in the waiting for English clubs, it's taking long enough

 

[JJFlash]

Toulouse's performance was woeful, and they surely won't advance to the Q finals now.
However, next week's return match will be important, only to pacify the fickle Toulouse supporters.

 

[FrenchFan]

However, next week's return match will be important, only to pacify the fickle Toulouse supporters.

Next week will serve as a springboard for the game v Toulon. They will pick a side with that game in mind.

 

[Groundhog]

So have poor old Munster's and Leinster's by the look of it

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Maybe. Toulouse are virtually out but Europe is no priority. Only 8 years in the waiting for English clubs, it's taking long enough

True, but.... Relevant? Nope. Bitter? Yes.

 

[Tony Manx]

True, but.... Relevant? Nope. Bitter? Yes.

Not really - just a reply to the previous comment in exactly same spirit!!

Let's understand that, unlike the other countries, the French view the European competition as lesser competition to the Top 14. Where they deem they have reduced chance of winning it, they tend to concentrate on what is important to them - the Top 14!!

Consequently, doing badly in Europe does not mean nearly as much as, in particular, the Welsh and Irish!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not really - just a reply to the previous comment in exactly same spirit!!

Let's understand that, unlike the other countries, the French view the European competition as lesser competition to the Top 14. Where they deem they have reduced chance of winning it, they tend to concentrate on what is important to them - the Top 14!!

Consequently, doing badly in Europe does not mean nearly as much as, in particular, the Welsh and Irish!

Maybe if it was in the Pool 4 or 5 threads, it comes across as petty here especially considering the initial comment was a reaction made prior to Munster's or Leinster's games.

And I don't think it's a true statement for any of the three teams. Leinster have the quality of player to compete and a coach who I think is taking them in the right direction, he's very green and I think it's primarily his fault that we're out of Europe but if Cullen focuses on going out and dominating the pro 12, getting confidence and silverware back to the RDS we'll be a force to be reckoned with next season. To say Toulouse will not succeed over a sustained period of time is bizarre, they were awful by all accounts on Friday and their European Race is run but, like Leinster they have their domestic league to build on and like Leinster they look to be making steps in the right direction on that front from last year. Munster are by far the side in the worst shape, they're playing worse rugby than they were this time last year and they reek of a team without any leaders with a coaching staff void of ideas. A change of coach is required in Munster but if they land a 10 next year and have POM back they're a very strong side again, there's no reason any of these sides can't be competing in Europe come May 2017.

I can't imagine real Toulouse fans hurting any less following back to back European hammerings than Leinster are having gone for back to back to back or Munster after an embarrassing home loss.

Welsh? They hardly have a club game!!

 

[FrenchFan]

True, but.... Relevant? Nope. Bitter? Yes.

Na just a taste of your own medicine.

And last week I said we would exit the pool quietly as we're not chasing Europe http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/36961-TOP-14-Day-10?p=774272&viewfull=1#post774272

So I'm not the least bothered or surprised. Bigger fish to fry.

We're 2nd in the league - just level with Toulon - our form has been good in T14 so nothing to be bitter about. We're on a run of 3 wins v Toulon. I'll take that any day over just another pool game. The staff don't want to burn the players in Europe and they're dead right.

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Not really - just a reply to the previous comment in exactly same spirit!!

Let's understand that, unlike the other countries, the French view the European competition as lesser competition to the Top 14. Where they deem they have reduced chance of winning it, they tend to concentrate on what is important to them - the Top 14!!

Consequently, doing badly in Europe does not mean nearly as much as, in particular, the Welsh and Irish!

Toulouse doesn't need Europe to generate revenue like others do. The financial fallout of an early exit is minimal. Compared with the backing of the sponsor we have + TV deal + T14 crowds we get, I'd say it's piddlies. But it's not all about money, we have also plenty of rugby ahead of us in the league. Hell we have to make sure we're still in the running next June!

Priority is the league and giving time to the new staff to settle and letting the youngsters take over. We don't have the squad to chase both. We'd have to recruit like Toulon

 

[Stumpy]

Saracens team to face Oyonnax

15 Alex Goode (192)

14 Chris Ashton (85)

13 Duncan Taylor (75)

12 Brad Barritt © (152)

11 Mike Ellery (12)

10 Owen Farrell (121)

9 Neil De Kock (241)

1 Mako Vunipola (85)

2 Schalk Brits (154)

3 Petrus Du Plessis (109)

4 Jim Hamilton (28)

5 Maro Itoje (37)

6 Jackson Wray (122)

7 Kelly Brown (117)

8 Samuela Vunisa (2)

Replacements

16 Jamie George (138)

17 Richard Barrington (61)

18 Juan Figallo (20)

19 Michael Rhodes (7)

20 Will Fraser (64)

21 Richard Wigglesworth (135)

22 Charlie Hodgson (114)

23 Ben Ransom (52)

 

[Tony Manx]

Good Lord? Why? Saracens could whip the full Oyonnax first team with their thirds and cannot see Oyonnax making that selection!

Why are they not resting players at home against, presumably, a weakened bottom of the league team?

 

[Tony Manx]

Can Oyonnax keep it under 50 points?

Hammond just called Clancey "one of the best in the business"!!!

Best laugh of Yuletide so far........

 

[TheSaffycen]

Good first half, one more try and then I'm pretty sure a home quarter final. I think we'll need about 21 points.

 

[Tony Manx]

Haha......reference Clancey - Barnes says: "that was the biggest forward pass of 2015 not seen by Clancey there"!!!

 

[McTallshort]

Is Chris Ashton Stuart Barnes love child?

 

[McTallshort]

Dylan who?