Premiership Rugby 22/23 - Semi-Finals

[IT157]

That was a well worked try

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Can't see the comeback happening but this has just become a lot more worth watching.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Crap way for Collins' Saints career to end. They've really undervalued him as of late, IMO.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Dickson's lost the plot,

Missing breakdown penalties all over the place and that should be a penalty try

Edit: got there in the end, but he was fully refusing to even consider it at first

 

[IT157]

Game over

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Farrell finally getting his kicking mojo back

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

That is an unreal pass from Faz

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Dickson's lost the plot,

Missing breakdown penalties all over the place and that should be a penalty try

Edit: got there in the end, but he was fully refusing to even consider it at first

I don't think Dickson ever had the plot to begin with.

 

[duncanb]

No complaints better team won, Will be in mix again next season but need to find a gem or two from Academy me thinks as Cap will make it impossible to gain players if could afford anyhow.
Sarries as always great in defence and in fairness good attack today.
No real ref issues for me so.e good calls for us and some we lost but heyho that's sport.
Other winner will need an A+ game to beat this lot.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

No complaints better team won, Will be in mix again next season but need to find a gem or two from Academy me thinks as Cap will make it impossible to gain players if could afford anyhow.

He won't be ready by next season but Pollock looks awesome at such a young age.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Our backline is too light. The 10-13 axis needs more beef although think we've already signed someone to beef it up next season (burger was it).

Overall players like Lawes and Ludlum and beasts but at times saints get physically monstered and I can't figure out where exactly it goes wrong but it does.

Off to drown my sorrows in red wine and maybe a Chinese.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Our backline is too light. The 10-13 axis needs more beef although think we've already signed someone to beef it up next season (burger was it).

Overall players like Lawes and Ludlum and beasts but at times saints get physically monstered and I can't figure out where exactly it goes wrong but it does.

Off to drown my sorrows in red wine and maybe a Chinese.

I get really frustrated watching Lawes in attack now. Plan A is to flip on a pass which he generally does pretty well, but given his natural aggression and stature I'd like to see him setting the tempo for his team by taking the fight directly to the opposition a bit more often. Saints seem lack a bit of dog and it feels like one of their best is muzzled.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I get really frustrated watching Lawes in attack now. Plan A is to flip on a pass which he generally does pretty well, but given his natural aggression and stature I'd like to see him setting the tempo for his team by taking the fight directly to the opposition a bit more often. Saints seem lack a bit of dog and it feels like one of their best is muzzled.

In fairness I think Lawes is probably muzzled more by the tape holding him together than by the game plan.

 

[TopTen2003]

In fairness I think Lawes is probably muzzled more by the tape holding him together than by the game plan.

Came on to talk specifically about Lawes actually- my first question was gonna be do we think he's subconsciously holding back after the concussion protocols and wear and tear?

At his marauding best, is probably the best lock/6 in England but he looked off the pace today and as mentioned above, default move was to flick a pass and be more a decoy than actually accrue the hard yards.

Found it really surprising (albeit I get to watch very limited amounts of club rugby so keen to get your thoughts)

Where does he sit come RWC as we look ahead to summer camp and the tournament itself do we think? Does he start or is that up for debate?

Cheers

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

For me I think that the RWC has come a year or two late for Lawes. When he's at his best he is undoubtedly the best 6 in England and amongst the best in the world, but his body just isn't up for it anymore. He's been an incredible player for England but 14 years of international rugby has clearly taken its toll.

You just can't count on him to be firing anymore. With so many talented young back rowers around, I unfortunately do think it's time to put Lawes out to pasture.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Why does Mako Vunipola's scrummaging not get exposed for Saracens as much as it does for England and the Lions? Is it just a higher standard of opposition

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Why does Mako Vunipola's scrummaging not get exposed for Saracens as much as it does for England and the Lions? Is it just a higher standard of opposition

Yes

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Mako still collapsed a few times today. He also has the luxury a massive solid TH which England don't have.

As for Lawes, I thought he was massively off pace today. He's far from an England starting 6 or lock but I don't know if he's still worth taking in the wider squad as a 6/lock cover who won't let you down. But maybe time has taken its toll as he looked half of his normal self today.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I wonder if with mako it's a stamina thing. I'd imagine premiership would have more scrums due to the level of play and the opposing props can't be that much worse. The international game requires so much from you that he's gassed when it comes to scrum time.

 

[TopTen2003]

For me I think that the RWC has come a year or two late for Lawes. When he's at his best he is undoubtedly the best 6 in England and amongst the best in the world, but his body just isn't up for it anymore. He's been an incredible player for England but 14 years of international rugby has clearly taken its toll.

You just can't count on him to be firing anymore. With so many talented young back rowers around, I unfortunately do think it's time to put Lawes out to pasture.

Would be such a shame if he doesn't have a great World Cup- was it only last summer he was leading England to a series victory in Aus?

I think a lot of Englands RWC rests on a renaissance of some of the older guard- be very interesting to see if they can raise their games for one final run.

With a look ahead to RWC I look forward to watching the two Currys in the second semi final as well as Ford and Tualagi in midfield. George Martin in the Tigers pack and Watson and Steward in their back line.

All that said, I think a the impact of two Boks will decide the game- the Tigers 8 Wiese and 10 Pollard- if they have great games then I can see an away win. If Sale can limit those impacts, they have a fantastic chance of knocking the champions out.