Rugby - The Game They Play In Heaven II

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Pretty much the story of his career, Sneak. Utterly fearless. He's had a lot of injury problems over the years but, ironically, not many of them related to his fearlessness. A bit of an obsessive, trained relentlessly from a young age, put all sorts of pressures on his body that, later, created problems.

[kittenOFchaos]

Croft really showing his class today...try saving tackle and his sprint to the line later on...and that is only a small part of his game. I was considering placing a bet on him being the top-try scoring English Lion earlier today. I wonder if the odds have already changed.

Pleased with what I've seen of Matthew Tait.

No doubt, Leicester into the Final.

Edit: I'm watching the match on Sky Go and I'm watching live betting. On Sky Bet the score goes up to Leicester 33, Harlequins 9. 2 minutes later I get to see Tait score. Like I said earlier, I've been pleased by what I've seen of Tait today.

[kittenOFchaos]

A very entertaining contest between Leinster and Glasgow.

Glasgow narrowly lost, but in my opinion played by far the more entertaining rugby. Glasgow rarely kicked the ball away and showed very good handling...hardly a Scottish trait. It was just a shame that Hogg seemed abit off his best.

Nikola Matawalu, the Glasgow scrum-half was in my opinion the man of the match...he was very, very good.

http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/glasgow-warriors/player/nikola-matawalu

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Tait had his problems in the first half but an outstanding second half. I couldn't fathom why he wasn't in the squad for Argentina in the first place. Yesterday only makes it even more puzzling. Tigers were just too strong. Plus I've never seen such shonky Quins defence.

Didn't see Glasgow-Leinster but my sources tend to agree with you.

[Havak]

It is really nice to see Corfty staying fit and building towards real form again. Tait is starting to show some form too.

Got to think Saracens easily today? As Guscott points out Saints have won only one of their past 10 matches against Quins, Saracens and Leicester.

[kittenOFchaos]

Got to think Saracens easily today? As Guscott points out Saints have won only one of their past 10 matches against Quins, Saracens and Leicester.

You'd have thought so...but no Brad Barritt and their defense appears completely AWOL.

25 minutes in and it is Saracens 0 - Northampton 14

Edit: Half-time is Saracens 0 - Northampton 17

Saracens not helped by Hodgson getting injured early on. Farrell is playing ****, even missed a pretty easy penalty...Lions 10...perhaps Hogg should be given a shot at it instead

It is just annoying for me...had an accumulator that would have worked out with Sarries winning by 4. Not likely atm, they seem totally out-gunned and devoid of ideas.

Edit2: Strettle, never rated him. No wonder. Jeez.

Edit3: If Saracens lose this (and they probably will) they could simply blame their dysfunctional lineout. Had their lineout functioned, they could have won this, Northampton have spent too much of this half playing defensively. They should have kept on the attack.

Also got to say that the selection of Stevens as a Lion is simply embarrassing. He spent this game bent double and sideways. Vunipolu just looks fat. Their front-row was destroyed and many referees would have yellow carded them for it.

Leicester will destroy Northampton, they can't play for more than 50 minutes.

Edit4: This is why we have play-offs. You couldn't have a team that plays as badly as this being Champions.

Edit5: Saracens 13 - Northampton 27

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Speaking of play-offs, Newcastle came back in the second leg against Leeds to win on aggregate. Good thing. Clearly the best team in that comp.

Sarries just couldn't handle the physicality. Not the first time they've succumbed to strength and power. I don't think they'd have won even with a functioning lineout. Their use of the pill, courtesy of Farrell Jnr, was pathetic. CH might have made a difference. Some of Strettle's selfish play was extraordinary. Farrell Jnr is also in serious danger of turning into an utter prat. His youth is starting to reveal itself with his temperament issues.

Saints were running out of puff and no wonder. Hard to maintain that game for 80 minutes. Best I've seen Hartley for a while, the only good thing out of the match in terms of the Lions. Looks like he's lost a bit of weight, too. I also can't see Saints upsetting Tigers. Tigers play relentlessly and should be still going when Saints run out of puff.

[Havak]

That is what the experience this season suggests for sure.

But until yesterday Sarries had the most effective line out in the league and the best defensive record. Anything can happen in a one off game and you can be sure Saints will be motivated - they have long been the East Midlands also rans.

I have to say I entirely disagree with edit4 - having won two more games than anyone else over a long season Sarries would be worthy champions for me. Sure it can be boring to watch but I am of the generation that does not buy into the "spectacle is everything" way our game has gone. They have pursued very effective gameplans - it is up to the rest of us to crack them.

I'd also love Tigers to win the Premiership play-off of course - but Sarries are 'League' Champions to me - the Premiership is a separate title.

If we can get the Saints of the first half versus the Tigers of the second half then we should have some final I think?

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I agree about edit 4. As much as I dislike them - for their vulgar approach to rugby as much as for their tedious game plan - you don't win that many matches in a season for no reason. They had a stinker coupled with Saints finding their old form. In the same way that Newcastle had a stinkier in the first leg of the Championship play-off against Leeds but were good enough to come back in the second leg. That happens in rugby.

I think their lineout problems were down to poor throwing - especially by the ex-Bok skipper when he came on, I don't think he hit one jumper - and shrewed Saints' reading of Sarries' throws. Again, it happens.

I think Tigers just have to weather the Saints storm. They will run out of puff.

[Havak]

I am very much hoping that you are correct in that thought process.

[kittenOFchaos]

Are you listening Sale Sharks?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22541849

Perhaps spend the money we were squandering on Richie.

Edit: It seems that others are thinking the same: http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/r...m?104,14040925

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They could do worse. A lot lot lot worse. Very strange little episode between Castro and Leicester.

[Havak]

He says he has signed a release form - but it must have a competitor clause or he would be a free agent.

It's unfortunate - the club wanted to keep him but Tigers NEVER guarantee first XV rugby. They don't entertain such clauses in player contracts. I believe Ritchie had such a clause at Sale?

Most sorry to see him go.

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Richie Gray? The clause would have been redundant anyway. Leicester are entitled not to guarantee first XV rugby. Probably not the only club to do so. The downside, particularly with a couple of top quality players vying for one jersey, is that you could lose one. Can't blame Castro for wanting to play more rugby.

[Havak]

I clearly added the t because the young scot deserved it.

I attach no blame to Castro at all for wanting to play - I was merely pointing out that the club doesn't guarantee anyone play time. Even Jonno had to compete for his shirt at the height of his playing pomp.