Saracens vs Exeter Chiefs

First topic message reminder :

First ever game on artificial surface in the prem at Sarries new home at Allianz Park. Here's hoping that this lot can spoil the party :

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE SARACENS

15 Luke Arscott
14 Jack Nowell
13 Ian Whitten
12 Jason Shoemark
11 Matt Jess
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Will Chudley
1 Ben Moon
2 Neil Clark
3 Hoani Tui
4 Dean Mumm
5 Damian Welch
6 Richard Baxter (capt)
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Kai Horstmann

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Carl Rimmer
18 Alex Brown
19 Tom Hayes
20 Aly Muldowney
21 Haydn Thomas
22 Ignacio Mieres
23 Phil Dollman

First ever starts for Damien Welch and Kai Horstmann, Whitts and Jessy return to the backline

They really needed that song at the end to have been played a minute earlier when Vunipola flopped over the line.

Will there be more knee and ankle injuries in the long run as the studs stick?

That's my only concern but tbh i'd be happy for Quins to get one.

There were concerns over Widnes' fake pitch at first but that was over grazes. Died down a bit since then. Also there may be fewer injuries due to slips, etc. all we can do is wait and see I suppose.

If Quins got one what would happen to the groundsman on the Aviva mini ad things?

So much for my blind optimism - fair play to Sarries, they really put the hammer down.

HammerofThunor wrote:There were concerns over Widnes' fake pitch at first but that was over grazes. Died down a bit since then. Also there may be fewer injuries due to slips, etc. all we can do is wait and see I suppose.

If Quins got one what would happen to the groundsman on the Aviva mini ad things?

Ha he'd probably be back where we got him from worshipping at Stone Henge and eating odd mushrooms.

Looks like my pre game thoughts were well wide of the mark. Well played Saracens.

Brilliant to see how Sarries have expanded their game over time. If I were an Exeter fan I'd be really worried though - I think they just lack top quality players and after a while being well motivated isn't enough to get you through. They need to make changes if they don't want to be involved in a relegation battle next season. The good news is they have some class in Slade and Hill coming through, but I think they need to invest in the pack (and give Ewers some gametime).

Dave Ewers has been injured pretty much all season, as has fellow back rower James Phillips and, up to last week, Kai Horstmann. Ben White and, currently, Johnson have spent long periods in rehab, too. There's only been a couple of games this season when Exe have been able to name 4 dedicated backrowers in the matchday squad (and 2 frontline TH's and hookers for that matter) - so there's been little rotation and, perhaps, the workload is beginning to tell.

Not too worried, but Sarries did dominate pretty much every facet of the game - such is life, move on. I'd be more worried if Chiefs had more of their first choice pack on show (not that I'm sure what the first choice is). More strength in depth would be good, but, while injury layoffs are part and parcel of the game, it's difficult to plan for a concentration of injuries in the same playing positions.

Ewers and Phillips have been particularly unlucky in what we'd hoped would be their breakthrough season - not sure if we'll see either playing before next September.
Jack Nowell is the first to break through from the U20's group in Comacho's absence, and I suspect Luke C-D and Sam Hill will be next, with Slade following on (although he could be bench 10 next season if we can't find a replacement for Mieres).

Lack of Internet has interfered with posting, but just a quick one to congratulate Sarries on a thoroughly deserved win. Not a chance they were going to let us spoil the party at their new home

ASBO ,

good first half for the s. Bizarre yellow for the FB but you fought through it and ended up 3 up. Second half Sarries looked pretty damn impressive and kind of blew you away.

Keep the faith bro

PS mate - take it you heard DTH has signed for another 2 years for The Warriors ?

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:ASBO ,

good first half for the s. Bizarre yellow for the FB but you fought through it and ended up 3 up. Second half Sarries looked pretty damn impressive and kind of blew you away.

Keep the faith bro

Oh aye, keeping the faith - just a bad day at the office, playing against a bunch who had a superb day at the office - these things happen!

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:PS mate - take it you heard DTH has signed for another 2 years for The Warriors ?

Saw that, excellent news - interesting his comments about other big players wanting to come to Glasgow as well

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:PS mate - take it you heard DTH has signed for another 2 years for The Warriors ?

Saw that, excellent news - interesting his comments about other big players wanting to come to Glasgow as well

Sorry mate this should be on a Warriors post and do not want to hijack your s one but where will the money come from ? We already have 50 players ! Would take Ally Muldowney back in a minute though