Champions Cup Pool 4: Saints v Montpellier

TBH i'm sure it'll be a game to make you stab a rusty fork in your eye.

Just thought I'd start a thread so I could post that Saints have sacked their attack coach Alex King. Also done it in the classy way of putting it at the end (read buried) of the team announcement.



NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY MONTPELLIER
European Rugby Champions Cup Round 1
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, October 15th, 2016
Kick off 5:30pm

15 Ben Foden
14 Ken Pisi
13 George Pisi
12 Harry Mallinder
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Michael Paterson
6 Tom Wood (capt)
7 Calum Clark
8 Louis Picamoles

16 Charlie Clare
17 Ethan Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Sam Dickinson
20 Teimana Harrison
21 Lee Dickson
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 James Wilson

Foden back starting, Burrell missing so Mallinder starts at 12 (OK) but still no Hartley. Huge back 5 in the pack, Tom Wood the smallest at 6.4'.


I guess I should make a prediction, Saints by 5.

Quite a fall from grace, he was being touted for England attack coach not too long ago

Missed this and posted on the Saints thread about King's departure and as a Saints fan agree that how the club announced it was disrespectful.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY MONTPELLIER
European Rugby Champions Cup Round 1
Franklin’s Gardens
Saturday, October 15th, 2016
Kick off 5:30pm

15 Ben Foden
14 Ken Pisi
13 George Pisi
12 Harry Mallinder
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Nic Groom
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Michael Paterson
6 Tom Wood (capt)
7 Calum Clark
8 Louis Picamoles

16 Charlie Clare
17 Ethan Waller
18 Paul Hill
19 Sam Dickinson
20 Teimana Harrison
21 Lee Dickson
22 Rory Hutchinson
23 James Wilson

Foden back starting, Burrell missing so Mallinder starts at 12 () but still no Hartley. Huge back 5 in the pack, Tom Wood the smallest at 6.4'. Points to an arm wrestle of a game so unfortunately it's hard to disagree with Yappy's rusty fork comment.

Out of interest how has Picamoles adapted to the AP and Northampton ?

As a neutral I'd say he's doing well.

I think perhaps saints at the moment are under using him but he's already looking one of the best signings this season.

B91212 wrote:Missed this and posted on the Saints thread about King's departure and as a Saints fan agree that how the club announced it was disrespectful.

Do you think he needed to go? It'll be interesting to see any effect this has, was he liked by the players?

yappysnap wrote:

B91212 wrote:Missed this and posted on the Saints thread about King's departure and as a Saints fan agree that how the club announced it was disrespectful.

 

Do you think he needed to go? It'll be interesting to see any effect this has, was he liked by the players?

Word on Saints website is that he felt he took them as far as he could although many felt that his input in selection and tactics was limited by other, more established coaches at the club. All unconfirmed of course but my feeling is that he has been treated as a bit of a scapegoat and I'm sorry to see him leave. His dismissal is identical to that of the previous attack coach Paul Grayson, which is how King landed the job in the first place. Will be interesting to see if JM already has someone lined up.

whocares wrote:Out of interest how has Picamoles adapted to the AP and Northampton ?

As a Saints fan I would say he has been as good as hoped when the signing was first announced, and one of the few positives at Saints so far this season. Suits the (one dimensional) power game tactics that Saints employ well. I've been 'lucky' enough (would rather a couple hadn't to be honest ) to watch all Saints games so far in full this season as they have all been shown over here, this weekend is the first time their game is not being showed this season.

Concern for me is over reliance on him and over work. Until last week when he was on the bench (and played about 30 mins) he had been on the pitch for most of the 5 opening games and got through a lot of work. Then again, coming from the even higher attrition French league then it's probably been a bit of light relief in comparison .

Glad to hear it's working out ok for him. He did put a lot of efforts in this move, even sending his kids to a bilingual school a year ahead. Should make him a better player too. Just keep him fresh for the 6N please.

He seems a talent Whocares, did he fall out with toulouse? Or just fancy a change?

whocares wrote:Glad to hear it's working out ok for him. He did put a lot of efforts in this move, even sending his kids to a bilingual school a year ahead. Should make him a better player too. Just keep him fresh for the 6N please.

I seem to remember the BT guys commenting that he had an agreement in place that would release him from club duty the weekend before international games. Not 100% certain about it, but seems a reasonable setup if true, same as North being released for Wales training. Nothing Prem Rugby can do about it, only causes an issue when international games are arranged outside specified international weekends.

Have France finally sorted out releasing their national players the week before for training? If yes then that would explain it. Won't matter anyway, we will have worked him into the ground by then unless a more expansive game plan is adopted.

yappysnap wrote:He seems a talent Whocares, did he fall out with toulouse? Or just fancy a change?

Come on Yappy, that's an easy one. Given the choice who wouldn't choose the various delights of Northampton(shire) over Tolouse in the south of France?

Obviously I'd go with Northampton, if has a lot of... character?

yappysnap wrote:He seems a talent Whocares, did he fall out with toulouse? Or just fancy a change?

Not at all. apparently he has been looking to move to a foreign country for a few years. At some point Australia was mentionned but Northampton makes more sense in a way. His mum and dad actually lived in England for a while and he has a grandad over there as well apparently.

Fair enough, I guess us English just find it bizarre that someone would choose to leave a place like Toulouse!