Biarritz v Sarries

I'd rather not induce a myocardial infarct in beshocked, but good luck Sarries.

Once again Owens demonstrates that he does not understand the back foot Law at the breakdown.

Owens really like to lecture players...
anyway HT no points scored yet but rather entertaining, saracens showing how good their defense can be at times.

Imanol is a god in this game.

yeah he does add value to biarritz line outs

The precision of all English sides have been exposed shockingly over the past eight months.

Hari is everywhere.

biarritz 20y old scrum half is actually only playing his 2nd game as a pro

Lovely Try!

I wonder who's going to MOTM.

Portnoy wrote:The precision of all English sides have been exposed shockingly over the past eight months.

Hari is everywhere.

he is indeed...clever try

Fantastic score! Sarries dominant, but Biarritz adventure pays off.

the flash has scored

Ngwenya! Shear pace.

Biarritz continue to play high risk and it is paying off! All Sarries pressure looks to be for nought.

naughty august trying to milk a penalty..

That was bit silly...

Sarries rescue their day with a late try to snatch a LBP.

You have to remember that this is the the English champions v the current T14 basement side.

No wonder I'm depressed about the state of English rugby.

Hari homme du match - quel surprise.

Late try and a fortuitous LBP.

Terrible.

great counter-attacking from biarritz, change of halfbacks made a big difference.

very important LBP for saracens (and at last got one prediction right in sportguru) and with the ospreys draw, this pool is still open...

Portnoy wrote:You have to remember that this is the the English champions v the current T14 basement side.

No wonder I'm depressed about the state of English rugby.

Hari homme du match - quel surprise.

Late try and a fortuitous LBP.

Terrible.

Agreed, i think we're only now beginning to see the paucity of quality in our league. We've banged on about the importance of relegation and promotion breeding competitiveness but there are just too many average teams in the Prem now. Our guys aren't prepared enough for the big HC games.

I think we also have a situation where we have the worst situation with personnel. For the SH teams, the best normally stay in the country and play top quality rugby. When they leave, the next crop come through. The next best group, including the best Italians, Georgians etc go to France for the mega bucks. They may push some local talent out, but those that do make it through do so by competing against top quality NFQ players. For the Celtic teams, i think we're finally seeing proof that the general standard of team is higher than our Prem. This means players are getting better experience and mainly stay in the country to have a shot at the national team. Here, we have a load of journeyman third tier NEQ players drafted in to avoid relegation or as a quick fix at the expense of local talent.

Excuse the rambling, i'm frustrated because i think there is talent out there, it just needs the right environment to flourish