The Premiership Final - It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win.

First topic message reminder :

"It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDIDawmeeI0

COYS

Northampton Saints v Bath Rugby 
Where: Twickenham Stadium
When:  Saturday 8th June 2024; 15:00 BST, 10:00 EDT
How do I watch: TNT 1/TNT Ultimate/Discovery +/ITV1/Fox Sports 2 (USA)
Referee: Christophe Ridley
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce & Anthony Woodthorpe
TMO: Tom Foley

Northampton Saints		Bath Rugby
George Furbank	15	Matt Gallagher
Tommy Freeman	14	Joe Cokanasiga
Burger Odendaal	13	Ollie Lawrence
Fraser Dingwall	12	Cameron Redpath
Ollie Sleightholme	11	Will Muir
Fin Smith	10	Finn Russell
Alex Mitchell	9	Ben Spencer
Alex Waller	1	Beno Obano
Curtis Langdon	2	Tom Dunn
Trevor Davison	3	Thomas du Toit
Alex Moon	4	Quinn Roux
Alex Coles	5	Charlie Ewels
Sir Courtney Lawes (c)	6	Ted Hill
Tom Pearson	7	Sam Underhill
Juarno Augustus	8	Alfie Barbeary
Replacements:
Sam Matavesi	16	Niall Annett
Emmanuel Iyogun	17	Juan Schoeman
Elliot Millar Mills	18	Will Stuart
Temo Mayanavanua	19	Elliott Stooke
Sam Graham	20	Josh Bayliss
Lewis Ludlam	21	Louis Schreuder
Tom James	22	Orlando Bailey
George Hendy	23	Miles Reid

That was some game. Both were fantastic. Bath especially playing 60mins with 14

Well played both teams. Fabulous effort from Bath down to 14.

Spencer, Underhill and Du Toit were magnificent.

Is Hendy a potential for an England call up later this year? Big, fast and elusive. Bit raw, but that was an impressive way to make up for his error

Great game. Northampton seemed to lose their direction at 15-3. Bath nearly pinched it. Underhill was a titan. Great break from Hendy to clinch it.

Thought Bath should have had another penalty right at the end because the tackle was complete, then the ball was ripped.

Obano will be harbouring a feeling of guilt for quite a few months.

Seems a bit daft to give Hendy MOTM, he essentially gave a try away and was a replacement (seems a good lad though). It should really have gone to Underhill, but it never goes to a player on the losing side.

Cumbrian wrote:Seems a bit daft to give Hendy MOTM, he essentially gave a try away and was a replacement (seems a good lad though).  It should really have gone to Underhill, but it never goes to a player on the losing  side.

Agreed. Hendy did one good thing. Freeman was the best of the Saints bunch.

Spencer surely HAS to tour

Mr Bounce wrote:Spencer surely HAS to tour

He really should have been involved more over the last four or five years.

Cumbrian wrote:

Mr Bounce wrote:Spencer surely HAS to tour

He really should have been involved more over the last four or five years.

When he comes onto the international stage he doesn't really do much though.

Mitchell and JvP will tour. The third spot is open.

Underhill should have Been MOTM by a country mile

Mr Bounce wrote:Well played both teams. Fabulous effort from Bath down to 14.

Spencer, Underhill and Du Toit were magnificent.

Is Hendy a potential for an England call up later this year? Big, fast and elusive. Bit raw, but that was an impressive way to make up for his error

Bit early I think especially with Freeman and Sleightholme ahead...Freeman is a class act.

I could see Freeman and Feyi Waboso on the wings....that's a dangerous combo with strong defensive skills and high ball ability.
You can then change in Steaard and Furbank horses for Courses...unless Freeman becomes the main 15...he is a VERY good player.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrI-UBIB8Jk

more to follow

Class tune

Ok, this was orgasmic. Almost Rugbycoitus interruptus when Bath had the ball late on, but here we are. So happy for Ludlum, Waller, and Moon. And Lawes, of course. But really happy for the town of Northampton.

This seemed more similar to Saints games from the start of the season than at the middle or end. But championship teams will always have a Plan B when needed and Bath did a great job most of the game reigning in Saints attack.

I think Spencer nullified Mitchell impressively Doc for the most part...and some of the hits Underhill put in...and Hill..kept you at bay.

BUT you kept going and over the season are worthy winners....strong team.

How will you replace Lawes?irreplaceable I think....but you have Iyogun and Haffar to replace Waller and you should be able to replace Ludlam. He was only on the bench gor the biggest game. Maybe Sam Graham you already have thw replacement

Geordie wrote:I think Spencer nullified Mitchell impressively Doc for the most part...and some of the hits Underhill put in...and Hill..kept you at bay.

BUT you kept going and over the season are worthy winners....strong team.

How will you replace Lawes?irreplaceable I think....but you have Iyogun and Haffar to replace Waller and you should be able to replace Ludlam. He was only on the bench gor the biggest game.  Maybe Sam Graham you already have thw replacement

I agree, mate, thought Underhill was enormous.  Hill was very good as well.  He kept popping up on the wing which made me nervous.  Fortunately, the ball did not make it out there very much.  I agree Spencer was quite good, probably one the his best matches I have seen.  

Lawes can't be replaced and Ludlum is very hard to replace, which are the most critical player losses.  Losing one or the other could possibly be managed, but both is a challenge.  Ludlum has been coming back from injury and his playing time has been managed.

I think Hill on the wing is a clear tactic of Cokasaniga has gone crashing through the middle. He is probably quicker than Cokasaniga.

I didn't realise Ludlum is coming back from injury...But is he a starter in that team if fit? Pearson probably the next elect and as mentioned Graham is the physical all back row player.
Next season many teams are losing some key players so will be fascinating...

But for the moment..well done Saints turned from an attacking team to an all round brutal side and deservedly won thw title.

I wonder how many Saints actually know what town they're in this morning? I reckon that was some after party...

Could we see Coles make the switch to 6 more often as a Lawes replacement. He's mobile and runs good lines but might have the work on other areas like his breakdown. Saints are losing Moon at lock though and he's an understated loss, big man that has helped the tight exchanges where Saints have generally been weaker. Lockett will be promoted from th academy but another lock should be in the offing.

Saints are bringing in Aussie Josh Kemeny the 6ft4 Rebels backrow, presumably as a Ludlam replacement though he's more a specialist blindside than full backrow cover. As Geordie says Graham can offer that though.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Could we see Coles make the switch to 6 more often as a Lawes replacement. He's mobile and runs good lines but might have the work on other areas like his breakdown. Saints are losing Moon at lock though and he's an understated loss, big man that has helped the tight exchanges where Saints have generally been weaker. Lockett will be promoted from th academy but another lock should be in the offing.

Saints are bringing in Aussie Josh Kemeny the 6ft4 Rebels backrow, presumably as a Ludlam replacement though he's more a specialist blindside than full backrow cover. As Geordie says Graham can offer that though.

Good points, Sam.  I think Coles is going to have to play the hybrid 6 position.  He hasn't had too much experience in games on the flank, but has finished some games there.  On the plus side for the last two years he won the club's overall fitness competition and has a motor which doesn't stop.  Lockett will be upgraded to the full squad and hasn't looked out of place at Premiership level in the chances he has had, but has some progress to make.  

Sam, thanks for reminding me - I keep forgetting about Kemeny.  For the last few weeks I wanted to watch a Rebels match to see how he gets on, and I keep forgetting.  Maybe this evening I can grab a pint and stream in a replay.  I know I have seen him in games some time ago but that was before he was linked to Saints and I didn't pay too much attention.