Prem Final Tigers Vs Sarries

[Puja]

One thing which I noticed - I wish the interviewers would stop asking Ben Youngs about Tiff in the context of rugby. He's clearly actively grieving and, yes, it probably does have an effect on motivation for a game of rugby for a team, but she was also a sister and an aunt to his children and a friend and you can literally see him wince every time an interviewer decides to remind him about her death to ask whether it made his rugby team super motivated today.

Puja

[francoisfou]

Earl’s histrionics when his side win a scrum penalty, or any other incidents are so over the top. Maybe that’s how he expresses himself when he’s pumped up, but do we see the samehistrionics from Vincent Koch or Mako Vunipola, who were responsible for the decision, who continue quietly to get on with their job?

[Banquo]

If a neutral observer with no knowledge of the players watched that game, might he suggest (purely on this game) that Leicester lost a FH to injury and replaced him with a better one?

In what way? TBH, Burns had almost nothing to do. He ran or passed the ball 9 times- I reckon he probably had 5 or so backfield kicks and had no tackles to make. He missed a couple of kicks....and nailed a drop goal. I don't know where this is coming from TBH. Ford is a world class 10, and Burns is a decent prem 10 who has prob underachieved- despite him being very talented. Ironic debate, as I know I thought that Burns was the better talent when they swapped clubs

I did say 'purely on this game'. I simply thought Leicester looked marginally more comfortable after the change - within the context of 'they are doomed' as portrayed by the commentary team when Ford went off. Not for a second am I querying your definition of the two players. Maybe, it is more that Ford did little but kick badly before he went off and Burns had little to improve on.

er...Ford kicked really well. Its not what I'd want him to be focused on, but his high spirals are skilled and ended up causing issues. Even your definition of 'on this game' doesn't really make sense, unless you are judging on the before and after scores of when Ford went off, which is the narrowest definition of 10 performance I can think of.

[Banquo]

One thing which I noticed - I wish the interviewers would stop asking Ben Youngs about Tiff in the context of rugby. He's clearly actively grieving and, yes, it probably does have an effect on motivation for a game of rugby for a team, but she was also a sister and an aunt to his children and a friend and you can literally see him wince every time an interviewer decides to remind him about her death to ask whether it made his rugby team super motivated today.

Puja

Indeed. TBH, I think he's done pretty well to turn up the last two weeks. Its an insensitive line of questioning and show zero judgement...but why woule we be surprised I suppose.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Fun facts:

MOST PREMIERSHIP FINALS WON

1 - Leicester Tigers (11)
2 - Richard Wigglesworth (7)
3 - Bath (6)
4 - Saracens (5)
5 - Wasps (5)

[FKAS]

One thing which I noticed - I wish the interviewers would stop asking Ben Youngs about Tiff in the context of rugby. He's clearly actively grieving and, yes, it probably does have an effect on motivation for a game of rugby for a team, but she was also a sister and an aunt to his children and a friend and you can literally see him wince every time an interviewer decides to remind him about her death to ask whether it made his rugby team super motivated today.

Puja

Indeed. TBH, I think he's done pretty well to turn up the last two weeks. Its an insensitive line of questioning and show zero judgement...but why woule we be surprised I suppose.

He has done well. It's frustrating because it's not only an insensitive question but it's an unoriginal one as well. I mean what do they think he's going to say? Do they want him to break down on national TV?

[FKAS]

On a lighter note it looks like Freddie Burns has been having a great time.

[Mellsblue]

On a lighter note it looks like Freddie Burns has been having a great time.

So good it’s worth posting twice.

[Puja]

I love hearing him sing and realising that this isn't a posed and thought through video - he actually is *that* drunk and that actually is a post-sesh McDonalds.

Puja

[FKAS]

I love hearing him sing and realising that this isn't a posed and thought through video - he actually is *that* drunk and that actually is a post-sesh McDonalds.

Puja

There's some good pictures of him arriving back at Leicester station with the trophy and then walking through Market Harborough with it. No one else appears to be with him. just him carrying the trophy home and stopping for pictures with any fans on the way.

[Puja]

I love hearing him sing and realising that this isn't a posed and thought through video - he actually is *that* drunk and that actually is a post-sesh McDonalds.

Puja

There's some good pictures of him arriving back at Leicester station with the trophy and then walking through Market Harborough with it. No one else appears to be with him. just him carrying the trophy home and stopping for pictures with any fans on the way.

I wonder if it was planned that he'd take the trophy or if he just got so drunk that his homing instinct kicked in and the trophy just ended up coming with him. I once knew someone who got so drunk on rugby tour, that he woke up in his own bed, 140 miles away. In his drunken state, he'd obviously just decided "time for bed" and somehow managed to get there. I understand he got a bit fined when he rejoined the rest of the tour the next day.

Puja

[Peej]

Earl’s histrionics when his side win a scrum penalty, or any other incidents are so over the top. Maybe that’s how he expresses himself when he’s pumped up, but do we see the samehistrionics from Vincent Koch or Mako Vunipola, who were responsible for the decision, who continue quietly to get on with their job?

It was pretty much all Earl did on Saturday. For all the talk about him being in form he once again faded completely when the pressure was on.

[Banquo]

Earl’s histrionics when his side win a scrum penalty, or any other incidents are so over the top. Maybe that’s how he expresses himself when he’s pumped up, but do we see the samehistrionics from Vincent Koch or Mako Vunipola, who were responsible for the decision, who continue quietly to get on with their job?

It was pretty much all Earl did on Saturday. For all the talk about him being in form he once again faded completely when the pressure was on.

Other than 16 tackles you mean But he wasn't doing a whole lot of carrying I agree, or turning over a la Reffell.

[Peej]

'Back row forward makes tackles' isn't exactly a point of difference

[Banquo]

'Back row forward makes tackles' isn't exactly a point of difference

I didn't say it was, but you said he didn't do anything but make a fuss. He made more tackles than anyone else, its not nothing, and if anything the critique of Earls has been his lack of grunt work. I also made the point that he didn't do his usual point of difference.

[FKAS]

I wonder if we looked back on it whether we'd see Tigers ball carriers targeted Earl, knowing if he made the tackle he wouldn't be available to contest the breakdown. Particularly targeting him in phased immediately before looking to move the ball.

Earl is also good at linking with Sarries wider attacks and turning half breaks into something more. Those didn't really happen at the weekend though so that element of his game wasn't to the fore.

[Puja]

[FKAS]

This is really a time for the art of delegation.

I watched the final moments back last night, what struck me was that some of the biggest celebrations came from the guys that weren't playing. Kini sprints onto the pitch before anyone else and is down there jumping on Burns smile from ear to ear before some of the backs on the pitch. Nadolo and Burns have a little cry on each others shoulders. There's often a lot of talk about squad mentality but Borthwick seems to have achieved it. Hopefully that bodes well for next season.

[fivepointer]

Ford has a ruptured achilles. He'll be out for months.

[Banquo]

Ford has a ruptured achilles. He'll be out for months.

I said to my missus that's what he'd done- had a similar one in the same way in my mid 20's, though not a 'rupture'. Him trying to walk on it won't have helped.

[FKAS]

Ford has a ruptured achilles. He'll be out for months.

He had achillies issues last season and then an op last summer. He had what was presumed to be an ankle problem a couple of months back. I wonder if that was a further achillies issues and something went under pressure in the final. He was fantastic after a full summer rehab last season but this sounds worse.

[Mellsblue]

Ruptured Achilles is bad news. Might hold off on the season ticket at Sale.

[Puja]

Ford has a ruptured achilles. He'll be out for months.

Shit, poor sod. You wonder if that's a weakness brought on from all those months playing through his previous injury. I wish him the absolute best of luck recovering.

Puja

[FKAS]

For those interested Burns is still out celebrating. Youngs and Montoya pictured on today's session with Croft acting as taxi. He's waited so long for the medal he's going to enjoy it, whilst he stays in Leicestershire probably isn't buying many drinks.

[Oakboy]

Ford has a ruptured achilles. He'll be out for months.

I said to my missus that's what he'd done- had a similar one in the same way in my mid 20's, though not a 'rupture'. Him trying to walk on it won't have helped.

I have been present (at squash matches) when two people have snapped achilles tendons. Neither could possibly have walked a single step. Both believed they had been struck from behind, such was the impactful nature of the injury occurring.

Ford's 'rupture' is presumably a partial tear, certainly a nasty injury.

Is rugby unique in allowing seriously injured players to hobble off? The practice ought to be reviewed before somebody gets sued for contributory negligence.