London Irish Vs Saracens - Friday 7.45pm

[Oakboy]

Just how good is OHC? He steps, he goes round defenders, he breaks tackles, he offloads naturally and he has raw pace. Yes, international rugby is a step up but he is beating international defenders in the prem. He looks the right combination of physicality and skill to me but will he get a chance? The DT, this morning, says that Borthwick was looking to sign him for Leicester. That might mean he's up the list for wing contenders.

[Puja]

Carley was very good. Got the red cards exactly right. Are refs starting to stamp on players chat and excessive appealing? Hope so, its about time.

I will admit, I'm a little disappointed that Irish scored the clinching try - if they'd just held on to win by 2, then that means Saracens' perfect record would've been lost solely because of the penalty conceded for them screaming in someone's face just before half-time, which would've been delicious.

Puja

[Puja]

Just how good is OHC? He steps, he goes round defenders, he breaks tackles, he offloads naturally and he has raw pace. Yes, international rugby is a step up but he is beating international defenders in the prem. He looks the right combination of physicality and skill to me but will he get a chance? The DT, this morning, says that Borthwick was looking to sign him for Leicester. That might mean he's up the list for wing contenders.

He certainly did everything he could to impress while the Bigwick was watching. I do still have some concerns about his kicking, but I thought his decision-making and choices of when to pass were great and those were things I was worried about when watching him in the past.

On an unrelated note, did anyone else have to look up Rory Jennings to make sure it was the same player? Thought he was fantastic coming on at centre - not for international level, but far better than I remember him being. Looks like he's grown the beard in a Riker sense.

Puj

[Oakboy]

Carley was very good. Got the red cards exactly right. Are refs starting to stamp on players chat and excessive appealing? Hope so, its about time.

I like the 10 metre march-back as the initial sanction but not the second dose. If players keep mouthing after one penalised offence it should be a yellow card for the second offence - one for each player who is talking to the ref at that stage.

[Puja]

Carley was very good. Got the red cards exactly right. Are refs starting to stamp on players chat and excessive appealing? Hope so, its about time.

I like the 10 metre march-back as the initial sanction but not the second dose. If players keep mouthing after one penalised offence it should be a yellow card for the second offence - one for each player who is talking to the ref at that stage.

I have to disagree - a yellow card escalates the conflict between the player and the referee and turns it into a confrontation. It's likely to incite more complaining to the ref, rather than less. And if they keep arguing, where do you go from there? Red?

I love the multiple marchbacks, because it's not engaging in debate, it's not escalating the situation, it's not making a confrontation, it doesn't require the referee to explain themselves - it's just repetitive humiliation and emphasis of control until the talking stops. Plus, there is nothing that will quieten a chopsing player down faster than his teammates shouting, "Owen, SHUT THE FUCK UP!" as they frantically backpedal another 10m back.

Puja

[Timbo]

Cunningham-South looks very promising too. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him come on for Irish and not impress. Usually destroying someone in the tackle, but also proving to be a big ball carrier. Got another year in the under 20’s I believe.

[twitchy]

[Puja]

Shit news about McFarland in that article - poor sod's out for the rest of the season with a ruptured ACL in a training accident. Hope he can get it repaired well and come back stronger.

Puja

[Peej]

Terrible news from McFarland, who has been incredible this season.

On the other hand, fuck you, Sarries. Got what their constant shithousery deserves. That's an 80 minute distillation of nearly every reason why people dont like them, bar one - their ability to find a way to win

[Mellsblue]

their ability to find a way to win

Ultimately, this is what it boils down to. Nobody would would particularly care what they did if they weren’t perennial winners.

[Margin_Walker]

Fun game (apart from the injury to Wolstencroft).

Kind of game we needed after all the close losses this season. Some real resilience shown in at times defensively. Really good team performance with pretty much everyone showing up and contributing.

I've been banging on about Pearson since the first time I saw him play last autumn against Exeter. We had a few injuries and he started in a shock away win at Exeter. Went straight from BUCs rugby to being the best player on the pitch that day getting MOM. He's just got the kind of all court game (inc the mentality and intelligence) that not many have. Would be great to see him get a shot for England at some point.

[Skalyba]

England's back row options looking special right now. Any other period I've watched and Pearson walks in as a back up just to see what he can do, but right now does he leapfrog Willis and Earls, does Curry get dropped? Do we start 2 of the 4 and drop Lawes. What about Ted Hill and Underhill, they have to be there somewhere, an then you have Willis, Mercer, Dombrant, Billy at 8...I'm sure I forgot someone as well

[Raggs]

Barbeary.

[Puja]

Barbeary.

That was 2 messiahs ago; he's nobody now! It's all about Chandler Cunningam-South nowadays.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Barbeary.

If he goes back to playing hooker (where he should have stayed) he may be in with a shout, but it's probably too late now to make a short term impact.