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IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.anders_limpar wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:23 am There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games
Biggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:41 amIF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.anders_limpar wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:23 am There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games
If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players
Could be, but it leaves them quite exposed at 10, Biggar being injured notwithstanding.anders_limpar wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:23 am There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games
Biggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:46 amBiggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:41 amIF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.anders_limpar wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:23 am There's a decent chance it's just saints taking the opportunity to save some cash given the financial situation and fewer games
If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players
Its more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.FKAS wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 5:57 pmBiggar was their best bet for some greater control but the niggly injuries he seems susceptible to doesn't help the consistency.Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 11:46 amBiggar didn't want to leave at the end of the season, but its not a falling out per se. Be interesting to see what they do next- they need something to bring a bit of consistency.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:41 am
IF they still had 2 marquees, then yes, it can only really be a money saving thing - or possibly a falling out between Biggar and Dowson.
If they had dropped down to 1 marquee ahead of this season, then it would free up some cap space for bringing in Wuss / Wasps players
If they don't use freed up cash to reinforce the front row and midfield then I think the top four is probably beyond them.
Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Oct 28, 2022 10:23 pmIts more concentration and consistency imo. Same players ish got them to the semi last year. As you have pointed to in another thread, application and tactics are their major issue.
Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:27 amYeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.
Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.
Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.
Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 amNot sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:27 amYeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.
Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.
Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.
Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 2:45 pmNot really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 amNot sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.FKAS wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 9:27 am
Yeah but Biggar helped with the consistency and tactics. If Saints were to lose him then it's a big reliance on Fin Smith to fill his boots.
Saints issues this season has been that the front row giving away penalties at scrum time and the midfield making errors and conceding metres in defence. If Fin can somewhat fulfil the Biggar role than Saints letting him go and recruiting for those two areas makes sense.
Saints have also been linked to Blamire, I wonder if they might change tact and go after Oghre now.
Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?
Yes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 4:51 pmWell I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 2:45 pmNot really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.Banquo wrote: ↑Sat Oct 29, 2022 11:15 am
Not sure I agree about their major issues- defence should be a lot better, but their finishing and concentration close to the line has been appalling, as has their handling; I think you are basing your view on the Tigers game, where I agree those were their major issues; in the other games I've seen, much less so, much more about daft mistakes, rather than caving to scrum or midfield pressure. That said, they could do with stiffening the front row and sorting out their midfield- there's a lot of rotation going on there.
Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?
They had one in Naiyaravoro until recently. Not quite Nadolo but going forward he made ground…FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 7:30 pmYes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 4:51 pmWell I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 2:45 pm
Not really. The issue at centre is on both sides of the ball, there's no ball carrier to fix the defence in attack so it's easy to number off or target any of those backs who try to carry hard. Dingwall getting smashed and coughing the ball up for a Bath counter attack that led to a try and the Dingwall intercepted pass last weekend are prime examples.
Scrum issues are more because of the number of injuries, Tigers took advantage to dramatic effect but there have been other teams that have had some joy there. With someone like West available on the cheap why wouldn't you reinforce?
In not blaming Hutchinson or Dingwall it's just that Saints could use a bit more physicality at 12 and Wasps have released a player that fits the bill. If Biggar is off immediately it would be a good use of the freed up salary cap.
Saints will carve up a lot of teams with that attack but in the tough games they could use a little extra edge on both sides of the ball.
There aren't many Nadolo esque players around, Tigers will certainly miss him
Naiyatavoro never punched hs weight and was a turnstile tbh.Beasties wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 7:48 pmThey had one in Naiyaravoro until recently. Not quite Nadolo but going forward he made ground…FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 7:30 pmYes Smith intercepted yesterday and Dingwall last weekend.Banquo wrote: ↑Sun Oct 30, 2022 4:51 pm
Well I agreed to the latter (see stiffening up front), and I'd argue that Saints midfield has been very effective with the ball given the number of tries they score through the backs and how they even carved Tigers up out wide....but I do agree they've been exposed in defence especially physically.(wasn't it Smith who Brizzle intercepted?). I'm probably a bit defensive on Dingwall as I know the family; I do think playing him and Hutchinson together is a bit one note, Hutchinson defence isn't great and neither are big lads- Proctor is more physical and I like him and Fraser D as a pairing- but yesterday they carved Brizzle up between them. I think its fair to say they could do with a big fella somewhere in the back 5 a la Nadolo.
In not blaming Hutchinson or Dingwall it's just that Saints could use a bit more physicality at 12 and Wasps have released a player that fits the bill. If Biggar is off immediately it would be a good use of the freed up salary cap.
Saints will carve up a lot of teams with that attack but in the tough games they could use a little extra edge on both sides of the ball.
There aren't many Nadolo esque players around, Tigers will certainly miss him
Odendaal would fit in anywhere, but I’m amazed at how many quality Wasps players are yet to be employed.
It'd be for next season, I'd imagine. He's 32, probably doesn't have another RWC cycle in him, has already been abruptly dropped by Eddie once and is probably a prime candidate to be "moved on from" after 2023. Sarries will be paying him relatively well, but it'll be the EPS money that's made staying in England worthwhile. If that's going away, he's better off taking the Euro.francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:27 pm Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.
What makes you think it's unpopular?francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:27 pm Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.
Hopefully Tigers have done their salary cap sums properly this timePuja wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:01 pm That is two excellent signings for Leicester - Everard's highly rated as a coach and Atkinson is capable of being a Prem starter straight away, let alone being the promising youngster to learn off (and take over from) Pollard and Burns that we've not had from our academy.
I wonder where Umaga's going. He's too good to not be picking up a contract, but he's the definition of mercurial - some gorgeous pinpoint cut-out passes this season that literally no-one else in the league is capable of seeing and delivering, coupled with enough inaccuracy that he probably can't be a starting 10 yet. Maybe the kind of player that the T14 or ProD2 would be keen on?
Puja
By removing the opportunities for those who wish to experience playing abroad and still be eligible for national selection. However, as Jamie George is 32, as Puja said, then maybe his England chances will be slimmer after the World Cup.Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:49 pmWhat makes you think it's unpopular?francoisfou wrote: ↑Mon Oct 31, 2022 3:27 pm Midi Olympique say that Clermont are preparing to make an offer for Jamie George.
If George knows something we don't about the RFU relaxing their unpopular rule on the eligibility of overseas based players, then it'd be a good move, although he must already be on a good wedge at Sarries.