Saints V Falcons Fri 7.45

[fivepointer]

Northampton: Mallinder; Estelles, Horne, Stephenson, Foden; Grayson, Reinach; Waller, Hartley (capt), Ford-Robinson, Paterson, Lawes, Wood, Gibson, Harrison.

Replacements: Haywood, Van Wyk, Hill, Ratuniyarawa, Eadie, Groom, Francis, Tuala.

Newcastle: Hammersley; Goneva, Harris, Matavesi, Sinoti; Flood, Takulua; Vickers, Cooper, Welsh, Green, Robinson, Welch (capt), Graham, M. Wilson.

Replacements: Lawson, Mavinga, S. Wilson, Witty, Latu, Stuart, Hodgson, Tait.

[Adam_P]

Very happy with 12 and 13 for Saints, if the forwards pull their finger out I think that could be a lovely combination. Glad to see Estelles retained too, thought he did well with little decent ball last week. Falcons have 2 very dangerous wingers though so him and Foden are going to need to be very alert in defence.

Again I'm not happy with Gibson and Wood playing together, but I say that every week lately.

[fivepointer]

Its good to see Stephenson actually playing. Lets hope he gets a really good run in the side.

[bitts]

Has anyone seen much of Grayson? I'm basically imagining his dad as a player

[Banquo]

Has anyone seen much of Grayson? I'm basically imagining his dad as a player

Not since the Generation Game

(I'll explain to diggers, don't worry)

[Digby]

too late to shut that door

[Banquo]

too late to shut that door

[twitchy]

Quality try.

[Which Tyler]

For Matevesi's try Mallonder really showed why I don't trust him at FB - avoided getting involved in the tackle, then gave SS a hug to stop the cameras from seeing the ball.
Had he got involved, I feel they could have prevented the try.

[Adam_P]

I have no idea how the TMO couldn't see that Hartley's try was grounded, it was clear as day. Awful call.

[Adam_P]

Falcons are turning saints over almost at will at the breakdown

[twitchy]

ugo

[fivepointer]

I have no idea how the TMO couldn't see that Hartley's try was grounded, it was clear as day. Awful call.

looked a try to me. Very surprised the TMO ruled it out.

Falcons had that bit of luck but did well to come back at the end. Neither side at their best, with far too many errors. Lots of graft but a little low on quality.

Flood isnt looking quite the signing i thought he would be.

[twitchy]

Newcastle looked far more dangerous with out him.

[bitts]

For Matevesi's try Mallonder really showed why I don't trust him at FB - avoided getting involved in the tackle, then gave SS a hug to stop the cameras from seeing the ball.
Had he got involved, I feel they could have prevented the try.

His first instinct does appear to be to avoid the big guy running at him. Not sure how that is coached out of him

[Scrumhead]

Newcastle looked far more dangerous with out him.

As much as I’m pleased that Flood is back in the Premiership, I thought Hodgson was good last season.

I’m not sure which of these factors has been more influential - losing Takulua for the test window or dropping Hodgson for Flood. It’s probably both, but IMO they looked better with Hodgson at 10 earlier in the season than they have with Flood over the past few weeks.

[Puja]

For Matevesi's try Mallonder really showed why I don't trust him at FB - avoided getting involved in the tackle, then gave SS a hug to stop the cameras from seeing the ball.
Had he got involved, I feel they could have prevented the try.

His first instinct does appear to be to avoid the big guy running at him. Not sure how that is coached out of him

Not having his dad coaching would be the first step, I think. It doesn't even look like it's been addressed as a problem. He needs extra training of half an hour per day with CGS, Brookes, Ribbans, et al just running at him 1-on-1 down a 15m channel, with a coach working with him every time to get his tackling technique spot on, so that his first instinct is to put in a solid, low tackle, rather than a brief upright hug and fall away.

Puja

[fivepointer]

I'm not sure its a technique issue.

I think its down to a lack of bottle. He just doesnt fancy it.

[Mellsblue]

Charlie Hodgson has the same sort of issues at Sale, if probably not as bad, but managed to pretty much sort it at Sarries. It’s not insurmountable.

[bitts]

Charlie Hodgson has the same sort of issues at Sale, if probably not as bad, but managed to pretty much sort it at Sarries. It’s not insurmountable.

Charlie Hodgson was a relatively slight guy who became adaquate at Sarries. Mallinder is pretty big, which makes it a bit more embarrassing. To be fair, I haven't seen him actively jump out of the way like he did when Roko ran at him at Bath last year.

[Which Tyler]

I'm not sure its a technique issue.

I think its down to a lack of bottle. He just doesnt fancy it.

This, he just runs away or leaves it 100% to someone else, only getting involved once the ball carrier is already on the ground

[Banquo]

I'm not sure its a technique issue.

I think its down to a lack of bottle. He just doesnt fancy it.

fairly obviously.....though I do hear he has been carrying a bad shoulder for a while

[Puja]

Charlie Hodgson has the same sort of issues at Sale, if probably not as bad, but managed to pretty much sort it at Sarries. It’s not insurmountable.

IIRC, Hodgson's issue was about him not being very big or good at tackling, so he got turnstiled and run over a lot. Mallinder just plain backs out of them without ever getting the chance to be run over or run through.

Puja

[twitchy]

It is frustrating with mallinder junior but I think we should stick with him. It's like he has done the hard bit of becoming a good player. He actually looks like a full back now I have seen him properly in that position for a number of games.

[Mikey Brown]

He's very, very talented. I just don't see how that instinct to avoid even being in position to tackle can be coached out of him. I'd love it if he could learn though, he's got most of the attributes you'd want for a 12/15 that can both support the playmaker and be a threat themselves.