Sale v Sarries March 5th

[francoisfou]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP3964869

I wonder why George Ford isn't included for this afternoon's match?
Being saved for Twickenham to face the French?

[FKAS]

Lineups
Sale
15Carpenter
14Roebuck
13S James
12Mills
11O'Flaherty
10du Preez
9Warr
1Rodd
2Ashman
3Oosthuizen
4Wiese
5Hill
6Ross
7Dugdale
8du Preez
Substitutes
16Taylor
17McIntyre
18Schonert
19Groves
20Beaumont
21Quirke
22L James
23Reed
Saracens
15Goode
14Maitland
13Lozowski
12Tompkins
11Lewington
10Vunipola
9Davies
1Mawi
2Dan
3Clarey
4Isiekwe
5Tizard
6Ellis
7Christie
8B Vunipola
Substitutes
16Pifeleti
17Hislop
18Bello
19Boon
20Knight
21van Zyl
22Hartley
23Segun

[FKAS]

I wonder why George Ford isn't included for this afternoon's match?
Being saved for Twickenham to face the French?

Don't risk injuring two flyhalfs in the same weekend I suppose. Marcus Smith was already playing for Quins, if he's picked up a knock and then you'd got Ford playing for Sale you're only one high shot and a HIA away from being reliant on Fin Smith as the back up flyhalf.

[p/d]

Lineups
Sale
15Carpenter
14Roebuck
13S James
12Mills
11O'Flaherty
10du Preez
9Warr
1Rodd
2Ashman
3Oosthuizen
4Wiese
5Hill
6Ross
7Dugdale
8du Preez
Substitutes
16Taylor
17McIntyre
18Schonert
19Groves
20Beaumont
21Quirke
22L James
23Reed
Saracens
15Goode
14Maitland
13Lozowski
12Tompkins
11Lewington
10Vunipola
9Davies
1Mawi
2Dan
3Clarey
4Isiekwe
5Tizard
6Ellis
7Christie
8B Vunipola
Substitutes
16Pifeleti
17Hislop
18Bello
19Boon
20Knight
21van Zyl
22Hartley
23Segun

Looks like a Mike Brown post

[stepsider]

Theo Dan looks a real talent

[Puja]

I wonder why George Ford isn't included for this afternoon's match?
Being saved for Twickenham to face the French?

Don't risk injuring two flyhalfs in the same weekend I suppose. Marcus Smith was already playing for Quins, if he's picked up a knock and then you'd got Ford playing for Sale you're only one high shot and a HIA away from being reliant on Fin Smith as the back up flyhalf.

Greenwood actually made sense in an article the other day - Smith has been in camp since the start of the 6N, so he knows all the plays and would benefit more from game time, whereas Ford has no camp time under the new regime and is experienced enough not to be too rusty with limited game time, and so would benefit more from being in camp and learning all the moves, etc.

Puja

[p/d]

Theo Dan looks a real talent

Doesn’t he just

[stepsider]

Theo Dan looks a real talent

Doesn’t he just

So does Carpenter - really quick too

[16th man]

God knows what Quirke thought he was doing with that clearance kick.

[16th man]

That looked head to head from an upright tackler,

[stepsider]

looks red

[16th man]

Bloody hell. An actual timewasting free kick.

[p/d]

God knows what Quirke thought he was doing with that clearance kick.

God knows what he has growing on his upper lip and back of his head

[stepsider]

God knows what Quirke thought he was doing with that clearance kick.

God knows what he has growing on his upper lip and back of his head

Maybe a transfer from back to front might be in order.

[TheNomad]

Carpenter’s a talent. Sadly in a pisition of strength for England.

Worth a closer look though I think. Reckon he could play wing or 13 in time too, if Sale fancied it. Good player

[fivepointer]

Good result for Sale who recovered well after a poor start.

Carpenter is a good 'un. Dan looks a very bright prospect in a position where we dont have a lot of strength.

[Banquo]

Theo Dan looks a real talent

Doesn’t he just

what was his discipline like this week? looked great in parts last time out, but let himself down with some rash stuff....he is exciting tho.

[p/d]

Theo Dan looks a real talent

Doesn’t he just

what was his discipline like this week? looked great in parts last time out, but let himself down with some rash stuff....he is exciting tho.

Not bad. Little feisty at one point, but in general on the money.
Great carrying and classy at the breakdown.

[Spartan Shark]

Carpenter’s a talent. Sadly in a position of strength for England.

Worth a closer look though I think. Reckon he could play wing or 13 in time too, if Sale fancied it. Good player

He has really stepped up since he got the opportunity after Luke James got injured earlier in the season. 15 was a position where Sale have struggled since Mike Haley left but now seem to have found a star in the making.

Worth noting that Sale fans have previously been moaning about the lack of pace in the back three but this season seem to have it in abundance. Signing of To'F, emergence of Carpenter and ongoing development of Reed and Roebuck have very much helped Sale. Perhaps controversially losing Faf has also helped our backs and we are now playing a more expansive game.

Another prospect we have at 15 is Elliott Gourlay who is enjoying a second season with Caldy and gaining great experience.

[FKAS]

Carpenter’s a talent. Sadly in a position of strength for England.

Worth a closer look though I think. Reckon he could play wing or 13 in time too, if Sale fancied it. Good player

He has really stepped up since he got the opportunity after Luke James got injured earlier in the season. 15 was a position where Sale have struggled since Mike Haley left but now seem to have found a star in the making.

Worth noting that Sale fans have previously been moaning about the lack of pace in the back three but this season seem to have it in abundance. Signing of To'F, emergence of Carpenter and ongoing development of Reed and Roebuck have very much helped Sale. Perhaps controversially losing Faf has also helped our backs and we are now playing a more expansive game.

Another prospect we have at 15 is Elliott Gourlay who is enjoying a second season with Caldy and gaining great experience.

I suspect that might be the George Ford factor, it's been mentioned he's been working with the backs whilst rehabbing. The attack improving significantly and Rob du Preez looking like a new player in peak form since Ford joined in the summer.

I'm hoping he's doing a similar player/coaching bit with England...

[Spartan Shark]

I suspect that might be the George Ford factor, it's been mentioned he's been working with the backs whilst rehabbing. The attack improving significantly and Rob du Preez looking like a new player in peak form since Ford joined in the summer.

I'm hoping he's doing a similar player/coaching bit with England...
[/quote]

I had read/heard the same about George Ford helping the backs whilst rehabbing and Sale are now producing some lovely attaching rugby. Carpenters second try yesterday was excellent in terms of creative back play.

Re RdP: Agree that this season has probably been his best and most consistent since he arrived. Also good to see Gus Warr step up and form a great 9/10 partnership with RdP. They seem to provide more control than we have had for a while and good to see.

[FKAS]

Yeah Warr has been playing out of his skin.

Sale's improvements in attack have been the difference between them challenging for top spot and being embroiled in the battle for top 4. If they could only sort their discipline out they'd probably be out in front.