Saracens vs Northampton - Sat 3pm

[Puja]

Saracens: Goode; Malins, Lozowski, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (c), van Zyk; M Vunipola, George, Riccioni; Itoje, Tizard; Isiekwe, Earl, Wray.

Replacements: Dan, Mawi, Judge, Hunter-Hill, Knight, de Haas, Taylor, Daly.


Saints: Furbank; Ramm, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman; F Smith, Mitchell; A Waller, Cruse, Davison; Ribbans, Moon; Lawes, Ludlam (c), Augustus.

Replacements: R Smith, E Waller, Hill, Salakaia-Loto, Scott-Young, Graham, James, Collins.

[fivepointer]

Love to see a Saints win but suspect Saracens will be too strong.

[FKAS]

Sarries backrow does look a bit understrength doesn't it. Saints clearly feel it's a game to be won up front as they've gone for a 6:2 split.

Cruse starting at hooker is a bit of a surprise.

[Adam_P]

We've gone for the 6:2 split quite a lot recently - making the most of the versatile backs available to keep up the energy levels in the forwards. Not much centre cover though - probably relying on Freeman who has played 13 once in the friendly against Tigers.

Matavesi is turning out for the RN this weekend, and Robbie Smith is just back from injury so I guess that explains Cruse. I'd have probably risked starting Smith but there you go.

[Oakboy]

Is Daly a worse winger than Malins or Maitland? I'd pick him ahead of both.

[FKAS]

Is Daly a worse winger than Malins or Maitland? I'd pick him ahead of both.

Last weekend was his first game since January. Might not be fully match fit yet.

[Puja]

Cruse starting at hooker is a bit of a surprise.

Weird situation - Sam Matavesi is a serving member of the Royal Navy and has been called up for the Army vs Navy game this weekend, making him ineligible for Northampton. Hadn't thought that Army vs Navy would have selection precedence over a Premiership semi-final.

Puja

[FKAS]

Cruse starting at hooker is a bit of a surprise.

Weird situation - Sam Matavesi is a serving member of the Royal Navy and has been called up for the Army vs Navy game this weekend, making him ineligible for Northampton. Hadn't thought that Army vs Navy would have selection precedence over a Premiership semi-final.

Puja

If he's a serving member of the armed forces he might have only been released on certain conditions and one of those being that if called up he represents the armed forces first and foremost.

[stepsider]

Lol nauseatingly oleaginous about Farrell. Time for mute button.

[Mellsblue]

Maitland getting away with murder on numerous occasions when contesting the high ball.

[Mellsblue]

This match is only going one way.

[Puja]

Lol nauseatingly oleaginous about Farrell. Time for mute button.

It's only going to get worse because he's just done something actually quite good. We'll be hearing about it all game

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Class from Farrell, though. A grubber kicker from him that actually deserves the praise it’s receiving.

[Puja]

Dallaglio actually trying to put a positive spin on Farrell passing to nobody in his own 22. Nauseating.

Puja

[stepsider]

This match is only going one way.

Yep, that looks game over

[Puja]

This match is only going one way.

Yeah, you're right. Saints just playing incredibly stupid rugby - feeding players into the tight Saracens defence, being lazy in defence, stupid penalties, and then Waller giving away the dumbest try of the season by picking up a ball he shouldn't've and then dropping it at van Zyl's feet when the ref gave the penalty. Just completely outgunned mentally.

Puja

[astralweeks]

Karl Dickson is very lucky to have so many assistant referees on the field, it means that any infringement will quickly be pointed out for him by Ben Earl or Spaz.

[FKAS]

Farrell has just stuffed up a walk in there. Went for the big wide pass when the shorter one was a certain try.

Saints forwards need to take a hard look at themselves. They've been awful. Can't believe Saints haven't invested in a new defence coach, such an Achilles Heel of theirs.

[Mellsblue]

Not sure Saints’ d is a structural issue that could be solved by a change in coach. For me, they lose the gain line battle too much and get caught in transition a lot more than most due to the way they attack.

[Adam_P]

Karl Dickson being Karl Dickson. Awful decisions at the breakdown, and the early ball Maitland was never going to catch.

Waller needs replacing - that penalty and then gifting of the ball to van Zyl for the try is laughably stupid.

Dunno what Saints are doing. I feel like we've adjusted our game to try and deal with Saracens and aren't playing our own game. Our attack so far has largely consisted of one out runners going into traffic. No dynamism.

[Mellsblue]

All of them ejaculating over a terrible kick now…

[Adam_P]

Commentators and coach waxing lyrical about a shit kick from Farrell that went dead... You couldn't make it up

[Mellsblue]

First mistake from Tompkins all match

[Mellsblue]

This match is only going one way.

Told ya

[Mellsblue]

Class from Furbank *insert aubergine emoji*