Newcastle v Saracens

First topic message reminder :

A critical game for bot sides as Falcons seek to maintain the pressure at the bottom of the table, and Sarries seek to gain the home semi final that for much of the season has looked all but guaranteed.

Falcons have been in good form, but Sarries reacted well to the two defeats to Quins and Clermont with a win last weekend. Normally a Friday night trip up north is one to induce slight worries, but Sarries hammered Sale a month or so ago after a Friday trip to the NW.



Sarries team announced, two changes with Farrell and Short replacing Hodgson and Michael Tagi:

Saracens team vs Newcastle Falcons

15 Alex Goode
14 David Strettle
13 Chris Wyles
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock
1 Rhys Gill
2 Schalk Brits
3 Matt Stevens
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 George Kruis
6 Jackson Wray
7 Will Fraser
8 Ernst Joubert

16 Jamie George
17 Mako Vunipola
18 Carlos Nieto
19 Mouritz Botha
20 Justin Melck
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Charlie Hodgson
23 Michael Tagicakibau

Falcons meanwhile are unchanged following victory at Gloucester. Golding, Vickers and Murray will be looking to put what has been a fragile Sarries front row recently under pressure.

Newcastle: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Corne Uys, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Peter Stringer, 1 Jonny Golding, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 Euan Murray, 4 James Hudson, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 8 Adam Balding

Replacements: 16 Matt Thompson, 17 Grant Shiells, 18 James Hall, 19 James Goode, 20 Taiasina Tu’ifua, 21 Mark Wilson, 22 Chris Pilgrim, 23 Tom Catterick

I think to imply that just because a team is below Saracens means that they are more boring them is about as far fetched as saying Saracens are the most boring team. Lets face it, Saracens are not 3rd in the league due to playing expansive, exciting rugby, though ironically the 2 games against Tigers have probably been the most expansive they have played and they looked very threatening which shows they can play it.

Killer, I am not implying anything I am asking the obvious question.

The teams below Saracens has been less succesfull, hence I need the expert opinion of the man to provide me insight into the Aviva.

I am sorry, it is just the way the conversation was going about them being boring and then you asking for the expert opinion, it just seemed like you were a bit. I for one think there are a few sides below who play "more exciting" rugby but then I know that Saracens wouldn't give up their style if it meant no success, there is a reason they play the way they do and it is effective........in the Premiership. I do however think that to take on the Leinsters of this world they will have to find an extra gear somewhere because teams like that will work them out and I don't see them having a good plan B at the moment.

From my point of view saracens play a similar style to the Boks, control territory, strangle the opposition and "earn the right to go wide"

The problem with that theory is your defensive system must be well organised otherwise you might find yourself chasing 30+ points in a match.

Look at the stormers currently, only once this season they scored more than 27 points.

So their formla is to defend and control, score a few tries and keep the pressure on the opposition, then when penalties come take the points.

Nothing wrong with that as long as you keep the opposition scoring less than what your game plan will provide you.

As long as there is an alternative method to chase big scores you may find you'll lose matches where your defensive system fails, as happened in their QF of the HC.

But boring it is not, I suspect if you find well trained teams stick to their defensive systems, execute their set pahses well, and play a measured game, it doesn't appeal to those with short attention spans.

Of the English teams I've seen play live this season Bath was the most boring (note, I haven't seen Gloucester, Sale or Northampton this season).

Bath have just been terrible!

I refuse to ever watch another Bath v Glasgow match.

Well, i'll be happily watching Barf get stuffed at Welford Rd..