Gallagher Premiership - End of Season run-in (Play-Offs)

by **LondonTiger** Thu 21 Mar 2019, 10:39 am

First topic message reminder :

Saracens v Gloucester Rugby (Allianz Park, 1.30pm) Live on BT Sport
Referee: Luke Pearce (91st Premiership game, 1st semi-final).
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson & Paul Dix. TMO: David Grashoff.
Citing Officer: Buster White

Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints (Sandy Park, 4.30pm) Live on BT Sport
Referee: Matthew Carley (87th Premiership game, 3rd semi-final).
Assistant Referees. Tom Foley & Jack Makepeace. TMO: Rowan Kitt.
Citing Officer: Paul Hull.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 27 May 2019, 9:54 am

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:
king_carlos wrote:Doesn't Mostert call the Gloucs lineout?

I agree on Slater being a big loss for Gloucester. He always has been a very good leader. The sort of player who makes those around him play better. Saracens ludicrous strength at lock has a tendency to make their opposite numbers look lacklustre in comparison and that's what happened with Savage on.

Gloucester have recruited so well in the pack. Since 2017 they've added Mostert, Slater, Grobler, Polledri, Ackerman, Kriel, Hanson, Marais, Balmain and Rapava-Ruskin. Pretty outstanding all round recruitment.

It will be interesting seeing Simpson pair up with Cipriani behind that pack next season.

Interesting rumours that Henry Purdy and Gareth Evans are being released. Both are good Prem players who could add to most squads whilst not commanding big salaries.

Certainly Purdy looks a class act, looking at Tigers current backs, a trip back to Leicester would be a decent signing.

Purdy has always had the physical attributes it's the skill element that has let him down. He didn't get much chance under the old regime at Tigers and I can't see him being anymore than a short term squad player if he returned. It would be an ok signing for us but a poor move for Purdy as he'd find himself back on the market in a year or two.

Gareth Evans would be a better Tigers acquisition. With the uncertainty over Denton's concussion issues he'd be a cheap addition to the backrow who could play a similar role. Has always looked decent in a Glaws shirt though a step below the international options they have. Mobile, physical and abrasive are the word used to describe our forward acquisitions this summer and Evans would probably fit in with that.

by TightHEAD Tue 28 May 2019, 9:32 am

I've got to be honest I was disappointed by the weekends games, $aracen$ game was an embarrassment on so many levels .

We all know the truth about them, yet they are allowed to get away with it.

Doesn't do our game any favours.

by **LondonTiger** Tue 28 May 2019, 11:43 am

TightHEAD wrote:I've got to be honest I was disappointed by the weekends games, $aracen$ game was an embarrassment on so many levels .

We all know the truth about them, yet they are allowed to get away with it.

Doesn't do our game any favours.

I can see why a Bath fan would be embarrassed seeing as they have spent more than Sarries, have two academies feeding into their squad yet still finish lower than Sarries while producing less England players.

by TightHEAD Tue 28 May 2019, 1:16 pm

No evidence of that, just hearsay.

by BamBam Tue 28 May 2019, 1:17 pm

Its not fair that they're better at breaking the rules

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:03 pm

Wow what a start!!

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:06 pm

Slade in the bin after 3 mins.....what a start

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:07 pm

Now Saracens score a try...1 each after 3 mins

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:23 pm

Great game so far!

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:24 pm

Now itoje off for 10

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:25 pm

Try Exeter...wow what a game

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:26 pm

Think they were a bit lucky there - when the ball bobbled out it looked like a cheifs player kicked it into their player in front.

What's happened to Farrell's kicking btw??

by Eejit Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:29 pm

Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:30 pm

Bit of game isn't it!

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:31 pm

I don't think Itoje is...just plays on the edge and fast

by Eejit Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:35 pm

Eejit wrote:Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

This Swear filter is ridiculous. The mods are poopie heads.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:36 pm

Nowell is just a freak - incredible player.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:36 pm

Eejit wrote:
Eejit wrote:Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

This Swear filter is ridiculous. The mods are poopie heads.

by Eejit Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:39 pm

RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:
Eejit wrote:Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

This Swear filter is ridiculous. The mods are poopie heads.

Ah it was you, Poopiehead-in-Chief keeping things PG like some sort of militant Kermit the Frog.

by **Rugby Fan** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:40 pm

So, that missed touch cost Saracens. It meant Itoje had to stay off the pitch during when Exeter had the ball, and it ended in a try. The clock on Itoje's yellow would have been up for the lineout.

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:40 pm

Nowell is class.

Why was that not an Itoje turnover.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:41 pm

Eejit wrote:
RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:
Eejit wrote:Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

This Swear filter is ridiculous. The mods are poopie heads.

Ah it was you, Poopiehead-in-Chief keeping things PG like some sort of militant Kermit the Frog.

Alas it's a rule dictated to us by the people that host the website. If not I'd be calling all you weegies poopie heads!

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:42 pm

Eejit wrote:
RDW wrote:
Eejit wrote:
Eejit wrote:Itoje really is a complete poopie head isn’t he.

This Swear filter is ridiculous. The mods are poopie heads.

Ah it was you, Poopiehead-in-Chief keeping things PG like some sort of militant Kermit the Frog.

Maybe you should concentrate on the fantastic game of rugby....

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:42 pm

Should Nowell be the England full back?

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:45 pm

And Devoto has improved considerably under Baxter.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:46 pm

Exeter have been brilliant but only 3 points ahead - this next play is key!

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:47 pm

I agree GF in that those 2 are currently standing out for Exeter. I'd prefer practically anyone to Daly at full back though!

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:48 pm

This is what Saracens do though....they did it in the euro final v Leinster.

But Nowell is putting in an absolutely top class performance at full back.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:49 pm

Great first half! Cheifs have been fantastic but we all know what Sarries can do.

by Duty281 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 3:49 pm

Great advert for attacking rugby. Exeter just look so much sharper and fresher than Saracens; Nowell having the game of his life at full-back.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:11 pm

Sarries have been really sloppy. Same last week - detail just isn't there.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:16 pm

Chiefs 9 has had a great game too.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:18 pm

More Sarries sloppiness!

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:19 pm

Should be a pen to saracens for a tackle off the ball in the lead up there.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:20 pm

Was it not Exeter penalty advantage before the kick?

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:21 pm

Chiefs look good for this now mind. They are playing very well...and Saracens are making too many errors

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:24 pm

You're right rdw. If they'd seen the saracens open they'd have probably gone back for the pen to Exeter. Finely balanced game. I'm still fancying saracens to take it. Just more a threat from strike plays.

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:26 pm

Itoje needs to be careful of a 2nd yellow at this rate

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:27 pm

3 pens in 55 mins isn't that much to be worried about re itoje yellow. First 1 was only due to the team after all.

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:28 pm

Ooooh massive try

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:29 pm

Top class by slade that try.

by Duty281 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:29 pm

Probably the match-winning score. Exeter have been excellent all day.

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:29 pm

Similar to the England one..great finish by Slade

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:29 pm

And then class by Williams. What a game

by **RDW** Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:30 pm

No 7&1/2 wrote:3 pens in 55 mins isn't that much to be worried about re itoje yellow. First 1 was only due to the team after all.

He's has 2 this half though - one more and the ref will definitely be having a think about it

by Geordie Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:31 pm

Aahh try Saracens.

What a breathless game

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:32 pm

Incidentally Simmonds has been done in the air there good and proper but very good decision to let him go...else pen try and yellow.

by hugehandoff Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:32 pm

Epic match. Was just questioning the wisdom of Sarries having a 3 day bender post beating Leinster but there is legs in this match yet.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:33 pm

He could rdw. Would be harsh for me given the nature of the pens.

by No 7&1/2 Sat 01 Jun 2019, 4:39 pm

Jees. Great game.

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