Quantcast

A Game It's Not OK Toulouse?


By Behind the Bench
January 19 2016

After securing a home Quarter Final, possibly in NW4 if the seating conundrum can be solved, the approach that Saracens take to a rare dead rubber will be interesting, as a game forecast to be the pool decider when the matches were announced, has proved to be anything but. Sarries though will aim to take the win which would complete a perfect pool record and top seeds, which could mean a rare match with Northampton Saints. In truth, a modified side would still look well capable of securing the victory at a Toulouse side who have failed to progress from the pool stages for the second season in a row, and whose attention will clearly be on consolidating their Top 14 position, where they trail Racing 92 and ASM Clermont Auvergne at the summit, but on the same number of points. 

For Saracens, the home Premiership game with Bath slots in between Europe and the Six Nations, and will be equally important in maintaining top spot given the loss of players to the England squad and the continued assured form of Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins in particular. However, the signature of this season has been that heavy rotation has still seen consistently high performances and a formidable illustration of strength in depth, even if it has been a nightmare to predict line ups (a small price to pay!). With that in mind, Ben Ransom should continue at full back so Alex Goode can be rested, and irrespective of the outcome of Chris Ashton's citing, which was not known at the time of writing, a large volume of games lately could see him rested anyway, with Mike Ellery perhaps slotting in on the right. Could this be the time for Owen Farrell to come in at 12 alongside Duncan Taylor, given the possibility of an England start in this position. Chris Wyles should continue on the left. In the half backs, the Charlie Hodgson - Ben Spencer combination could start. Into the forwards, and the revised front row could feature Richard Barrington, Schalk Brits and Juan Figallo, with a second row of Jim Hamilton and Maro Itoje, and a back row of Kelly Brown, Jacques Burger and Jackson Wray.
 
The last visit to Stade Ernest Wallon. just over two years ago, saw a 21-11 win for the home side when Ashton sciored the only try, but the visitors were undone by seven penalties for the home side, following up a 17-16 win for the French side at Wembley the previous October. But things have evidently changed massively since then, as Saracens edged the French giants out of the last pool spot this time last year. The close season saw the 22 year spell of coach Guy Noves come to an end as he took the France post, with former French international Ugo Mola taking over. Close season signings included Fiji Sevens winger Semi Kunatani, Bayonne prop Gert Muller and Leicester Tigers scrum half David Mele. 
 
This time around Toulouse's miserable European campaign began with a 32-7 loss at Allianz Park, and, setting the tone for subsequent pool matches, started slowly and proved susceptible to an accurate kicking game, as Farrell led where Ruan Pienaar and Nicky Robinson would follow for Ulster and Oyonnax respectively, with the hosts establishing a 27-0 interval lead with some lethal counter attacking. They got their first win with a nervy 24-18 home win over Oyonnax, thanks to some neat play in the backline, but the 38-0 defeat in Ulster, the first time they had ever failed to score a point in a European match, saw them struggle to deal with a home performance which mixed forward power and precision, as Toulouse only completed 77% of their tackles, and, from an attacking point of view, they failed to make a single line break compared to the Irish province's 14. They made far more of a game of it in the second match, only losing 25-23, but failing to capitalise on territorial advantage with a series of knock-ons. The European defeat in Oyannax saw them again dominate territory and possession against their struggling hosts, but once more undone by their hosts' kicking game, with a failure to take the kick off leading to the opening try. The line up is likely to be modified then. Clement Poitrenaud could start at full back, with Kunatani and Vincent Clerc on the wings outside a centre partnership of Gael Fickou and Samoan Paul Perez. Former Leicester fly half Toby Flood could start with scrum half Mele. Into the forwards, and Cyril Baille should have the loosehead berth, alongside hooker Christopher Tolofua and former Saracen Census Johnston, who featured 61 times for the club between 2006 and 2009. At lock, Romain Millo-Chluski could combine with Samoan Joe Tekori, with a back row of Thierry Dusautoir, Gregory Lamboley and Gillian Galan. 
 
The contrast in form between Europe and the domestic league appears even more pronounced for some of the French sides this year, with the exception of Racing 92, who have secured a home Champions Cup Quarter Final to go with their Top 14 leadership as Dan Carter fully justifies his star billing. Toulon have scored 47 tries domestically, but got out of jail twice at home to Bath and Wasps, whilst Clermont are no way assured of progress at all following an error-strewn defeat at Ospreys where they failed to collect even a losing bonus point. On the other hand, Stade Francais still have an outside chance of progression despite sitting in the bottom four of their league, whilst Oyonnax continue to struggle but will be buoyed by a first ever European top flight win against Toulouse. Bordeaux-Begles are finely balanced though, maintaining hopes within both league and cup. 
 
Looking more broadly at the qualification race, as things stand, one home side is still to be determined, alongside Saracens, Leicester Tigers and Racing. This will be between the winners of Pools 2 and Pools 5. Pool 2 looks particularly intriguing, as all four sides could still qualify - Ospreys have the advantage at the summit by two points following an impressive win over second place Clermont, but face a daunting trip to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday for the closing match, whilst Clermont enjoy home advantage over Bordeaux. Ulster will be targeting a bonus point win at home to Oyonnax in Pool 1, and should probably attain it to reach 18 points, which puts them in a two way battle with Northampton Saints, who travel to a winless Scarlets side who are at the top of the Guinness Pro12. With Saints struggling in attack, the bonus point seems unlikely, which means that Ulster would edge ahead on points difference, in which case Stade Francais Paris would edge ahead of them both with a five point win over Leicester in Pool 4. Completing the picture, Wasps will probably miss out if they don't beat an improving Leicester side, which would seem harsh given their impressive victories in Dublin and at home to Toulon, but conversely, could get a home tie if the French side are upset at Bath. The betting odds now have Saracens as joint favourites for the tournament with Racing 92 rather than Toulon, who are second favourites ahead of Leicester and Clermont. 
 

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

A Game It's Not OK Toulouse?
Discussion started by TheSaracens.com , 19/01/2016 20:51
TheSaracens.com
19/01/2016 20:51
Another fine preview and a splendid review of the playoff possibilities just replace Leicester with Leinster in the final paragraph



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016:01:31:21:47:57 by Darraghgirl.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.
We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net