Northampton Saints

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 30/03/2021 09:11 by Saint Ted.

15 George Furbank
14 Tom Collins
13 Rory Hutchinson
12 Piers Francis
11 Ollie Sleightholme
10 Dan Biggar
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller (c)
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Api Ratuniyarawa
6 Nick Isiekwe
7 Tom Wood
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Nick Auterac
18 Paul Hill
19 Alex Coles
20 Shaun Adendorff
21 Tom James
22 Fraser Dingwall
23 Tommy Freeman

I like that bench

Didn't realise Ludlam had injured his cheek, I thought he was just being looked after through the concussion protocols, fingers crossed he heals up well on both fronts.

Should be a good scrap - can someone remind me how wingers line up, is our 11 opposite their 14 or is it 11 v 11 and 14 v 14 (accepting that wings are allowed to move off their wings!). Either way we've got a younger player who will have played when Ashton was top winger for us keeping an eye on him.

I feel like it will be a slightly more controlled display from Saints with Biggar and Francis pulling the strings but we'll see tomorrow I suppose!

We won't lack for speed on the wing! BIg T seems right out of favour.

Should be a cracking game! Looks like an awesome 23 we've picked tbf also great that Adendorff is back off the bench too. Would've liked to have seen James keep his spot at 9 with Mitchell off the bench as I think he's gone really well for us in Mitchell's absence. Shame Jimmy Grayson not in the 23 but great to see Biggar back at 10! COYS

Feel sorry for James And Grays. Did nothing wrong but rotation is the name of the game I suppose

Mallinder dropped?

Id assume with Mitchell and no disrespect to Worcester, but he needs game time, so get him the game time this match to see how he goes, as on paper its the easiest game we have coming up and a 9 needs to be sharp, so get the sharpness now

Glad to see Ribbans back to.

And for once we seem to be doing well on injury front... not wanting to tempt fate!

Dropped or not better than what’s been selected ahead of him?

That is a very strong looking bench, if we can get on top they could really do some damage late on.

Not sure what sort of message is being sent to Grayson. Dropped for a bit as need to show some form. Comes back. Has a stormer and indeed had he stayed on and closed the game out could have been man of the match. Then dropped from the match day 23. I really fear that Boyd wants Jack of all trade backs and if we are not careful could lose James Grayson to a side that wants a 10. Good to see Biggar back though don’t get me wrong, his is the sort of leader we need but really feel for Grayson.

Message is that this is a results business and the international level half backs start. No messing around.

Quote:

Dave Jackson
Not sure what sort of message is being sent to Grayson. Dropped for a bit as need to show some form. Comes back. Has a stormer and indeed had he stayed on and closed the game out could have been man of the match. Then dropped from the match day 23. I really fear that Boyd wants Jack of all trade backs and if we are not careful could lose James Grayson to a side that wants a 10. Good to see Biggar back though don’t get me wrong, his is the sort of leader we need but really feel for Grayson.

The thing is with both Biggar and Grayson they are out and out 10's and offer nothing else so basically they will either start or not be in the match day squad. This is not helped by no Wanderers games either.

Quote:

Dave Jackson
Not sure what sort of message is being sent to Grayson. Dropped for a bit as need to show some form. Comes back. Has a stormer and indeed had he stayed on and closed the game out could have been man of the match. Then dropped from the match day 23. I really fear that Boyd wants Jack of all trade backs and if we are not careful could lose James Grayson to a side that wants a 10. Good to see Biggar back though don’t get me wrong, his is the sort of leader we need but really feel for Grayson.

Feel for Grayson too, but the reality is he can only really considered as a 10 currently. Those on the bench offer more flexibilty of options which James cannot; it's either he starts at 10 or misses out completely.

Yes, St buckby. Boydy has always said that when Biggar is available he will play the whole game and that Grayson will not be on the bench. He reiterated that on the Saints show on Wed. He also said that even with hindsight he would have taken off Grayson last week. I am being generous to Boydy and assuming he meant that given the same situation he would do the same thing again. I think he dropped a whatsit in taking him off but there you go.....

Interesting isnt it? Grayson has played 15 for age group England (and no doubt other times) so why not give him a game or two there much like Furbank had a couple of games at 10?

Indeed Brian, I said last year that I wouldn’t be surprised if james ended up playing more 15 than 10. I think he looks assured when he’s back there, also returned that 40 metre run last week...

Quote:

BrianB
Interesting isnt it? Grayson has played 15 for age group England (and no doubt other times) so why not give him a game or two there much like Furbank had a couple of games at 10?

Why though?.. we are not searching for a 15. We have Furbank just finding some form again, we have young Freeman who is pushing hard and we also have Harry who needs to find some form. Why then would you pick Grayson at 15 when he is at best 4th choice. There is nothing wrong with being an out an out 10 even if that excludes him from being on the bench. If we had some injuries in that area then maybe but we are well stocked

Saints unavailable due to injury 6 Wuss 14. Getting the excuses in early

Quote:

Walks11

Quote:

BrianB
Interesting isnt it? Grayson has played 15 for age group England (and no doubt other times) so why not give him a game or two there much like Furbank had a couple of games at 10?

Why though?.. we are not searching for a 15. We have Furbank just finding some form again, we have young Freeman who is pushing hard and we also have Harry who needs to find some form. Why then would you pick Grayson at 15 when he is at best 4th choice. There is nothing wrong with being an out an out 10 even if that excludes him from being on the bench. If we had some injuries in that area then maybe but we are well stocked

I can understand the desire to have players who cover multiple positions and playing in different positions probably increases a players skill set and vision but I don't get this obsession with having everyone playing out of position. Given the amount of time players have to train these days surely most of this can be done on the training ground and only used when needed come game time?

I think i remember Grayson dropping back to 15 when Biggar came on in a match. These were the early days of Biggar and Boyd. Furbank may not have been 'discovered' at the time, Harry may have been injured and Ace not fancied.

It can't have gone too well.


BrianB, interesting isn't it that Harry has played 10 for age group England. Look how well it was received last week when he came on.

I can see that team putting Wuss to the sword, especially with their injury list. May do the points difference a bit of good.
I wonder if Lewis has actually broken a bone its the only thing I can think keeping him out, not really heard of a pulled cheek ligament?

---

It's good to see such a clear selection policy being employed in the backs at the moment.
I imagine the team briefings during the 6 Nations went something like this:*

Boydy:

Our scrum half and fly half are going off on international duty so I have come up with a new plan. Listen carefully:

Step 1. We will bring in a new scrum half who I'm sure will turn out to be out to be outstanding and learn fast.
Step 2. We will leave out our fly half to put our fullback at fly half.
Step 3. We will bring in our young new full back.

Everyone following so far?

Step 4. We will leave out our (available again) international Fly Half.
Step 5. Next we leave out our best inside centre against Bristol because we will bring in an outside centre to play at inside centre.
Step 6. Tom Collins your dropped. We are going to play our best defensive centre on the wing.

All clear so far?

Step 7. Ollie your being dropped so we can put our new fullback on the wing.
Step 8. Our international fullback who has been playing at fly half you are going to have to play full-back against Bristol. Sorry I know Mr Jones said you are a fly half but someone has to play at fullback.
Step 9. James, your back in, at fly half unless you want to have ago at hooker?
Step 10. Dingers you were excellent against Bristol so your dropped, to bring back Piers whom we dropped against Bristol.
Step11. Hutch, whom we moved from outside centre to inside centre, your playing at outside centre again unless, maybe, you can play inside out centre?

I hope your still listening, stop muttering at the back Grayson and Mallinder and where's the big bloke with the long name?

Step 11.a. Change of plan: we are going to substitute you, James, at fly half. Harry you haven't played for weeks so even though James is controlling the game, your on at fly half for 15 minutes. Make sure you don't cock it up!

Step 12. Grays you have played nearly 3/4 of an hour in the last 6 weeks, you need a rest.
Step 12. Dan you've just played week after week of international rugby so you will be knackered, so your back in.
Step 13. Mitch, how was England? What! You didn't get a game, so you are a bit rusty? Right your starting on Saturday, Tom you can warm the bench for him.
Step 13. Tommy you are now a utility back so you can join Tom on the bench, week after week, waiting for your opportunity to come along.
Step 14. Harry you lost us the match last week, Tommy needs to practise on the bench; you and Grayson go and get some match practise in the Wanderers and tell Naiyaravaro, when he turns up, that I want to see him in my office.

I'm sure the plan will work tomorrow and that Saints will be a better team in the end but at the moment I'm confused!

Decent team, surprised Collins is back - plays better on firm 4g pitches?

Good to see James rested after a busy few weeks. Lets hope Mitchell can provide same tempo and speed from ruck, should be fresh enough.

Dry weather predicted. I'll be disappointed if we don't win given no home crowd. COYS!

Quote:

ajack

Quote:

Walks11

Quote:

BrianB
Interesting isnt it? Grayson has played 15 for age group England (and no doubt other times) so why not give him a game or two there much like Furbank had a couple of games at 10?

Why though?.. we are not searching for a 15. We have Furbank just finding some form again, we have young Freeman who is pushing hard and we also have Harry who needs to find some form. Why then would you pick Grayson at 15 when he is at best 4th choice. There is nothing wrong with being an out an out 10 even if that excludes him from being on the bench. If we had some injuries in that area then maybe but we are well stocked

I can understand the desire to have players who cover multiple positions and playing in different positions probably increases a players skill set and vision but I don't get this obsession with having everyone playing out of position. Given the amount of time players have to train these days surely most of this can be done on the training ground and only used when needed come game time?

It’s to create more options for players, as you say currently Grays is a starter or nothing. Furbs is a 10 backup now after his game time, that frees up more bench space for another back position. If Furbs was injured we would have Freeman at 15, Harry on the bench to cover 10 and 15? No reason why Grayson couldn’t do that?

Otherwise James is just not playing when Biggar is fit

I scratch my head on some of those changes, but come 3pm tomorrow who ever is pulling on the saints shirt lets hope for a win.

I don't think Warriors will be the push over many are suggesting, if we can get the win then happy days.

Quote:

195Rich
It's good to see such a clear selection policy being employed in the backs at the moment.
I imagine the team briefings during the 6 Nations went something like this:*

Boydy:

Our scrum half and fly half are going off on international duty so I have come up with a new plan. Listen carefully:

Step 1. We will bring in a new scrum half who I'm sure will turn out to be out to be outstanding and learn fast.
Step 2. We will leave out our fly half to put our fullback at fly half.
Step 3. We will bring in our young new full back.

Everyone following so far?

Step 4. We will leave out our (available again) international Fly Half.
Step 5. Next we leave out our best inside centre against Bristol because we will bring in an outside centre to play at inside centre.
Step 6. Tom Collins your dropped. We are going to play our best defensive centre on the wing.

All clear so far?

Step 7. Ollie your being dropped so we can put our new fullback on the wing.
Step 8. Our international fullback who has been playing at fly half you are going to have to play full-back against Bristol. Sorry I know Mr Jones said you are a fly half but someone has to play at fullback.
Step 9. James, your back in, at fly half unless you want to have ago at hooker?
Step 10. Dingers you were excellent against Bristol so your dropped, to bring back Piers whom we dropped against Bristol.
Step11. Hutch, whom we moved from outside centre to inside centre, your playing at outside centre again unless, maybe, you can play inside out centre?

I hope your still listening, stop muttering at the back Grayson and Mallinder and where's the big bloke with the long name?

Step 11.a. Change of plan: we are going to substitute you, James, at fly half. Harry you haven't played for weeks so even though James is controlling the game, your on at fly half for 15 minutes. Make sure you don't cock it up!

Step 12. Grays you have played nearly 3/4 of an hour in the last 6 weeks, you need a rest.
Step 12. Dan you've just played week after week of international rugby so you will be knackered, so your back in.
Step 13. Mitch, how was England? What! You didn't get a game, so you are a bit rusty? Right your starting on Saturday, Tom you can warm the bench for him.
Step 13. Tommy you are now a utility back so you can join Tom on the bench, week after week, waiting for your opportunity to come along.
Step 14. Harry you lost us the match last week, Tommy needs to practise on the bench; you and Grayson go and get some match practise in the Wanderers and tell Naiyaravaro, when he turns up, that I want to see him in my office.

I'm sure the plan will work tomorrow and that Saints will be a better team in the end but at the moment I'm confused!

Hindsight is a wonderful thing

Walks and Ajack.

I don't think Grayson should play at 15/out of position. I only put it out there because why would you not pick him at 10 when Biggar is out? Why play someone out of position there? Beats me, especially after Grayson's performance last week. Granted at the beginning of the season he wasnt playing brill but no one was and he was carrying a groin injury.

Brian, because they want Furbank as a backup 10 option so we have more coverage for other positions on the bench. He’s also a viable change in style of 10, if needed. They also thought it would improve his 15 play, he looked very good last week.

Quote:

195Rich
It's good to see such a clear selection policy being employed in the backs at the moment.
I imagine the team briefings during the 6 Nations went something like this:*

Boydy:

Our scrum half and fly half are going off on international duty so I have come up with a new plan. Listen carefully:

Step 1. We will bring in a new scrum half who I'm sure will turn out to be out to be outstanding and learn fast.
Step 2. We will leave out our fly half to put our fullback at fly half.
Step 3. We will bring in our young new full back.

Everyone following so far?

Step 4. We will leave out our (available again) international Fly Half.
Step 5. Next we leave out our best inside centre against Bristol because we will bring in an outside centre to play at inside centre.
Step 6. Tom Collins your dropped. We are going to play our best defensive centre on the wing.

All clear so far?

Step 7. Ollie your being dropped so we can put our new fullback on the wing.
Step 8. Our international fullback who has been playing at fly half you are going to have to play full-back against Bristol. Sorry I know Mr Jones said you are a fly half but someone has to play at fullback.
Step 9. James, your back in, at fly half unless you want to have ago at hooker?
Step 10. Dingers you were excellent against Bristol so your dropped, to bring back Piers whom we dropped against Bristol.
Step11. Hutch, whom we moved from outside centre to inside centre, your playing at outside centre again unless, maybe, you can play inside out centre?

I hope your still listening, stop muttering at the back Grayson and Mallinder and where's the big bloke with the long name?

Step 11.a. Change of plan: we are going to substitute you, James, at fly half. Harry you haven't played for weeks so even though James is controlling the game, your on at fly half for 15 minutes. Make sure you don't cock it up!

Step 12. Grays you have played nearly 3/4 of an hour in the last 6 weeks, you need a rest.
Step 12. Dan you've just played week after week of international rugby so you will be knackered, so your back in.
Step 13. Mitch, how was England? What! You didn't get a game, so you are a bit rusty? Right your starting on Saturday, Tom you can warm the bench for him.
Step 13. Tommy you are now a utility back so you can join Tom on the bench, week after week, waiting for your opportunity to come along.
Step 14. Harry you lost us the match last week, Tommy needs to practise on the bench; you and Grayson go and get some match practise in the Wanderers and tell Naiyaravaro, when he turns up, that I want to see him in my office.

I'm sure the plan will work tomorrow and that Saints will be a better team in the end but at the moment I'm confused!

Absolutely brilliant.

And the next step in Boydy’s cunning plan is to do away with half time oranges and give everyone a turnip to chew on.

Given his expertise under the high ball if anyone is moving to 15 it's Biggar surely?!

I for one don't expect Worcester to be a pushover but would also be disappointed if we don't come away with a win, this is similar to the preview in the Chron which has us win but not by a huge margin.

That dialogue with Boyd did make me laugh, as to what is actually being said behind closed doors who knows? It is certainly more of a challenge to give gametime to all with no LV or Wandies, it would have been ideal to have Grays lead that team to have a run of games and really dictate play. Part of the problem is a good one, we now have some really tough selection calls - for example I'd always want a fit and firing Proctor in the side but agree that he and Francis are the most solid centre pairing defensively. But that means Hutch and Dingwall not getting game time which they've really deserved, but playing him on the wing means leaving out and full time winger......

Just noted that Christian Day is co-commentator
Will make the game even more enjoyable

Given the state of a) the coaching team and b) the league, I would have liked to see Harry at FB and Jimmy at FH.

I don't get the arguments about not having Dan/Jimmy on the bench. If DB gets injured in the first 5 minutes, then we put George to fly half? Well we saw how that experiment played out. Not well IMO.

If Harry needs game time, then give it to him. Don't mouth platitudes then leave him out of the 23.

And have we put Van Wyk into purdah prior to his drive up the M1?

Quote:

StBuckby
Brian, because they want Furbank as a backup 10 option so we have more coverage for other positions on the bench. He’s also a viable change in style of 10, if needed. They also thought it would improve his 15 play, he looked very good last week.

That's an interesting observation, I agree that George looked very good at 15 last week but I thought it was because he wasn't playing fly-half.

Sorry just is a facetious mood this afternoon.

Seriously though how does playing at fly half improve you as a full back?

That’s the clearest explanation I’ve heard yet 195Rich.

You’re going to have to explain how you managed to get the bug in there though?

Quote:

195Rich

Quote:

StBuckby
Brian, because they want Furbank as a backup 10 option so we have more coverage for other positions on the bench. He’s also a viable change in style of 10, if needed. They also thought it would improve his 15 play, he looked very good last week.

That's an interesting observation, I agree that George looked very good at 15 last week but I thought it was because he wasn't playing fly-half.

Sorry just is a facetious mood this afternoon.

Seriously though how does playing at fly half improve you as a full back?

One example.

Modern day rugby involves a lot of tactical kicking, France actually kick more than England (according to some stats which may be disputable), the back-to-back winning All Blacks kicked quite a lot. Sometimes the kicking isn't often initiated by a team but when the kick tennis begins, you typically end up with a number of exchanges until the ball is kicked out, a gap appears or, essentially, the opposition makes a small error which results in a net gain to the other side. You will notice a number of sides leave the 10 back to return to the kick. If your 15 doesn't have a strong tactical kicking game and the 10 doesn't have the spatial awareness to cover the ground from the opponents kick (it lands a way from him), you haemorrhage territory, I believe this is why Daly has been used at 15 despite being poor under the high ball and relatively week in the tackle. His ability to launch a returned kick in and behind the opposition, typically in their 22, leads to a kick to touch and a large net gain. George moving into 10 for a number of games will have improved his kicking game, hopefully. It also Saints to have a 'second distributor' in the back line on 2nd phase onwards, George can seamlessly now jump in at 10 if Dan is at the bottom of a ruck or otherwise out of position, using the same playbook as Dan and aligning the centres as usual. It can create confusion in the defence, and hence space. Playing 10 will have helped George better understand running lines from 15, where can he enter the game to create space for others etc

Utopia is to create a roaming back line of playmakers which is what NZ rugby is trying to move towards.

Important caveat is that each player playing a position should be able to do the basics first and foremost.

195Rich - very funny - enjoyed that.

Imo Grayson has been treated very shabbily. Rightly dropped for playing poorly earlier in the season. Came back against Sale and put in a very good performance which showed a lot of character. Followed that up against Bristol where he was outstanding, was hooked after 60 minutes and dropped the following week - poor! He should be 10 tomorrow with Biggar coming back next week fully refreshed for the Dragons game.

I would also have played Harry at 15 - really felt for him last week - a good game tomorrow would have consigned last week to history.

I'm looking forward to seeing Painter destroy their scrum tomorrow.

Quote:

StBuckby

Quote:

195Rich

Quote:

StBuckby
Brian, because they want Furbank as a backup 10 option so we have more coverage for other positions on the bench. He’s also a viable change in style of 10, if needed. They also thought it would improve his 15 play, he looked very good last week.

That's an interesting observation, I agree that George looked very good at 15 last week but I thought it was because he wasn't playing fly-half.

Sorry just is a facetious mood this afternoon.

Seriously though how does playing at fly half improve you as a full back?

One example.

Modern day rugby involves a lot of tactical kicking, France actually kick more than England (according to some stats which may be disputable), the back-to-back winning All Blacks kicked quite a lot. Sometimes the kicking isn't often initiated by a team but when the kick tennis begins, you typically end up with a number of exchanges until the ball is kicked out, a gap appears or, essentially, the opposition makes a small error which results in a net gain to the other side. You will notice a number of sides leave the 10 back to return to the kick. If your 15 doesn't have a strong tactical kicking game and the 10 doesn't have the spatial awareness to cover the ground from the opponents kick (it lands a way from him), you haemorrhage territory, I believe this is why Daly has been used at 15 despite being poor under the high ball and relatively week in the tackle. His ability to launch a returned kick in and behind the opposition, typically in their 22, leads to a kick to touch and a large net gain. George moving into 10 for a number of games will have improved his kicking game, hopefully. It also Saints to have a 'second distributor' in the back line on 2nd phase onwards, George can seamlessly now jump in at 10 if Dan is at the bottom of a ruck or otherwise out of position, using the same playbook as Dan and aligning the centres as usual. It can create confusion in the defence, and hence space. Playing 10 will have helped George better understand running lines from 15, where can he enter the game to create space for others etc

Utopia is to create a roaming back line of playmakers which is what NZ rugby is trying to move towards.

Important caveat is that each player playing a position should be able to do the basics first and foremost.

Excellent points!

Quote:

Statesman
195Rich - very funny - enjoyed that.
Imo Grayson has been treated very shabbily. Rightly dropped for playing poorly earlier in the season. Came back against Sale and put in a very good performance which showed a lot of character. Followed that up against Bristol where he was outstanding, was hooked after 60 minutes and dropped the following week - poor! He should be 10 tomorrow with Biggar coming back next week fully refreshed for the Dragons game.

I would also have played Harry at 15 - really felt for him last week - a good game tomorrow would have consigned last week to history.

I'm looking forward to seeing Painter destroy their scrum tomorrow.

If am on the board of directors, I would be asking why a £600k per year player is spending the weekend watching Netflix, especially when they didn't play in the interim 6N weekends.

He needs to start, Saints winning takes priority. Agree its tough on James but lets be honest, he clearly looked a hungry beast in the last 2 games whereas at the start of the season he drifted. If he wants a top level career he needs to be 'on it' all the time, not just after being dropped.

Hopefully this will be a tough lesson and he will wrestle the mantle as successor to Biggar when he leaves.

Watching the game on the 'red dot' channel means no rewind and so no getting grumpy about missed/avoided tackles and jogging back instead of showing some urgency in defence.
COYS!

Noting that Gloucester have walloped Exeter
I think Warriors tails will be up tomorrow
If they don’t win they will start to become marooned at the bottom of the table

Quote:

Deesaint
Noting that Gloucester have walloped Exeter
I think Warriors tails will be up tomorrow
If they don’t win they will start to become marooned at the bottom of the table

Interesting Ex team! Europe next week.

Mitchell HAS to get the ball away from the breakdown with James' speed for me. We've looked a different team with that speed of ball.

As others have mentioned Grayson needs to be on it each week, perhaps this is the same for training too? Coaches will know and Boyd is good with giving youngsters with positive attitudes game time.

If I'm being asked that question I'd reply something along the lines of:

" Please remember that you brought me in to lead a long term building project; not just to win this weekend's game. We need to develop our younger players by giving them game time. The youngsters are assets who, one day, may demand 600k salaries themselves, as long as we handle them with care. The £600k player has just come back from international duty and needs a chance to recuperate., he is very keen to play every game but no-one must consider themselves an automatic selection, no matter how much we pay them. Look at our big winger for example. The youngster has responded to the challenge that I laid down for him and he needs to start because, I admit, I handled him badly last weekend.
In my opinion dropping him after a game and a half, whilst he is playing very well, will damage his long term development. I taught him a hard lesson by dropping him to experiment with Furbank at 10. He now needs positive stroking and to feel that he is a valued member of the squad.
I've spoken to our 600k player, he is disappointed not to be selected but he is happy to return next week for the European match. This weekend he will be travelling with the team. He will be working with Sam Vesty, bringing his experience to the coaching team, and gaining some insight into coaching. He won't be with us forever and will become a first rate coach in the future. He certainly won't be at home watching Netflix.
As a member of the board you know why you brought me in. Please trust me to manage the players. I don't respond well to micro-management and team selection is my responsibility. I trust I have your full support in what the coaching team and I are trying to achieve. Thank you for your time. If there is nothing else; I have to get back to the players to prepare for Saturday's game at Worcester".

I'd probabaly get sacked on Monday but there you go!

195rich has made a few postings that I heartily agree with.
They are equally applicable to the pat on the back for boyd thread. Boyd needs a hug so as not to discourage him after some bad strategic decisions.

Quote:

195Rich
If I'm being asked that question I'd reply something along the lines of:
" Please remember that you brought me in to lead a long term building project; not just to win this weekend's game. We need to develop our younger players by giving them game time. The youngsters are assets who, one day, may demand 600k salaries themselves, as long as we handle them with care. The £600k player has just come back from international duty and needs a chance to recuperate., he is very keen to play every game but no-one must consider themselves an automatic selection, no matter how much we pay them. Look at our big winger for example. The youngster has responded to the challenge that I laid down for him and he needs to start because, I admit, I handled him badly last weekend.
In my opinion dropping him after a game and a half, whilst he is playing very well, will damage his long term development. I taught him a hard lesson by dropping him to experiment with Furbank at 10. He now needs positive stroking and to feel that he is a valued member of the squad.
I've spoken to our 600k player, he is disappointed not to be selected but he is happy to return next week for the European match. This weekend he will be travelling with the team. He will be working with Sam Vesty, bringing his experience to the coaching team, and gaining some insight into coaching. He won't be with us forever and will become a first rate coach in the future. He certainly won't be at home watching Netflix.
As a member of the board you know why you brought me in. Please trust me to manage the players. I don't respond well to micro-management and team selection is my responsibility. I trust I have your full support in what the coaching team and I are trying to achieve. Thank you for your time. If there is nothing else; I have to get back to the players to prepare for Saturday's game at Worcester".

I'd probabaly get sacked on Monday but there you go!

Yeah but instead he just picked Biggar....

Quote:

StBuckby

Quote:

195Rich
If I'm being asked that question I'd reply something along the lines of:
" Please remember that you brought me in to lead a long term building project; not just to win this weekend's game. We need to develop our younger players by giving them game time. The youngsters are assets who, one day, may demand 600k salaries themselves, as long as we handle them with care. The £600k player has just come back from international duty and needs a chance to recuperate., he is very keen to play every game but no-one must consider themselves an automatic selection, no matter how much we pay them. Look at our big winger for example. The youngster has responded to the challenge that I laid down for him and he needs to start because, I admit, I handled him badly last weekend.
In my opinion dropping him after a game and a half, whilst he is playing very well, will damage his long term development. I taught him a hard lesson by dropping him to experiment with Furbank at 10. He now needs positive stroking and to feel that he is a valued member of the squad.
I've spoken to our 600k player, he is disappointed not to be selected but he is happy to return next week for the European match. This weekend he will be travelling with the team. He will be working with Sam Vesty, bringing his experience to the coaching team, and gaining some insight into coaching. He won't be with us forever and will become a first rate coach in the future. He certainly won't be at home watching Netflix.
As a member of the board you know why you brought me in. Please trust me to manage the players. I don't respond well to micro-management and team selection is my responsibility. I trust I have your full support in what the coaching team and I are trying to achieve. Thank you for your time. If there is nothing else; I have to get back to the players to prepare for Saturday's game at Worcester".

I'd probabaly get sacked on Monday but there you go!

Yeah but instead he just picked Biggar....

Equally brilliant.🤣

I’d be more concerned that the board are quoting figures that are out of date when it come to players salaries to be honest.

Yeah but instead he just picked Biggar....[/quote]
Equally brilliant.🤣[/quote]

Yeah well there is that alternative too.😉

Just hope that we win tomorrow and that every Saints player eventually fulfills their full potential.

Come on you Saints!!!

Gloucester brought back their internationals and got a result over Exeter who chose to let them recuperate ready for Europe. Clearly having your best players on the pitch gives you the best chance of winning a match.

We are in with a chance of getting into the top 4 having shown that we can beat Exeter and could and should have beaten Bristol.

If we are going to have the best chance of getting the results that we want, we need to play our best players. The last thing we want to do is rest Ribbans, Mitchell and Biggar, lose to Worcester and end up on Monday being 8th.

Always hard to get that balance right between playing your best side every week against flogging the same group of players into the ground and having them out on their feet or players with little or no game time stepping in for matches that really matter if they are injured.

I doubt Bristol or Exeter would put out anything like the sides we played if we get to the play offs, but you need to get there t find out.

I suppose, and no disrespect to Worcester, but if you're going to give players who haven't played in nearly 7 weeks some game time, Worcester would seem to be a sensible team to do it against with a sprinkling of world class players to help cover any rustiness.

Has Biggar actually played that many minutes over the last 2 months? He didn’t finish all games and had 2 rest weeks. Hardly in need of a rest considering the last year? This is the most excited I’ve been to watch him play. He’ll be on a high and eager to carry on.

Is Grayson really going to be that damaged by this? I doubt it. The previous break clearly did him good. He’s got a very long career ahead of him.

We’re in a very fortunate position of having lots of options across all the team. The lack of games is unfortunate but the future looks good.

Quote:

Toulousian Firefighter
Has Biggar actually played that many minutes over the last 2 months? He didn’t finish all games and had 2 rest weeks. Hardly in need of a rest considering the last year? This is the most excited I’ve been to watch him play. He’ll be on a high and eager to carry on.
Is Grayson really going to be that damaged by this? I doubt it. The previous break clearly did him good. He’s got a very long career ahead of him.

We’re in a very fortunate position of having lots of options across all the team. The lack of games is unfortunate but the future looks good.

I think you are right - it's down to the unusual circumstances leaving the younger players with nowhere to play - the non fringe players have gone off to Bedford but those in the 1st team squad have to hang around at Franklins Gardens, with no game time, because we can't afford to get them injured on loan. My thoughts echo those of St Stokey, this game looks like one where a risk could have been taken to give some of those short on game time an opportunity but I can see it's also an important one to win.

Biggar has picked up a minor injury in team run so Grayson starts. He has another opportunity to show us how good he is.

Damn! Was looking forward to seeing Biggar back in action. I' sure Grayson will step up adequately though.

Just goes to show you don't need to be in the matchday squad to be important to the team.

Great play
Great try

Alex Mitchell world class touches after 3 minutes - Furbs great angle


Really hoping James G has a great game today

Lovely try, that showcases what Mitchell can bring, quick and a deft pass with a great running line from a Furbank. He needs to get back to doing it more often

Lovely delayed pass from Mitchell and top line from Furbank.

Good job Grayson was rested at the end of the Bristol match and well rested to play today

English refs are so pedantic. Waller wasn't even laying on the wrong side.... what they now essentially say is that if ANYONE from the defensive team is lying anywhere on the floor near the tackler, you can't attempt to grab the ball

The break seems to have done Mitchell a lot of good
Looking on his game

He is playing in a better team Dee....

Whatever has happened
Perhaps seeing James step up
It’s definitely made a difference
Looking very sharp

Great start boys, looking nice and accurate so far.

Mitchell's improved and re-discovered him form, not just that Saints are playing better. He definitely went off the boil for a while hence Randall being called up ahead of him. Looking back to his best so far.

Bit too frantic at present
In the old football saying
Needs someone to put their foot on the ball

As soon as you commend someone
You can guarantee it will jinx them

Mitchell tackling off the scrum a bit no like Mr Bean

Hoping the game settles a little and Grayson can try and dictate play, MIA a little atm.

Quote:

Deesaint
As soon as you commend someone
You can guarantee it will jinx them

Mitchell tackling off the scrum a bit no like Mr Bean

Yep wasn’t good, put us massively on back foot and scrambling in defence, needed a bit of assistance from the back row mind

Let's see how much the line out has been worked on

Why is it that every defence we play against seem to be having a purple patch ?

gaps will open up, patience

We don’t look dangerous in attack, especially in the 22. It would be interesting to see our speed of ball compared to last week.

we should have had 2 scrum pens at least