Northampton Saints
Saints v Bristol 29th November 2025 - Teams Up
By Saint Ted
November 28 2025
This is the Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints matchday thread
Where: Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
When: Friday 21st November 2025; 19:30
How do I watch: TNT 1/ Discovery +
Tickets: From Bristol
Saints take: Saints O'ffy
Bears Take: Bears Offy
Officials:
Referee: Ian Tempest
Assistant referees: Hamish Grant and Mike Hudson
No.4: James Clarke
TMO: Dan Jones
Teams:
| Northampton Saints | Bristol Bears | |
| George Furbank (c) | 15 | Tom Jordan |
| Edoardo Todaro | 14 | Jack Bates |
| Tom Litchfield | 13 | Benhard Janse van Rensburg |
| Toby Thame | 12 | James Williams |
| Amena Caqusau | 11 | Kalaveti Ravouvou |
| Fin Smith | 10 | Sam Worsley |
| Archie McParland | 9 | Kieran Marmion |
| Emmanuel Iyogun | 1 | Jake Woolmore |
| Craig Wright | 2 | Harry Thacker |
| Trevor Davison | 3 | Lovejoy Chawatama |
| Ed Prowse | 4 | Pedro Rubiolo |
| JJ Van Der Mescht | 5 | Joe Batley |
| Josh Kemeny | 6 | Santiago Grondona |
| Sam Graham | 7 | Fitz Harding (c) |
| Callum Chick | 8 | Viliame Mata |
| Replacements: | ||
| Robbie Smith | 16 | Gabriel Oghre |
| Tom West | 17 | Max Lahiff |
| Cleopas Kundiona | 18 | Jimmy Halliwell |
| Archie Benson | 19 | Joe Owen |
| Tom Pearson | 20 | Luka Ivanishvili |
| Tom James | 21 | Sam Wolstenholme |
| Rory Hutchinson | 22 | Louis Rees-Zammit |
| James Pater | 23 | Aidan Boshoff |
Not considered for selection:
Emeka Atuanya, Anthony Belleau, Fraser Dingwall, Tommy Freeman, Will Glister, George Hendy, Curtis Langdon, Tom Lockett, Chunya Munga, James Martin, James Ramm, Charlie Ulcoq and Jonny Weimann.
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StumbleuponSaints v Bristol 29th November 2025 - Teams Up
Discussion started by Marching On , 28/11/2025 11:56
Marching On
28/11/2025 11:56
28/11/2025 11:56
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:08:09:14:18 by Saint Ted.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:08:09:14:18 by Saint Ted.
Quote:FatAlan
So no Sleighthome? Not on the not considered list.
There's something like 9 games on the bounce coming up, I'd be suprised if anyone plays all of them. Plus Sleights is coming back from an injury so its probably just managing minutes
The side is a little weaker than I was expecting/hoping. Still good enough to go and get a W though, if we click. Hopefully a lot of firepower back next week.
Maybe held back for Pau because Freeman injury and Ramm still not back
Not as strong as I’d hoped for. Some concerns over line-out time without a jumping 2nd row option, hopefully the three backrowers will have been working hard on this. It does feel a little like the start of last season with just a smattering of 1st choice players available. Oh well, Bristol are not exactly at their strongest either.
We have suffered in the past from rushing internationals back too quickly, so I think we're taking a cautious approach. That said it is a slightly weaker team than I'd expected, in the back division especially.
We're struggling a bit at lock again too, Benson came to us as a flanker but I think he's played a bit at lock for Bedford. Not ideal when Prowse and JJ are two locks who we wouldn't normally ask to go the full 80 AND neither usually jumps at the lineout. Lot of pressure on Kemeny to keep that lineout functioning. I wouldn't have minded Pollock and Pearson on the bench for this one.
Not ideal seeing Jonny Weiman on the not considered list. I wonder if that's rushed TJ's return a little bit, else we're in a sticky position at 9 with Mitch needing a rest.
We're struggling a bit at lock again too, Benson came to us as a flanker but I think he's played a bit at lock for Bedford. Not ideal when Prowse and JJ are two locks who we wouldn't normally ask to go the full 80 AND neither usually jumps at the lineout. Lot of pressure on Kemeny to keep that lineout functioning. I wouldn't have minded Pollock and Pearson on the bench for this one.
Not ideal seeing Jonny Weiman on the not considered list. I wonder if that's rushed TJ's return a little bit, else we're in a sticky position at 9 with Mitch needing a rest.
I would have been surprised if it was any stronger than this. If we get nothing out of the game we will still be in the top 4, far better than last season.
We have two very difficult away games in the Champions cup and realistically need a couple of points out of those games to be in with a chance of getting at least one home game in the knockout stages, even if we win both home games.
We have two very difficult away games in the Champions cup and realistically need a couple of points out of those games to be in with a chance of getting at least one home game in the knockout stages, even if we win both home games.
I am surprised we have not started Hutch. Our centres and wingers looks like the weak spot here/ very young and inexperienced against the likes of BJvR, Ravouvou etc
Not optimistic but if Finn & Furbs can click with the backs we could be surprised.
Wouldn’t want to be Manny or Trev lifting those 2nd rowers!!
Rests for Fischetti, Coles, Pollock and Mitch all done and dusted!
Saintsman94, you are correct Benson started at lock 3 times for Bedford in 2025.
Rests for Fischetti, Coles, Pollock and Mitch all done and dusted!
Saintsman94, you are correct Benson started at lock 3 times for Bedford in 2025.
Pack looks good
Particularly with Pearson on the bench
Good opportunity for some young backs to step up and make a name for themselves
Nervous we might get a kicking but also feel we can get the win
Particularly with Pearson on the bench
Good opportunity for some young backs to step up and make a name for themselves
Nervous we might get a kicking but also feel we can get the win
Hard one to call
It’s away to a good team, but a team with injuries and internationals away.
But it’s a massive chance to get an away win though
Chick/Kemeny/Pearson/VdM could all have been playing internationally the last few weeks but are available and ready to go. Graham is a quality back rower too
Finn should be massively fresh and probably wasn’t expecting to play this fixture 2/3 months ago so he is a bonus.
Litchfield has a chance to show that he isn’t just a guy who plugs the holes (very well) when there are injuries/rotations
Toby Thame has a massive opportunity too here
Furbank is finally back, as is TJ on the bench
Todaro has been electric
The front row is strong and not coming up against Genge
Lots of positives. Perhaps a lot of learnings to be taken fir the game what ever happens
It’s away to a good team, but a team with injuries and internationals away.
But it’s a massive chance to get an away win though
Chick/Kemeny/Pearson/VdM could all have been playing internationally the last few weeks but are available and ready to go. Graham is a quality back rower too
Finn should be massively fresh and probably wasn’t expecting to play this fixture 2/3 months ago so he is a bonus.
Litchfield has a chance to show that he isn’t just a guy who plugs the holes (very well) when there are injuries/rotations
Toby Thame has a massive opportunity too here
Furbank is finally back, as is TJ on the bench
Todaro has been electric
The front row is strong and not coming up against Genge
Lots of positives. Perhaps a lot of learnings to be taken fir the game what ever happens
Well bit of a mixed bag. Lots of our current ‘big names’ missing - but lots of our future ‘big names’ playing. Could good either way (obviously) but I think we have the goods upfront to do ok.
As for Thacker - can we give him a contract??
As for Thacker - can we give him a contract??
Ford, Slade, Steward, Feyi-Waboso, Cowan-Dickie all playing tonight……didn’t I read that some of our guys were off to Dubai ?
Quote:NGSB
Ford, Slade, Steward, Feyi-Waboso, Cowan-Dickie all playing tonight……didn’t I read that some of our guys were off to Dubai ?
I thought they all had to rest after the autumn internationals. I was surprised to see Stewards name pop up on the TV, you'd think a match against Newcastle would be the Ideal time to rest.
Further to my last…….from what I can make out, sixteen out of the twenty three England players who were selected for the Argentina game are playing this weekend.
Perhaps those not resting players, dont have such lofty hopes for Europe.
I think that they only have to have a one game rest if they were in *all* the matchday 23's. Ford, Slade & Steward were all not selected for at least one game.
It's why we can play Fin tomorrow and not have to rest him for one of the Euro games.
It's why we can play Fin tomorrow and not have to rest him for one of the Euro games.
I normally hate it when its wet but this is one game i actually dont mind . Will hamper bristol just as much and we have a big heavy pack. Just hope the limeout functions .
Im not overly concerned about the lineout. When its not our ball, we don't often compete. When it is, we don't have to put a 7 man line out in.
Kemeny, Pearson, Chick and Benson have all jumped in a lineout. Also, these days, the difference in height between back row and locks is single digit inches.
Kemeny, Pearson, Chick and Benson have all jumped in a lineout. Also, these days, the difference in height between back row and locks is single digit inches.
Todaro over keen competing for the highball. It’s gonna be a tough 20 minutes after his red
Can somebody explain the concept of duty of care to world rugby, it starts with duty of responsibility. Todaro ran in to catch, not tackle, so you cannot start saying it was a tackle, reckless or poor play. We must stop players jumping under the ball … you can’t just make it the responsibility of the person that doesn’t jump and red card them, this is ludicrous and allows players to put themselves in danger. So this just tells players, under a high ball, jump, any outcome is not your fault … absolutely stupid.
Well the recent spell of Prem Cup matches looks to have been managed spot on in terms of getting the team ready for the main competitions....
Quote:Matthew
Well the recent spell of Prem Cup matches looks to have been managed spot on in terms of getting the team ready for the main competitions....
Totally agree with this point. Lost all momentum with approach to prem cup
I cannot help but feel that this game has been put down as one which Saints can afford to lose with eyes very clearly on another European run. Presumably a stronger starting XV next week……I hope
Edit # 1. Approaching half time and a complete and utter humiliation. Three shabby performances in the PC and now choosing an under strength team on a trip to Bristol where season in season out we never seem to achieve anything. We started the day top of the league and unbeaten - ok, it’s a long season and we will still be third come tomorrow night but even so !
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:29:18:27:10 by NGSB.
Edit # 1. Approaching half time and a complete and utter humiliation. Three shabby performances in the PC and now choosing an under strength team on a trip to Bristol where season in season out we never seem to achieve anything. We started the day top of the league and unbeaten - ok, it’s a long season and we will still be third come tomorrow night but even so !
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:29:18:27:10 by NGSB.
Men v boys here. Scrum half other than Mitch is an issue. Why does he not start TJ? Sure mcparland has had a mare a few times at Ashton Gate.
Tempest so one sided it’s blatant but we are absolutely pathetic. Second to the ball, single players isolated and penalised constantly and sorry but McParland should never be starting ahead of James if he’s fit.
Two tries practically given to them through players being all over the place and not involved.
Two tries practically given to them through players being all over the place and not involved.
I don’t often give up watching a match, but I’m sorely tempted with this dire fest
I gave up after 30 mins. Bristol look good, we are terrible and Tempest also terrible. No point in watching, I have other better things to do.
We look like a side who hasn’t played together in weeks but when one side is reffed and the other not it doesn’t help. Both teams thrive on momentum and when you’re allowed get away with murder you can just keep building - forward passes, illegal clear outs, crawling with the ball all fine for the home side.
Can't even have a pop at the one sided commentary as there's only one team that's playing.
Just awful!
I hope those travelling are being refunded their costs
Just awful!
I hope those travelling are being refunded their costs
Appalling half regardless of the red card. Did not regroup at all, we went missing. Back up to 15 but wouldn’t think it.
Yep last two weeks have done nowt to prep for this
Yep last two weeks have done nowt to prep for this
Quote:NGSB
I cannot help but feel that this game has been put down as one which Saints can afford to lose with eyes very clearly on another European run. Presumably a stronger starting XV next week……I hope
Agree. Team selection and mindset was clearly that this was one to write off. For me you go hard and strong at every game, that is what championship teams do
The problem with Tempest is once he gets an idea that one side is dominant (eg Scrums) he’s incapable of changing his mind, unless you change something (eg the props).
But think issues are a lot closer to home this evening!!
Bristol & Ashton Gate have really got into the Psyche of Saints!
Where’s the Saints leadership on the pitch?
But think issues are a lot closer to home this evening!!
Bristol & Ashton Gate have really got into the Psyche of Saints!
Where’s the Saints leadership on the pitch?
Quote:BucksaintQuote:NGSB
I cannot help but feel that this game has been put down as one which Saints can afford to lose with eyes very clearly on another European run. Presumably a stronger starting XV next week……I hope
Agree. Team selection and mindset was clearly that this was one to write off. For me you go hard and strong at every game, that is what championship teams do
+1…. I don’t like playing percentages, it can seriously backfire
Selection wise you are missing 3 4 players, would they be making that much difference?
Edit: Corrected to the four who (presumably fit) but were rested after AIs.
Coles, Fischetti, Mitchell & Pollock
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:30:06:16:31 by tigersimon.
Edit: Corrected to the four who (presumably fit) but were rested after AIs.
Coles, Fischetti, Mitchell & Pollock
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:30:06:16:31 by tigersimon.
Quote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Mitchell possibly. Less sure that the other absentees would be making a material difference.
Quote:MatthewQuote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Mitchell possibly. Less sure that the other absentees would be making a material difference.
Key point is we didn’t start with the strongest available team, I think personnel would make a difference if we start with Hutch, Pearson, TJ but it sends a signal too, to Bristol and us. Plus I think we chose this game to rest Coles, Mitchell and Pollock but didn’t need to.
Quote:MatthewQuote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Mitchell possibly. Less sure that the other absentees would be making a material difference.
Mitchell, Coles, Langdon, dingwall and freeman make a difference here.
Has Mr Tempest referreed before ?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:29:20:15:31 by Gwendoline.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:29:20:15:31 by Gwendoline.
Quote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Yes. Mitchell, Smith, Sleightholme, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Freeman, Furbank backline and its a different game.
Caqusau, McParland, Thame and Prowse currently not good enough for tight prem games.
Quote:BucksaintQuote:MatthewQuote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Mitchell possibly. Less sure that the other absentees would be making a material difference.
Key point is we didn’t start with the strongest available team, I think personnel would make a difference if we start with Hutch, Pearson, TJ but it sends a signal too, to Bristol and us. Plus I think we chose this game to rest Coles, Mitchell and Pollock but didn’t need to.
Which games would you rather have rested them for? Personally there's only 4 European games, compared to 18 league so it makes more sense to me to rest here?
Up there with the most poor performance ive seen from any team so.far this year
Perhaps if there were just three Autumn Internationals then every team could have a rest period before restarting the league and European campaigns.
Hilarious the way people are now saying Thame, McParland, etc, not good enough.
Anyone who has actually watched them play could have told you that.
Our first 15/23 are a match for anyone. Below that, we don’t have the strength in depth.
Anyone who has actually watched them play could have told you that.
Our first 15/23 are a match for anyone. Below that, we don’t have the strength in depth.
Quote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
I make it Coles, Freeman, Dingwall and Mitchell from England.
It is nearly one third of the starting line up.
I think the bigger problem is that we playe the game totally different to England. We always seem to lose the first two games after the last England game. England play an opposite style to us, even if when we have played more returning England players they seems to take a while to get up to speed with out style. The turgid style kicking teams dona lot better after internationals as that is more akin to how England play. Bristol have injuries but only Genge who really plays a different style and props are less affected.
I think Saints need to work on being hard to beat and the more defensive stuff in the lead up to England internationals imho.
Quote:SaintsAsh
I gave up after 30 mins. Bristol look good, we are terrible and Tempest also terrible. No point in watching, I have other better things to do.
I gave up after 30 too. Never done that before but you could see we weren't up for it at all today. I was fuming after 20 and to see Vesty laughing away on the tv coverage showed they had written off the game as well. Is Radford still away with Scotland because our defense was dire. That 2nd try in particular the scrum half picked up and there was no defenders around him at all. No desire to get back. That is 3 awful games on the bounce now. Getting sick of it. I hate singling out players but Mcparland is just not up to it at this level. Weimann is much better. I feel sorry for those who made the trip down today.
It was a kicking
It wasn’t the fact that we lost
Probably more amazing if we had won
But the way we lost
Why was that team so far away from what we would expect with the internationals back
They train together are coached by the same people
Baffling
It wasn’t the fact that we lost
Probably more amazing if we had won
But the way we lost
Why was that team so far away from what we would expect with the internationals back
They train together are coached by the same people
Baffling
Quote:Unfortunately yes!! If ever a ref comes into a game with preconceived ideas it’s TempestGwendoline
Has Mr Tempest referreed before ?
No point in bleating about the ref - there are not many who are eligible to referee in the Premiership - they all have their foibles and the coaches know them. If Ian Tempest is heavily influenced by a dominant scrum, as an example, then make sure you have a dominant scrum. If a referee like Luke Pearce likes to let a game flow then play a high tempo game, if Karl Dickson likes to be a pedant then don’t play into his hands.
We can’t blame the ref or England or anyone else. I love our club and set up and coaches but that was well below good enough and that is on the players but ultimately our approach to the game from management, in my view. Bristol away is a massive challenge and we didn’t respect it with selection, mentality or game tactics. I simply do not agree with writing off certain fixtures, if that is what today was about
Quote:I think the reason that people are upset about tonight's officiating of the scrum (including me) is that Bristol were far from dominant. If anything, Saints were the dominant force, IMHO. Too often Bristol failed to drive straight or collapsed the scrum (particularly Max Lahiff) and yet, it was Saints who were penalised. I don't believe that this was the reason for losing the game but it prevented the Saints from having possession and getting back into the game.NGSB
No point in bleating about the ref - there are not many who are eligible to referee in the Premiership - they all have their foibles and the coaches know them. If Ian Tempest is heavily influenced by a dominant scrum, as an example, then make sure you have a dominant scrum. If a referee like Luke Pearce likes to let a game flow then play a high tempo game, if Karl Dickson likes to be a pedant then don’t play into his hands.
Started watching this late, got about 30 in and had to turn it off. We were utterly useless and didn’t look the slightest bit interested. They didn’t go down fighting as far as I can tell and were second best to everything. I know the second half was an improvement score wise.
Serious question, has Tempest ever had a decent game when reffing us? Not blaming him but he didn’t help and missed stuff for the period I did watch. The lads should hang their head at the shower of pop they provided today. Why don’t they learn the lessons after previous international breaks? Shambles
Serious question, has Tempest ever had a decent game when reffing us? Not blaming him but he didn’t help and missed stuff for the period I did watch. The lads should hang their head at the shower of pop they provided today. Why don’t they learn the lessons after previous international breaks? Shambles
No matter what the score I won’t leave a match or stop watching a game on TV until the final whistle has blown. However, for the first time I switched off at half time yesterday evening.
It seems that once a season the Saints have a complete brain fart and end up playing much worse than any other team in the Premiership.
The International break and missing a few players can’t be used as any sort of excuse because this affects all the other Premiership teams and even then there should still have been enough quality and experience on the pitch.
Having to play in a disintegrating team obviously can’t be easy, and they’ve unfortunately had to do it more than once before, however I think it’s time that questions are asked as to whether one or more of the young players really has what it takes.
Hopefully, yesterday was the ‘brainfart’ game and things will be turned around very quickly. It has to be otherwise this seasons European campaign could be over before it’d only just started.
It seems that once a season the Saints have a complete brain fart and end up playing much worse than any other team in the Premiership.
The International break and missing a few players can’t be used as any sort of excuse because this affects all the other Premiership teams and even then there should still have been enough quality and experience on the pitch.
Having to play in a disintegrating team obviously can’t be easy, and they’ve unfortunately had to do it more than once before, however I think it’s time that questions are asked as to whether one or more of the young players really has what it takes.
Hopefully, yesterday was the ‘brainfart’ game and things will be turned around very quickly. It has to be otherwise this seasons European campaign could be over before it’d only just started.
my biggest complaint about our game today is illegal clear outs with players going into rucks like missiles, going to ground well beyond the ball and not being penalised for it. That seemed to be a tactic that poor old Tempo didn't see as a problem yesterday and I was surprised more Saints were not injured. With regard to Archie McParland I thought his game was reasonable regarding the lack of protection and all of those calling for his head must realise that he has many supporters which include national coaches including our own.
why did we not play coles mitchell and pollock I know we have to rest them for 1 game in the next 3.Iam sorry but mcparland was awful hardly anyone had a decent game.Why not rest the internationals next week i would rather we done well in the league than in europe anytime.The french will probably win in europe again anyway.
Seemed as though the coaches viewed this match as the rest one. I would have thought a bit more of a mix and match approach, spreading rest weeks, might have worked better. Thought we really could have done with Coles and Pearson starting in the pack, which was slow and stodgy and rarely troubled Bris at the breakdown. Surely then rest Coles when one of Lockett or Munga is back (unless they are longer term)? And Hutch should also surely have started in place of Thame.
Hopefully cavalry back next week and a much better performance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:30:11:37:58 by St Marcus.
Hopefully cavalry back next week and a much better performance.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:30:11:37:58 by St Marcus.
If we progress in Europe it will mean more revenue than the Prem.
A home last 16 and quarter final must put a fair bit on the coffers, part of this is, probably in the financial forecasting.
This is versus one home semi final possible in the Prem.
Not sure how the gate receipts are split.
A home last 16 and quarter final must put a fair bit on the coffers, part of this is, probably in the financial forecasting.
This is versus one home semi final possible in the Prem.
Not sure how the gate receipts are split.
Have Saints ever lost a game where someone hasn't blamed the ref?
Yesterday was a classic example of how our game falls apart when things don't click, there have been examples of how great it can be when it does click.
We were frankly awful yesterday we were missing key players as they were we also chose to rest some which will have benefits later in the season, player management is a key part of long term success.
Maybe some people will start to understand what Borthwick is doing with England in building a robust gameplan that can be tweaked and also rotating the squad whilst putting together a strong squad. Failing that blame England, the ref or anything other than the real reason.
Yesterday was a classic example of how our game falls apart when things don't click, there have been examples of how great it can be when it does click.
We were frankly awful yesterday we were missing key players as they were we also chose to rest some which will have benefits later in the season, player management is a key part of long term success.
Maybe some people will start to understand what Borthwick is doing with England in building a robust gameplan that can be tweaked and also rotating the squad whilst putting together a strong squad. Failing that blame England, the ref or anything other than the real reason.
Well, didn’t watch it - seems like I missed the annual saints catastrophe. Some years this becomes a weekly event so, by our own standards, if we win handsomely next week we can chalk this one up as a blip.
Also, clearly our ‘future’ big names are more ‘future’ than we thought
Also, clearly our ‘future’ big names are more ‘future’ than we thought
Quote:ajack
Have Saints ever lost a game where someone hasn't blamed the ref?
Yesterday was a classic example of how our game falls apart when things don't click, there have been examples of how great it can be when it does click.
We were frankly awful yesterday we were missing key players as they were we also chose to rest some which will have benefits later in the season, player management is a key part of long term success.
Maybe some people will start to understand what Borthwick is doing with England in building a robust gameplan that can be tweaked and also rotating the squad whilst putting together a strong squad. Failing that blame England, the ref or anything other than the real reason.
The ref was not good, but it was not why we lost. As you said we rested players and did not play well.
It was a hard watch. The red card seemed to have a significant impact on our collective psyche. I thought we got a poor deal at scrum time, Trev and Manny were clearly at a loss what to do about the opposition taking the scrum down. We clearly had the stronger scrum but not the eye of the officials. Our backs just couldn’t find a groove. We kicked to a poor chase and failed to stop the opposition making ground in contact and winning quick phase ball. When we had the ball in hand our timing was off the beat and players were over/under-running. Time to write that down as a loss and move on.
Quote:Sir Hector
It was a hard watch. The red card seemed to have a significant impact on our collective psyche. I thought we got a poor deal at scrum time, Trev and Manny were clearly at a loss what to do about the opposition taking the scrum down. We clearly had the stronger scrum but not the eye of the officials. Our backs just couldn’t find a groove. We kicked to a poor chase and failed to stop the opposition making ground in contact and winning quick phase ball. When we had the ball in hand our timing was off the beat and players were over/under-running. Time to write that down as a loss and move on.
Normally a player being lost to the bin seems to galvanise a team
We seemed to play as if we had lost the game and just wanted to see time out
I really wanted to see the boys angry aggressive and in the game as much as possible Unfortunately I didn’t see that
Slow to the breakdown slow reforming defence and almost standing off waiting for someone else to do the job
One example was our first real attack we had a five m lineout
After a ball to Chick from the first breakdown he runs towards the posts, he is about 5m out, gets tackled there are no saints in support and he gets turned over
Perhaps some of our better players make those on the periphery look better than they are
Very disappointing
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025:11:30:19:44:53 by Deesaint.
I've only watched the first 50 minutes or so but I thought we really struggled without a proper lineout operator at lock (I appreciate our hand was somewhat forced).
No competition on their wonky lineouts meant them not being penalised by the ref (one should have been, mind) our own was shaky at best and the benefit we should have gained at the scrum was nullified by the ref favouring Bristol (rightly or wrongly). We essentially had no set-piece, so the blame can't lie exclusively with the backs.
Does anyone know what happened with Manny? Was he a tactical sub because of his warning from the ref, or was it an injury?
One silver lining, I was impressed with Wright, in a game where many looked devoid of much fight, he seemed to keep working for everything. He's got a bright future.
No competition on their wonky lineouts meant them not being penalised by the ref (one should have been, mind) our own was shaky at best and the benefit we should have gained at the scrum was nullified by the ref favouring Bristol (rightly or wrongly). We essentially had no set-piece, so the blame can't lie exclusively with the backs.
Does anyone know what happened with Manny? Was he a tactical sub because of his warning from the ref, or was it an injury?
One silver lining, I was impressed with Wright, in a game where many looked devoid of much fight, he seemed to keep working for everything. He's got a bright future.
Quote:TheGentQuote:tigersimon
Selection wise you are missing 3 players, would they be making that much difference?
Caqusau, McParland, Thame and Prowse currently not good enough for tight prem games.
Caqusau is at best 5th choice, so is Thame, Prowse is at best 4th but probably 5th. i really don't think there's many teams around that have players that far down the depth that are good enough for tight prem games
Quote:BucksaintQuote:NGSB
I cannot help but feel that this game has been put down as one which Saints can afford to lose with eyes very clearly on another European run. Presumably a stronger starting XV next week……I hope
Agree. Team selection and mindset was clearly that this was one to write off. For me you go hard and strong at every game, that is what championship teams do
from a team selection point of view, they did choose the best team, no one was rested with the potential exception of Sleights. The international rest is enforced at some point in the first 3 games so its literally impossible to go hard and strong at every game?
Yes, that was awful but with it being December and Christmas fast approaching, some positives...
Thame, Caqusau, McParland will have leaned a lot from that very difficult game. I remember McParland having a shocker against Bristol before and he's had some much improved performances since then, good enough to warrant England A call ups. Never know, a big defeat could end up being the making of them.
That performance was well off what we have come to expect. We know that the squad is better than that and is hopefully a blip.
We are third in the league and only 3 points off top. I would have taken that at the end of last season!
Also, look at the players that are we have to return
Langdon
Fischetti
Coles
Munga
Lockett
Pollock
Mitchell
Belleau
Dingwall
Freeman
Hendy
Ramm
Sleightholme
Each and every one of those players can be difference makers.
One game does not make or break our season. Have faith.
Thame, Caqusau, McParland will have leaned a lot from that very difficult game. I remember McParland having a shocker against Bristol before and he's had some much improved performances since then, good enough to warrant England A call ups. Never know, a big defeat could end up being the making of them.
That performance was well off what we have come to expect. We know that the squad is better than that and is hopefully a blip.
We are third in the league and only 3 points off top. I would have taken that at the end of last season!
Also, look at the players that are we have to return
Langdon
Fischetti
Coles
Munga
Lockett
Pollock
Mitchell
Belleau
Dingwall
Freeman
Hendy
Ramm
Sleightholme
Each and every one of those players can be difference makers.
One game does not make or break our season. Have faith.
Quote:Reformatted into a backline that I would argue would be amongst the top in the league. I think you made a great point!St Stokey.
Mitchell
Belleau
Sleightholme
Dingwall
Freeman
Hendy
Ramm
Look, no team can go through a season unbeaten, not Saracens, not Leicester, not Bath, not us. We have a shocking record at Bristol - by and large Pat Lam has the measure of us. Could Saints have gone in stronger - yes, whether that be a good idea or not. Is it pragmatic to get this game out of the way and hope for the odd point - maybe. Are we strong enough and deep enough to challenge on both fronts - probably not. As a club we are on a poor run after a possibly flattering start to the season. Heads are down both on and off the pitch. Presumably we will be much stronger in Pau, I. certainly hope so because we need to get the wheels rolling again.
The Bristol v Northampton game has just been added to the SaintsTV You Tube channel.
Calling the recording ‘highlights’ might mean Trading Standards have to get involved, however even so I’m not sure how they managed to stretch it out to 6mins.53secs.
Calling the recording ‘highlights’ might mean Trading Standards have to get involved, however even so I’m not sure how they managed to stretch it out to 6mins.53secs.
Van der mescht and Prowse CANNOT ever be on the field at the same time again. Borderline negligent selection to name a side containing them both.
The refereeing at the scrum is one of the most baffling things I've ever seen as an ex front row player. Was texting a prop I used to play with who is a Bristol supporter during the game and even with his bears tinted glasses he was perplexed.
That's not the reason the game was lost though, that came down to applicaiton and desire in defence. The Marmion tap penalty and the dive over unopposed after a line break were criminal lapses in application and effort.
I will end with a positive though - how good is it to see George Furbank back? To even be mentioned during the player of the match chat in amongst that absolute dumpster fire of a team performance shows his class.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:02:11:22:27 by Wrench.
The refereeing at the scrum is one of the most baffling things I've ever seen as an ex front row player. Was texting a prop I used to play with who is a Bristol supporter during the game and even with his bears tinted glasses he was perplexed.
That's not the reason the game was lost though, that came down to applicaiton and desire in defence. The Marmion tap penalty and the dive over unopposed after a line break were criminal lapses in application and effort.
I will end with a positive though - how good is it to see George Furbank back? To even be mentioned during the player of the match chat in amongst that absolute dumpster fire of a team performance shows his class.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025:12:02:11:22:27 by Wrench.
Quote:Wrench
That's not the reason the game was lost though, that came down to applicaiton and desire in defence. The Marmion tap penalty and the dive over unopposed after a line break were criminal lapses in application and effort.
As soon as Marmion goes quick I don't think there's anyway to legally stop the try. He goes too quick for any of the forwards to get back onside, Graham is the only one who has a chance and backpedalling as fast as he can just doesnt get him there in time. He's over the line less than 4 seconds after the Ref blows the whistle. 12 doesn't have a chance either, his positioning is too wide becuase Saints are down to 14 so there's more ground to cover. You have to organise the positioning based on the ball being played away, not a scrumhalf tap penalty.
Quote:Smooothsides
You have to organise the positioning based on the ball being played away, not a scrumhalf tap penalty.
Rule one of defence is defend the immediate threat first. The immediate threat is the guy with the ball. To just abandon your post defending him is worse than schoolboy.
Radford had an impact in year one, but that's been eroded massively in the last two seasons - the desire to defend has reverted back to the average that preceded his tenure. Hopefully whoever we get in to replace him has a more permanent effect
Quote:nobody abandoned their post though? off that scrum the 9 is the responsibility of Graham. He'd have to unbind from the scrum, retreat 3m, get back forward around 2m and make a tackle. All before Marmion can tap the ball and run forward 5m. Unless you're suggesting the 12 should be close enough to the scrum half so that if there's a scrum penalty and the quick tap is taken that he's there to cover? If you do that youre leaving a massive gap further out though and the chances of a tap pen from a 5m scrum are really low everyone would be moaning about the space out wideWrenchQuote:Smooothsides
You have to organise the positioning based on the ball being played away, not a scrumhalf tap penalty.
Rule one of defence is defend the immediate threat first. The immediate threat is the guy with the ball. To just abandon your post defending him is worse than schoolboy.
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