PREM 25/26 - Round 13

[Reiser99]

Glad I chose to watch Exeter v Saints.

Very enjoyable, but only one remotely competitive game out of 4 so far is disappointing.

Definitely a large gap between the top 5/6 and the bottom 4.

Only one game this weekend between the top 6.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Might be single figures of fans in the crowd today,
The planning bozos have missed that it's the Manchester Marathon today, and also Man City are at home

 

[Reiser99]

Might be single figures of fans in the crowd today,
The planning bozos have missed that it's the Manchester Marathon today, and also Man City are at home

That's it, get the excuses in early.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's it, get the excuses in early.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

O'Flaherty gotta be the worst defensive winger in the league

 

[TRF_Olyy]

At least there's only 440mins left of this for the year

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

O'Flaherty gotta be the worst defensive winger in the league

Christian wade: hold my beer

 

[BMatt]

I'm surprised Sanderson wasn't sacked at half time.

 

[PremRugbyScorigami]

Saracens 85-19 Sale

SCORIGAMI!

This is the first instance of this score in @premrugby history

 

[Reiser99]

That's embarrassing, even for Sale.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not sure we can actually field a side next week - Longstaff going off injured means we only have one hooker in the squad, presumably gonna have to bring in Nathan Langdon from Sale FC

Ramont's injury means we're down to 4 props total, AOF presumably gonna have to cover tighthead from the pitch (is that allowed, or do we have to bench one of him/Harper) as we only have two academy looseheads left

Two more backrow injuries too

No side, so a 50-0 walkover, would actually do us a favour tbf

 

[Arcturus]

Not been consistent enough this season and lost too many games in the final 5mins or so but...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Not sure we can actually field a side next week - Longstaff going off injured means we only have one hooker in the squad, presumably gonna have to bring in Nathan Langdon from Sale FC

Ramont's injury means we're down to 4 props total, AOF presumably gonna have to cover tighthead from the pitch (is that allowed, or do we have to bench one of him/Harper) as we only have two academy looseheads left

Two more backrow injuries too

No side, so a 50-0 walkover, would actually do us a favour tbf

I quite liked Nathan Langdon what what I saw of him. Not sure why he didn’t get more of a chance really.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I quite liked Nathan Langdon what what I saw of him. Not sure why he didn’t get more of a chance really.

Thought the same when he was with us before - must be something the coaches are(/aren't) seeing, he definitely looked good enough to be playing above nat league level

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Those yapping on about expanding the league to 12, 14 or even 20 teams have had a sobering reality check this weekend.

I’m going to see Sarries v Tigers next week. At least they look like 2 teams who might put up a fight, but for £80 that’s a bare minimum. You can’t charge premium prices for dross.

 

[BrokenWing]

That's a horrible cleanout

Another failure of the 20min red, that should be straight

I’ve just watched the highlights and came to say the same. Dangerous and deliberate. IMO worse than a punch.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Not sure we can actually field a side next week

News just in, Quins and Sale to merge next week, in an attempt to at least get one squad on the pitch.


Seriously though, these injury crises suck balls.
Went through it with Bath under Hooper, and the hits just keep coming, and the losses, and the morale. With the injuries, you can't train properly as you can't oppose, and you can't risk upping the intensity in training. You play through knocks that would normally see you out, or limiting your game time. You have people playing out of position in unfamiliar roles.
All of which means that you're more likely to get hurt in a match, and if/when you do, it's likely to worse as it's an injury on top an injury on top of fatigue. Which makes it worse for the whole squad next week.

The surprise for me is that two clubs are having this crisis so soon after a 1st XV break for the 6Nations, which ought to have reset the cumulative knocks and fatigue issues. The fractured season (see break for the AIs) ought, in theory, be good for player welfare as first teamers get to hit the beach, and massage table, and get a couple of weeks pre-season in; and the deeper squad gets a run-out to harden their bodies and prove match-fitness.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Those yapping on about expanding the league to 12, 14 or even 20 teams have had a sobering reality check this weekend.

I’m going to see Sarries v Tigers next week. At least they look like 2 teams who might put up a fight, but for £80 that’s a bare minimum. You can’t charge premium prices for dross.

With no relegation and top 8 qualifying for Europe there will quite a few games that just don’t matter to some players and clubs.

First they ruined the Heineken cup, then super rugby, then the World Cup and now the premiership.

 

[Saintjay]

Gloucester would qualify into the Champions Cup on two wins.

Absolutely screams quality and Champions.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

News just in, Quins and Sale to merge next week, in an attempt to at least get one squad on the pitch.


Seriously though, these injury crises suck balls.

Physical game, injuries happen. But this is just another in the stack of problems in the way of getting a properly competitive league.

Charlie Morgan’s article in today’s Times is with a read if you can get to it.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Leatherbarrow only gets 3 weeks for his clear out

Down 2 with a course

https://rfu.widen.net/s/vjdqftbfrh/oliver-leatherbarrow-newcastle-red-bulls-infographic

Good record?
Is this the same player?
https://thetab.com/2023/02/23/exete...-from-playing-after-punching-a-cardiff-player