PREM 25/26 - Grand Final

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Ddanno]

Gotta wonder if Chiefs have enough left in the tank for this. I could see it getting very messy for them. Which is fine by me.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Chiefs fitness is insane tbh

I reckon saints will start off strong the question might be if they can build a big enough lead

 

[Becca]

It could be a belter, couldn’t it ?

I don’t know why some of the Saints fans I’ve been in touch with are being so dismissive about Exeter ! They’re a great side, incredibly tenacious and caused us trouble both times we played them this season.

I’m looking forward to it, but am pretty nervous too.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Im so pumped for this game, it’s the final I really wanted as chiefs have always been a second favourite of mine.

I do think that we will just have too much fire power for them but it all depends on how much composure we have later on in the game.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

An inside source has revealed that Fin Smith wears Harvey Skinner pyjamas.

 

[Ddanno]

Misquoted: Wears Harvey Skinner AS pyjamas

 

[BathBod]

I'm backing Chiefs

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think I'm leaning Saints in a high scoring game, but Chiefs do have a knack of snatching wins as the underdogs

Part of me does think that how hard fought some of their wins have been might catch up with them, though - imagine their players are a bit more battered and bruised than the Saints are


Should be a banger of a game no matter the winner

 

[Scotty]

The best attack vs the best defence in the league.

Scored so many more points but we conceded a lot less.

And I'd back our fitness to not fall off if we keep it close.

Saints are rightly the favourites but it could go either way.

 

[Geordie]

Some Boy Rob Baxter mind isnt he.

I also wondered if this was one step too far for this Exeter side after one hell of a season after finishing 2nd bottom last season. But hey they've got a some cracking players and they'll fight to the end.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

In a boost for Saints, Mitchell possibly in line for a place on the bench.

But SB gets the final say on both him and IFW. I hope on this occasion he throws away the red rose tinted glasses and remembers that this is a huge game for these guys with the blokes they play with week in, week out.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Being rushed back from a hamstring injury sounds like a good way to be out until Christmas

 

[Scotty]

Being rushed back from a hamstring injury sounds like a good way to be out until Christmas

Prob should rest Mitchell i agree, please rest him. Taking off my chiefs bias id rather him available for England and vs Chiefs he will need to be on his game and able to give 100% and if he is rushed back he's in line for an injury as hamstrings cant be rushed.

But I get it it's saints best and most experienced SH, putting him on the bench he might only be used if needed for the win. Risk they want to take so I get it.


Rush IFW back!

 

[Seeker]

I think Northampton will win. Just a gut feeling.

 

[Scotty]

I think Northampton will win. Just a gut feeling.

I do too they have clearly been the best team but chiefs have defied expectations all season so I'd say we have a decent chance.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

In a boost for Saints, Mitchell possibly in line for a place on the bench.

But SB gets the final say on both him and IFW. I hope on this occasion he throws away the red rose tinted glasses and remembers that this is a huge game for these guys with the blokes they play with week in, week out.

BBC reporting England are set to clear both.

 

[Scotty]

IFW and Roots both cleared to play tomorrow which is a big boost to the 23.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

IFW and Roots both cleared to play tomorrow which is a big boost to the 23.

IFW is a massive boost, but I’m not sure Roots will make the 23 considering the form Tshiunza’s in. I wouldn’t take him over Hooper or Fisilau as starters, and Vintcent is a bit of a cheat code off the bench. Could maybe see us going with a 6:2 bench now though.

 

[Scotty]

IFW is a massive boost, but I’m not sure Roots will make the 23 considering the form Tshiunza’s in. I wouldn’t take him over Hooper or Fisilau as starters, and Vintcent is a bit of a cheat code off the bench. Could maybe see us going with a 6:2 bench now though.

Tshiunza is playing well tbh, i wonder if we get Hooper Fisilau Vincent starting for some pace starting then Tshiunza and roots on the bench?

 

[mkersyshull]

Been listening to a few different rugby pods this week, and maybe it’s just my Saints-tinted glasses, but it feels like there’s been a massive amount of media access to the Northampton squad lately. Contrast that with Rob Baxter’s comment on another pod about "pitching the tent 50 meters away from the circus," and it's clear we're seeing two totally different philosophies.

It got me thinking: what’s the right balance? How much should clubs and players be putting themselves out there to drive hype and grow the game, versus shutting down the distractions and just letting the rugby do the talking?

I’m genuinely torn on this one and don't think there's a simple right or wrong answer. Curious to hear what everyone else thinks—does the media obligations "circus" actually disrupt final prep, or is it a vital duty to the sport?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Depends entirely on the players. If you shove a player into the spotlight who doesn’t want to be there then that’s going to make them uncomfortable and distract them from their process. If you hold back a player who loves the limelight then they’re not going to reach the levels of hype that they thrive off of and that energises them at game time.

There’s no one-size-fits-all way of doing it, every personality is different.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Depends entirely on the players. If you shove a player into the spotlight who doesn’t want to be there then that’s going to make them uncomfortable and distract them from their process. If you hold back a player who loves the limelight then they’re not going to reach the levels of hype that they thrive off of and that energises them at game time.

There’s no one-size-fits-all way of doing it, every personality is different.

Was just about to say the similar,
Also there's the balancing act of media for a player in terms of their celebrity vs their mental wellbeing too - a lot of players will be able to roll with it regardless and cut away, but some won't
There's all the talk about growing the characters, making players as famous as footballers etc. but that also comes with the negatives
If Pollock drops the ball over the line on Saturday how much personal abuse is he going to get vs if Fisilau did the exact same?

Not saying Pollock can't handle it, obviously, but you never know how a young player is going to be able to handle hundreds/thousands of anonymous trolls sending abuse on social media

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Very glad to see Manny back but kinda shocked that it’s PBB who’s dropped out to accommodate him; I’d have thought it’d be Ridl. Feel massively for PBB who’s had an awesome season.

Also very surprised to see Rusi drop out when he’s been a mainstay in that 19 shirt all season. Having both Vintcent & James on the bench seems like too much of the same thing to me; I’d have rather had Tuima, Tshiunza & Vintcent in the 19, 20 & 21 shirts.

Oh well, Baxter has my trust. COYC

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Happy with that, the only areas of discussion were th, lock, back row selection and centres but looks as expected. I’m super happy to see Mitchell back, his tactical kicking can win games so glad he’s on the bench.

I wondered if we’d go Cole’s at 6 with a massive pack but looks like we are going mobile initially.

I’ll be down there for hopefully my second time watching them win the premiership. I was in Magaluf the first time…but we don’t talk about that holiday.

 

[Scotty]

Really looking forward to this one today, should be a great game. Hopeful of a win but I know we arnt the favourites. Damn good game for the neutral id imagine.

 

[Jimbo]

I’m really struggling to see anything by a NH win, Exe were great last week but you have to feel Bath lost it rather than Exe won it, I just think the way saints move the opposition pack about and the 9 keeps the defences honest in a way Spencer really doesn’t anymore is asking completely different questions of Exe, if saints don’t let it become an arm wrestle and keep it fast flowing it will be way too much.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's bad from IFW

 

[Jimbo]

That's bad from IFW

Almost guilty of too higher work rate and cocking it up trying to cover

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Chiefs look like their heads have gone - too worked up?

Hooper has had two huge errors (penalty for a very blatant not rolling and then didn't even attempt a tackle on that break)