Serb wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 3:53 pm
The breakdown work from La Rochelle, Botia in particular, is ridiculous. So hard to defend against, he gets in position so quickly and is hard to shift.
I actually think Saracens have looked the better team in pretty much every other dimension, but they just can’t negate La Rochelle’s ruck defence.
Got to assume they will win this and proceed to the final in due course.
Between Danty, Bottia and Skelton any rucknis practically 50/50 if not worse. How does one negate that - kick and pin them back? Assign somebody a man marking job on Bottia?
Leinster jersey on the Great Wall of China.The Mongolians couldn't breach it but the Blues did!
tigerburnie wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 11:01 am
It's up to the English to sort out their problems though, it is not an Irish problem. What is a problem going forwards is that the English just might do what they did in the very first year of the competition.........................not bothering to enter, then it's a problem as the sponsors and tv companies will not put the money in if that audience vanishes.
None of the clubs could afford to pass up the TV revenue or even the match day revenue though. This would be on the back of loading 2 match days this season(with a 3rd rumoured to be in danger for next season). At most they’d quite quit but they’re probably too proud for that.
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014 Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
riocard911 wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 3:36 pm
LAR stealing one turnover after another. Unbelievably dangerous at the breakdown. Carrier gets isolated for a millisecond and they're on it.
Agreed. That's why the "clearers" and fast ruck's are so important. Botia is really impressive and Saracens haven't recognised he must be cleard at every breakdown. They need Josh & Doris or Henshaw.
Saracens look half a metre slower everywhere than they used be. The LAR try followed 5 successive carrier by forwards in a straight line which had narrowed the Sarries defence and anyone of three / four players could have scored.
Serb wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 3:53 pm
The breakdown work from La Rochelle, Botia in particular, is ridiculous. So hard to defend against, he gets in position so quickly and is hard to shift.
I actually think Saracens have looked the better team in pretty much every other dimension, but they just can’t negate La Rochelle’s ruck defence.
Got to assume they will win this and proceed to the final in due course.
Between Danty, Bottia and Skelton any rucknis practically 50/50 if not worse. How does one negate that - kick and pin them back? Assign somebody a man marking job on Bottia?
Yeah, I really don’t know beyond committing extra people to the ruck, which affects your ability to play with your back line.
It’s so effective because a bunch of them can turn you over — it’s not like when we played Scarlets in the 2018 semi final where Beirne was the only threat they had, so we just marked him out of the game. I think a man marking job wouldn’t cut it.
Dexter wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 3:14 pm
I don't see why the English clubs are whining about the unfairness of it all. So far there's one team each from Ireland, France and England in the semis.
What do they want? 4 English teams?
Ok, I suppose seeing your league champions and current league leaders being totally dismantled in Europe can't be easy...
The way La Rochelle are bullying a gallant but failing Saracens reminds me of La Rochelle's semi-final victory over Leinster in 2021. A good quality, game opposition, with some successful moments within the game, but ultimately outgunned by physical size and intensity.
"This is breathless stuff.....it's on again. Contepomi out to Hickie,D'Arcy,Hickie.......................HICKIE FOR THE CORNER! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
neiliog93 wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 4:29 pm
The way La Rochelle are bullying a gallant but failing Saracens reminds me of La Rochelle's semi-final victory over Leinster in 2021. A good quality, game opposition, with some successful moments within the game, but ultimately outgunned by physical size and intensity.
Yeah, but at least we fired a couple of shots. Sarries haven't even done that yet...
wixfjord wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 4:31 pm
I fear that without Baird and with Ross at 10 we won't have the athletic profile in our team to compete with LAR and their defence/ruck.
Having said that, Sarries are a pale shadow of themselves too.
Itoje looks a different beast to what he was.
Ah hang on. Ulster went there and nearly won, in fact should have won. They just squeezed through last week and are lucky to be here at all. They’re having a good day today. They’re not that every day.
wixfjord wrote: ↑April 9th, 2023, 4:31 pm
I fear that without Baird and with Ross at 10 we won't have the athletic profile in our team to compete with LAR and their defence/ruck.
Having said that, Sarries are a pale shadow of themselves too.
Itoje looks a different beast to what he was.
Ah hang on. Ulster went there and nearly won, in fact should have won. They just squeezed through last week and are lucky to be here at all. They’re having a good day today. They’re not that every day.
They also won't be at home, which is huge. They do have the tools to worry us though. Their scrum and breakdown work is frightening.
