u/Wasrew13

To be entirely honest I was at a wedding this week, and watched the game on the train whilst being rather sorry for myself.

Good Week:

Saracens - Bonus point for Exeter aside, pretty much the perfect week for us - an stress-free four try win with those above losing. No injuries and Quins having their good performance for q2 a fortnight early.

Maro Itoje - What a player, every week (even when he was “out of form”) there are game changing turn overs. It seems he’s playing with a bit more attitude and swagger this year, which is working. I certainly take him for granted. We’re watching an all time great week-in week out.

The Scrum - As a unit they’ve had a great season but a tough couple of matches. Glos has a good front row and I don’t think they got anything out of us.

Bad Week

Me and my attempts at coping with Tom Willis departure - He was back to his absolute best this week and will be harder to replace than Billy. The worse part is he seems to be growing closer and closer with the rest of the team.

Second half Intensity - Maybe it’s because I was flagging a bit at this point, but it was another week where I felt after the bonus point we kind of switched off and expected them to roll over like Sale. We can’t against Harlequins.

Burke’s Kicking - Farrell spoiled us for twenty years and Jackson before him but it’s a surprise if Burke kicks anything out wide. We’ll need a lot better from him at Sandy Park.

Good

Fergus Burke - I’m coming round to him, the attack really fizzed in the first half and he was the main reason. Whether this is to do with the weather or if it is just him finding his feet - he has become a difference maker. Was his substitution tactical? or just because he’d run 20k by halftime with all the line breaks and needed a lie down.

Nick Isiekwe - Maybe a bit left field to pick him out but that hit on Thatcher in the act of scoring was a break of serve when the game was yo-yoing. He’s had a tough year, but I think he can bring a lot at 6 going forward and I’m glad he’s pulled through the hangover he had whilst filming with AOC and big Jim.

Olly Hartley - Janse van Rensburg is, for my money, the best 12 in the league and Hartley outshone him today. Big centres who can run through walls, goose step full backs and miss pass to the wings are unicorns. Sadly this does mean If he goes down the season is over.

Bad

Dynamic Situation - What happened to ‘always illegal’? I’d understand if he blamed the camera angles but it looked just at bad at full speed. Awful call and gave them a bonus point.

Charlie Bracken - He played well and it’s all good experience for him but on a different day the charge downs could have been a problem. He also fades in the second half, that’s probably due to the intensity of the game plan rather than any shortcoming of his own but it is a problem.

Owen Farrell - I love him, he’s the best fly half England has produced since Wilkinson (and I’d still pick Owen over him) and every bit the passing playmaker Ford is, but he was just a NFL punter today. When we had the ball in the second half Hartley and Tompkins could probably have nipped to the bar and come back when Caluori had knocked on.