- Sun Aug 16, 2020 11:23 am
#15454
The hysteria on the other place is pretty funny. Talk that morale is low and there was a lack of players "patting each other on the back" etc. We need a run of games to really assess where we are, but I thought after more or less gifting Bath 17 points we showed good spirit to fight our way back into the game and you could hear the players clapping and cheering when we won defensive turnovers, so I don't have too much concern about fighting spirit etc.
I also struggle to see how anyone can be surprised by the result or the performance. Bath are a dull team that have clearly prioritised a tight, compact group of forwards who will beat teams up in the close quarters. It is hardly surprising when you look at their coaching panel. That combined with our total lack of experience and bulk in the second row meant this was only going one way.
In better conditions we may have stood a chance, as we did show some nice touches in attack. We just need to learn not to force things so much. In the pack I was impressed by Matu'u who was immensely physical, whilst staying disciplined with his hits, the impact Goodrick-Clarke made off the bench and Donnell really stood up well, aside from one or two moments of ill-discipline. He is clearly ready to play at this level on a regular basis, whether in the second row or at 6. Cornish also looked very lively in attack, but evidently needs work on his line-out throwing. In the backs that was Parton's best game by far. I had been saying earlier in the day that he really needs to start stepping up as he has never really convinced me and looks hesitant under the high ball, but he dominated the air and showed a lot of heart. Phipps (another who I have been critical of) did his fundamentals well and got the ball away from the breakdown efficiently. Jackson had a few nice touches (a lovely pop to Matu'u, with a wraparound and pass to Hepetema reminded me of him at his best for Ulster), but needs a bit more time to stamp his authority on the team. Any word on when Naholo is fit?
Possible team for Saints:
1. Elrington
2. Matu'u
3. Kepu
4. Nott
5. De Chaves
6. Donnell
7. Cowan
8. Tuisue
9. Phipps
10. Jackson
11. OHC
12. Hepetema
13. Williams (assuming Rona is out)
14. Loader
15. Parton
Bench: Cornish, Goodrick-Clarke, Hoskins, Cooke, O'Brien, Meehan, Brophy-Clews, Homer