Southern hemisphere rugby fans can rightly claim that there should be no excuses for the drab affair that was this year’s European Cup final.
The victory will only be celebrated in the English media and will not be looked fondly upon across Europe.
The last English victory was ten years ago and Saracens have steadily improved over the past few years with this their second final appearance in three years.
It’s been a vintage year for English rugby after the Grand Slam. I would however be surprised if there is an open top bus celebration akin to Leicester City football team as Saracens don’t really have a significant fan-base. Barely 18000 attended the semi-final.
I have read the lofty columns from the rugby elite up north all stating the dreadful weather on final day as and excuse for the lack of ambition by Saracens.
Saracens game is about applying pressure by kick chase and building a score much the same way that the powerful Toulon did, capturing three titles in succession.
Much of the contempt for Saracens comes from the fact that they have admitted cheating the salary cap, to which the RFU hit them with a slap on the wrist.
They’ve also been criticised for the owner’s key role in aiding the fracturing of the old Heineken Cup structure which led to the cashed-starved home unions in Ireland, Wales and Scotland getting a smaller slice of the cake.
That said they have developed some great talent and have a very pragmatic approach to the game. Their halfbacks both have a well-rounded kicking game and they play with great unity in the forwards.
Rather than defending Saracens and pointing to the massive spending budgets of the French clubs, fans of European rugby should take heart by the way Exeter, Leicester, Glasgow, Ulster and Connaught have gone about playing their rugby this season.
Although stifled by the same weather conditions, they have attempted to play passing offloading rugby.
This rugby has found these sides in the playoffs of their respective leagues.
The world cup proved that running the ball was the most effective way to find space in this era of brick wall defences, but it will take time to build the skill levels to match the ambition. At the moment, machine-like teams such as Saracens hold all the aces.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Thank goodness for that!!!
mtiger
Roar Rookie
CUW, well i suppose in England, talent is spread out over 8 teams, as opposed to 5 in Oz
CUW
Guest
there may be 12 clubs but at least 4 are rubbish . London Irish for eg had a points difference close to 300 (minus :P ) its just like english footy , a few clubs will supply the majority of players to the national team. its a norm in any country - the national team is not supplied equally by each of the premier clubs ; there is no quota system . there was a time most of nz all blacks came from crusaders and last season most os auzzy wallabies came from waratahs. only difference between england clubs and nz or oz teams is , there are more foreign players in england. (and France)
moaman
Roar Guru
5 may be too many (out of 12 clubs) if you think about it....
english twizz
Guest
That last team probably would have had Jamie George on the bench as he was injured bit had played earlier games and Chris Ashton who was banned and Alex Goode will be taken mike browns place soon
mtiger
Roar Rookie
Out of 12 clubs, 5 is too little?
Bakkies
Guest
We still don't have the figures that PRL boasted about in regards to the better BT deal for everybody they signed on their behalf without notification. Neil Francis has gone after the PRL henchmen big time in his articles recently as the competition hasn't improved. Crowds are down, the French deal was signed with a network that has fewer viewers, two providers televising matches in UK and Ireland and the sponsorship numbers are down. Several loyal sponsors didn't sign up with EPCR so PRL has cost the FedEX, Dove and Amlin sponsorship deals due to their antics.
Guingsy
Roar Rookie
Just a fan buddy, and very much a novice at this but thanks for the feedback .
Homer Gain
Guest
Dead right. If you applied the credible "journalist criteria" this would be thin gruel indeed.
CUW
Guest
everyone knows ITOJE already as the U20 worldcup winning England captain and JOnes' preferred England captain for 2019 world cup. also like it or not , his skin color will be discussed when he is made captain , becoz he will probably be the first black guy to skipper england . something simillar to barak obama :D
CUW
Guest
he got the final becoz the best refs in those matches JP Doyle and Barnes is english. the other option was the french ref Graces. all 3 not neutral so... in going for a neutral ref , they stuff racing. shud have got a southern hemi ref. despite not being the cup-of -tea for most people , wayne barnes has been very good this season . JP Doyle has also shown maturity (at least in the few matches i saw him ref.) referees like players also have the thing called "FORM" . Nigel Owens is definitely not in form ....
Chris
Guest
The HEC cup would get a lot of press in the UK but this year it was so low key and crowds were not very good for semi's.
Guingsy
Roar Rookie
Everyone is going to know Itoje after this years June tests.
CUW
Guest
STARTING ???? For England? this is the team against Wales , the best against the next best in 6N. ( 5 out of 23 makes it ~ 22% ) 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 James Haskell, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Joe Marler Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Jack Clifford, 21 Danny Care, 22 Manu Tuilagi, 23 Elliot Daly
Guingsy
Roar Rookie
Yea , he has been poor of late and his performance in the semi final was probably not good enough for him to get the final. That said he is still a good referee and gets most decisions correct particularly when teams are trying to play positive rugby.
english twizz
Guest
Don't. Forget Jamie George englands best hooker
Kris
Guest
Vunipola brothers, Kruis, Itoje, Farrell is 5. Could be 6 now Ashton is selectable.
CUW
Guest
well he clearly favored Saracens . Its not often u see Maose throw his hands in the air at a ref's decision. and he also screwed Racing in the semi - almost cost them the game . he clearly does not like Racing (or the French in general). if he refs the breakdown that way in southern hemi , there will be many complaints from many parties. the first defender who has hands on the ball on an isolated runner , always has the rights to the ball. if it is not released it is a penalty to defending team. that was not the case in this match. the worst one was ahen he penalized dimitri for coming around the ruck when ball was out. if there is no scrum half to clear the ball , it is the fault of the attacking team . at least that is how it is reffed in the southern hemi. the accolades that he is the best around has gone to Nigel's head. now he is making mistakes and being arrogant. He was arrogant in the semi , when he called a knock on and then gave the scrum to Leicester. Not only a legitimate try to Racing was disallowed, Leicester scored off the ensuing scrum.
Guingsy
Roar Rookie
Nigel Owens was not at his usual high standards but he did not cost anybody the game. Saracens were deserving winners.
Niall Guing
Guest
The money divided from the revenue of the European competitions is very significant for all countries in the home unions and the Italian federation where as English and French investors are running clubs at considerable losses. In an attempt to win the local competitions in France and England ,and also mounting an attack in European competitions clubs are spending more and more money to bolster squads ..Teams outside of France and England simply do not have the squad to compete in Europe at present . I should acknowledge and commend Saracens academy however which owed considerable clout in the clubs first European success.