We lacked the intensity, game plan and execution to score 4 tries
Really? Didn't Aironi restrict Munster to kicks recently - on that basis I would have thought 3 tries was quite reasonable? IMHO pretty good result for a potential 'banana skin' of a game. The comment on poor execution is fair, but the game plan put Tigers in the position for a bonus point - there were clear chances - what more is it you wanted? Also, no tries conceded and 4th game unbeaten.
IMHO Cockers position is only under threat if he fails to deliver a HC spot for next season.
Harrison gets better by the game, a real quality performance today, just think how much better he would be if he had had some gametime last season, he is 12 months behind where he should be, on that performance he is 1st Choice 9 at present, Youngs may have to actually have to perform to get in the team.....but knowing the way our selection goes no he won't.
Attack Plan in backs is in Danger of making the Meyer era look progressive.
Still a wins a win but one point left behind, a win with BP next week & nothing to Ulster would even that up though IMHO.
yes sam harrison played well, but sorry not in a BY class! Lets wait till youngsy gets back and then we will realise what we have missed. Youngsy still the best 9 around, watch his breaks, how he puts players into gaps, and how he reads the game. Think BY will relish being away from England and back with his club, when hes fully fit. Cant remember the last game he played when he wasnt injured? Remember Samoa last Autumn international and injured his shoulder, carried on playing, then world cup preparations and got knee injury? lets keep the jury out on BY dont be too hasty to write him off. He needs club game time again and then we will see?
Now that Harrison has settled into his role a bit, he could do with threatening a bit more round the fringes. If he can develop that part of his game, he will be a top scrum half. Pleasingly, he did look for the break a few times today, and a couple of times he nearly squeezed through.
Clearly Tigers had the oppurtunities to pick up a TBP today and the result further highlighted the lack of attacking creativity and clinicality. But the quality of the result can only be judged after Clermont and Ulster have gone to Aironi if they both pick up BPs then we are in real trouble but if not then it could prove to be a good result. Hopefully we can deny Ulster an LBP and then we are in a decent position going into the double header, but I think we will struggle to qualify as a best runner up now, especially as we will have to perform much much better to get a TBP vs Ulster which looks v. unlikely. After today's result if we can win away at Ulster (more likely) or Clermont and win our home games then we will win the group, even on current form that is not beyond us IMO.
Tiglon wrote:Having not been able to see the game, can anyone give a report on Forsyth's performance?
Personally I thought he did well - we looked a lot more assured defensively (even against Masi, who was a real threat for them at 13) and he took the ball forward into contact well. One errant pass when we had an overlap, but thats being ultra critical.
Very steady game & a much better defensive unit that Smith/Agulla look.
Unfortunately, attacking threat minimal (so no different to any other game this season then!) - 12trees will take his place as soon as available.....
