Saracens v Bedford - farce

Well Sarries play their first game at full-strength tomorrow. Their side includes 9 full internationals and 5 players who have represented the British and Irish Lions. They are up against a mid-table championship side with very little experience in terms of players that have played in the Premiership. Some people will love the David v Goliath element to it, I personally hate it. I personally don’t see the benefit of Saracens being down at all. Bedford are going to be playing against players who they are not conditioned to face. I seriously worry that all of differences in terms of size and physique are going to result in a player from one of the championship teams getting very seriously injured. This is not like football where often the difference between the top and bottom teams in the pyramid is more to do with skill, it’s professional rugby where there is a giant chasm between the conditioning of players in the Premiership and championship. In my opinion a championship club would be within their rights to sue the RFU if one of their players got seriously injured playing against Saracens. The governing body have failed in their duty of care and it’s a disgrace. 

I disagree, Saracens deserve to be in the Championship. I personally believe they should spend a full season down here. 

Blues have faced the might of Saracens in several pre-season games and training sessions (a few years ago now) with their international players and I am sure they are looking forward to this game more than the ones where some of the bigger named players weren’t playing. 

Sorry DKF, but I feel the premise of this thread is a bit of an over-reaction. Richmond's predominantly amateur (£100 a game) players coped ok with Saracens a couple of weeks ago. I know Sarries now have 4 more England players than they fielded at the RAG, but I don't believe these players are necessarily stronger or in better condition, just (in Eddie Jones' view at least) better players...

Blues scrum is fine, there were no issues against Pirates, Cov, Hartpury and only had issues against Jersey when the replacement tight head had to come on.

Sarries are a Championship club (and rightfully so) and you would expect them to put out their strongest team for competitive integrity. That being said, I do hope that the players will have common sense not to be reckless and that the ref is strong on anything that involves head injuries. 

Thatbloke wrote: I understand the sentiment behind it but I'm not sure I understand the term "predominantly amateur (£100 per game)" The game chose to go open many years ago and as far as I believe a player is either a full time professional, semi-pro or amateur. Every club competes in the league at a level they have managed to attain and what better challenge could there be for a player than to test themselves against full time pro's, many of whom also happen to represent their country. Bring it on I say whatever level of professionalism/amateurism your club happens to be at Players will not be going into those games worrying about possible head injuries or being able to cope with the physicality or skill of the opposition. It is a challenge they will rise to and an experience they will be telling their grandchildren about in the years to come

Blues are +52 on Paddy Power

HT Saracens (BP) 26 - 6 Blues

Edited by The Blues - 11 Apr 2021 at 13:53