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Northampton issue update on Dan Biggar's latest injury
Northampton boss Chris Boyd played down Dan Biggar’s injury scare after his star fly-half limped out of the 27-21 Gallagher Premiership loss to Saracens.
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The Wales international returned to domestic duties after featuring in the opening three rounds of the Six Nations but was forced off after 20 minutes at Franklin’s Gardens as fears around his participation in the rest of the tournament grew.
Boyd allayed those concerns in his assessment of the injury, but did urge patience as the extent of the damage is examined.
The Saints’ director of rugby explained: “I don’t think it is (a bad injury). He’s hyper-extended his leg in a collision and he seems to be moving relatively OK.
“I don’t think he’s got any major structural damage from what I’m led to believe, so it’s one of those ones where we’ll wait and see.”
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The Gallagher Premiership could be set for a Guinness Six Nations player release standoff
Saints spurned 12-0 and 15-8 leads as already-relegated Saracens came from behind to deal the hosts a fourth-straight Premiership defeat.
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Early scores from Fraser Dingwall and Harry Mallinder were cancelled out in a second-half blitz by Jack Singleton, Nick Tompkins and Ben Earl.
Boyd was left to curse ill-discipline as Lewis Bean and Taqele Naiyaravoro were sent to the sin-bin at inopportune moments.
The @johnbarc86 Column
As a former Test skipper, John has a very simple solution to those harassing referees: #SixNations #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/BhWwpV1GYe
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 29, 2020
“We were the masters of our own destiny,” he said. “We were 12-0 up, should have scored another try close to the posts, we went down to 13 men, conceded two tries.
“We had plenty of opportunities to win and to build some more points that would have given us a bigger margin. But when we needed to be clinically accurate, which we’ve talked about for the last little bit, some of those things deserted us. If you looked at the tries they got, they didn’t have to work too hard for them.
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“It was just little things and when you’re having a string of difficult games, the little things can turn into big things. I’m not as angry as I have been. Life has to go on.”
Interesting call by the Northampton CEO ahead of Saturday's visit to Franklin's by the Londonershttps://t.co/GKnGNJLy8U
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 29, 2020
Saracens, meanwhile, provided the perfect tonic to their stunning 60-10 defeat at Wasps last time out. Mark McCall was left beaming with pride as his charges dug deep and shook off injuries to the likes of Jackson Wray, Alex Goode and Duncan Taylor. Director of rugby McCall explained: “It was a great performance for lots of reasons.
“To be 12-0 down after the result last weekend and then we lost Wray, Goode and Taylor to injury – so there were lots of reasons for us to collapse. But the fact we didn’t is so pleasing and makes us so proud.
“We didn’t cope very well with setbacks against Wasps, so to be 12-0 down and respond and see them back themselves and fight for each other was really pleasing.”
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments