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'It's embarrassing' - Jim Mallinder tears into his own side

Northampton Saints director of rugby sacked

Jim Mallinder tore into Northampton Saints after Saturday’s 55-24 defeat against Saracens at Twickenham.

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Saints’ under-pressure director of rugby, whose side stumbled to a seventh-placed finish last season, saw Sarries run riot to score seven of their nine tries in the first half.

Despite an improved second-half showing from his men, Mallinder pulled no punches in his post-match assessment.

“It’s infuriating, it’s embarrassing, it’s disappointing,” he said.

“You think you prepare properly and you think we had a good pre-season. We thought we were ready for it, but clearly we weren’t. The first half, Saracens were clinical.

“Next week is big for us. We need to be better. We have played in some big games against Leicester, but next week is massive. It’s vital for us that we get a win and get our season going.”

Sean Maitland was Sarries’ hat-trick hero, while Schalk Brits capped a superb display with a try of his own.

Victorious boss Mark McCall reserved particular praise for the latter as the South African proved he can still mix it with the best at the age of 36 in what looks set to be the veteran’s final campaign.

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“He’s Peter Pan,” said director of rugby McCall. “He’s an explosive athlete and his athleticism hasn’t gone away. His body is sore after games, but it was a stunning performance – he was incredible.

“This is his ninth season at the club and he’s been a star from day one. He seems to save all of his best performances for Twickenham. He’s a phenomenal player and hopefully we can give him a really good send-off this year.”

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JW 26 minutes ago
England player ratings vs South Africa | 2024 Autumn Nations Series

As has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.


Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.


That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.


You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).

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