Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 9:45 am  

It's going to be an interesting game on Saturday. Toulouse look to be improving after a shocking opening. Saints could be set to take half a team over there. No Walmsley, Mata'utia, Batchelor or Grace. Welsby, Makinson and Lomax also carrying knocks plus a rumoured three unvaccinated players. If the unvaccinated players aren't amongst those injured/being rested, it could be a lineup worthy of a pre-season testimonial.

Saints have history at doing this against the bottom team as well, with London picking up two victories over us in their last season in Super League. Hull KR fans in particular weren't too happy with that I remember.

With Toulouse being basically at Wigan's level, you'd imagine half a Saints team might still be able to win, but potential for a morale boosting 'victoire' for Toulouse.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 11:54 am  

So saints have a few players missing, welcome to what all other clubs are having to deal with.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 1:38 pm  

Yippee try yay wrote:

So saints have a few players missing, welcome to what all other clubs are having to deal with.

You miss the point.
This is Saints having a "rest", just as they have in the past.
Extremely disrespectful to Toulouse and the Competition and their travelling fans who will have paid good money to watch their side.

I know that every club has a squad of players for good reason but, this is taking the proverbial (again)

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 1:42 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

You miss the point.
This is Saints having a "rest", just as they have in the past.
Extremely disrespectful to Toulouse and the Competition and their travelling fans who will have paid good money to watch their side.

I know that every club has a squad of players for good reason but, this is taking the proverbial (again)

You couldn’t be more wrong, Woolf is putting his strongest side out for the game. Quite simple we have a definite 4 players out with injury. I think Saddened has laid out a bit of ground bait and you’ve responded with a nibble response.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 1:58 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

You miss the point.
This is Saints having a "rest", just as they have in the past.
Extremely disrespectful to Toulouse and the Competition and their travelling fans who will have paid good money to watch their side.

I know that every club has a squad of players for good reason but, this is taking the proverbial (again)

I think saints have enough quality in the remainder of their squad to walk past Toulouse with a few gears to spare, if they legitimately have a few injuries and unvaccinated players then they can only take what players they can. It looks like they'll still have the likes of Roby, Lomax, Dodd, Paasi, Makinson et al available.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 2:04 pm  

Judder Man wrote:

You couldn’t be more wrong, Woolf is putting his strongest side out for the game. Quite simple we have a definite 4 players out with injury. I think Saddened has laid out a bit of ground bait and you’ve responded with a nibble response.

Let's see who travels and then who makes a miracle recovery.
IIRC Saints chose to rest half their side v London (twice) a couple of seasons ago and gifted them a couple of wins.

Maybe I'm just an old cynic but, Leopards and spots.......................

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 2:37 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Let's see who travels and then who makes a miracle recovery.
IIRC Saints chose to rest half their side v London (twice) a couple of seasons ago and gifted them a couple of wins.

Maybe I'm just an old cynic but, Leopards and spots.......................

They've got a proud history of putting out weakened sides. Easter Monday 2004 anyone?

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 3:22 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Let's see who travels and then who makes a miracle recovery.
IIRC Saints chose to rest half their side v London (twice) a couple of seasons ago and gifted them a couple of wins.

Maybe I'm just an old cynic but, Leopards and spots.......................

Yep, you are being cynical………only Grace and Batchelor due back in 2 weeks time. Saints have a lot of academy produced players in their squad and we give them game time so they become superleague players.

Might catch on with some other clubs to do this same instead of looking for a quick fix.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 4:07 pm  

Judder Man wrote:

Yep, you are being cynical………only Grace and Batchelor due back in 2 weeks time. Saints have a lot of academy produced players in their squad and we give them game time so they become superleague players.

Might catch on with some other clubs to do this same instead of looking for a quick fix.

Look, Saints, right now are streets ahead of the rest of the comp.

However, playing a second string "just because you can", is disrespecting both your opposition and the competition, just as it was a couple of seasons ago.
I absolutely agree that it will help the development of the kids that play but, it's still taking the mickey and to wrap it up as injuries is being disingenuous towards Toulouse.

It could be argued that Wigan, Wire, Saints and Catalan are nailed on for a play off spot.
Should these clubs put out deliberately weakened squads, to aid the development of their youngsters "because they know they will still reach the play offs".

It's fundamentally wrong.

Re: Toulouse v Saints : Wed Mar 16, 2022 6:00 pm  

wrencat1873 wrote:

Look, Saints, right now are streets ahead of the rest of the comp.

However, playing a second string "just because you can", is disrespecting both your opposition and the competition, just as it was a couple of seasons ago.
I absolutely agree that it will help the development of the kids that play but, it's still taking the mickey and to wrap it up as injuries is being disingenuous towards Toulouse.

It could be argued that Wigan, Wire, Saints and Catalan are nailed on for a play off spot.
Should these clubs put out deliberately weakened squads, to aid the development of their youngsters "because they know they will still reach the play offs".

It's fundamentally wrong.

Stop making things up that isn’t the current situation , Saints are NOT playing a second string team against the opposition,
Woolf has confirmed he is playing his strongest side and respects that Toulouse have played well over their last 2 games.