Sale V Newcastle Fri 7.45pm

[Raggs]

I think a lot of Sale's youngsters don't actually crack on all that well. They're exciting at first because they're young and have good strengths, but as they get older there's less forgiveness for their weaknesses. Neither Haley nor Addison passes well enough (there were some big overlaps blown). When Haley was tearing up trees as such, he was doing nothing different, still a well balanced runner etc, but not much analysis on him, and his strengths/weaknesses weren't as well known.

I do love that they bring so many youngsters through, I'm just starting to wonder how well their development carries on after they leave the academy and join the full squad. Dimes has always had the shoestring budget excuse, and he's done very well with a shoestring squad, but now he has cash, and it's been splashed about. Of course it takes time for a team to gel, and I hope they but I want to see how much it can gel.

[twitchy]

The game was a bit of a farce in the end. The non reffing of the offside and that poor fuckers line out throwing made the whole thing look clueless. The commentary team where naming their favourite curries for entertainment.

I actually laughed when mcguigan ran through a load of players towards the try line then knocked the ball on for the 23rd time. I will say that I enjoyed watching the scrum half de clerk though, some actual brains and quality him with all the headless chickens around him.