We were minutes from the Prem title three years ago (2016/17)- the core of that team (Josh, Jimmy, Dan, Thomas, Joe L and Tommy) were starters this weekend. We lost to the cheats in the semi the year after with much the same squad. It was a help that Wade scored 30 tries those two seasons....which would help rather! It was much the same squad that lost its way in 2018/19. We still were fielding Daly and Hughes etc and Lima for Danny. So it probably wasn't a lower squad strength for me and we'd got Shields too.
Going into 2019/20 we'd lost 12 players including Le roux, Simpson, Daly and Hughes - which any team would miss, but we'd not been going well, with them, the previous season.
So the form shown in the last game and the ones pre lock down, will have no one reason, but its likely to be a combination of factors. All coaching arrangements come to an end, many players need a new challenge and player grow up and mature (like Jacob) and some get fit again (like Jimmy) and a new coach can bring a new perspective. Certainly the senior/experienced players on Sunday were being leaders on the pitch and there was a bit of a smile on people's faces too.
Looking forwards - we can improve. We've got the firepower in the back three, we've recruited well e.g. Mills as Jimmy is ancient...we've got a squad so can rotate if injuries don't intervene. Zach is great - and really scares people, like Wade used to, and I agree with Ugo in
More than anything, they look like they're really enjoying what they're doing and it shows through their attack
I think its probably best to enjoy the rugby and we'll see more next season, but yes, room for improvement - and that will be fun
(I've doubtless forgotten people and got timings wrong - the general point remains that after a poor season and a half, we've made some rapid progress coinciding with new management, and with some, player changes, but many of those who left were great players and were in the squad when we were playing a bit "flat" so its down to a number of factors)