OT - Prem Final (Spoilers Obviously)

[HDAWG]

Fair play to Quins, what a game.

Honestly didn't think they'd do it. I have mixed feelings about them winning....

Good because refreshing change and all, they've played  well last half of season and proven they can compete with the best.

But... Still really annoys me they managed it this year and we couldn't last year or in 2026/17. I know I know, it doesn't work like that. But can't deny my jealousy.

Overall great game though.

[BdeB]

Well played Quins. They played amazingly over the last few months. It ends. 2year season for Exeter which might have caught up with them in the end. It will be very interesting next season when things are a bit more normal to see where all these teams sit. Quins season in many ways mirrored our last season except they did what we couldn’t and won. It will be interesting if they can kick on again and be regular contenders.

[InBetweenWasp]

It makes you wonder what might have been with different weather, or a full squad for us.

For Quins, what I think is interesting is that as teams get better, they generally get coached to tighten up - keep possession tight, improve defence etc…

Quins have simply focussed on their strengths.  Have a solid enough set-piece to retain possession and attack with.  They’ve played with pace and guile and attacked the breakdown.

We’ve got a very similar DNA to Quins, so if we get back to focussing on turnover ball and unstructured play perhaps our buccaneering spirit will help us get back to a level where we know we can compete.

[Chunky24]

Thought Quins were gone and out on their feet with 15 to go, where they got that last effort from after last week's exertions was unbelievable.

[hookender]

Great game , just what you need from a final

[DGP Wasp]

And if Eddie is still not prepared to give Marcus Smith a proper crack for England in a run of meaningful games then he should be sacked. The lad is head and shoulders better than any other English 10.

[westwaleswasp]

Not going to lie, I am delighted.
Chiefs I hope slide down the table and take their maul with them. Great club, but their style is not for me 
Quins always an ambitious team in terms of playing, and one who have fallen prey to the money bags teams and developed a chunk of talent.

[mike909]

And if Eddie is still not prepared to give Marcus Smith a proper crack for England in a run of meaningful games then he should be sacked. The lad is head and shoulders better than any other English 10.

I was thinking on this as I was impressed with the lad from watching all the games I could. But unless England decide to change how they play, then there's no more point in playing him than there would have been Danny, after the 2018 SA Tour. And whilst I'd be delighted to be proven wrong, given the apparently undroppable players who were clearly involved in the very poor 6Ns, I'm not expecting anything......

[Shugs]

Great game. Baxter had it spot on when he said Exeter just thought it would be ok. I've sensed their domination is on the slide all season. Quins have two of the best props around in Marler but especially Louw who is an absolute beast. Couple those two with Care and Smith and you win. If Smith isn't England's starting 10 for a good while there is something seriously wrong.

[Heathen]

A cracking game for the neutral. I was howver cheering Quins on!

Their SF and this game were two for the video archives.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Watched it late last night without knowing the score, what a game and if that doesn’t attract new fans nothing will.

For those writing off the Chiefs don’t forget they had a similar season to us, short pre season and no Covid breaks. The only difference was that Eddie didn’t call up their best players and leave them sitting around or, worse still, broken. 

On another thread someone mentioned Matt Carney becoming England’s best referee, I thought he had a good game and contributed to it being a classic, he kept it moving and is obviously respected by the players. 

[DGP Wasp]

And if Eddie is still not prepared to give Marcus Smith a proper crack for England in a run of meaningful games then he should be sacked. The lad is head and shoulders better than any other English 10.

I was thinking on this as I was impressed with the lad from watching all the games I could. But unless England decide to change how they play, then there's no more point in playing him than there would have been Danny, after the 2018 SA Tour. And whilst I'd be delighted to be proven wrong, given the apparently undroppable players who were clearly involved in the very poor 6Ns, I'm not expecting anything......

I agree. Which is why I said he should be sacked. We're not going to move away from a team built around Owen Farrell until Eddie is shown the door. Needs a new approach with Smith first name on the team sheet. Might suddenly give some of those undroppables a much needed kick up the backside too.

Farrell won't like it, just as he didn't like Cips, and IMO was one of the reasons Cips never played for England after that SA tour.

[mike909]

I agree. It was ironic that Dany probably saved Jones' bacon in getting that win in SA - but like reported, you were either with the "in" crowd or excluded. And Farrell and Ford seemed to be in charge......

Squidge rugby did an excellent review of the 2019 England loss to Wales which suggested the limitations of our game plan. When it works (pressuring mistakes and kicking) it's very hard to stop - but as Squidge suggested, it's plan A or more of the same. Wales were able to nullify the kicking game and we had nothing else to offer.

Last 6N's, we saw that in many ways, the other teams had moved on and we looked like it was 2018 again.....and we had nothing but the power and kick game. Worked for a period vs France......that was it. And if Smith is to play - then Jones will have to demonstrate that he's the genius he thinks he is.......

[HDAWG]

I do agree with you guys EJ should've been pushing to rotate 10s when one is out of form.

I'm not too unhappy that Cips didn't get more England caps, because he is a difficult person to have. Everything has to be built around him, so it's not a seemless transition going from Farrell/Ford to Cips. And he's at the end of his career. I also thought Cips was the best fly half in England prior to SA tour.

Smith though, there's no excuses because he is the best or at least up there, he doesn't require a team rebuild and he's still like 21. It's now or never with him because he deserves it. Or England ought to be making the transition.

[hopwood]

I think Quins (along with Wasps, Bristol etc) are ushering in a more complete and exciting brand of rugby in this country.

Now the fans, the pundits, the ex-players, the media have all witnessed and experienced it, there is absolutely no excuse for England's national side to play any other way.
How could they?
The players playing this dynamic, fast and exhilarating style are predominantly English.
The skills levels are there.
The confidence levels are there.
The fitness levels are there.
And the paying fans, having been away from full stadiums for the past 18 months, are desperate to be properly entertained....which, by jove, they were yesterday.

So on earth is Eddie ever going to be able to justify playing that turgid, ponderous style of 'fear of failure' rugby ever again??
Quite simply....he can't.
Quins, this season, have done us all a huge favour. They have stripped away all remaining excuses Eddie ever had. He is now laid bare.
Over to you Eddie.
Stop projecting your own limitations and lack of imagination on to everyone else. Set the players free to play and believe in their ability.