I wouldn't dismiss that so readily if I were you. Whether we like it or not, a big part of rugby these days is slowing your opponent down in the tackle and turning them onto their back. A third man in late on can really help that, and will still require a high workrate as he'll need to get back into the defensive line if there are two defenders already there, rather than staying at marker

he doesnt though, just makes unnecessary contact and for me is getting false stats from it

I'm in the 'fine for a first hit out' camp. Remember we lost the corresponding fixture last season and we still ended up champions. Given we'd lost the organising half that had featured in all the preseason games, our best winger and had a forward that only did 2 mins in the new limited interchange format I thought we were there or thereabouts. Saints were the better side on the day and looked like the side continuing from 2018 whereas we looked like the side bringing in a new regime. For all that we were largely competitive and the post match summarisers were on the money when they said we'd shown enough to know we'll e there or thereabouts at the business end of the season.

Standouts were Bullock and Flower for mine with a good solid debut for Zak. More to come I reckon.

You are surprised!!! Really!!! I'm not the least bit surprised...

WANE OUT!!

I feel sorry for Sarge at times. He always puts in a shift and other than the missed tackle I thought he was ok last night. In fact, I thought he did more than Gildart.

Thought Marshall looked the most threatening with ball in hand. Zak didn’t really do much going forwards and I thought he was slow linking up at the back - but was absolutely solid in defence.

As I’ve said before I thought Flower, Bullock and Hamlin were very good. Greenwood was good again (except getting run over by Peyroux). Farrell was poor on his wrong side.

And I never thought I’d be saying this but maybe Sammut is the player we need in the team. I’d keep it same for next week (unless Manfredi is back, then I’d take out Davies).

I'd swap Greenwood and Farrell. Greenwood was ok on the right side last year. Navarette could be fortunate to be picked. Don't think Romain had a second spell which if uninjured says a lot. Tautai or perhaps Kibula to replace him.
We need pace in the middle and whether Escare is used and where will be interesting.

I said last year that Powell did not produce enough in attack and got slated for it saying he was being instructed to play that way by Wane.

I'd agree on both counts. When at his best, Hardaker is the best defensive full back I've seen.

Lockers excellent so far tonight v Leeds (33mins gone).
Best player on the pitch