Our pack has gone from our greatest strength to our biggest weakness.
Recruitment / retention is going to come back and haunt us. Just thought that when they had to, Cas were able to up the tempo when needed. We don’t have that ability, just panic rugby.
Just competing is not enough I’m afraid.
We need a win, and a change of how we play.

Particularly when we play at Wembley.

You can't always tell from the stands, but am I right in thinking the ref was a bit of a Charlie uniform november tango, or was he right in most cases from the TV viewing? I don't like to blame the ref for defeats, but I can't help thinking we win that game if it wasn't televised.

I've said many times - name a stand after him !

Did we win the CC because of him or despite him ?

Ellis Watts and Fonua were massive players for us.

Anyway you cut it he will resign or be fired by mid March

I wish

The best team won but there was little in it. Unfortunately one aspect was that Cas were better at playing the referee. Kendall was awful. Cas only had to throw themselves on the floor after the tackle or drop the ball and he gave a penalty. Not sure which of our players got over the line near the end - it was never a try - but three Cas players tugged at the ball and he never gave a thing. McShane definitely smarter and a better communicator than anyone on our team.

Agree. Taylor is the carrying the props again. Paea didn't seem to be on the field for long and when he was he was ineffective.

We need a big aggressive prop who does big minutes and has a great off load. Their number 8 fits the bill.

And the most of the noise coming from the stands screaming for off side, not square Ect Ect Ect....That was the loudest Ive heard you lot in a while. Nowt to do with the ref......You just aint That good End of.

Cas fan here and agree with most that has been said so far. I think we just about deserved the win and if the defeat wasn't the 13 on the trot I don't think as much would have been made of it as you were what after all is a decent team.
I know this may hurt as Houghton is a bit of a folk hero but despite his work rate he was very poor at dummy half tonight. Macca V Danny was the crucial contest and Macca won.

Those 3 players have been replaced with Farimo,, Paea and Westerman, I'm not saying they're good enough replacements, but the 3 players you mentioned, were very good for us and they were always going to be difficult to replace. But they have been replaced with capable players.

Sports a funny thing, it just takes a bit of luck and a win, and confidence can return.

I think if us fans start to relax and be a bit more positive and smile a bit more, then that will help. Desperation will get us nowhere.

Not good enough today certainly, But there's always another day.

Says a lot when Houghton actually looks better at 13 than he does at 9. Less pressure on his pass accuracy which can be hit and miss at 9, plus his speed off the mark is way less than Litten

To be the first coach to win a CC in a generation despite being hopeless was incredibly lucky. For him to win it again was a miracle.

No can do as he’s already played a game this season.