I have a very strong dislike of Bateman but he looks a real player. On the down side, there was zero atmosphere which was disappointing for a big crowd. Burgess should be dropped for Mandfredi too, seems like his heart isn't in it.

The salary cap has brought teams closer together, no doubt, but it seems more by slowing improvement for those at top rather than speeding up those at the bottom. As part of a group of initiatives (meaningful internationals, bias toward home nation players, better TV rights and more), the cap could withstand a small increase (2 or 3%).

Admittedly not a leading player, but Mark Edmondson left Saints for a job that offered better return. This may have been immediately, more long term or simply because it was in America (I think). There will be many of you on here who earn as much as some first teamers now, but more importantly, by the time they are thirty and looking for a new career, they've missed out on ten years of potential ladder climbing.

From memory, these have gone to union in last decade or so:

Sam Burgess, Kyle Eastmond, Joel Tomkins, Chris Ashton, Lee Smith, Brian Carney, Andy Farrell, Anthony Sullivan, Chev Walker, one of the Mylers, the big Pryce and before that the very high profile Iestyn Harris and Jason Robinson. This doesn't include foreigners (Henry Paul, Champagne Hape, Freddie Tuilagi, Maurie F'asavalu) and no doubt there are many I've missed in all the above categories.

And there's no real way of knowing whom we never had to start with (Farrell?).

It may seem short term but salary is important and must be worth flogging out one's guts

he runs a gym for MMA in Aus

Positives, we won-Mossop.
Negatives, still look clueless going forward

....and backward and sideways.
Bizarre feeling being [ireally[/i cross at a win.

They looked tired before half-time.
Handling was dire.
Bowen is static & seems to be scared of getting hit.
Play-the-ball was glacial

I'm glad they didn't rise to Hull trying to rile them early on
A few of the "seniors" stood up, but were let down by poor decision making & sloppy play from too many others.

Still, 2 points. An ugly win. Hopefully, lessons might be learned.

again