Funny old game

Stuart Barnes salutes Saracens' against-the-odds Heineken Cup quarter-final win over Ospreys.

I have never been one for the law of averages but the Heineken Cup quarter-final weekend suggested otherwise. First the objective fact; in the previous 44 quarter-finals there have been 11 away wins - last weekend Munster secured the one in four away victory with a minimum of fuss against a disappointingly callow Gloucester team. Now for the subjective stuff; there always seems to be one shock and again we were provided with one as Saracens turned a 30-3 pasting in the EDF semi-final into a 19-10 home victory. Had they played with such spirit in the last few months they would be very much part of the Premiership hunt. As it is, revitalised and rejuvenated by the one-legged Richard Hill, the Saracens stunned tournament second favourites, the Ospreys, and have injected some real excitement into their late season. It is a coincidence that our cameras are back at Kingsholm for Gloucester and Saracens this Saturday. That match has an added frisson after the weekend. Gloucester are teetering and need to show the power and organisation, defensively and at the breakdown, that Saracens achieved. An away win would turn 2008 into a crisis team for a side that has a real look of mortality to it.

Job well done

London Irish will reflect on another European job well done against Perpignan. Peter Hewat was a deserving man of the match, but the reputation of Nick Kennedy must have grown a few more inches. A big semi-final performance against Toulouse could see him bound for New Zealand under the guidance of God knows who. He will need the game of his life because if London Irish cannot subdue the Toulouse set-piece it will take an incredible effort to hold their back-line in check. Toulouse are the most talented team in the tournament but the beauty of rugby is that one major tactical triumph can render all else irrelevant. London Irish's line out gives them a chance although the smart money has to be on a Munster versus Toulouse final. Then again, who predicted Richard Hill would eclipse Marty Holah and Saracens beat the core of a Grand Slam team? It is both a funny and wonderful game. Now to this week's post.

UNDER THE POSTS
STUART BARNES ANSWERS YOUR EMAIL...

FORGOTTEN MEN
Hi Stuart, Why are Magnus Lund, Ollie Smith and Josh Lewsey the forgotten men in the England rugby scene? Roger Kingston STUART REPLIES: Roger, Ollie Smith - for myriad reasons - is not the player he was, Josh Lewsey is regarded as a problematic personality by the current management and, I presume that the consistent Lund is simply not considered quite up to test match class. TAKING ADVANTAGE
Hi Stuart, Something that struck me when watching the Heinken Cup quarter-finals was an apparent inconsistency between application of the advantage laws. London Irish v Perpignan, with penalty advantage for Perpignan and Hodgson's exceptional cover tackle on Plante: Alain Rolland went back for the penalty. Saracens v Ospreys: just before half time, penalty advantage for Saracens for offside/going in at the side and Williams' excellent defence just preventing a try: the referee blew for half time. In my view Alan Lewis' decision in the Saracens game was correct: the referee played advantage, there was a clear try scoring opportunity but that opportunity was missed (in the same way that a kicker might miss a kick at goal - especially if he plays for Gloucester). Surely it is the clear point-scoring opportunity that constitutes advantage, not the actual scoring of points? Conversely, though, when penalty advantage is being played and a drop-goal attempt is missed the referee invariably goes back for the penalty. I have noticed this inconsistency in application of the advantage rule previously and wondered what your thoughts were? It can't help the players not knowing whether they are going to get a second chance to take points! Kind regards, Graham Samuel-Gibbon STUART REPLIES: Graham, An interesting point especially as you are one of the few people who have sided with Allan Lewis. I agree with you, if the team with advantage make it within millimetres of the try line then that is advantage over, and if a team attempts a drop goal it should be but invariably is not. Unfortunately my rule book is at home and I am currently elsewhere so I cannot give you the exact ruling but the wording is quite blurred. It states something along the lines that the advantage must be taken - i.e. the points scored than simply allow a clear advantage to take place. Allan Lewis is - quite possibly incorrect if the letter of the law is followed but I am with him and you all the way. The law needs a rewrite; it is far too lax and allows far too much dead time to be played. ROLE REVERSAL
Hi Stuart, Great win from Saracens over Ospreys, especially as they were thumped by them only two weeks ago! I would like to know, as an ex-international of fine repute, did you ever experience getting smashed by a team and then having to face them within a couple of weeks? And how, as a player, do you blank a defeat from your mind when facing the same opposition so soon? Best regards, Roger Benton, Ascot. STUART REPLIES: Roger, I really cannot remember ever being in such a situation as the Saracens were and reversing the defeat. However I do recall winning an important league game at Welford Road and facing them one week later in the Cup at Bath. It was a different set of conditions which suited Leicester but there was no excuse, we had an unstated level of complacency and Leicester, inspired by Dean Richards, a defeat to rectify. We were well and truly beaten in the head, where games are so often won and lost. I cannot believe the Ospreys did not suffer from some degree of complacency and when they shrugged it off, it was too late, Saracens had the sweet smell of success in their nostrils. Thanks for the mail and keep it coming. It is appreciated, as ever. Stuart Barnes Email Stuart here