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Yes, think they would have beaten us in the first final whatever happens, as we were overawed by the situation (I was there, the overall feeling was one of disbelief that we were even there!), last season where they came back from so far behind shows the depth of their squad to come back from so far behind (I thankfully wasn't there! but was when we actually won...).
As for selections, I have no idea, I guess it means Earl is going to play number 8, but Eddie has said in the past that Simmonds is too lightweight, Earl is exactly the same weight and a whole 2cm taller...
Sam_w-
Is Mark Wilson still injured? He did a pretty good job at 8 last year, making up for power of carries with volume and work-rate. I guess you could partner Curry and Underhill with a big 6/8 (Ted Hill, Lewis Ludlam, Itoje/Lawes etc) and hope to achieve similar balance. I'm not sure if a 6-7-8 of Curry, Underhill, Earl has quite enough bang but who knows with Eddie...
owl
Yep, the margins by which Sarries have beaten Exeter in recent finals certainly suggests that with a couple fewer big name players at least one more title should be with you guys. And as for EJ's selections. Fuck knows. It's almost as if he picks his starting XV and then selects randomly beyond that. How you can have watched this season's rugby and not pick either of the Simmons or Alex Dombrandt baffles me.