MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Sinbad out for a few weeks. Not good with Big Les out for months too.
Calling for Byrne to be cited is joke, when I played going up for a high ball you always kept your foot up, a bit of protection.
I used to try and hit the catcher just as they landed,more chance of them smacking their head on the ground that way.The whole catcher being up in the air for evry catch is a fairly new thing anyway,even as recent as Gav Hasting used to plant themselves and then bounce you right off them (which was v.humiliating)
Sinbad out for a few weeks
That's a pity as he'd been recalled to the main squad for the Italy match so you'd have thought that any injury to one of the wings would've given him a chance to get back in.
It's a real shame that his injuries have always come at the most inopportune moments. IIRC he was certain to start for England in the 2009 Autumn tests then injury put him out.
muddydwarf - Member
True Ton - League is boring all the time though!
Just to follow up on this, I was flicking over to the Millenium Magic coverage in between games on the weekend. There didn't seem to be anyone in the stadium. The entire upper tier was empty, and I'm guessing that the lower tiers were only about a quarter full. This may have been very different for the games I didn't catch, of course.
But, the RFL are claiming a decent attendance:
[i]The return to the Millennium Stadium drew an aggregate attendance of 60,214 for the seven Engage Super League round-one games over two days, an increase of 8,171 on last year's fixtures in Edinburgh and the second highest in the event's five-year history.
[/i]
Still quite a bit short of the Millenium Stadium's capacity.
What exactly is the point of playing every game outside the heartland of RL?
What exactly is the point of playing every game outside the heartland of RL?
So that the fans might experience some culture.
DD too funny..
deadlydarcy - MemberWhat exactly is the point of playing every game outside the heartland of RL?
So that the fans might experience some culture.
Speaking of which, did you get to Swansea before Xmas, deadlydarcy? 😆 If so, how was Wind St?
(I'm guessing you didn't come down because the weather was dreadful?)
I didn't IJ, sadly. I had a mate's wedding the same weekend. I know where I'd rather have been 🙄
What exactly is the point of playing every game outside the heartland of RL?
yeah its a problem...haven't the fans got to get back to feed their whippets?
haven't the fans got to get back to feed their whippets?
That may explain why the stadium looked empty - most of the seats were booked for the whippets.
Was surprised so many empty seats. Even though numbers through the turnstiles have been dropping in the last season or two in the Premiership, Twickers always seems to pull in huge numbers for the Union season opener with close to 80k.
The reason so many seats were empty is the same as why the twickers double headers look empty, people dont want to watch other peoples teams!
PS Come on France 😆
The twickenham london double header had 75k this season?
Don't mind watching any team if its not to expensive - seeing Sarries or Irish loose makes my day.
[url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/france/8336847/Six-Nations-2011-everyone-wants-France-to-beat-insular-England-at-Twickenham-claims-Marc-Lievremont.html ]“We appreciate our Italian cousins with whom we share the same quality of life, we appreciate the Celts and their conviviality ... and then among all these nations we have one huge thing in common: we don’t like the English. [/url]
😆 A big game? I think so.
The twickenham london double header had 75k this season?
yet still didnt look full as a lot of the supporters head off to the pub when there teams played.
Lievremont is right though - the rest of us don't like the English! 😉
its no wonder though is it
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9402342.stm
England lock Tom Palmer believes France will be fired up to win their crunch Six Nations clash because England are seen as the "big boys" of world rugby
Foden said similar prior to the Wales game, bunch of big daft Tarquins
What twickenham needs is a west country v midlands double header. 25K glos fans and 25k tigers fans for starters.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberEngland lock Tom Palmer believes France will be fired up to win their crunch Six Nations clash because England are seen as the "big boys" of world rugby
Foden said similar prior to the Wales game, bunch of big daft Tarquins
True, but Palmer qualified it by saying England are the biggest, wealthiest union with the largest pool of players - not that they're the best.
Yeah selective quoting by AA if ever I've seen it this is what Palmer said (source Guardian so it must be true)
"Everyone hates the English, everyone raises their game when they come up against them. Even the Australians and the Kiwis don't like us. It's just the way it is ... it's part of our colonial history and the empire. I suppose England are essentially the biggest union. It's always good to beat the big boys, isn't it?"
If you look at the final and bronze final of each of the 6 RWC tournaments wales appears once as a bronze finalist in the very first tournament, and England appears 4 times, three of those were as finalists (including winning it ) and once as a bronze finalist. In recent years as the rest of the world has raised its game, wales has slipped steadily down the rankings. England came 2nd in the last tournament and one the previous one.
If you look at just the finals, Englands three appearances are only bested by Australia who also appeared three times, but have Won twice, NZ appeared twice (won once), France twice (never won), and SA twice (won twice).
I wonder who the big boys around here are?
To be fair its quality trolling by Palmer to mention the empire and all, doesnt explain why the Italians hate them too though does it? Or Argentina?
Bronze game FFS, its the third place play off, all the rest of your comments are negated by such idiocy.
In recent years as the rest of the world has raised its game, wales has slipped steadily down the rankings.
how manay 6 nations grandslams have the big boys won? He was talking about France anyway wasnt he?
Doesn't take much imagination to work out why the Argies might have a teensy bit of a problem with the British, and by extension the English.
Welsh centres look a bit battered so where will Gatland play Hook.
No point in arguing who hates the saes, the answer is everyone 😉
Looking forward to Eng/Fra - the "Big Boys" 😉
Hopefully Lievremont will carry on picking that big, useless, lunk Damien Traille - maybe at Fly-Half or Full Back but even if he's at centre he still keeps out Jauzion. With that other big, useless, lunk Huget on the wing it certainly helps England.
How hard is it to pick a back three for France?
Medard, Malzieu and Clerc.
Oh, it wasn't hard at all.
Bronze game FFS, its the third place play off, all the rest of your comments are negated by such idiocy.
It is referred to as the bronze game by the IRB so you can call them idiots if you like.
But that is fine, negate the third place and wales don't even appear in my little WRC comparison.
England have won 12 grand slams versus wales 10.
Get over it little brother, we will always look out for you and support you when you play anyone else, you will always bristle about it.
Davies has a tweaked hamstring apparently, so Hook will move back to centre if he's out but the hope is he will be fit to play. Game will be won and lost elswhere regardless of who plays 10 for Wales, if the welsh lineout and scrum holds up they should be OK.
France: Maxime Medard; Yoann Huget, Aurelien Rougerie, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Julien Pierre, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy.Replacements: Clement Poitrenaud, Guilhem Guirado, Sylvain Marconnet, Jerome Thion, Morgan Parra, Julien Bonnaire, Damien Traille.
Medard at Full back and Chabal in the backrow are this weeks somewhat strange calls from Livermont. On paper they look very strong, but have shown too many defensive weakness to worry England
Toys clam down dear, you'll have a hear attack. So you are a post England world cup rugby follower? Try again with the number of England (and Wales) Six Nations Grandslams.
Get over it little brother, we will always look out for you and support you when you play anyone else, you will always bristle about it.
That's what the Jocks, Taffs and Micks hate the most about the English!
😆
France: Maxime Medard; Yoann Huget, Aurelien Rougerie, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Julien Pierre, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Oh no! Lieveremont's got something almost right. Maybe he was on here looking for pointers? Mind you, what exactly did Morgan Parra do to get himself dropped?
Anyone? 😕
Toys clam down dear, you'll have a hear attack. So you are a post England world cup rugby follower?
Thanks Mr Winner, (you edify yourself by quoting him) indeed I am, and a pre follower, took and interest in the 70's which really took hold since I started playing in 1982.
Try again with the number of England (and Wales) Six Nations Grandslams.
I have been deliberately avoiding that. I think the big brother might have been a bit tired in the last 10 years although just because you have won 2 grand slams it doesn't negate the fact that you have only one it twice and we have on it 3 times. (france have 3 gs and 5 wins)
So France have 3 grand slams compared to Englands one yet England are the big boys? Righto carry on, as you were!
Oh no! Lieveremont's got something almost right. Maybe he was on here looking for pointers?
Monkeys with typewriters... Was bound to get something right eventually.
Still Chabal in for Bonnaire is a strange one.
AA if it makes you feel better to narrow down the definition to the last 10 years then so be it, but over time since the five nations began France have only had 9 GS and 17 tournaments verses our 12 GS and 25 tournaments.
But I wasn't talking about France, I consider them to be one of the big boys too, but as you selectively quoted Palmer to further promote your own little obsession with hating England (and you seem content to make yourself happy by selectively quoting results too.) I thought I would point out how you really are not one of the big boys on a global scale.
I'll buy you a pint of SA this autumn to welcome you into the big boys club when, after you have beaten South Africa, Fiji and Samoa, you knock us out of the world cup. Although we might not make it past the Argies and if we do might not get a chance to meet you until the final.. 😀
You'd have to be very drunk or very stupid or probably both to try punching Jamie Roberts 😮
Toys PALMER WAS TALKING ABOUT FRANCE! My quote was taken from the headline from the BBC website.
I am quite comfortable with the fact Wales will most likely never win a world cup, couldnt give a stuff.
Wales: Lee Byrne (Ospreys); Morgan Stoddart (Scarlets), James Hook (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Ospreys); Paul James (Ospreys), Matthew Rees (Scarlets, capt), Craig Mitchell (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Blues), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Newport Gwent Dragons), Sam Warburton (Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys).
Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), John Yapp (Blues), Jonathan Thomas (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Tavis Knoyle (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Blues).
Good to see 1/2p back hopefully he can be given a half to get ready for the Ireland and France games, Stoddart still tackles like mr Tickle
Stoddart still tackles like mr Tickle
I've never heard Ronan o'Gara called that before.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberYou'd have to be very drunk or very stupid or probably both to try punching Jamie Roberts
Well seeing as the guy was outside a nightclub at closing time and presumably Welsh he probably qualifies on both counts! 😉
AA if it makes you feel better to narrow down the definition to the last 10 years then so be it, but over time since the five nations began France have only had 9 GS and 17 tournaments verses our 12 GS and 25 tournaments.
That'll be a 53% rate of success for the French against 48% for england, how that maths work then and who the big boy now?
That's what the Jocks, Taffs and Micks hate the most about the English!
That's not the reason why the english are hated.
I reality the main reason why the english are most hated is because they love being hated and play up to it at every opportunity. "Everyone hates us and we dont care"
I reality the main reason why the english are most hated is because they love being hated and play up to it at every opportunity. "Everyone hates us and we dont care"
Plus of course, being hated by the Celts et.al. is rather like being savaged by a dead sheep.... 😛
(With apologies to Geoffrey Howe)
Bloomin' potential Grand Slam decider game and i'm gonna miss it!
MsD's 40th birthday so i've booked a weekend in a lovely little pub up in Eskdale. Gonna miss the game but at least we'll be riding our bikes at Whinlatter!
muddydwarf - MemberBloomin' potential Grand Slam decider game and i'm gonna miss it!
MsD's 40th birthday so i've booked a weekend in a lovely little pub up in Eskdale.
There's a telly in the pub surely?
If it were possible after only two matches to recognise a theme running through this year’s six nations, it is undoubtedly The Imperial March from Star Wars – the one that appears in the films whenever the Death Star appears and gears up to obliterate a planet, or whenever Darth Vader emerges from his masturbation disco ball for a spot of after-lunch cruelty to animals, but particularly when the innumerable massive forces of the evil empire are mobilising to crush all before them like the Doctor Martens of God descending through the clouds to stamp on helpless ants. It may have been masked somewhat by the obvious sound of “Swing Low”, but to the keen observer – it is very much there, and it heralds a great disturbance in the Force.Since the dark days of 2003 there have been some fun times. Two Grand-Slams, thanks very much; including sporting a debutant centre like an impractical but novel handbag, and an away win at the Cabbage Patch requiring only ten minutes’ work. Brian Moore spontaneously combusting at inept downtown aimless kicking against the Italians. Mr Johnson bursting veins at Danny Care’s witless over-exuberance. Our eastern cousins were rapidly earning the label “Mostly Harmless” and the world healed over them with barely a visible scar to remind us of the dark ages.
And yet here we are again. Somehow in the space of a few months, a benign collection of plodders has managed to build a new Death Star, and guess what – the mother looks to be fully operational. Suddenly the level of post-match debate has descended to risk analysis of swallow dives and there’s talk in broad daylight, in the open, without fear of sectioning and as if the last 8 years hasn’t happened, of Grandslams, and worst of all, World Cups “coming home”. In these moments, the Imperial March swells to become the only sound in the entire universe.
So, once more, the world looks with the trembling outstretched hand of hope towards France. The fate of us all rests in the hands of 15 Han Solos; amiable folk who can pull off ridiculous stuff when they’re in the mood, but who unfortunately have a track record of motivational issues when the heat is on.
Come on then, France. You buy up all our best players, you have restaurants that close for lunch, you retire at 62 (and we all know how you bleated about that), and your popular music still has accordion solos. But this Saturday, you’ve got the big chance to blow up the shield generator so the Irish and the Scots can have a full-on tilt at the main reactor and put and end to this nonsense once and for all. We’ll be the Ewoks, pissed up on the sidelines throwing rocks and trying to be useful. Hope to join you for the fireworks party afterwards where you can get off with that incest bird with the headphones. Bonne chance, nos amis, bonne chance.
😆 😆
Very good - where was that from?
Loled at that - very good 🙂
Scots team has seen a bit a a shake up. Can't say I am too surprised about Parks.
AA I really owe you one, I thought the Gwlad rugby site had died years ago. Got one of the original 32-31 t shirts with all the quotes on it from them the day after Wembley. Many thanks 🙂
Rugby tomorrow...
I've got tickets to England v France...
Happy days. 😀
COMEONENGLAND!!!
Just remember Stuey the shocking news from Mr Lievremont that the rest of the world hates the English and only want to see us beaten on the rugby pitch.
🙄 Like we didn't know that....
You can shove yer flaming chariots up yer arse
You can shove yer flaming chariots up yer arse
You can shove yer flaming chariots
Shove yer flaming chariots
Shove yer flaming chariots up yer arse
to the tune of " she'll be coming round the mountain"
I was getting a bit bored of schadenfreude but a couple of good wins, an arrogant get or two and the desire to see England beaten returns 🙂
As for the Scots - we shall see. So far a huge disappointment but Beattie is back and raring to go and Lamont has shown a bit of passion, parks has been dropped so never say never. Not looking forward to a visit to the cabbage patch tho.
England France should be a mighty game - I hope for a real spectacle.
[url= http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2010/05/try-savers-rib-breakers-11.html ]clicky for video to get us in the mood watch out for the sweary irishmen in the middle if at work[/url]
Some brutal stuff in RB11 😀 they usually put more fiticuffs in.
Off topic but did anyone see the Islanders Pegnguins chaos in the NHL a few weeks ago, worth youtubing as it is beyond belief.
Anybody hear Will (mummys here) Greenwood on 5 live this morning, dear god what was he blathering on about. The blueprint how Englnad off the back of a few wins are going to win the World Cup.
TJ, IIRC, you aren't Scottish..... 😉
Everyone ready then?
If I start drinking about now, I should be perfectly preserved by kick-off....
Nicely pickled....!
Am off to stay wih friends for the weekend, so will be offline. PLease feel free to berate me for Wales losing later on.... 😕
the English hype machine is in overdrive, just wait till the Wales game is on more of the build up will be about the england game, then at halft time Inverdale will say something along the lines of "now lets talk about england" blah blah blah....
ah diddums.
Now let's see, who has a chance of a grand slam...
[s]Scotland
Wales
Ireland
Italy[/s]
France
England
😉 😛
i think england will get beat by a narrow margin.
then at halft time Inverdale will say something along the lines of "now lets talk about england" blah blah blah....
I start ranting at the TV if I watch the half time idiots.
Bimbo with mike: So Colin Charvis, ex Welsh captain, what are your thoughts on the English backrow today. What do you think about Flood?
Charvis: Errrrrr, why not ask me how BOTH backrows are playing? There are TWO teams on the pitch not just England........
I wish that's what would happen, but of course Charvis (or whichever 'expert' is there) would lose his job.....
Stoner - Member
ah diddums.Now let's see, who has a chance of a grand slam...
You need to think about winning the competition before talking about grand slams, and in terms of winning the 6N there are more than two teams in the running.
CaptainFlashheart - MemberTJ, IIRC, you aren't Scottish.....
Been a Scotland supporter since the mid 70s. One hardly chooses to be a Scotland supporter for the glory does one? Its all about whats in your heart 🙁
TJ that doesn't answer the question. Still think Cueto is pants?
Yup. He ain't quick enough - on his feet or between the ears. Ashton looks like a real killer winger.
What happened to Strettle? He looked the part.
Flashy's only welsh by choice anyway. He'd be far more suited to the collars-up, down-gilet shandy drinking crowd at Twickers.
He is quicker than Tindall 🙂 and your still not a Jock 😉
Says the Paddy from Brissle 😀
TandemJeremy - MemberWhat happened to Strettle? He looked the part.
He's in the Elite Squad - next in line if one of the others went down probably.
Anyway, it seems as if England are gonna win today, then the Grand Slam and then the RWC.
(If you read the press.)
If I was a glory hunter I would be supporting England. However who you support in any sport is an affair of the heart not the head.
Can we have Strettle if you don't want him?
[i]Can we have Strettle if you don't want him? [/i]
Don't start that again, TJ. 🙂 I was watching Cipriani play for the Rebels last week - he was, to be completely frank, a hindrance to them. Iirc you were wishing that he was Scottish - you don't want him!
Actually thinking about, start asking to borrow ALL of the English team and you'll jinx them as well............
May be TJ should stand for Temporary Jock
Cipriani inspired the Rebels to victory this week however!
Says the Paddy [s]from[/s] [b]who lives in[/b] Brissle
FTFY
😆
Anyway...RACIST!! 🙂
Inverdale: "Bonjour! Ca va?!"
French changingroom-wallah: "Allez les bleues!"
Inverdale: *nervous giggle, no idea what they just said*
🙄
Idlejohn - have you seen the scottish backs? Jam packed full of world class talent 🙄
Oh that is going to really upset the Pink-shirted pimlico prancer 🙂
[i]TandemJeremy - Member
Idlejohn - have you seen the scottish backs? Jam packed full of world class talent [/i]
As alway!! 😆 No sorry, that smileys nowhere near smug enough. (Being typed with no knowledge of the Rome result...........)
Classy! (everything's relative).
🙂
good job bergamasco has 2 left feet eh?