Gatland in a rage this morning, the Saffers have appointed Marius Jonkers as TMO for tomorrow…
In other rugby, so to summarise Welsh teams can carry on losing all the games as usual can they?
The 24 competing teams were drawn into two pools of 12 - which were each then split into four tiers of three clubs.
In each pool, tier-one sides face tier-four teams, and clubs in tier two playing those in tier three.
Each pool's tier has three clubs - one each from the Premiership, Pro14 and Top 14 - with the tiers determined by domestic standings.
In the pool stage, teams do not face opponents from the same domestic league - so, for instance, a tier-one Premiership club will only play the Pro14 and Top 14 teams in tier four.
Defending champions Toulouse, who are in tier one, will face tier-four clubs Wasps and Cardiff Blues.
The 2021-22 Champions Cup final is scheduled to be in Marseille on 28 May next year.
Pool A
Tier one: La Rochelle, Exeter Chiefs, LeinsterTier two: Racing 92, Sale Sharks, Ulster
Tier three: Clermont Auvergne, Northampton Saints, Ospreys
Tier four: Montpellier, Bath, Glasgow Warriors
Pool B
Tier one: Toulouse, Harlequins, MunsterTier two: Bordeaux-Begles, Bristol Bears, Connacht
Tier three: Stade Francais, Leicester Tigers, Scarlets
Tier four: Castres, Wasps, Cardiff Blues
This makes no sense, they are pitting the best against the worst and the middle against the middle? Whats the point?
Hasn't world rugby appointed jonkers? Could be worse could be Craig (run away) joubert.
TJ assuming we're talking about metres made and all backs both teams I'll take the bet (money to local MRT).
I'm hoping big Rory gets a start, last time I spoke with him he was hoping to get a signed lions top to auction for the pumptrack funds. Be cool to have it on a lions 1 top.
About 2:40 in you'll also see Phoebe Gale fmd racing and UK junior downhill champ and William Brodie UK junior no2.
TJ assuming we’re talking about metres made and all backs both teams I’ll take the bet (money to local MRT).
I presume he just means Lions, which given that he's the left wing, it likely, although given SA's love of kicking the leather off the ball it could well be Hogg all those m gained before any likely contact add up!
AA it's almost like you are saying that metres gained is probably a bit meaningless? 😉
Guys - forget the bet. Given Krytons lack of respect and his needlessly aggressive behaviour along with his total unwillingness to even reflect on how he has behaved or apologise I will only be dipping into this thread occasionally. basically he has ruined it for me and life is too short to spend time with arses.
Anybody seen Neil Francis's comments about Smith? Not going to repeat it but what a complete shitehawk.
Francis is a ****. Copsey had the right idea years ago!
The usual good insight from Squidge, a couple of interesting points that the lay-viewer doesn’t spot! Maybe Farrells better than we think…
Predictions? I think it’ll be close, I’m optimistically going 23-18 Lions.
Bu**er, Jones the prop is out injured. Sutherland starting and Mako V on the bench. Wish they had put MV to start and save Sutherland to try and deal with Malherbe. Far better scrummager.
Sutherland is excellent though, does that mean Mako is on bench?
edit yes - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57953913
Team looked like we're trying to blast them of the park first half, but got to Worry about the scrum in the second half. As well as mako, there's the second row.
Awj can't be 80 minute fit. And they've got Beirne as lock cover. He's not played a minute there on tour, never locks down on the tight side, and is really too lightweight, especially against the boks. Great at 6, not a tight scrumming lock. The "leaked" team looked better with Henderson there. Of the two, rather they left him on the bench and drop one of Byrne or Watson cos they're both effectively back row cover. I know Lawes is in there and could shift across, but if he's doing the job he's picked for at 6 then he'd be too knackered anyway. Good job Maro plays 80 minutes most games. If the boks knobble him early we're shafted.
I guess they had to add another back to the bench with henshaw, biggar, and Hogg all coming in off knocks. Hope we're not hanging on with 14 at the end
I think Sutherland has started as part of a plan to compete with the perceived SA strengths from the first whistle, also suspect Sutherland might get asked to do 80 now. Nothing between him and W-Jones on the tour but I would have started Sutherland as I can't see how they will get a full game out of AWJ based on his absence and bringing on Wyn Jones and Ken Owens would give you 2 front row reps that know each other really well and leadership in Owens. Vunipola has unfortunately looked a shadow of his former self.
Agree that Sutherland is excellent, I would want him facing Malherbe. Mako has played well in the last 2 games (least said about the earlier ones the better), but Malherbe + flanker is enough to hold him in a scrum. That leaves 6 Bokke to attack the tight head just like the world cup final.
Paid up to now TV for a day... Getting excited, hat trick from DVdM I reckon!
Porter's earlier injury looks a massive loss now. Genuine international quality scrummager on both sides.
Lots of leadership to come on in Owens, Murray, Farrell. Really looks like blast into a lead then try to see it out.
Just paid for a month.
Bierne is more lock than flanker tbf.
Not since his move back to Ireland.
Henderson s a lock that covers 6. Beirne is a six that covers lock.
I had forgotten how much I hate sky Spurts!!
Excited now...
Heart rate already up!
No arms surely?
not much of a wrap was it?
Wasn't sure Hogg wasn't taken in the air either.
I suspect the replays will favour the home side. À la France.
And as if by magic, Instant replay.
Late and no arms - bit lucky there not to be carded
Yeah Curry stupid.
However reffing a bit shit I think.
Bit shite from lions so far!
****ing two hands Jesus
Some signs BI could unlock SA but need to cut the errors!
Line-out is a disaster
Scrum struggling
SA very aggressive in defence
Lions strong at breakdown
Potential if get outside SA defence
Lions will get better more they play
Reffing is a bit amateur hour
Just seems to be a lack of go-forward. The centres are ineffective and the backs aren’t really in the game.
With SA got to earn the space to release the backs. Tour matches flatter to deceive with weak opposition
Need to sort set-piece and play some phase rugby
Need to carry ball direct.
Need to carry ball direct
Yep, take up first/second receiver lots of big ball carriers
Still well within touch - not as bad as the pundits are suggesting
Told you...
Bloody home TMO's
Jonkers, we must have some kompromat on him. Pee tape.
You nearly spoke too soon! 😬
Dubtoit was ahead if the kicker in the first place!
Yeah but South Africa.
Ken Owens is awesum.
I loves him. Total throwback as well, the players bar in Murrayfield was full of isotonic ****ers and the sheriff with a pint.
