[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

The wooden one?

It don get in - the love heart one? What is the relevance?

Yeah, it's what Welsh people give instead of engagement rings. A big porridge spoon. Made of wood, naturally 🙂

Scotland - England. Hmmm...

If Scotland can stitch together an Irish first half and a Welsh second half then Eddie will be on the first Qantas flight he can find. I mean cricket score territory. Maybe.

But be honest we've had two good halves out of six - are we feeling lucky?

PS Qantas - good for scrabble seeing as how you don't need a "u"?

The Calcutta Cup game is huge.

Their is pressure on both teams; England could equal the AB's record which is huge really and must be hardy to put out of your mind and the first time in a long tine, there is expectation on Scotland for them to win.

I expect us to dominate the scums, the line outs will be a massive contest with both teams having very good locks but I think we'll get done big time at the breakdown. Jones needs to get on the blower to George Smith and get him to offer some training again (our breakdown work has give backwards since he had a short term role).

The backs are interesting; Scotland will have the better full back for sure. There is promise in our backs but they haven't really clicked this tournament where as the Scottish backs are creating opportunities and finishing them.

I have a nagging feeling that the wheels are about to come off for England because they have not fired since the autumn and Scotland do seem to be firing. Away from the international games, the English clubs haven't been great in Europe whereas Glasgow in particular have been. I'm going for a Scottish win, but a slender one.

have a nagging feeling that the wheels are about to come off for England

Me too. I said in here at beginning of the 6N I thought Ireland will derail us, but so bad has been the English performance and so good Scotland than we could be 2 games down by the end of the thing.

Having said that, JJ is back, Hask is starting, Itoje started to look better in the 2H last week and Daly is a rising star and Nowell is starting so I feel England will be a lot more threatening. The English tactic does seem to be one of "absorb 1H, strike 2H" in the main.

With his admission of lame captaincy this morning and Haskells interference last week i do wonder if Hartleys time is coming to a natural end.

I think the prediction above is correct - England to sneak it at the end with a sigh of relief, making us nervous about the Irish game.

Wales beat the shit out of Scotland for the first half last week, I expect England to do the same for both halves next week and be more accurate and finish chances better.

PS Qantas - good for scrabble seeing as how you don't need a "u"?

Can you use acronyms in scrabble?

Oh and I think England will win, by 10 ish. Although Scotland would also get the triple crown if they win won't they?

Wales beat the shit out of Scotland for the first half last week, I expect England to do the same for both halves next week and be more accurate and finish chances better.

Yep, don't get all the pessimism from the English. You have by far the strongest team that has proved they can still win well, in first gear, without a lot of key players. As individuals some of the players aren't world beaters but as someone already said, as a team they don't really know how to lose. England massive favourites for me

Agree with DanW - England big favourites for me too. What's impressed me a lot about them is that when they've been conceding bigly on territory and possession, as they were for large chunks v France and Wales, they conceded very little on the scoreboard, which is why they're favourites for both Scotland and Ireland games for me.

I predict England will not contest at the ruck. 🙂

😀

^ Opposite of Wales who seem to need 80% territory and possession to scrag a few points here and there! Anything less and the other team is well and truly in the game

Billy V back for Sarries at the weekend

Yup. Let's hope Billy goes well at the weekend because Hughes has been poo so far.

Hardly

beat the shit out

No they did. Wales failed to create or finish chances but they were doing a good job of duffing up scotland in the first half. England will look to do the same. I expect home advantage will enable England to make use of scrim dominance too.

Hughes has been poo so far.

I don't think that's fair.

If you watch Hughes for Wasps, he's a different sort of player. He frequently carries the ball in one hand looking for the spectacular offload when he goes into contact or attacking the outside shoulder of the defender, using his extra pace.

England have asked him to play the BillyV role - being more conservative and making sure he holds on to the ball. He's not the same impact runner as Big Billy (who is?)and it's not his natural game - but he's trying.

News in from the Italy camp - Connor O'Shea has announced that Italy are selecting a XV comprising entirely of dwarves.

Coach Brendan Venter said:

[i]We prefer the term persons of restricted growth but we are picking a team with a maximum height of 1 metre. The thinking is that, with the new high tackle laws, every tackle that the French make will result in a yellow or red card. By the second half we should be playing unopposed and at that point we can bring on our finishers to seal the win.[/i]

😀

[quote="vondally"]

Second rows will be a tremendous tussle, possibly the best locks in the 6 nations in action. Johnie Gray has been outstanding but so has Launchbury, add in Lawes tackling and it will be a crucial element.

I think the Gray brothers might have a point to prove 😉

I don't think that's fair.

He was a penalty machine against Italy.

So far, I remain very far from convinced. I'm just hoping that Billy goes well this weekend.

The chaps on the ESR podcast had it right for Hughes, outstanding club player, but not quite there for international. I'm not sure Billy V is going to be ready, look at Mako last weekend, too soon to return to the 6N from injury. Really looking forward to the Scotland game, should be a great showcase if they play in the spirit of the game not stifle it.

It is only of late that Billy V has become such a good player, he showed promise and glimpses so maybe Hughes could grow into that player? Trouble is he'll always be an understudy if BV is fit and continues the same form.

outstanding club player, but not quite there for international

Maybe. Maybe not.

He's pretty new to international rugby and is replacing one of the world's best No.8s.

As I said, he's being asked to play a different way to fill Billy's shoes. If England were playing a more expansive game we might see a different side to him.

Agree with you both, will he be given the time to settle and grow as an international if BV is fit..

I think the Gray brothers might have a point to prove

Plus channelling the spirit of David Sole from ' that' game.....

I wonder how much the occasion and moment will affect Scotland?

AA is right Wales had the better of the first thirty but did not convert and then slid into in decision, Scotland hung in and did not fold, again these are two hugely resilient teams.

I would rather see Daley at full back than Brown as it will cause Hogg more defensive woes ( he was out of position a couple of times against Wales plus his kicking was a bit off)and if Billy is a tenth fit he will play.

The wings will be interesting as well, Nowell was excellent and hopefully will start, Daly has been possibly England s best asset so far this tournament, Tommy Seymour has been overlooked but has been in blistering form and should be a Lion in some form, then Visser - awful for 30 minutes against Wales and then unstoppable.

I would rather see Daley at full back than Brown

I'm wondering why we haven't seen that yet - perhaps Jones is waiting for an "easy" game within which to experiment which hasn't materialised yet.

With Daly and Nowell about you have two workhorses, so why not bring in Watson, Daly and Nowell as the back three? Crikey thats potent.

why not bring in Watson, Daly and Nowell as the back three?

He won't be happy.....

[img] [/img]

Mr Angry I would suggest is part of the team, he offers that 'edge, aggression, bloody mindness that Jones likes and probably sees as integral to the response/resilience of the team.

Edit as displayed by CFH vid 😆

Plus he is looking long term, I cannot see Brown in the next rugby world as first choice fullback or possibly in the squad.

Watson or more possibly Daly will there but Jones wants several players competing for one position, primarily so when they get injured in England camp training he has cover.

Undecided about Hughes, he is an outstanding player but he's completely different player to Billy. Hughes is a lot more SH - a canny, running, breaking, offloading forward. Billy is the proverbial hammer.
Brown's days are numbered so it's either Watson or Daly to FB. I'm betting Watson.

Away from the 6N, it's crunch time at the bottom of the prem. Bris vs Wuss on sunday at sixways (on BT sport). Both teams have pretty much full strength squads, should be an engrossing game.

I agree that I think it'll be Watson at FB eventually. He plays there a fair bit for Bath. I think Daly is more than a workhorse winger; he's got a good boot, is good defensively and is deceptively quick (the try against Leinster when he was shown the outside last season was pretty impressive).

Exeter going well against Tigers tonight is some grotty conditions.

Massive game for Wuss this weekend. It'll no doubt be a terrible spectacle, just hope they plays like that did when they beat Sarries.

Massive game for Wuss this weekend. It'll no doubt be a terrible spectacle, just hope they plays like that did when they beat Sarries.

If you have a chance, look for the Matavesi try in the first half at Embraer.

The set up from Sam Davies shouldn't have been allowed before the watershed.

Wrecker - ha ha.

Is it game over for Bristol if the loose?

Tigers have come out after half term with a bit more vigour. Harrison has made a big difference at scrum half.

Is it game over for Bristol if the loose?

Just watched the Blues/Chiefs Super Rugby game. Stephen Luatua got sent off on trhe stroke of half time and the Chiefs ran away with it from there.

He deserved to go and the Blues didn't deal with having 14 men too well but it got me thinking:

Wouldn't rugby be better off if a red card just meant that the player sent off was out of the game but could be replaced so the team still had 15?

With the increasing number of offences that attract cards and the never ending use of the TMO we're likely to have more and more games with uneven numbers on the pitch. An early red card is often the death knell for a game as a contest (with honourable exceptions like SA v Ireland and Exeter v Wasps.) THe team would still lose that player for the game and bans/sanctions would still be a deterrent for offending players.

In the NFL and NHL you can be ejected from the game but your team doesn't ultimately end up short handed. In Aussie rules you can't even be sent off, just put "on report".

I thought it was game over two weeks ago. I'd never have imagined we'd beat B***, but at this moment we are still in it. A loss to wuss is curtains I reckon, we both have a tough run in.

It's a tough one to call really. Wuss have been pretty hot and cold this season but look much better with Houggard back at nine.

Exeter heading for s big win tonight. They've looked very calm.

Tigers look clueless.

Tigers look clueless.

Yup. The wins against Bristol flattered them really; up against a top four team they look lost. Really sloppy in key positions.

Ospreys put it to Edinburgh 😆 a modicum of revenge for last week. Things are bleak have to take small pleasures when they are offered.

Well that was a disappointing evening at Welford Road, Tigers outplayed by Chiefs. Can't even moan about some of the refereeing decisions, Tigers dug their own hole tonight..

😆

Opened the thread to post the same video!

Thats fantastic!

Good win for Worcester today, should hopefully be safe now. First half won it for them. Hougaard was very goodbye again.

Brizzol looked a bit lacklaster considering the importance of the game.

Madigan to Brizzle then?

DD will have the #strangest......

And Billy back in the England training squad. I don't expect him to play before Ireland, but good news!

@Pigface did you see his facebook post, asked for help finding the ballboy so he could give him his matchday shirt. Found him 🙂

The kid posted on Nigel Owen's page - see my link above, he also changed his profile picture to the yellow card moment 🙂

Brizzol looked a bit lacklaster considering the importance of the game.

Well, having watched the first two rounds of Super Rugby:

THE LIONS ARE NOT GOING TO BEAT THE ALL BLACKS

The NZ teams seem to have evolved over the close season. Everyone is passing like Aaron Smith, every high kick is contestable, there's always someone in support. It's like watching 7s being played with 15 a side.

There are mistakes, sure, but compared to the AP/Pro12/6N they're miles ahead.

Oh dear Scotland. All the Jocks wandering around telling people they are going to smash England for the first time in 34 years at Twickers. Jones is about to put out almost our strongest team out, and then add the usual "finishers" plus Billy V and Watson.

This is only going one way my kilt wearing friends...

/troll 😉

Kryton - I might think it, but I certainly wouldn't say it!!!

What's all this about pudding......? 😉

The thing is, the Jocks have to win at Twickers some time surely? If Scotland play the way they have and England do likewise then Scotland will win.

Personally I think England are due a good 'un and Scotland might get spanked but maybe that's wishful thinking.

England certainly should win. Rugby is in a much stronger position in England and therefore England have a far bigger pool of players to choose from,
Scotland have lost some first choice players and while the squad is better than it had been for many years it is still stretched. England have home advantage and with the crowd behind them should be too much for Scotland. A good start from England should ease any nerves in the crowd.
All I ask of Scotland is that they give their all.

But I thought there were lots of "Jocks" wandering around (in kilts)going on about how they are going to smash England? Seems that none of them are on here. We all seem quite realistic, even our Captain is talking about how big a task it is.

So Wales name an unchanged side to face Ireland.

Rob Howley perhaps stepped out for the entire second half at Murrayfield and asked Sean Edwards for a report. Due to the torrent of swear words amidst the otherwise impenetratable Northern accent he must have mistakenly thought Edwards was delighted.

So Wales name an unchanged side to face Ireland.

Not much else to do, I thought Charteris and Faletau may start but anything else would just be a deck chairs and titanic moment.

Scotland were supposed to lose to Ireland,

Scotland were supposed to lose to Wales, with an apparently weakened side.

Scotland came mighty close to beating France.

Good thinking from the Scots to recognise and verbalise that task facing them whilst quietly thinking of ways to beat England you know like that sneaky lineout thing by bringing in a centre who catches the ball and scores.

Goodness knows what will happen if they do something like that at Twickenham, you know just not rugger. 8)

So Wales name an unchanged side to face Ireland

The time to freshen up and try new players is autumn and summer.

Shame they didn't really

The time to freshen up and try new players is autumn and summer.

Or at the back end of the 6N when you've already lost 2 out of 3.

Or at the back end of the 6N when you've already lost 2 out of 3.

That too

Shame they didn't really

Indeed. Shame Wales let their head coach **** off for a year too.
We dont really have many players to change, its the coaches that need to go..at least double agent Howler can **** up the attack if the English, Irish and Scottish Lions in the summer!!

Or at the back end of the 6N when you've already lost 2 out of 3.

If we lose the next two we are unseeded for the next world cup...again. now is not the time.

If we lose the next two we are unseeded for the next world cup

Being in the Gruppo del Morte didn't do you any harm in the last RWC 😉

@namaste no the Lions aren't going to beat NZ

Wee bit of a stink in the papers today about Swing low, some prof in the USA has written a paper about the appropriation of it being wrong. I have never seen it as anything other than being sung as a rugby song, I think it's great that people in Salmon coloured chinos want to bring some of the atmosphere you get at rugby matches to Twickenham. But all the same;maybe "HQ" should lay a wreath or donate to the rugby eq of Rhodes must fall just to be certain.

Brown; Nowell, Joseph, Farrell, Daly; Ford, Youngs; Marler, Hartley (captain), Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Itoje, Haskell, Hughes.

Replacements: George, M Vunipola, Sinckler, Wood, B Vunipola, Care, Te'o, Watson

Should beat Scotland with something to spare.

[Kryters] Should [s]beat Scotland[/s] smash the Jocks with something to spare. [/Kryters]

😉

“Such cross-cultural appropriations of US slave songs betray a total lack of understanding of the historical context in which those songs were created by the American slave,” Josephine Wright, a professor of music and black studies at the College of Wooster in Ohio, told the newspaper.

If it has been the College of Jeeves, one might treat her view with more credibility.

On a more boring note, I used to play the game with the people credited with starting it - I dont think their cultural hinterland stretched sufficiently far to make the connection.

Oh dear Scotland. All the Jocks wandering around telling people they are going to smash England for the first time in 34 years at Twickers

Are they?? My feeling is, as an ardent Scotland supporter, we're going to get soundly beaten. I sincerely hope not and logically, based in performances so far I can see Scotland have a chance of winning. I just have a gut feeling its going to be one of those games where Scotland don't get the bounce of the ball, the discipline goes, England get some wind in their sales and win by 14 points 🙁

scotland team up. No surprises
[img] :small[/img]

Billy and Watson on the bench with Nowell, Care and Joseph starting. Can't wait for the game now, England by 10

The only thing worse than FoS - the worst anthem by a country mile - is the abomination that is SWSC.

Other than the tenuous/dubious link to Chris Oti, it has no relevance to English rugby at all. It's dull, repetitive and meaningless like a lot of the marketing BS that's blights the modern game

Has there ever been an entertaining Calcutta Cup game? It seems that both teams go out with a grim determination not to lose. I'm really hoping that Scotland keep up the creativity we've seen so far and I finally get to see an entertaining Scotland v England game.

The only thing worse than FoS - the worst anthem by a country mile

Worse than than God Save the Queen? Really? At least it has a tune rather than just a dirge...Italian is my fav...no idea what they are saying but it bounces along nicely!

The Italian anthem is all about killing their neighbours and that Italians are the greatest IIRC

Billy and Watson on the bench with Nowell, Care and Joseph starting. Can't wait for the game now, England by 10

Care is on the bench, Youngs starts.

Farrell possibly out, possibly Teo at 12.

That changes things.