[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

AA - ha ha! He's a frigging donkey isn't he?

So - roof open, Eddie suspects they are playing games with the team announcement becuase he said he'd define his strategy depending on Biggar playing, and is now isolating England from outside influences such as removing potentially all night ringing telephones from hotel rooms the minute they cross the bridge

Its all fun and games isnt it!

The team announcement is games for sure....

But a bit Laurel and Hardy compared to when Gatts does it!!!

Bring the game on - all the pre match BS detracts from the occasion including having the goat crap on the area where England line up. We need an MJ-type who would deliberately line up in the wrong place to avoid the goat crap and the bad-breath band singing twin inches behind their collars. Don't think Hartley has balls as big as Jonners!!

So I presume that the roof is open at Eddies request despite him saying he doesnt mind. He does seem to be playing mind games with himself. Shame Gats has ****ed off they would both have wound each other up into a frothing frenzy by now.
Makes sense for England to want the roof open as their tight five is stronger. Dont know why they dont feel able to say that.
As for North and Biggar well I will velieve when they step on the pitch but it makes sense for Wales to try and keep the hype about Sammy Davies junior under wraps.

Bring the game on - all the pre match BS detracts from the occasion including having the goat crap on the area where England line up.

You dont half talk rubbish

bad-breath band singing

How about adding another stereotype...you are getting sheep and garlic confused in your xenophobia I think.

^give it a rest a_a, Jesus, if you're going to dish a load of banter out, then at least take some in return rather than pulling out the racism card at any given opportunity....... You big sheep loving Jessie 😆

Dish out a load of banter? I stick to rugby and rugby players....
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.gives me more time with my flock!!
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and I dont like THM much to be honest.

Back on topic...

Seem to be rumours that North is really struggling with his dead leg and it looking more and more like Cuthbert starting.

I've never understood the roof thing... but why is a stronger tight five better having the roof open?

With the rof open, it's more likely to be wet or at least damp, so it turns more into a forwards dominated wrestling match with the backs getting lass of the ball so the better back row aren't there to steal the ball / make smashing great runs / tackles.
It's a very small push one way or the other, but tiny gains will win test matches.
Personally I like the roof shut (when I'm there) as the crowd noise reflects back from the roof at a great volume (maybe that's another reason visitors like it open?)

and I dont like THM much to be honest.

Shucks, you are one of my favourites AA. Scorned.... 🙁

Cuthbert is apparently favourite to replace North if he's not fit enough.

Only with Rob Howley!!

this

But a bit Laurel and Hardy compared to when Gatts does it

I'd much rather have Steff Evans play than Cuthbert if North is broken. Evans is like a cut price Nowell whereas Cuthbert is likeca hoplessly out of form May.

but slower

Lack of pace isnt Cuthberts issue. Ask Mike Brown. Catching and tackling are more of a problem.

he reminds me of Nigel Walker..always used to look completely lost on the pitch

Lack of pace isnt Cuthberts issue. Ask Mike Brown.

Time to roll this one out again!

[img] [/img]

Never gets old 😆

Brown isn't exactly known for his startling pace though.

It's funny watching Cuthbert turn when people put kicks in behind him - it's like watching an oil tanker maneuver!

Regardless of who's in it, that's a great sporting photography.

I posted a vid a few pages back. At the time that he rounded Brown he was bloody on fire. Scored a real corker in the last liobs test I think it was. He always had weaknesses but his finishing made up for it. He may well of lost a yard of pace to injury too. Its quite sad but Wales keep picking him which makes it worse.

Here it is

Nigel Walker looking lost!

all I said was that he's slower than May I'll leave his countrymen to discuss the other faults in his game 🙂

all I said was that he's slower than May

Am I allowed a tadge of optimism this weekend? 18 years or something since we one in Paris. Gonna be a tough ask but keeping the ball away from the French forwards will be the key

I hope Scotland win, but I fear they may not, Fance actually starting to look like France again.... I'll be cheering along anyway.

Edit - but Scotland are a better side now than at any time I can actually remember!

TJ - who is your ref? I've noticed a lot of refs now trying to get teams to use the ball from a dominant scrum, rather than purely pushing for a pen every time, which I think is a good thing. If you can get it "in & out" straight away on your own ball, I think you have a good shout. If France are allowed to scrummage you into the dirt, it will be a long match for you.

Just finished watching the Saints/Bath game on BT. Absolutley cracking contest. Bit scruffy in the second half as Saints came back hard from behind, but I think Mr Barnes did a good job of letting the game play.
Lead changing several times approaching 80mins. Right nailbiter.

Tapui with some top skillz too.

Brizzle spanked again. Back to the championship for us methinks. We'll lose all of our best players and have a right struggle too. Pat Lam won't be impressed.

I was ready to concede that Brizz would stay up and wed go down. But if we can take 3+ pts of Brizz in March, and assume they dont have some glorious turnaround against stronger sides, I think you might be right wrecker, and we'll cling on for a season more.

I reckon I might start supporting Hartpury though. Its closer for us and its not as unconscionable as supporting Glos 😉

AA, hope you weren't watching Eddie on the news. He was talking about preparing for typical Cardiff shenanigans including the goat. He stopped short of mentioning the crap though - goat crap that is!!!

2013 Cuthbert was a very good vintage!!! He's been pretty useless every time that I've seen him outside that period!

I wonder how much of a confidence thing it is? He looked so good during that period.....looks like a rabbit in the headlights at times now-reminds me of Priestland in that respect.

In other news, Sale shipped four try trys against Newcastle tonight....just scraped the win though.

I was ready to concede that Brizz would stay up and wed go down. But if we can take 3+ pts of Brizz in March, and assume they dont have some glorious turnaround against stronger sides, I think you might be right wrecker, and we'll cling on for a season more.

On the other front, Cuthbert is prone to some...odd...decision making but he's a strong, fast boy and knows where the try line is. I don't underestimate him, he can do damage when the mood takes him.

No kick off till 5.... boring.
Lets hope its a good game and Wales put up a good fight also hope Eddies "mind games" dont get his own captain too wound up!!

Who is the ref,I'd like to start slagging him off now in preparation for later 😆

Garcès

fill the time by watching the Saints/Bath highlights.

Good job Gethins injured then I suppose!

TBH I think both he and Poite are perfectly good refs. Just some loose heads arent very good 😉

Let's hope we do as well as our Ladies - 38:0 at HT - do they get paid the same?!?!

(ok, only one group ae pros)

not getting any better for Wales Women. Their tackling is awful. I only get to see twitter vid clips unfortunately. Id love to watch the game live but no Sky....

EDIT: found a ropey stream if you can get past the popovers.
http://www.newzion02.top/100z4.php?onthetop

It's really very poor. Watched 5 minutes a end of 1H and then switched over to watch Wendyball - that shows you how bad. Ok and men's downhill skiing has been postponed.

Will they make 100?

Only ever did that once at school and that was in a match cut short.

why isnt scarett place kicking? She was devastating against France.

Just some loose heads arent very good

I'm sure the 4th most capped player in rugby history and most capped ever prop including tests on 2 lions tours will take your point on board!!
After he has finished laughing 😆

Which reminds me, if you fancy a laugh look up Rob Evans recent interview about taking over from Gethin its pretty funny.

I only get to see twitter vid clips unfortunately. Id love to watch the game live but no Sky....

This game and the U20 last night were both on BBC2 Wales. Stupidly you can't see that from the main BBC site but if you google BBC Wales then you get the skin and links for it.