MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Exeter to Newcastle isn't exactly next door either. Why is the Pro12 product poor?
Biggest puzzler of all though, why on earth has the commentator just said 'how wonderful it is to see Callum Clark back playing'? ....erm no my friend, it really **** isn't!!!!!
After that arm breaking incident, I sincerely feel it should have been...
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Why is the Pro12 product poor?
Because the games are notvthe ones the fans want to watch. The Welsh Derbies are well attended as are the games in ireland but the potential tv audience is tiny compared to England hence no cash. Whats the total poulation of Wales, Ireland and Scotland compared to England?
No idea TBH,I don't get to watch the Pro12 so I'm left wondering why a league that promised so much on its inception is now seen as a dead duck?
Pro12 what @aa says, domestic derbies have interest whilst the league as a whole much less so.
Ford will kick penalties for England
Cirpriani is a convicted drink driver, of course he is not in the squad. He showed clearly after years in the wilderness his idea of a recall just before the RWC was get get tanked up and then drive his car.
muddydwarf - Member
Cips isn't in the 45 man elite squad is he?
No, but hes arguably the current best english 10.
Ford will kick penalties for England
His prior form says different, his current club stats aren't geeat either.
Jamba - maybe right, but if i was EJ id know i need him now, whilst i look for a 2nd/3rd RWC 10. Maybe he feels Ford will shape up, and Slade can backfill. Im not convinced though.
If he isn't in the elite squad his form is irrelevant until he is.
For whatever reason EJ doesn't want him. Yes, he's playing great rugby but that's obviously not enough. I've heard a rumour or two about his latter time at Sale but I've no idea if they are/were true.
Such as?
Things about his alleged popularity with both the playing and non playing staff.
After the win against Quins a senior member of the coaching staff made a rather sneering reference to the effect that "our former superstar kicker would have missed two of those five kicks tonight" I was right in front of him when he said it.
No idea TBH,I don't get to watch the Pro12 so I'm left wondering why a league that promised so much on its inception is now seen as a dead duck?
Mainly money the potential tv audience for Aviva is 56million for the pro12 its barely 15 I would think so the money spent on the playing squads is much less. This combined with the loss of old rivals and the amalgamation of others means its a bit shit.
Things about his alleged popularity with both the playing and non playing staff.
After the win against Quins a senior member of the coaching staff made a rather sneering reference to the effect that "our former superstar kicker would have missed two of those five kicks tonight" I was right in front of him when he said it.
So are we saying that Cips is still carrying the attitude then? Reading the sports news in more detail this morning I see Jones has bought several younger 10's/options into the team. As we knew then, Cips won't get in. Such a shame, but if you're not liked by your team is a huge disadvantage when youre a key decision maker.
Looks like a strong set of players coming on though. Looks like Manu's time is done as well.
Whether people agree with all the players picked by Jones, or not, nobody can disagree that he doesn't have a clear idea of the direction he wants England to go in and the players he wants to do that with.
In stark contrast to the previous regime.
I think Welsh teams in the English league would be great for the rivalry but not commercially. Where would that leave the Irish/Scots/Italians?
IF all the Pro12 teams are weak it doesn't bode well for the European Cup - you might as well have an Anglo-French Cup. The schism is caused by the fact that the Clubs run the game in England and FRance and the Unions do in the Celtic nations.
you might as well have an Anglo-French Cup
Indeed Glasgow, Ulster and Leinster are still competitive but on the slide IMO. Glasgow have a fairly big budget but Scottish domestic rugby is dying on its arse. The IRU fund the regions well but they are slipping behind
Ive absolutely no idea whether Cips is liked by his Wasps team mates or disliked, i can only go from the few rumours/statements ive heard at the end of his time with Sale. He's undoubtedly talented but EJ obviously has the balance set against him.
The only thing stacked against Cirpriani is himself. No one is doubting his talent.
No one is doubting his talent.
I am he's ...quick google....28....and has never claimed the England 10 shirt, his time is past.
Ben Kay was on BT sport last night talking up Itoje as the answer to Englands 7 problem! Luanchbury, Kruis, Robshaw, Vunipola, Itoje...thats quite a big* back 5 of the pack. Hughes to bench too...
*as in absolutely ****ing massive 😯
There is a problem? 😯
There is a problem?
Hask still has a poorly toe.
Osprey Ulster a good game so far. Watched the first half of bath gloucester earlier..40mins of my life wasted!!
Spent a few hrs with Tigger's fans - rather fun!
Now rather pissed....
FFS Ospreys 🙁
Hard to win away in Ulster, especially with a ref so easily influenced by the crowd.
Arg 3 - 29 NZ at half time. 4 tries in the final 13 mins of the half.
The Pumas haven't played badly apart from a stupid long lineout that cost one try.
ABs brilliant finishing. A joy to watch.
2nd half wasn't so great. Shouldda gone to bed at halftime!
Argies dominated possession and had endless scrums in AB's 22 plus ABs had a couple of (long overdue) players in the bin.
Jaco Peyper was poor - ignored a blatant shoulder charge from Retallick and a couple of dirty shots from Franks too.
Still, Anton Lienert-Brown was superb at 13. He and Crotty really gelled well too. The first time since RWC that the NZ centres have looked good albeit the Pumas were missing their first choice midfield.
Beauden Barrett didn't look so good on the back foot. THere's still a case for Aaron Cruden, if he doesn't go to France.
TJ Perenara, Patrick Tuipolotu and Ardie Savea were all excellent. It shows the depth they have.
Damian McKenzie's long awaited debut didn't go too well but he'll hopefully get another shot. If Cruden departs he might finally get to play 10 for the Chiefs and then eventually the ABs.
Looks like Warburton may miss autumn internationals with a fractured cheeck bone. Bit buggered in the backrow with Faletau already out and Lydiate too. Tips at 7, Moriarty at 6 and maybe Navidi at 8. That Nic Willuams fella at The Blues has a welsh sounding name maybe we can have him?
Didn't know the Australians are playing Argentina at Twickenham this weekend, is that part of the Championship?
Sure is. I think it's a "home" game for the Pumas.
Sam Jones's leg was broken during a judo session at the England training meet; I am sure Wasps will be fine with that!Speaking of injuries caused by martial arts, I was sorry to see Callum Clark back playing for Northampton at the weekend,As rough as it sounds, I was rather hoping his injury was career ending.
Feel a bit for Jones because he's been playing really well for Wasps. Bet they're a bit cheesed off though - Dai Young has come across really well discussing it though.
@duckan hadn't seen that, that's a shocker !
@Pigface they have been trying to flog tickets for months, all sorts of offers. Will be interesting to see how full or not the stadium is.
Looks like Watson is out with a broken jaw now too.
Good to see Aaron Smith keeping the All Blacks immaculate record of sh@gging in toilet cubicles up...disabled toilet as well, shocking behaviour ...I'm sure his partner is delighted.
Ha! He's made a public apology... Like we care 😆
Good to see Aaron Smith keeping the All Blacks immaculate record of sh@gging in toilet cubicles up...disabled toilet as well, shocking behaviour ...I'm sure his partner is delighted.
Even the NZ PM has weighed in with his comments!
Watson got his jaw broken in England training
The thing is, and if you live or have lived in NZ you'll know this, there's not a lot else going on and the ABs are held in the highest regard for basically everything. So having a boris becker'esque liason in a toilet cubicle in ChCh airport isn't the snmartest thing I have ever heard of. Therefore all the hand wringers appear and do the tall poppy thing. He'll be absolutely hammered for it, rightly frankly on various levels, but very publicly.
Apparently he, ahem, did it, while people were waiting to use the bog. Which is pretty bloody stupid if you don't wanna get caught.
Ah well, Be good to see Kerr-Barlow get more of a game 🙂
He has posted pics on snap chat that have got him in trouble before
Apparently Jones broke his leg doing judo with Maro Itoje - maybe he should have picked someone else?
Pity about Watson too - broken jaws can take a while.
Smith is a daft p***k isn't he? One the one hand you can't blame him - you meet a random, fit girl at the airport and get offered a shag in the toilets - well you would, if you could, wouldn't you? Only he couldn't - he was an All Black and actually on official duty at the time too.
His pass has been a thing of beauty over the last few months. It's a shame we may not see it for a while. TJ Perenara has, however, been exceptional in Super Rugby and for the ABs last week plus he plays with Barrett all the time as well. You could argue he's possibly the number two scrum half in world rugby right now so the ABs won't sufffer too much.
Edinburgh at home to Treviso on this Friday. Missing our first front row and some subs. Tovey gets his first start this year at 10. Got to win this one or go 11th in the table! Tough ask tho with a lot of first choices injured and a demoralised team with a caretaker coach
Glasgow get Zebre in Italy. Should be looking for 5 pts to get back on track for a top 4 place
So given that he Edinburgh game is likely to be dross at best and Glasgow are not on the telly then what games should I watch this weekend?
Whats going to give me good entertainment? A close game with lots of attacking skill on display?
Spreys v Diff tomorrow's night might be a good game.
If the weather is good Connacht versus Ulster should be a good game as well as the other Irish Derby.
4 Racing 92 players have failed a drug test after the Top 14 final. No more details as of yet.
Details are out there. Dan Carter was one he had a TUE as had the rest IIRC
Carter and Rococo tested positive for Cortisone I believe. As I have posted before Carter looked crocked from the European QF vs Toulon I went to and imo needed injections to play the back end of the season. He was pretty quiet in the European and Top 14 final. So I can imagine he had injections and you would think the club would have gotten approval.
read the link above jamba - they did have TUEs
Well, Blues lucky to stay at 14 during the first half! Could have been two yellows.
Sam Davies is playing some sublime rugby, from hand and boot. Deliciously timed passes and beautiful kicking.
Spreys well on top at half time.
Shhhhh you'll jinx it
Well, that was a decent start to the second half! 🙂
OOF!
Six tries. 35 minutes left.
Either the Blues are rubbish or the O's are brilliant, this is a stuffing
Matavesi sitting Anscombe down was a bit special.
Sat through Bath Sale last night; the reffing was terrible particularly at scrum time. The guy just didn't communicate with the players or stamp any authority on the game.
Sale went through a lot of phases but had no direction. Bath looked pretty good and Ford kicked all my of his goals. The little likes of Wasps and Sarries still look a step above Bath who as the Tigers showed the other week lack a plan B if you stop plan A.
Bath clearly the better team, but lacked a little something without Louw, Sale had lots of possession.
Has Aled Brew learnt to catch yet?
He was OK, pretty good to be fair to him. Well, until Leota started rag-dolling him for little or no reason. He was lucky to get away with a yellow for that IMHO.
He was at the Dragons before Bath wasnt he? Couldnt get in The Dregs team!!
Anyone got any idea who Jones will pick for the Autumn games? Backrow selection will be interesting as will centre and 10 as usual. What about full back? Anyone pushing Mr Angry?
Wales as ever is pretty easy just pick the only 15 left after injured players removed. Lydiate played first game of the season last night
read the link above jamba - they did have TUEs
There are questions about the paperwork, Carter seems ok the others less so
Hmmm, Chiefs lucky to get away with a draw. Lots of mistakes and Gloucester wanted it more in the first half. Slade had a shocker.
Gloucester have not closed out a match since 2009
In other news, 8 tries to the AB's v SA.
If England can survive their own training camp we might beat SA.
Guess naughty young Aaron wasn't too badly missed. What a performance.
9 tries Kryton 🙂
A class above aren't they. It really is them vs everyone else.
Aye, we got our arses handed to us on a plate today.. 😳
Looked a bit of a masterclass by the AllBlacks mind.
Yep, best team I've ever seen. Great to watch.
Funny thing was - it was only 12-9 at halftime and the Boks even pulled it back to 22-15 after 58mins but it still ended as a rout.
Lienert-Brown was probably MoM again. For a guy who only got in because SBW, Ngatai, Ranger, Moala and then Crotty all got injured at various points - he's been amazing. One good outing at 12 and then switched to 13 as Fekitoa was uninspiring - suddenly it's like Conrad Smith has never been missed.
When you think that the likes of SBW, Aaron Smith, Cane, Cruden and Milner-Skudder weren't available it makes you wonder......
Funny thing was - it was only 12-9 at halftime and the Boks even pulled it back to 22-15 after 58mins but it still ended as a rout.
Bok management won't be happy they just seemed to give up.
[i]Lienert-Brown[/i] - is 21 years old!
Quick grab the custard creams
Bbc news just said Hughes and Vunipola are ghe best number 8's in the country.....I have returned my tv license!!
That Cronin incident is going to need some [b][i]serious biscuits. [/b][/i]
Bbc news just said Hughes and Vunipola are ghe best number 8's in the country.
As it was the BBC news you can assume "the country" they meant was England.
Actually Big Billy's getting better every year. He put in a decent shift against Wasps.
As it was the BBC news you can assume "the country" they meant was England.
I dont doubt that but Faletau plays for Bath!
Actually Big Billy's getting better every year
Lost weight too looks a lot fitter.
Also theres some bloke who plays for Northampton who is pretty handy too. Picknmix or something!
MONGO RETIRE. MONGO SAD. MONGO REMEMBER GOOD OLD DAYS.
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Nah; you are all wrong. Bentagain at Bath,best 8.