[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

I haven't seen either of the games but it seems far from convincing. Farrells turn now to claim the 10 spot. It all looks a bit ominous

I agree with Bruce - don't call up Russell. If its anyone it has to be a more experienced 10.

If its anyone it has to be a more experienced 10.

Like?

dunno - couldn't think of one:- 😯 I'd rather play Preistland and surely there are some English ones I can't think of

Send in Freddie Burns

He's Bath now so I don't care how broken he becomes...

Guess which anti English no nothing wrote this:

Jack Nowell was up against a huge talent in 20-year-old wing Rieko Ioane, but is chasing the rest of his rivals for a Test place after missing a couple of tackles and getting caught out of position for Ioane's first try.

Maro Itoje was busy, but he gave away a couple of poor penalties and it was his error that allowed Sonny Bill Williams to break the line for West's try.

oh and

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny showed his class, delivering off the tee and tidying up well when called on.

Can't help yourself AA, can you? Arguing with Kryton when really the pair of you are cheeks of the same arse.

Arguing with Kryton

Excuse me, I'm not exclusive to AA's turbulent monologue, so don't single me out.

I was arguing with wrecker actually!!

In other news

Pool 1: Harlequins, La Rochelle, Ulster Wasps.

Pool 2: Clermont Auvergne, Northampton Saints, Ospreys, Saracens.

Pool 3: Exeter Chiefe, Glasgow Warriors, Leinster, Montpellier.

Pool 4: Castres Olympique, Leicester Tigers, Munster, Racing 92.

Pool 5: Bath, Benetton Treviso, Toulon, Scarlets.

Ospreys will be hammered by everyone, Scarlets have a punchers chance due to treviso being in the group but not much of one.

Ah, real competition.

Was going to ask "Who are Ulster Wasps?" Until I read it twice. 😆

All groups tough in the ECC these days but I can see Scarlets getting out of that one - if they can keep their first team fit.

Munster, Racing and Leicester drawn in same group again. 😯

Glasgow will fancy that group. Decent draw for once

Ok then; it's a three cheeked arse! They were rubbish on Wed, they were rubbish because they haven't played together, are burst after our season and the players and coaches aren't that good. Sod all to do with nationality.

they were rubbish because they haven't played together, are burst after our season and the players and coaches aren't that good. Sod all to do with nationality.

Which if you look was pretty much what I said. No point worrying about the coaches though no one else wanted the job!! Howler is shit but Gatland is ok.

Ok then; it's a three cheeked arse!

You're the bit in the middle, not a cheek

All groups tough in the ECC these days but I can see Scarlets getting out of that one - if they can keep their first team fit.

It'll be a weaker squad and the chances of them actually not being shonky two seasons in a row anyway nowadays is quite slim

It'll be a weaker squad

Only really losing loopy liam arent they?
Pivac has done a very good job if recruiting on the cheap that new kiwi 15 is good, Parkes has been solid and Taige Burn (spelling?) has been superb.

You're the bit in the middle, not a cheek

The hole in the middle, how dare you slur his name like that!!!

You're the bit in the middle, not a cheek

As that came from you, I'll let it go. after all there are few more qualified to recognise one.

Bruce! You're back!

I thought you weren't supporting the Lions?

Does the possible inclusion of Russell bring the Lions above the (as yet unrevealed) minimum number of Scots required for you to join your fellow Brits and Irishmen as a true Lions supporter?

Never went away.

I'm not. Doesn't mean I'm not watching.

Go **** yourself.

Go **** yourself.

😆

England team v Argentina Saturday 10th June – KO 20:15 BST (Live BBC 2)

15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Danny Care, 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Harry Williams, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Nathan Hughes

Replacements 16 Jack Singleton, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Will Collier, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Don Armand, 21 Jack Maunder, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Denny Solomona

Only really losing loopy liam arent they?
Pivac has done a very good job if recruiting on the cheap that new kiwi 15 is good, Parkes has been solid and Taige Burn (spelling?) has been superb.

I could have sworn there were more heading out but I may be mistaken. DTH is someone I love to watch and is off. Not really a shortage of exciting wings at the Scarlets though. The Meat will be missed when is comes to grinding out wins against the Italian sides with one man and their dog watching 😉 There are a handful of others like Aled Thomas but these won't leave a big hole. If that really is the case then that is some excellent player retention. Privac and co have indeed done a great job

Cracking finish by Ibitoye for England U20s against Oz in the world championships. England came from 16-3 down to win 20-19 with a last minute kick.

Jaryd Payne are you watching? This is how to finish in the corner.

Forgot about DTH, yeah he'll be missed especially with Liam gone.

That is bloody amazing to be fair 🙂

Namaste he scored a cracker v wales too

he scored a cracker v wales too

Yeah he did but, as I was watching the game on S4C, I didn't appreciate how good it was at the time because I don't speak Welsh. 😉

It's here at 2:55

Tom Curry starting at 7, he will be 18 yrs and 360 days. Only Wilkinson has started younger at 18 yrs 314 days. What an absolute talent he is!

On BBC2 tomorrow pm, cant wait!

I think it would be great if the Southern Hemisphere teams had an equivalent Lions tour to play the northern hemisphere clubs?

Was wondering about an Anzac/SA side the other day. Harder to bring together, perhaps. Just on geographical location a line. Would be ace, though.

Maybe even a NH Baas v SH Baas game.

Maybe even a NH Baas v SH Baas game.

Was wondering about an Anzac/SA side the other day. Harder to bring together, perhaps.

No chance, those nations hate each other.
Oh.

Looking forward to this...

Nothing on VIP Box. Any other suggestions?

I held my nose and paid for Now TV

Maybe even a NH Baas v SH Baas game.

Now that is a great idea

Try cricfreetv.

I'm not watching it coz I have Sky but it usually works.

Once again Crusaders offside all the time. If the ref ain't going to give it makes life very hard.

Finally!!!!!

Get the mobdro app if you're on android. Usually pretty good.

Lions might be in with a chance here, Crusaders making a lot of uncharacteristic mistakes.

Looks cold and greasy out there.

Kruis, Farrel outstanding nailed on test starters. SOB doing well too as is that fat lad at 2. Faletau quiet as is POM. 9 doing well apart from the odd scudding pass into midfield.
North needs to get himself involved.
Hoggs eye looked sore!

Much better, Murray, Farrell working. Outside backs finally getting some ball need to relax into game now.

Forwards looking good

Ref a bit picky on scrum pens

Every time we get the ball our space is full of defenders. Their line speed is very good, not always legally.

We haven't made a single turnover at the breakdown that I've seen in 3 games.

Stander!!!!!! You muppet! Think it's really greasy out there - so many dropped balls.

Our scrum being monstered.

Cant the refs atleast decide if a tackle is high without going to the tv.

Cynical line out play from the crusaders.

Lions defence completely destroyed Crusaders. Butchered three easy trie opportunities though.

Well done, they keep improving. Good to see Sexton playing better him faz and another at 13 could be back on.

1. Mako
2.
3.
4. Kruis
5. Itoje
6.
7.
8. Faletau
9. Murray
10. Sexton?
11. ?
12. Faz
13. ?
14. ?
15. ?

Agreed, lots to build on now.

Hopefully get some ball into outside backs hands now so solid.

But immense in forwards, and just as much strength on bench and in stands

If Te'o could pass I would have Faz at 10.

Faletau is first name on my team sheet.

If Te'o could pass I would have Faz at 10.

So would I but he cant! Joseph or Davies at 13 with Faz at 12 for me. Davies running angles and Faz putting to him or the wingers would be a good balance imo.
Full back looks to be Hogg if he can show some form. Watson on one wing and North t'other.
Itoje was great off the bench. Faletau came into the game and was quietly outstanding. 6 looks to be between Stander and Moriarty although SOB playing so well makes me wonder if he could be 7 and Warbs 6?

So all in all well done I'm off for a bike ride.

Is Warburton injured? But to be honest the back row is so strong I'm happy with any combination as long as not Haskell. I'd play Itoje off the bench as cover for 2nd and back row.

Prob right about Sexton, Faz and prob Davies if fit. Murray looked good, nailed his kicking game.

Hogg looked in trouble with injury tbh. Watson impressed at FB, but a risk playing there in a test side?

Did I miss something because I thought Murray had a few howlers.
Mako
George
Furlong
Kruis
Itoge
Moriarty
Faletau
Tipuric
Webb
Sexton
Farrell
JD
Williams
North
Watson (who I thought was excellent)

I think watson has been the most attacking back 3 player but showed his inexperience at 15 a few times just keep him as a finisher on the wing for now I reckon.
Marrey lobbed a few scuds into mid field but I'm putting that down to having different players around him, controls the game better than Webb.
Warburton has poorly ankle.
Hope Biggar recovers for Wednesday or someone is in for a tough week!!

I was tryin to watch it whilst feeding the boy and get him ready for rugbytots so my viewing was a bit snatched.
I was very impressed by loopy, Watson, Farrell and not Toby. It's such a shame we won't get to see him and billy in the same team. That would be devastating.

Great win. So pleased my 1/10 wins has been blown out of the water.

Is anyone else worried about the lack of try's ?

Tries seems to be a final pass problem. Hoping that will come...

We dropped 3 with the line open today. I'm a bit more concerned we can't score a driving maul.

Bloody good end to the first half for Scotland. Stonking tries.

Hey TJ why is the great Hamish Watson not in the Scotland team? Is he being saved to rescue the Lions?

AA - injured. Minor knock so rested as a precaution.

Good win for Scotland beating Italy in Singapore well - and managed to score 5 tries despite losing our 3 best try scorers ( Hogg / Maitland / Seymour)

Ford got two tries to double his career record! Hardie injured again. Is he made of glass? Russell apparently a very good game creating lots of opportunities despite being targeted all game. Nice to see Nellie the heffalump back in a scotland shirt

Russell nice soft hands one try and pinpoint kick on another.

SA france was a good game.

This gold on the English kit......

Trying to be
[img] [/img]

Ending up
[img] /revision/latest?cb=20070621173931[/img]

Better by the Lions today to keep the Crusaders out and restrict them to only three points is pretty good given the number of tries they've scored. Pack went really well I thought. Farrell and Murray seemed to work well and bring a bit more to the game structure wise.

Will be interesting to see how Englands kids get on in Argentina now. They're mo mugs these days with a good attacking game to go with a strong set piece. Big ask for Curry up against an experienced, canny back row.

Argentina kit, though.....
[img] [/img]

The Ali Price / Finn Russell combo is looking better all the time. Thankfully Gatland took Laidlaw and not Price.

This is a hard game for England B. Great experience for the new boys whatever the result.

Interesting that a lot of the pundits online seem to have Te'o as a Test starter... has it really come to this??? I am hoping I am either living in an alternate reality of is is just a lot of over excitement for anyone who played in the game today and was part of a good win.

In good form my starters 10-13 would be Murray (usual negative is he kicks too long and can have brain farts but showed none of this today, Webb to come on later), Sexton, Farrell, JD or JJ (depending on injury/ JJ form). I'd much rather have the crashing ball carriers in the pack and the footballing skills in the backs a la England of late. England's pack are worth 15 players when they are on fire and the backs are the cherry on top. That is kind of how I see the Lions too.

Yarde seemed to take that well in front of where it was released by the passer.
England lucky that was scored there may well have been a talking to from Nige.

So to clarify DanW.....your first pick 10-13 is a number 9? 😆

Just messing buddy! Enjoyed that first half, how good is Launchbury!

Also, where is Robshaw? Quick Google suggests that he's not injured, didn't see the team sheets, is he on the bench?