Cipriani is having a hell of a game for Wasps so far. He really is great to watch when attacking.
Jesus Sale v Cardiff....Sale have Sam James a centre at ten, Denny Solomona a league convert winger with a fear of tackling at 13 and Odoguwu a 7's player on one wing and Charnley another league convert on the other!!! Promises to be an awful game!
Sam Warburton on the pitch at half time, blowing a gale, raining sideways, he's on crutches, smile on his face high fiving loads of young kids. He does come across as a bloody good guy.
Sarries came out of the blocks in the first half bloody quickly but Clermont were on top by the end of the half. Big second half needed from Sarries.
Saints are as shit as everyone thinks they are.
Good result for Wasps.
Clermont’s big runners are causing Sarries issues now. Sarries are missing the bosh from Billy and Barritt.
Penalties are costing Sarries.
Sarries scrum is getting annihilated this half.
Dank Hole clearly didn't really want to play tonight. 5 penalties and a yellow from him in the first half!
Munster just watching Leicester self destruct now.
Good win for the Ospreys but Saints have pushed the self destruct button
Tigers hate a late cheap shot, don't they?
Munster do the double over Leicester. I’ll never tire of that. Well down to Bath and Wasps for getting a couple of English wins this weekend.
Hibbard to Dregs
Gatland to Sinners
As someone said in the comments- hell of a good contract negotiation to get a 3 year deal at 34!
Sorry to break it to you dan but I think Gatland might be a little older than 34 😉
Surprised that Hibbard has managed to get a three year deal at 34. Fair play to him. He’s never been less than committed and was a good signing for Gloucester.
Things at the Saints sound pretty low according to Foden with players pointing the finger at each other for errors. Not a fan of the way Mallinder was got rid of part way through the season. Personally it would have been better to tell him that it was it, in May you’re out whilst they look for a new coaching team. West needs to go if the rumours are true about his reaction when Matfield offered to help with the line out.
What rumours are those? Genuine interest as when Richard Cockerill said he wasn’t happy with Saints (can’t recall why) West offered to meet him in the car park for a fight. Prize tosser!
Manu, Healy and Lees have all been cited.
Would be bad for Manu to finally come back only to be banned.
https://twitter.com/threeredkings/status/943073958932418560
This is the tackle Manu's been cited for. Little high but they'll be playing 5 a side if they start banning for that!
It's difficult to call when it's slowed down - I'd have to watch it in real time. The tackled player's head is forced back which suggests it was worth citing..
Looks worth a ban tbh, not as long as Healy will get though. That was cowardly as well.
It looked like fairly clear head contact with the left arm down by his side on contact- he knew exactly what he was doing. Stupid in this day of replays and especially with all the focus on contact with the head but one of those normal incidents that almost everyone tries to get away with if they can (not me as a tiny 9 I'll point out!)
https://www.ruck.co.uk/manu-tuilagi-cited-dangerous-tackle-munster-flanker/
Real time here. Still can't see an issue with myself.
This was posted on the Tigers forum, but i've no idea where it came from...
Brian O'Driscoll: "I think the game has gone soft if we’re picking up on marginal collisions like the Manu Tuilagi tackle he’s been cited for."
It's difficult to call
No it isnt. Shoulder to head with force red card. Simples. Its not awful but it is a red. No mitigating circumstances like player dipping etc. 1 or 2 match ban. Move along. Next.
I don't know what is funnier in that particular linked clip... watching May kick ahead when running at full tilt with the grace of a giraffe or Tuilagi giving his 9 a dig in the ribs for no apparent reason 😆 His missile tackle on the last man on the ground was another gem of his. I've only seen highlights but I guess he was a touch over-keen on his return
Daly, Hughes and Te'o could miss the start of the 6N.
Given Daly's form at the mo that could be a blow.
Te'o could miss the start of the 6N.
Who are Ireland playing first?
Turns out not to be a ban for Tuilagi. Just as well, we’re close to playing touch rugby here!
For Leicester fans it feels a bit raw as our best back, Viano (sp?) had his jaw broken by a reckless tackle from a Munster winger the weekend before. He wasn’t even penalised as he knocked himself out in the process.
Just seems the citing and video ref system needs a bloody good sort out.
The tackle was deemed wreckless, but not worthy of a red card, only a yellow.
So, it appears the citing system has worked. Matt O'Connor is not covering himself in glory these few weeks, nor is Brian O'Driscoll or any of the "rugby's gone soft" brigade. All they do is demonstrate a lack of understanding of how citing works, and the changes to the laws regarding contact with the head...which only happened in 2017.
It's not the citing system that needs a good sorting out (and yes, there are inconsistencies). Matt O'Connor needs to wind his neck in a little and stop whinging and concentrate on why he's had his arse handed to him on a plate two weeks in a row. The stark differences between (Geordan) Murphy's in-game interview and Flannery's showed a little of why Leicester are underperforming in Europe. Stop whinging about refs and everybody else and sort your own game out. Munster aren't even that strong an outfit these days.
Is it time for the English clubs to call for a new European competition again?
Looked an obvious shoulder to the head to me all the ****ing about and fudging and this weeks memo to refs is something that really ****ing boils my piss. Looked as bad as the one Filise got a red for for example
Ickle Jonny signs two year deal for Glasgow
It’s seems to me that the AP seems to play a different interpretation of the rules compared to P12 - and the teams just can’t react to it on the pitch.
It is hard when you’re getting pinged off the park for offences that we’re dine for the other team to do 7 days earlier but you’ve got to adapt - that’s a coaching issue.
There’s no way Matt Oconner is a decent coach, he was pants for Leicester but held together by cockers, pants for Leinster (most fans believe they succeeded for 1 more season despite him, not because of him) and now he’ll be pants for Leicester again.
Now I look at Sarries to see if they are also struggling to adapt, they are a bloody good team although like most, missing a few top players and they also seem to be. That means something’s amiss.
Oh and inconsistencies in the citing? Yep, that’d be right!
3 weeks off for Healy.
tinybits. I think its more about attitudes than actual differences in reffing. English teams seem to think the new laws mean no ruck turnovers and don't play for them. Pro 14 clubs have figured it different and still play for the turnovers - now its a rapier not a bludgeon
LIfe as an Edinburgh fan. why oh why!
[quote="Richard Cockerill"]"That will haunt me forever," he says. "Probably one of the worst experiences of my coaching career. Just horrific.
It was mid-September at Myreside and Benetton were in town. The stadium was cold and sparsely attended, a different stratosphere to the glamour of Toulon where he had just come from and the intensity of Leicester where he had spent more than 20 years of his career.This was grey and low-key, but at least the points on the board offered Cockerill some colour. His team led 14-0 after 25 minutes against a side that had now conceded 11 tries in two-and-a-quarter games of PRO14 rugby
Then, predictably and spectacularly, Edinburgh threw up all over themselves. A 14-0 advantage became a 20-17 defeat. In the aftermath, Cockerill had a bloodcurdling demeanour.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42429293
A funny read. I am glad he took the job on but I think he is mad
TJ - he comes across pretty well in that article. Wonder if he'll be able to ingrain some backbone in Edinburgh? If he sticks around long enough he may well have a positive impact on them.
He is the right man for the job and by far the best we could have hoped for. the signs are good so far with Edinburgh showing a bit more guts./
Ickle Jonny career tackle stats
Career tackles,
Pro 12/14. Made 655 missed 11
Champions cup. Made 264 missed 8
6N. Made 217 missed 5
RWC. Made 67 missed 2
Other Int matches. Made 200 missed 4
Totals made 1403 and missed 30.
Growling a lot works to a certain extent in the rugby RC played but he isn't a great coach IMO. Coming in without a winning structure pre-made for him will be a real test. That said I do like some of his straight talking in the article
Ha! Happy Christmas TJ! That’s what happens when you’re opponents go to sleep for the last play of the game!
Ickle Jonny career tackle stats
ERC Cup Winners Medals?
6N Winners Medals?
Grand Slams?
Triple Crowns?
Ah, now that’s not fair DD, Scottish players are the bestest, and not winning trophies in no way diminishes how good they are!
BUT...BUT...STATISTICS!
Tipuric hasnt missed a tackle in 240 000 years. Fact.
Ulster getting battered in Galway
😯
Has someone put a space warp / altered reality along the M8? 14 man Edinburgh bBeat Glasgow with the last play of the game? Shome mishtake shurly
1/2p has missed first 4 kicks at goal. Wonder when that happened last!!!
We seem to say it every week but the way the ball in the air is played in the laws is just daft. He who jumps highest shall escape punishment however reckless. Can't fault the ref and he didn't have much choice under the laws
He who jumps highest shall escape punishment however reckless.
Not sure I understand your point are you saying jumping for the ball is reckless?
Besides Evans didnt get off the ground he just ran into Johns legs.
Davies also doing a good job of showing why Webb will be sorely missed for Wales. Frustrating to watch
*comment out of frustration more than anything 😳
In general though there does seem to be a lot of these types of sendings off lately which is correct under the laws but means that so long as you jump highest you will always be protected. Other sports are more balanced and common sense in the laws and the catcher doesn't generally jump in so wildly and going for the ball in the air is a normal everyday thing rather than frequent game changer
Davies also doing a good job of showing why Webb
Meanwhile Webb has knocked on more times than he's caught the ball!!
the laws but means that so long as you jump highest you will always be protected
Thats not correct. You can get out jumped but as long as you go for the ball its fine.
Anyway, shit game and Ospreys were shittier and lost
Bath fined £60k for releasing Faletau outside of the window and France have sacked Noves, so I guess their 6N will be awful. Brunel taking over and to be supported by six other coaches; that's a big old team. This doesn't solve the apparent problem of lack of fitness and too many superstars on their last contract.
The French issue is lack of preparation time with the squads, they have more than enough talent.
Simon Berghan gets six weeks for gently moving some oiks head out of the way with his boot. Sounds about right - warra numpty. I was at the game and we all saw the replay and no one complained the red card
We are going to start the next 6 nations missing a few props. We're doomed1
Josh Adams keeps scoring tries. Any Worcester watchers rate him? My sauces say he's welsh.
Yep, Welsh and scoring tries left, right and centre. Fast. Very fast.
Yep, Welsh and scoring tries left, right and centre. Fast. Very fast.
Great. Stick him in the Wales squad.
On current form, I'd want Aled Brew in there ahead of him!
Yep, Welsh
Like yourself then.
16 minutes?
You're losing your edge, DaiDarcy! 😆
On current form, I'd want Aled Brew in there ahead of him!
No chance of him being picked. Just extended his contract at Bath hasnt he?
Sadly yes, AA. He's playing like a man possessed right now. Reborn.
Josh Adams keeps scoring tries. Any Worcester watchers rate him? My sauces say he's welsh.
He's in very good form at the mo and is ful of confidence. He's currently the top try scorer in the AP. I doubt he'll hang around at Worcs long though because bigger clubs will be sniffing around soon enough.
Saints are woefully bad. The only player who should get near an England shirt is lawes. The remainder are playing like crap. I don't dislike the club, but I don't feel sorry for them at all. They have failed to invest and recruit then sack mallinder when they don't perform. And they took a couple of our lads. So **** em.
At half time a try bonus wasn’t looking likely for Exeter - 4 tries second half into the wind though! Woodburn is a beast & should be in the England squad.
wrecker - Member
Saints are woefully bad. The only player who should get near an England shirt is lawes. The remainder are playing like crap. I don't dislike the club, but I don't feel sorry for them at all. They have failed to invest and recruit then sack mallinder when they don't perform. And they took a couple of our lads. So **** em.POSTED 37 MINUTES AGO # REPORT-POST
Not much different to Tigers (who I support for my sins). They never even looked like scoring a try today. I know Veanu is a big miss, but even so......
Oh yeh you guys took genge from us. Up yours too! 😉
So Saints and Tigers coaches reckon they can finish top four / compete for trophies... I'd love a bit of what they've been drinking! Saints in particular will need a huge turnaround to get near the top four....they're only three points above Worcester.
Interesting to see that Jones is still backing Hartley despite him not being as good as George and being outgunned by the likes of Cowan-Dickie. Shame that Robson isn't being given a shot at scrum half either.
Jones cannot be that short of leaders on the pitch that Hartley still gets a game. As saints fortunes have warned his true thuggish moaning nature has shown itself.
Itoje should be captain. Almost nailed on for a place, and has experience of captaincy from the U20s. Would help build a squad for the longer term, next RWC. The continued selection of Hartley is baffling!
I was surprised to see Brand H included in the training squad - he's not been that great for Wasps this season and isn't one for the future. Would have been nice to see teh young Wasps flanker Willis get a call up, even as an apprentice.
Hartley did really well when Jones took over, but I can't help thinking that he needs moving on.
It'll be interesting to see how this 6N goes and how Jones deals with things not going his way beause I think this year will be much harder (Ireland look well drilled, clinical and very hard to beat, Scotland are in a really good place etc).
Itoje should be captain. Almost nailed on for a place, and has experience of captaincy from the U20s. Would help build a squad for the longer term, next RWC. The continued selection of Hartley is baffling!
I have it on pretty good authority that Jones doesn't consider Itoje captain material, obviously inspirational player but not someone who is seen as a leader in the squad, bit of a hysterical ranter supposedly. The continued selection of Hartley is the other side of the same coin, Jones says in a squad devoid of natural leaders he is the best he has. This second bit is consistent with his public comments on Hartley.
Obviously if he ever played as poorly for England as his recent performances for Saints, Churchellian powers of leadership wouldn't be enough to save his place
England as a team of nice boys didn't work so well last time around so I can only thing EJ wants a few angry faces in the side. I can't see any other appeal for him
bit of a hysterical ranter supposedly.
I think thats overstated - from what I've seen and heard of, speaking with authority to a group of players doesn't come naturally to him, so nervousness and a raise in pitch occurs, hence the label you've applied. That may disappear with maturity, it may not, but currently as you say he's a doer not a vocal leader.
Whats wrong with Farrell? He spoke up quite a lot in the Lions behind-the-scenes, a bit impetuous maybe? I also think that leads to Haskells selection - Haskell for all his faults is a good communicator and intelligent understand of the rules, and is prone to showing the way forward in flashes. I can see his next job will be as a pundit, but for now, he backs up Hartley?
The Prem is looking really interesting. Some 'bigger' teams not as high as they want to be, some surprise high fliers and The Chiefs are looking pretty damn awesome which is fine by me!
What a second half to get the 5 points.
Really interesting year as far as I am concerned.
Dai Young has signed a new long term contract with Wasps which is good to hear. He's done good things with them but I guess there's unfinished business.
Looking good for Wales
No
North
Loopy Liam
Amos
Davies
Faletau
Warburton
Moriarty
Ball
Lee
And maybe some others
Jesus. That's a hell of an injury list.
Will Gatlands law go out of the window with guys like Young and Adams getting a look in?
Is Jones playing way to smart with players? Graham and Velacott could both play for Scotland, Graham especially is in a position where, although he is undoubtedly talented, he's not streets ahead of the likes of armand who can't get in for love nor money. But if he gets tied to England then he can't be a rising Scotland star.