MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Maybe Leinster’s opposition need to try targeting someone else. Targeting Johnny doesn’t seem to be working.
Its Leinsters pack that stops it being effective.
Someone caught this on camera. Lovely.
https://twitter.com/jimharty/status/980372303501459458?s=21
And that’s not a pop at Ashton.
Caught that in real time in coverage, I’m actually getting a grudging admiration for Ashton watching him playing in colours other than Saracens and England. Likely to finish the year top try scorer ever in French top division.
Conway’s take before he scored the try.
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Time to muck about with the Champions Cup again. You have to hand it to them, they do think a lot of themselves up in PRL Towers. 🙂
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/02/champions-cup-rugby-premiership-wrangle
There is a feeling that the Champions Cup has lost its aura with more than half of the Premiership taking part this season
From that article.
How did the English clubs get on again? 😂
Caught that in real time in coverage, I’m actually getting a grudging admiration for Ashton watching him playing in colours other than Saracens and England. Likely to finish the year top try scorer ever in French top division.
He’s a dick but he had a bloody good game at full back too.
The 10 is always a target; Betsen used to use Wilko as a tackle bag whenever we played Frane. It certainly got into Sexton’s head a bit in the first half when he gave away a coup,e of silly penalties including hoofing the ball away before Sarries could get it for the restart.
For sale - One rugby club. Ties to North London. Recent significant investment from South Africa. Tidy record overall. Any offers to thesaffersareselling@saracens.com
European cup - easy - 5 ap. 5 top 14 . 8 pro 14, last years winners of the european cup and minnows cup 20 teams.
Watched the Sarries game now. Wrigglesworths late hit on Sexton should have been a yellow and Sarries lucky to get away without any but the rest of the hits on Sexton were fine. Sarries just dull and stodgy and devoid of ideas. rugby by numbers.
When Sarries tried to up the pace to match Leinster in the last 1/4 their skills could not cope. Once again it was all about speed.
Pro 14 rugby seems to me to be developing at a pace that is taking them away and ahead of the English and French teams
Is this not all a bit strange, sir sir he called me a name! Now I'm no homophobe ( some of my best friends are poofters blah blah blah) but would just ignoring the **** not be a better option?
Sarries just dull and stodgy and devoid of ideas. rugby by numbers.
When Sarries tried to up the pace to match Leinster in the last 1/4 their skills could not cope. Once again it was all about speed.
Yup, no cutting edge. Not helped by having Barritt and Bosch in the centres outside your favourite fly half TJ 😂. Wigglesworth isn’t going to create a flowing, attacking game either. Amazingly the breakdown wasn’t that much of an issue and Sarries held their own.
Sarries were flooding the breakdown on their own ball very well - so Leinster just left them to it meaning more in the defensive line. Bit of a sucker punch and similar to England / Ireland
Not helped by having Barritt and Bosch
I’ve seen Bosch play well quite often, but can’t say the same for Barritt. Is he any good and I’m just missing his best moments?
U18 Six Nations result..
Italy 32 - 30 England
I’ve seen Bosch play well quite often, but can’t say the same for Barritt. Is he any good and I’m just missing his best moments?
He's a solid player; he'll tackle and truck it up the middle all day long (he's pretty hard - he had a local anaesthetic when a metal plate was inserted for a fractured check bone sustained the week before the Leinster game agasint Quinns). What he doesn't do is offer a kicking threat, any pace or much cutting edge.
Signed for Scarlets next season…exciting
And they've said no tah to North.
Ouch. I think Scotland u18s beat england as well
Ouch. I think Scotland u18s beat england as well
They did indeed.
Recommendations of decent pubs near sandy Park? Heading on a 650mile round trip on which I'll manage a bike ride and the chiefs glaws match as well as several beers.
Big clearout ant Edinburgh. 10 players including some internationals / first team players going. anyone got any halfbacks we can heve? Pleeeeeeeeeeze! We haven't any worth playing.
Folau.....what a prick
Looking forward to Saturday. I'm taking Minibits and Microbits to their first rugby game - 'the clash' Leicester v Bath at Twickenham. Should be a good day out!
Denny has been banned for the use of a homophobic slur and Folau continues to come across like a to guy with his religous beliefs (said noone ever....).
Denny has been banned for the use of a homophobic slur
Is there any more evidence for what he did other than a player saying "Sir, he's been rude to me"?
What has Folou said? I just heard that gays are going to hell, which isnt so bad is it. I remember discussing this at uni in our shared house 3 mates one gay, one christian and me. Christian reckoned gay mate was going to hell, although so was I too due to sex before marriage..in fact I'd get there quicker as our gay mate never seemed to get laid!
It's on the BBC site a_a. As we've established many times on here, talking with mates is rather different from publicly pronouncing these things. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if sponsors weren't trying to contact the Ozzie RU to discuss the meaning of 'role models'.
His latest comment was a response to an Instagram user who asked Folau: "What was god's plan for gay people?"
The player replied: "Hell... unless they repent of their sins and turn to God."
No worse than what the pope would say is it? Heaven sounds shit anyway!
No worse than what the pope would say is it? Heaven sounds shit anyway!
He's not paid a load of money by corporate sponsors though is he? Plus if he wants to make it through those big white gates, he needs to tow the party line...
It's not the first time Folou has tweeted something along these lines.
He’s not paid a load of money by corporate sponsors though is he?
Dont know. Who does pay for the pope?
It’s not the first time Folou has tweeted something along these lines.
He was asked what he thought and gave an answer. I dont see the problem. He passed no judgements himself and didnt use language that would offend. He's entitled to his beliefs no matter how much I might not agree with him.
I think the problem is that people confuse free speech with the freedom to express opinions without any consequences.
While you don't think it's a big deal, it is. It's roughly on a par with saying Black people are more likely to commit crimes. Statistically it might be true but misses out some very important nuances. To say it without any context is expressing a racist view.
Likewise, saying gays are going to hell is homophobic. Just because the Pope might say the same thing doesn't make it alright.
I should point out that I don't have a problem with homophobes, personally. Some of my best friends are homophobes. I just think that if you're going to say homophobic things and perform homophobic acts you should keep it behind closed doors and not expose children to it.
It’s roughly on a par with saying Black people are more likely to commit crimes.
Its really not, its just saying that your sky fairy wont let gays into their imaginary afterlife.
I do wonder what other crimes Folau reckons would guarantee being condemned to Hell. Presumably it would have to be on the serious end of the scale. I know there are lots of sins but mostly they are seen as misdemeanors, pre-marital sex for example.
Normally going straight to Hell is reserved for murderers, rapists, child molestors, etc. And that's what makes statements like his so homophobic. Homosexuality is thrown in with some of the worst horrors people can inflict on each other.
That's what makes what he said homophobic. That's why he should not be allowed on a pitch until he can show he has changed his ways. And if you genuinely can't see that he did anything wrong then I really don't know what else to say to you.
I know there are lots of sins but mostly they are seen as misdemeanors, pre-marital sex for example.
Really I thought any sinners went to hell unless they repented regardless of the sin? I'm going to have to up my game!!
Normally going straight to Hell is reserved for murderers, rapists, child molestors, etc. And that’s what makes statements like his so homophobic
Thats not what he said though. He said hell unless they repent, not straight to hell.
It's homophobic. There is no other way to spin it. He is a homophobe.
If you're fine with that then I don't really have anything else to say to you.
It’s homophobic. There is no other way to spin it.
What is, what he said or what you say he said? Are his views any different to loads of other God botherers? Its bollocks on many levels but at least he is saying what he thinks.
In other news bonus point win for Ospreys, good result that.
What is, what he said or what you say he said?
What he said. What he said is very very homophobic.
Are his views any different to loads of other God botherers?
Many religious folk share his views, yes. Not calling people out when they say homophobic things is why so many religious people think it's OK to be homophobic.
Its bollocks on many levels but at least he is saying what he thinks.
This goes back to the very first point I made. Freedom of speech is not the same as being able to express any opinion you like and there not be any consequences. All it means is the government won't put you in jail for it.
Not calling people out when they say homophobic things is why so many religious people think it’s OK to be homophobic.
I thought it was because the Bible says its a sin and unrepentant sinners go to hell. If we condem Folou we should do the same with the bible, which is fine by me, but others might get upset.
Its homophobic. Not a lot to do with rugby tho as it didn't happen on the field but its definitely homophobic.
I'm really looking forward to Scarlets vs Glasgow today. Some interesting match ups. Scarlets have always been our bogey team, even when they weren't as good as they are now.
This is the closest I've seen the Glasgow team at full strength for a while. I'll be interesting seeing Hogg, Seymor, and DTH back together again. I don't know the Scarlets squad that well but it's looking pretty ****ing strong.
Also, if you're Welsh, there's the whole Pivac v Rennie thing.
Now, back to rugby...
Wasps pissed away a 17 point lead last night and lost to Sale who looked like they were going to get pasted after the first 25 minutes. Jack Willis continues to impress though and gets through a hell of a lot of work. Ross, Stauss and Curry all had good games for Sale. MgGinty is shit place kicker though, good going forward and pretty good defensively but missed a few kicks a top line kicker would nail.
Should be a good game. I fear some of the injuries are catching up with Scarlets now though especially in the back 3. Asquith and Mcnicol are big losses compounded by Prydie too. Suprised they didnt stick with Dan Jones at 10 and put Patch at 15 and 1/2p on wing. Big test for Ioan Nicholas.
Did anyone catch the Hurricanes v Sharks game yesterday? The Sharks (and to a lesser extent the Bulls) are starting to look good. If the SA quota system has ended then the national team should start to improve. Who is touring there this summer?
England isnt it?
Ospreys looked excellent last night. New coaching set up delivering already?
Wasps pissed away a 17 point lead last night and lost to Sale who looked like they were going to get pasted after the first 25 minutes.
I can say from the vantage of nearly 20y of following the Sharks that looking like we’re going to get pasted after the first 25 min is normal service. Even at EP it was normal to be down at half time.
Where in London is Coventry, by the way?
Sarries hammer Saints again; 48 unanswered points in the second half; ouch.
Worcester beat Falcons too which is a surprise given how good Falcons have been this season which just keeps them outside of the top four whilst Wasps have slipped down a bit and could well find themselves outside of the top four if they don’t sort their shit out.
Scarlets / Glasgow a somewhat disappointing game - I don't mind so much if Glasgow are beaten by a team playing well but this wasn't that. Scarlets were Ok but nothing special. Glasgow were poor. really gone off the boil the last few weeks.
Scarlets were Ok but nothing special. Glasgow were poor.
You're like a stuck record!!
I was hopeing for a good game - did you watch it? It really was poor. Should have been a craker with two top of the table teams playing out of their skins. Instead both looked like they had their minds on other things. superb performance from Patchel at 10 tho you will be please to know if you didn't see the game.
Scotland were Ok but nothing special. England were poor.
If it works, it works!
Anyone see who got promoted to the english premiership today? ; )
Great day out at twickenham watching Tigers beat Bath. 60,000 people for an away match, that’s oretty damn good! Nano bits absolutely loved it - first game and had a ball. Microbits not so much as Mrsbits convinced her to be a Bath fan yesterday!
Good fun, good banter, good game. How the hell are Tigers in 3rd after the bilge they played earlier in the season?!! PS - George ford can’t kick....
Did either of you watch the Scarlets / glasgow game? It simply wasn't that good a game. Its an entertainment buisness and it wasn't that entertaining.
Its an entertainment buisness and it wasn’t that entertaining.
I enjoyed it. I especially enjoyed Russel missing a kick from right in front of the posts!!
I think that's about the level of the game. The best parts are your opponents cock-ups.
AA - probably the best performance I have seen from Patchell as the highlight. Playing very flat. Came in for some legal targeting from Glasgow but was much more resilient than I have seen him before in that he kept his composure.
Am I really reading that right? Scotland won all their games?
Could we have a stats report please O’Flashearty? Those results are meaningless without the stats behind them.
🙂
Scotland have beaten England at under 16, under 18, under 20s, 7s and full international this season - it's all becoming a bit too easy to be honest!
Hartley is a doubt for the tour to SA this summer due to more concussion issues. Northampton won’t put a timeframe on his return. In recent time he’s missed 14 weeks due to concussion. I wonder if he’ll think about calling it a day?
Worcester report 8 million loss for 2017 after 20 million in "loans" written off ( dunno how long over) This simply is not sustainable and that loss is more then the total budget of most if not all pro 14 teams
Is it not time English clubs were made to live within their means? Its going to end up that you can only play in the premiership and be competitive if you have a sugar daddy to pump cash in ( although Exeter seem to be the exception)
I wouldn't mind but it forces up players salaries and thus makes it hard for pro 14 clubs to hang on to their players. Deficit funding in the english and french games damages rugby in the rest of the world
thoughts?
I wouldn’t mind but it forces up players salaries and thus makes it hard for pro 14 clubs to hang on to their players.
But as we have seen recently, the Pro14 clubs are actually doing quite well without those players. 🙂
I'm not sure how you'd force any club to live within their means. As you know, there have always been ways of rewarding players without it going through official channels.
As I've banged on about many times, I'd say the issue is to bring more money into the Pro14 spheres to allow more teams and therefore more players. I don't think four clubs in Wales or two in Scotland is acceptable. And the next tier down is almost dead in Wales. I went to watch Swansea v Neath on Saturday (ok, very bottom of the table) and there were 100, maybe 200 spectators. This is the feeder competition for Ospreys, Scarlets et al.
How to get more money into the pro 14 tho? Its a much smaller tv audience than the ap or top 14 - thats the major issue. We do have new TV and sponsership deals for the next few years which will help but its never going to have the audience of the french and english
IN scotland there is a proposal to concentrate talent in the next tier down - super 6 - six semi pro clubs
It would be very easy to stop deficit funding - simply make it a rule that all clubs remain solvent and have income = expenditure. You could exempt capital projects like new grounds / stands but not allow them to spend more than their income on players.
If the RFU are not careful with this their league will end up like pro football - only about 4 teams with the resources to win it. Exter have rather disproved my point tho
And Leicester who are a PLC although they are showing recent losses due to the recent cap ex.
whats amazing is the sheer scale. A salary cap of (?) £5.5m and losses of £8m. That means they are not bringing in a penny surely? What on earth is it going on?
also, if we suggest that the AP should work within tighter controls, I suggest that the P14 clubs can’t have centrally contracted (read subsidised) players. I wonder what the losses would be if all the national squad players were payed full valued by their teams...
IN scotland there is a proposal to concentrate talent in the next tier down – super 6 – six semi pro clubs
I'd love to see a meaningful second-tier competition. (As long as Swansea was involved, of course, which is about as likely as me winning the lottery.) And surely it's the way to go to feed talent through to the regions.
Luke Price (young Ospreys no10) was playing for Neath on Saturday. I'm not sure he'll ever value that experience if he ever needs to face Munster at Thomond, or whatever.
tinybits - I don't think you understand how the pro 14 teams work - at least the scots and irish ones. wholly owned buy the unions. they are not commercial entities. They have a budget given them by their unions. all income goes to the unions. Players are not subsidised. ~they are contracted to the unions. Its a completely different model. No deficit funding tho. Edinburgh and Glasgow have total funding of around 7 million a year. thats all they can spend.
Id have thought at a guess some of the more 'traditional' AP teams as Glos, Saints and Tigers are doing ok with strong balance sheets. They all don't run thumping unstainable losses. Think Glaws lost about £1m last year after years of profit.
God knows what Worcester spend their money on! They don’t have many big names on the books. To be honest I’m not sure you can compare the models with the Scottish teams being owned by their respective union. The AP covers a single county and has 12 teams, some of whom are play things for rich people.
Wasps move to Coventry and their take over of the Ricoh should make them profitable if the business plan is correct.
Quins have finally said goodbye to Kingston. I’m surprised he lasted as long as he did.
God knows what Worcester spend their money on!
Just signed that wee midget scottish 10
Just signed that wee midget scottish 10
Given that Edinburgh wanted shot him, he much be costing about 10p to sign.
Duncan Weir - known as "Meatball"
Ulster 3 Ospreys 0 at half time... Ulster have had all the ball and been rubbish with it. Fonatia scored a screamer for ospreys but it was called back for a neck roll.
Enjoying the Falcons Sale game; Falcons have been pretty damn good 25 nil up after 30 mins and have missed three conversions. Richards has been doing some good stuff. Gary Graham is having a cracking game; big tackles, lots of metres made, good link play and a try.
Sarries continue to flog Mako; under the agreement about player welfare, he should be due a rest weekend having played four consecutive weeks. Instead he’s picked against Bath.
Good couple of games for Munster in SA so far. With their 85 travelling fans.
Murray’s kick to take them 19-17 ahead (final score). He’s got skillz.
https://twitter.com/pro14official/status/984874727733948417?s=21
Osprey finally manage to gift wrap a run in for Ulster. Maybe Ulster should have let Ospreys have more ball as it was their only chance of getting a try. Both teams almost comically bad!!