[Closed] Rugby Thread 2017/18.

Fell asleep watching Scarlets/ bath...dont think I will bother watching it,the weather can kill a game; can't it? Teej; is the Embra/Russia game on anywhere?

Go to 24.15

Duckman - I don't think so

CFH - the rumour is drugs

'Sporting' or 'recreational'?

Either way, idiot.

Brutally entertaining Bledisloe Cup match this morning. Barnes can be a very weak ref, can't he?

Edinburghput 70+ points on Krasny Ya 😯

Hello, just come here so I dont have to look there...Lopez, agony, leg......I dont like that sort of thing....how long before BT sport decide to cut away?

Nope still not nice. BT blaming french pictures

The scream was enough to tell you how bad that was 🙁

Hartley a lucky boy

Ref in the Saints game(and as an ex ref I feel dirty saying it) is a total bombscare.

duckman - Member
Ref in the Saints game(and as an ex ref I feel dirty saying it) is a total bombscare.

He is having a bit of a shocker isn't he?

Shitehouse has missed the memo about not taking out the 9 at the ruck hasnt he!!

...never mind the one about sanctions for contact with the head...

Ospreys giving Sarries a hard time, and playing some decent rugby.

Yep, Saracens uncharacteristically cack handed, which is perhaps flattering the Ospreys a little.

Some nice rugby on show, though!

Sarries playing with 30 left hands.

Despite commentators whining I can't see that not being a penalty try.

There was cover behind him. Yellow maybe, if we are to assume that the concept of a deliberate knock on can be refereed (As it requires the ref to know the intent!).

So, yellow probably, penalty try probably not.

Oh, and Calum Clark is still a violent, thuggish piece of shit who should never have been allowed back on a pitch.

Swinging weak arm, nowhere near the tackle lock? I think we know the intention there 😉

And cover was coming in on the late bus. No chance of stopping last man.

Nice osprey try. Tackles? What tackles?

Edit, what a steal by spencer!

🙂

Forgetting about the yellow.

There's a scrum at 43 minutes in the saints game and the camera angle shows Hartley's bind over the tighthead. The strapping over his hand wouldn't look out of place in an MMA ring.
[img] [/img]

Surprised that Ospreys gave Sarries such a game given how poor they've this season so far. Two points out of that game isn't a bad result really, especially away from home.

Saints were poor again yesterday. Guessing the teams they put out for their remaining games will be a bit weak so they can concentrate on the AP.

And cover was coming in on the late bus. No chance of stopping last man.

Being one-eyed, I could see two tacklers in place. There wasn't a definite try. It was yellow though.

I also thought that Tompkins set up his first try with a nice T'eo* style forearm smash to the face. Penalty Ospreys.

*where does that apostrophe go?

Big win for Exeter today!

Marlon Yarde on a disciplinary break as well, I gather.

Nasty looking head injury for Saili at the end of the Quins Wasps game...

Marler in being a dick shocker last night.

Wasps looked better yesterday but still some way to go. Le Roux still looks like a poor signing; he must be on a ton of cash but makes soooo many daft mistakes.

Will May be able to bring his scoring form to the AI's? He's been a good acquisition for the Tigers. Ford's form is on the up too.

May's got speed but he spends a lot of time going across the pitch. He needs to straighten, I know he's looking for a gap or mismatch but too often he runs into a tackle.

8 tries in 6 games means he's going forward some of the time though!

May is a decent player but I doubt he will ever be a top class international winger. Big, fast and clumsy bit lacking in rugby brain!

In a slight diversion from top class Rugby, it was my turn to accompany Jnr to his match(es) yesterday. This was the 5th/6th matches the U10's have played since full contact was introduced.

It got a little bit dusty. As a former player I got over excited almost becoming a touch judge in my eagerness to follow his play up and down the pitch shouting instructions. The experience was as exciting as any international I've seen.

The kids are really getting stuck in. Even after injury - a smack on the nose and a bleeding fat lip for one, several windings, and with KJ01 specifically some slightly bruised ribs their tenacity, commitment to the tackles, going forward clinging to the ball during tackles and pace of some of the tries was astounding - and I speak of the opposition teams as well.

Also, some of the kids are starting to show their naturally positioning as they develop and grow physically. You can see those running straight and hard starting to play off the SH position, my boy (he's short and fast) seemed to naturally defer to SH and was sweeping the defensive line, and coming into the passing line on attack during running play.

What heartened me most that even at this level, when there's an injury the kids instantly walk over to help their team mate, respect for "Sir" is there and some handshakes and hugs at the end of the matches with the oppo were heartwarming.

And these are 8/9 year olds, I came away feeling very proud of 60 kids from various clubs who showed teamwork, courage and humanity at such an early age.

Anyway, as you were...

May is a decent player but I doubt he will ever be a top class international winger. Big, fast and clumsy bit lacking in rugby brain!

He's a space cadet - even Jones has said that's he's a nightmare to coach because he's in a world of his own! But he's doing a good job and scoring lots of tries this season. With Yarde being a tool and getting dropped yesterday, I'm guessing May is almost a shoe in.

Hughes had one of his better games yesterday which was good to see - carried pretty well, good at the breakdown and a massive hand off of Dave Ward.

Hardie suspended for cocaine use according to BBC Scotland. What age is he ....17? Arse

Wales squad announced tomorrow I think. Any fit flankers?
Hope to see a midfield of Watkin and Morgan at some point

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41728802

Three [s]English[/s] people who play for England cited from this weekend.

Hartley, Hughes and Marler have all been cited.

Marler I’m not so fussed about, Hartley isn’t the best hooker at the mo but it’ll be interesting to see who is picked if George is promoted to starting hooker.

Hughes is potentially a loss given the eight cupboard is a bit bare.

Wales: Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Nicky Smith, Leon Brown, Tomas Francis, Samson Lee, Kristian Dacey, Elliot Dee, Ken Owens, Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Seb Davies, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Cross, Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate, Josh Navidi, Aaron Shingler, Justin Tipuric; Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Rhys Webb, Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Rhys Priestland, Owen Williams, Jonathan Davies, Tyler Morgan, Hadleigh Parkes, Owen Watkin, Hallam Amos, Alex Cuthbert, Steffan Evans, Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams

No Scott Williams no Jamie Roberts and no Charteris, Charteris a big shock. Parkes in is a bit odd as he cant play till the last game not sure he is international standard anyway.
Cupboard bare in backrow, Cross only made his Osprey debut last week. Lydiate in is shit but I guess in the circumstances makes sense.

In a slight diversion from top class Rugby, it was my turn to accompany Jnr to his match(es) yesterday. This was the 5th/6th matches the U10's have played since full contact was introduced.

It got a little bit dusty. As a former player I got over excited almost becoming a touch judge in my eagerness to follow his play up and down the pitch shouting instructions. The experience was as exciting as any international I've seen.

The kids are really getting stuck in. Even after injury - a smack on the nose and a bleeding fat lip for one, several windings, and with KJ01 specifically some slightly bruised ribs their tenacity, commitment to the tackles, going forward clinging to the ball during tackles and pace of some of the tries was astounding - and I speak of the opposition teams as well.

Also, some of the kids are starting to show their naturally positioning as they develop and grow physically. You can see those running straight and hard starting to play off the SH position, my boy (he's short and fast) seemed to naturally defer to SH and was sweeping the defensive line, and coming into the passing line on attack during running play.

What heartened me most that even at this level, when there's an injury the kids instantly walk over to help their team mate, respect for "Sir" is there and some handshakes and hugs at the end of the matches with the oppo were heartwarming.

And these are 8/9 year olds, I came away feeling very proud of 60 kids from various clubs who showed teamwork, courage and humanity at such an early age.

Anyway, as you were...

It's bloody great isn't it. I coach my son's team. It's one of the most rewarding things I have done.

However, what sucks is when your kid gets concussion at age 9...he's not the biggest lad, went in for a tackle got bounced off by a big lump and bounced his head off the ground. Out for a few secs, now in the Concussion Protocol.

This is a bit pot kettle black!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41740186

I know Scotland do it a bit more than England, but really? This is just whinging!

Hamilton, 25, is a former Wales U20 international,

However, what sucks is when your kid gets concussion at age 9

Ooof. best wishes on his recovery BillOddie.

anagallis_arvensis - Member
> http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/41728802

Three [s]English[/s] people who play for England cited from this weekend.

Initially I laughed, then I realised I didn't know of Marler's background. Imagine my surprise now that I've learned he was born in the same hospital and went to the same secondary school as me. Small world.

Marlers English isnt he? Hughes and Hartley not

Marler

https://twitter.com/Smallclone/status/922765629337124864

Hartley

Not seen the Hughes incident yet.

Marler will need good biscuits, Hartley may get away with it.

Marlers English isnt he? Hughes and Hartley not

Yes. I thought your crossing out related to all of them, but wasn't sure Marler was not English, hence I looked up the information on Wikipedia.

Marler out? Good, that’ll be genge starting who’s turning into a beast! Pretty good in the scrum despite a dwarf hooker and average second rows for Leicester but bloody superb around the pitch, he’s genuinely great

Hartley is pretty damn english (as english as George north is welsh). Hughes not.

I'm liking the Scotland squad. Barclay as captain, a few canny callups as not too many injuries. Not much bulk in the centres and inexperienced front row subs. Not a lot of back row depth with two guys out for forgetting "don't be a dick"

Hartley is pretty damn english

Apart from sounding very kiwi!!

I thought Hughes "effort" was the worst of the lot, Harleys timing off, poor execution. Marler is just a fud.

Apart from sounding very kiwi!!

At least his mum's actually English. That's better than grannies / I've lived somewhere for a couple of years so am no English / Welsh / Scottish etc.

I always thought England wanted the qualification rules tightened up not so much to stump the likes of the players above, but to reduce New Zealand's taking of islanders. I think it is fantastic of the RFU to be so keen to see Fijian, Samoan and Tongan rugby strengthened...I mean, that's the reasoning; isn't it?

Isn't the reasoning to get some return on the £millions it spends on the AP academies?

I think it is fantastic of the RFU to be so keen to see Fijian, Samoan and Tongan rugby strengthened...I mean, that's the reasoning; isn't it?

Let's not forget all those successful league converts like erm...

Hold on...

On the tip of my tongue...

Isn't the reasoning to get some return on the £millions it spends on the AP academies?

😆

Hartley has been cleared following his citing so is available for Saints / England. Not seen owt about the others yet.

The RFU whining about young players getting snapped up by other nations they have connections too is a bit silly, especially when some of (most of) these guys aren't even in the radar for Jones etc so may not even have been capped.

Wasnt Moriarty widely used in the pictures too? FFS his dad and uncle are welsh leg ends.

I think he was - was he even seriously on England's radar? Alright he played for at U-20's level but I've read nothing to say that he was a shoe in for the Saxons or main team. Like you said, given his family links it's not really surprising he ended up playing for Wales.

It's no different to Underhill getting capped just before his three years were up is it?

Spouting crap like this doesn't do the RFU any favours.

Marler has been banned for three weeks (was four but was reduced for being an arm rather than an elbow strike). Guessing that Mako will start with Genge on the bench.

Only worry is Hughes, but no news yet.

Moriarty was poached by Hartpury College and then England tried to grab him.

Saints' director of rugby Jim Mallinder said:

“The decision to cite Dylan from Saturday’s game against Clermont was unjustified. This was a run-of-the-mill rugby incident during a high intensity game of European rugby.

"Anyone who watched the game could see that this was completely accidental – a misjudgement at a clear–out, plain and simple. When we should be preparing for a crucial league game against Wasps this Saturday, we have instead been distracted by what we believe was an unwarranted judicial hearing.

"Citings like this do beg the question of whether Dylan is being singled out for what has happened in the past rather than being judged solely on Saturday’s game.”

Yes he us Jim because he is a dirty cheap shotting bastard of a player

No place for Teh Hask in the AIs.

I didn't think Hartley did much; Hughes is a lucky boy, that was a potential jawbreaker.

Backs

Full backs

Mike Brown (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Inside backs

Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Marcus Smith (Harlequins) *, Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards

Back five

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *, Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).

Front row

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby), Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)

*Apprentice players

Players unavailable due to injury or suspension

Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).

Hartley absolutely knew what he was doing. Yes it is not uncommon but like Marler he has a habit for being a bit too blatant. Is he over a year of suspension time yet or is he still aiming to crack that feat?

I suspect England fans will look at that squad and start getting in the excuses about injuries and the state of the modern game, whereas fans from every other country is thinking, damn I wish we had half that depth of talent

England missing a few bosh players, but in all honesty, there’s no reason to think the players selected army up to the job, and certainly we shouldn’t be whining that Vunipola is missing so we’re short at 8 for example!

England squad - only 2 scrum halves. Gazillions of superb locks and great depth in most other positions but the weakness is 9. Youngs is magnificent on his day but erratic for the next 6+ matches. Meanwhile Care would be good if box kicking were abandoned and the opposition didn't try anything unexpected (like a [s]Spanish[/s] Italian Inquisition). Unfortunately I can't think of any better English qualified alternatives. I wonder who will cover for an injury and why they are not in the squad for preparation.

No complaints/excuses from me as an English fan. Not surprised that Haskell isn't picked, he's got no form at all currently. Strong squad and our only really tough game is against Australia. At the risk of sounding like an 'arrogant English' type, anything other the winning all 3 AI's will be a poor return really.

Anyone else think that Don Armand is pretty hard done by not to get picked?!

Unfortunately I can't think of any better English qualified alternative

Robson, chudley, Simpson, Heinz.
Frankly with Webb off I'd be more worried about the welsh SH options.

I like this team. For too long England have been scared of blooding youngsters. I like Eddie.

Frankly with Webb off I'd be more worried about the welsh SH options.

9 is relatively OK loads of decent 9's at Scarlets, Webb going should see a few move around. Aled Davies to Ospreys I expect.
G Davies
A Davies
L Williams
To name 3.
More concern would be that at best I reckon about 3 forwards from the Welsh squad would make that Emglish one.

I love watching an in form Simpson. Has he recovered to the form he had pre-injury? It was starting to look like his time for bigger and better things was coming before being injured

In other news what do we reckon to the Parra head knock? Referee says he was unconscious, team let him back on the field and a review finds the medical team acted correctly since he passed the HIA and review finds he never lost consciousness. All a bit odd

Ref got loads of other things wrong, why not that.

Green machine squad for SA, Fiji and Argentina.

Ireland Squad - Guinness Series 2017

FORWARDS (21)
Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) Captain104 caps
Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 4 caps
Ultan Dillane (Corinthians/Connacht) 10 caps
Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 16 caps
Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 70 caps
Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 32 caps
Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 1 cap
Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 20 caps
Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
Jack McGrath (St Mary's College/Leinster) 41 caps
Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 49 caps
Tommy O'Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) 12 caps
Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 40 caps
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 2 caps
Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 16 caps
James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 2 caps
John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 9 caps
CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 15 caps
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 50 caps
James Tracy (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
Kieran Treadwell (Ballymena/Ulster) 2 caps

BACKS (17)
Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) [b]uncapped[/b]
Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster) [b]uncapped[/b]
Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 4 caps
Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 3 caps
Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 62 caps
Chris Farrell (Young Munster/Munster) [b]uncapped[/b]
Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 29 caps
Dave Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) 16 caps
Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 76 caps
Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster) 5 caps
Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 16 caps
Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/UIster) 1 cap
Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) 4 caps
Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 57 caps
Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 66 caps
Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 2 caps
Darren Sweetnam (Cork Constitution/Munster) [b]uncapped[/b]

Not too bad, although disappointed we won't see Ringrose (shoulder injury). Zebo left out only days after announcing he's leaving Munster at the end of the season - you'd have to include him, but if he's chosen to leave the system, then he's unavailable. No Bowe or Trimble either - and plenty of players with only the odd cap here or there, so seems there's an eye on the future. Delighted to see Sweetnam & Keatley get a shout. Thought maybe the Kearneys might not make it. Sure, Rob might be a good shout in a pressure situation but Dave? 😕 And of course Bundee Aki will prove a controversial selection. 🙂 VanderFlier and Scannell both injured. 😐

Can't wait for the SA game - felt they left that series out there.

More concern would be that at best I reckon about 3 forwards from the Welsh squad would make that Emglish one.

I can't think of any except not Toby and that's because Billy's injured. Warbs an outside chance but I'd sooner have the youth and potential of curry and underhill.

Warburton is not in the wales squad. Broken, again. He'd hobble into the England squad on one leg if at his best though. More of a 6 though these days.

AWJ
Faletau
Owens
I reckon those three would make the squad on a good day. Owens is better than Hartley, AWJ a force of nature and Faletau is one of the best players in Europe. I accept your point re youth though which is why Charteris isnt in the squad for Wales.

Suprised Tadgh Byrne (spelling) didnt make the Ireland squad seeing as he has announced he's going back

Suprised Tadgh Byrne (spelling) didnt make the Ireland squad seeing as he has announced he's going back

(Beirne I think, but that's a Gaelic spelling...usually with an O in front of it...different family root; Connaught as opposed to Leinster to Byrne )

Yeah, read some discussion on that around social media. I think the logic is that players could sign x year deals and then say they're coming back and play for Ireland in year x-1. As it is, he's a Scarlets player and not inside the system, so therefore unavailable for selection. Zebo could technically be involved in the AI, but as his future is now elsewhere, I can see why he's not been selected for this series.

As fine a player as AWJ is, I think he'd struggle to push into the England squad given our strength there....and the fact that all of our locks are younger than him (I know that's not necessarily the point)

....and I personally would rather Hartley than Owens.

Toby would get into any match day 23 in the world wouldn't he? Think only NZ would he struggle to get into the starting XV.... if he wasn't at 8 he'd be a 6 for pretty much any other team!!