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Complicated, not sure I understand the structures.
Anyway more importantly, Dudley Philips bent, incompetant or blind. Binned Webb for a high tackle last night. Webb grabbed the bloke under the arms! Didnt even check with the video ref.
Oh and the video ref who was italian couldnt identify the italian player comitting an offence despite seeing his face. He needed his number.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberOh and the video ref who was italian couldnt identify the italian ayer committing an offence despite seeing his face. He needed his number.
Although tbf the offence they were looking at wasn't even an offence. Both players went for a high ball. If the Italian had been carded it would have been a poor decision. Philips though is a terrible, terrible ref and made many terrible decisions last night.
True it was nothing, but to claim he didnt know who it was makes tbe whole thing a shambles.
anagallis_arvensis - MemberTrue it was nothing, but to claim he didnt know who it was makes tbe whole thing a shambles.
It IS a shambles! Often neither the TMO or the ref is willing to make the correct decision. The Nick Williams thing was a perfect example.
Ulster have had how many people banned this season following video refs and refs only having given them yellows.
Only established internationals are on Irish contracts. Most of the Ulster squad are contracted to Ulster Rugby not the IRFU. I believe the only IRFU contracted are Best, Timble and Bowe. The likes of Henry and Henderson would be on an Ulster contract.
What happened Nigel Owens in the Ulster game?
He was 'accidentally' taken out by one of the Ulster 2nd rows. (Henderson?) 😉What happened Nigel Owens in the Ulster game?
Seriously, it was just an accidental collision. 🙂
Great win for Exeter and the Dragons
Leinster look like they might not make the playoffs.
Yeah, Leinster didn't have their normal intensity against the Dragons, but tbf to the Dregs they played well. At least they did in the second half.
Ben Te'o binned for a no-arm shoulder charge. He was wearing his normal huge amount of strapping on his left arm. You'd think that if he needed that amount of protection he'd protect it from impacts but he still likes to lead with that forearm and, early in the game, managed to inadvertently clatter a couple of Dragons players in the head with it. They stayed down for a few minutes. Although he didn't hit them deliberately I am still deeply suspicious of why he wears this strapping. It looks just like a plaster cast - if he needs that much protection should he be on the pitch? If he uses it offensively, he certainly shouldn't be on the pitch with it.
Leading with the elbow like he does should be cracked down on and if he was wortied sbout an injury to it, as you say he wouldnt lead with it.
Oh and going back to the irish and their money spending. Hansen was quoted as saying that he expects to lose half his team post world cup to big spending clubs in France, England, Japan and Ireland... cant believe he didnt mention the Dragons!!
Size 21 feet!
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Hansen's running scared ahead of the WC. Wouldn't be the only kiwi coach to try and play mind games in the media.
But, with the Piautau sighning, just comes down to how clubs structure their squads, in this case Ulster.
And this is the original point I was making with wrecker - agreeing on Glaws as a good rugby investment - Humphreys left ulster in a very strong position by bringing through quality local youth, training and coaching their development to a high standard, and supplementing that squad with a small number of top class imported players. It's a good model, and one he's trying to replicate at Glaws - adding relative value to them as a rugby club to invest in.
Next season, Ulster will have him at 15 and Piennaar at 9, with Bowe, Trimble/Gilroy, Payne/Olding, Cave/Marshal, and Jackson between them. Two world class imported talents and the rest an Irish backs line up - mostly Ulstermen from their own youth development.
Maybe other's will hold different opinions, but I'd be much prefer that sort of structure to one containing this multitude of imported "talent"
Arhip, Ardron, Bernado, Cuvibati, Dirkson, Hassler, Matevasi, Natoga and Steenkamp
in other news, France’s Midi Olympique has published a finance report for 2013/14 season.
Toulon made a profit of 690,00 euros.
Just goes to show that investing wisely can pay off nicely, as long as there's on field success and bums on seats.
And on Toulon, anyone catch this tackle:
The key is that good teachers don't necessarily make the best leaders/managers.
I'm sure he's terrified!!
According to Wiki theres about 8 imports in the Ulster squad and apart from Pienar they are all journeyman pro's from the souther hemisphere.
@loum - ouch ! Hoping to see Halfpenny at Twickenham on May 2nd
Andy Robinsons son Olly looks like one to watch. 17 tries in 13 games. Bristols top scorer and a real grafter. And he's got a great big face just like his dad!
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As I type,Billy V will be knotting a tie around his huge neck and trying to decide what biscuits suggest respectful without looking too desperate.
He should be fine with a couple of Rich Teas to be honest
http://sport.bt.com/did-vunipola-deserve-citing-for-challenge-on-tait-91363975427283
Colin Slade signs for newly promoted Pau. He'll be joining Conrad Smith there after the RWC.
Possibly starting to get a bit worrying for the ABs. Slade is only 4th choice FH but with Carter also off to France it does weaken their future options. He's only 27 and has plenty of rugby in him but is foregoing the possible chances of a Lions tour and Olympic 7s (The ABs want one of their FHs in the squad) in exchange for €660,000 per season.
Not great for the Crusaders as they've also lost their third All Black Fly-Half with Tom Taylor signing for Bayonne.
That's the first time I've seen the Billy V one - I think the world has gone mad!
Thats funny. Big gay irishmen!!! 😉 what will the pope say!
Vinny, no attempt to use his arms in any kind of clear out. Strikes me as a classic forward spots a softie back and tries to dish out some punishment. Definite ban IMHO.
@wrecker - Robinson's son is the spitting image of his dad.
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It's uncanny!
I would be trying to establish the whereabouts of Saint Johnny 9 months before he was born tbh.
Thats funny. Big gay irishmen!!! what will the pope say!
What parish would you like ?
I see those nasty english are refusing to release their english players for the wales pre world cup training camps...obviously running scared.
obviously running scared.
The PRL? Nothing to do with scared, they don't care about the RWC. It's an inconvenience for them. They just want some money from the WRU for player release. I know what you're thinking; it's not like the prem owners to angle for money. No, it's not like them to do that at all......
I know its nothing to do with the england team but was bored oc bitching about the irish, so would you please stop being so reasonable...
on a serious note its the likes of samoa, scotland ( 😉 ) and fiji etc who will get the shit deal!
. Super Gavin Henson
9h9 hours ago
Super Gavin Henson ?@UnrealGavHenson
Just the 20 (twenty) points for Big Gav tonight against Jersey.Then again, those Americans have never been great at rugby.
I couldn't be there but my mate said he played very well.
Jersey have been a real dark horse this year. Apart form Bristol, they are the only team to have beaten worcs this year (so far; they play pirates today who are quite capable of doing wuss over).
They are playing worcs at six ways in a few weeks aren't they? I might go along as I am spending a lot of time in kiddie at the moment as my dads ill
Next saturday mate for the last league game (I'll be there). Then likely again in a few weeks for a leg of the play off final. Hope your dad's OK.
How come the clermont-Saracens match looks like a clermont home game,doesn't rugby do an even split of tickets in semis like football? or have Saracens just not got many fans.
Saga end don't have a massive fan base. Out now too
That was dire. Still, a Scottish team in a European final. More than anyone from England has managed SO FAR!
Well, with Glaws v Exeter tonight...........
Thats funny that putting saffacens into my mums ipad with its annoying predictive text thing comes out as Saga!!
All french final then. Arse.
All french final then. Arse.
Blame Ian Madigan. 😆
Bit of a sad story from down under. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-union-player-nicholas-tooth-dies-after-suffering-head-injury-20150420-1mopj0.html
Wonder if it was due to second impact syndrome.